The Sunday morning news. [volume] (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1886-1891, 1889-11-10

u
the realm--I mean the English realm
among whom his grace the Duke OF
burlington holds pre-eminence, With
out further parley. It will, | hope, be
seen that we are people of some conse-
quence.
Mannering, 1t may be said in pass
ing, Is an inland town in one Of the
more populoas Of the eastern states.
1t is not quite city, though its aspira-
tions are charterward. and will perhaps
be realized at no distant day. The
manor Is far enough outside the busy
heart Of the town to allow ample breadth
of grounds and overarching sky, and is,
In truth, goodly place. It was built
late In life by my grandfather, Theophi-
ius Mannering, who, having from some
cause fallen under the ban of the head
Of the family in his time, came to this
country when young man, and became
afterward the founder Of town, of his
own fortunes, and. later, of the family
seat.
Two years ago, while leading the mo-,
rnadic life dear TO bachelor in easy cir
cumstances. was recalled home by the,
TO me, startling intelligence that my
brother, Robert Huntington Mannering.
had become involved pecuniarily, and
was In danger of compromising the FAM
lily dignity by sacrificing the manor and
its belongings TO the rapacity OF his
creditors. The letter conveying this in
telligence was from my niece, Madeline
X orr tcyHf fcr e1t.d
statement of facts, without any branch
ing off into sensationalisn, such as most
women would have INDUCED in under
the circumstances. From it conceived.
high respect for my niece, whom re-
membered dozen years back as 10
year-oId child, quiet and sensible, but
not otherwise remarkable. With the
family honor at stake, ! Of course lost
no time In returning home, being the
more impelled to haste that the letter
had been several weeks awaiting my re-
turn from yachting cruise.
1t was on a fine morning in June that
] reached Mannerington. The sun was
shining brightly, / remember, as 1t often
does Of June morning. A vocal con-
cert was also In progress, to which every
body had free tickets, the principal per-
former being Mile, Robin, of the FAM
lily, it Is believed, Of the illustrious Cock
Robin, whose tragical end Is rather
widely known. Mademoiselle was well
sustained by other performers, all OF
whom were singers Of note.
Having cleaned myself from railway
dust and partaken Of cup of coffee,
proceeded at once to the manor. My
brothers greeting was glad almost to
boyishness. For moment think We
both forgot the years which had made
him the father Of family and noe a.
well. waif--and were back again in
the old days of boyhood, when l. though
the younger, had always been the cham
pion and defender of my more Eighty
but light hearted and most winsome
brother.
"Ah. Raffy," cried Robert. facing me
with both hands upon my shoulders,
"dont you feel like telling me how.
much have grownp am sure you are
head taller than when saw you last.
But come in. come inl The girls will
be GLAD indeed OF this. -
"But about your affairs, RobbieY' ]
fastened to interpose. II have come to
help you, you know"
"Oh, 1t is all right now = he returned,
with shade Of embarrassment, as
thought, in his manner. I'VE have
pulled through"
He thereupon picked up pebble, and,
after balancing it upon his thumb and
forefnger spun it away quite out OF
sight. 1t was an old trick of his boy.
hood, which brought my heart to my
mouth. At that moment | was feeling
something of the sad pathos there is in
''the days that are no more" Robert
may have had similar feelings, for his
face was unusually grave. but herepeated
the exercise have mentioned as we
walked on to the house, and seemed TO
spin of all serious emotions with the
pebbles which whizzed from his hand.
.sYou have come to stay, Raffys'' he
said at length 1--WE are going 10 keep
you, now that we have you back again"
] reflected that emergencies might
arise in which my help would be invalu-
able, though it seemed not to be needed
now. Accordingly. promised that, Sor
the present at least. would remain in
Mannerington. In keeping with this
promise. settled quietly down, osten-
sibly occupying bachelors lodgings, but
living good deal at the manor. The
Misses Mannerings came, believe, to
regard me as model for bachelor uncles
attended them upon frequent shopping
forays, rode, sailed or sung with them,
and was. in fact, always at their com
mand.
Miss Mannering was the beauty of the
family. She had the orthodox allowance
of pink and white complexion. pearly
teeth. well cut features and crimpy,
golden hair, She appropriated her
opinions from those with whom she was
intimate. laughed most unsteady at
whatever was said. done or worn not
quite Ia mode; and was, in truth.
pretty, charming creature. besides being
the very pink Of propriety, and indeed
prize carnation dare say she never
originated an idea in her life Being,
however. well read. and having been used
from infancy TO the discourse of Guilt
waited people. she could talk fluently
enough, and passed In society for per-
son OF considerable intellectual diBcrinli-