Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-03-04

not appear as If, on the first rumor or suspi-
cion of disaster. he had rushed to the spot with
out decorum, to seize on his uncle's estate, and
with no better excuse than vague telegram
received from an irresponsible girl.
Here's the door," said the porter. Janet
ran up the steps with alacrity and knocked.
Mr.. Pennycomequick's house was formal as
himself, of red brick without ornament; half
way up the hill, with its back to the road, and
without even that mellow charm which old red
brick assumes in the country, for this was red
begrimed with soot on which not lichen or
patch of moss would grow. The ugly back was
toward the street; the uglier face looked into
garden that ran down the slope to the valley
bottom, There were two square-headed win
dows on one side Of the door, two similar win
dows on the other side. over each an exactly
similar window, and over the door one with a
round head that doubtless lighted the stair
case. Above these was another story similar,
but the windows less tall. Who does not know
this kind of house? They are scattered in hun
dreds of thousands over the face of England.
and who, with grain of taste would not a
thousand times rather snuggle into thatched
cottage. with windows broad and low, winking
out from under the brown caves? Not If one
lived to the age of the Wandering Jew could
one become attached to one Of these gaunt,
formal, dingy mansions. The door was opened
in answer to the bell and knocker, and Philip,
after paying the railway porter. requested him
to wait five minutes till he ascertained whether
he was to spend the night there or go in quest
of bed.
Then he entered the gas-lighted hall, to see
his travelling comrade locked in the arms of
her sister, young girl of the same age and
height and general appearance, with the same
red-gold hair and the same clear complexion,
who was flushed with excitement at meeting
Janet.
A pretty sight it was-these lovely twins
clinging to each other In an ecstasy of delight,
laughing, kissing, folding each other, with the
tears of eXuberant pleasure streaming over
their cheeks
But Philip remained unmoved or contempt
uous. He saw his Aunt Louisa and Captain
Lambert on the stairs.
II know we'll what this bit of pantomine
MEANS" thought Philip 1.-THE girls are show
ing off before two young men,"
''What! Philip herer' exclaimed Mrs. Side
bottom, who hastened down the stairs to greet
heI nephew "Oh Philip how good of you to
come! made sure you would the moment
you heard the news, and yet was not sure but
that you would shrink from it-as you were
on such bad terms with your uncle. am SO
glad you have arrived to assist us with your
professional advice. This is sad, a very sad
case"
"Mr. Philip.I p.IPennycomequickr' exclaimed
Salome, disengaging herself from her sisters
embrace and standing before the young man.
She lifted her great searching eyes to his face
and studied it, then dropped them, ashamed of
her audacity, and perhaps little disappointed
at what she had seen; for the moment he came
toward her he assumed his most uncompromis-
ing expression.
81 beg your pardon" said he stifiy "Whom
have the honor"
II am Salome Cusworth who telegraphed to
you"
He bowed haughtily. 81 am glad"
Then Salome abashed. caught her sisters
hand, and said to Mrs. Sidebottom: "Oh, please
let me take Janet away iirst-she knows moth
ing, and you must allow me to break the terri
BILE news to her myself"
She drew her sister aside with her arm round
her waist into room on the ground floor,
where she could tell her privately the great
sorrow that had fallen on them.
Philip looked lnquiringly after them, and
when the door had closed, said II % his aunt:
"Who are they? What are they?''f
You may well ask" said Mrs Sidebottom.
They are the petted and spoiled daughters of
your uncle's housekeeper. He has brought
them up beyond their station, and now they
will be unfit to do anything when turned
adrift."
But" said Philip, lone is married"
"Oh, yes, of course. She has caught her man.
know nothing of her husband, or how he was
tackled. dare say, however. he is respecta-
BILE, but only manufacturer"
"And the unmarried sister is Salome?"
YES an oficious, pert piece of goods"