The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1889-01-03
AN UNEXPECTED VISIT.

= foundly Indifferent to his own successes,
that Gerard Strickland, twitching his
Gifts and stretching his arms, before let
ting his hands fall into his lap, sank back
into the luxurious arm chair by his Ii
brary fire, after throwing on the table
the letter that announced his promotion
TO an enviable post in the civil service.
AS he thought of the post, his advance
ment seemed 20 him no subject for con-
gratulations, but only one Of those grim
jests with which fortune delights to
mock disappointed men.
An old man servant, one of a sort
growing rare, entered the room with an
evening paper He laid it at his mas
ter's side, and stood at respectful dis
lance, waiting, half hesitating, with
come anxiety legible in his countenance.
"Well, Thomasy asked Strickland.
al beg your pardon, sir; but do you
remember what day it is todayF'
mo, Thomas"
"Your wedding day, sirI"
Strickland's face clouded.
81 did not know, sir, whether you
would wish for dinner the same wine as
--as you used to have"
"No, Thomas; l shall probably dine at
the club"
II ordered dinner. as usual, sir, and
bouquet, in case
"Quite right, Thomas, quite right"
For an instant the heart of the pro-
NOTED official sank. The fidelity of his
old domestic was humiliating. How he
would once have resented the suggestion
that Thomas would remember this ami
versary better than himself And that
1t should fall to the old servant to order
from the forest the bouquet Gerard HIM
self had been formerly SO proud to bring
home, on this evening, to his wtfel But
the slight sense OF annoyance passed
away quickly. Il was with absolute in
difference that, seeing the man servant
still waiting. he asked
Anything else, ThomasT'
This morning, when you had just
gone. a young lady called. Hearing you
were not at home, she said she would
call again this evening. about @. She
wished to soc you on important business"
''Her nameY
'She left none"
''Did you see herr"
mo, SIR"
''Did John say what she was ike?'
Rather tall, sir; a young lady, dark,
and fashionably dressed"
eff she calls will see her. You may
go, Thomas" The servant left, and
Strickland continued to himself: ''Tall.
young, dark, well dressed, business with
me. Who can she beI"
1.-THE lady is here, sir, in the drawing
library, after about ten minutes.
Strickland went to the drawing room.
At the door he paused n moment to steal
look at his visitor. She stood by one
of the tables, idly turning the leaves of
a photograph album. Her back was
toward him, and he could distinguish
\ only the tall and graceful figure Of a
woman, well dressed and wearing ex-
pensive laces.
Madam he said, advancing.
Tho lady turned. Strickland started as
If he had received an electric shock. To
surprise and the sudden pallor of his face,
he made her a profound bow.
"Ihope am not inconveniencing you,
she said, at the same time returning his
salute Then, with a quiet ease, she Sc
eScJed chair and sat down.
Not in the least, lam at your service,
said Strickland.
"As shall avail myself OF your con.
descension, l hope that was not merely
compliment"
MAY l ask you how can oblige your
The lady stroked the soft fur of hel
muff land once or twice lifted her search
ing eyes to his face. Apparently she. was
hesitatinS to name the purpose Of hel
visit. Meanwhile, Strickland gratified
his eyes with good look at her, lovely
fascinating still, as the first day he had
seen her. Only her pure profile had
gained more decision, and her eyes had
profounder meaning than when he last
looked into them, as those of IA woman
who had lived and suffered.
At length she said:
DO you still correspond with my
fatherY'
Eyes. 1t is, however, a fortnight since
last wrote to him"
at received letter from him yester
day. He is coming to town tomorrow.
This time Strickland made no attempt
TO conceal his surprise.
Tomorrow Your father, who never
leaves homer.
''The medical men order him to the
south coast, and he will, on his way, stoI
in town, to spend the night with
She paused.
"His daughter" said Strickland.
He says his son. And so we find our
selves in n pleasant embarrassment"
She leant back, and with a small hand
began drubbing waltz on the table al
her side.
''You call it pleasant" said Strickland
II did not come here to discuss words
but to discover plan Of action"
al see none"
Sand you are a politician, n man o.
genius! If those subtle arts, that have
been so successfully employed in YOU
) own advancement, could be, withou
prejudice to you, this once employed t.
extricate me from
Excuse me, madam; but your re
breaches are scarcely likely to assist me
to exercise my imagination"
bah! Well, have plan. First,
do not wish, cost what it may, to let my
father know-the truth"
1.-THE unhappy TRUTH
She made little grimace. and pro
Ceeded: my father would be cruelty
hurt, and the sins of the children ough
not to be visited upon their parents NJ.
remorse-I beg your pardon, that is o
little consequence here"-she looke'
aside TO warn him not to expostulate
and continues: Hitherto, thanks to on
precautions, the distance of my father
residence, and the seclusion in which h
prefers to live. has been spared this sor
row. Tomorrow our clover edifice o
dutiful falsehood falls to the ground, anC
l, at least, am unable to conjecture tn
consequences"
'And l..
''OIr. Strickland, It is absolutely nee
essary to prevent this scandal. I trus
you will assist me. My father must fin
US together; and we must avoid every
thing that would serve to awaken sus
picion-"
She spoke sadly, as well as earnestly
A deep shadow of concern settled on he
hearers face. Wrapt in thought, he dc
layed the answer. Bis visitor becam
"Your promised courtesy costs to
much" she demanded
mo. am ready. But I see man
difficulties The servants?'
"Give the new man servant foun
here this morning q holiday. I wi
speak to Thomas"
elf friend should calf"
''You will see no one"
eff we meet your father. people wi
see US together"
1--we will go in closed carriage"
klr father will stay here sever;
Good and simple hearted as
believe it possible he viii n'