San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1890-03-18
MERLE'S CRUSADE.
BY ROSA NAUCHETTE CAREY.
Author of Barbara HeGthCote's Trial."
"Queente's Whim," "The Search
for Basil LUndhurSt"

send us home in his wagonette. Come
come! Why do you hesitate, Merle' He
is fathers old friend: and even Adelaide
would find no fault with us if we took
refuge at the Red Farm"
| held my peace. for of course Miss
Cheriton must know what her father and
sister would approve; but | did not like
the notion at all and followed her some
what reluctantly down the field. | would
much rather have gone to Wheeler'S
Farm, and put ourselves under MOlly's
protection. Most likely they would have
placed a covered cart or wagon at our
disposal, and we should all have enjoyed
the fun. Gay was so simple and uncOn-
ventiOnal that she saw no harm at all in
going to the Red Farm; but | knew what
Aunt Agatha would say, and | took all
my notions of prOpriety from her.
But the Fates were against us, for just
as we reached the stile there was Squire
Hawtry himself, mounted as usual on
brown Peter, trOtting quietly home. He
checked Peter at once, and spoke in rather
a concerned voice.
Miss Cheriton, this is very imprudent.
There will he storm directly. Those
children will never get home"
He spoke to her, but fancied he meant
that reproachful look for me. No doubt
was the one to blame.
1T was very wrong" stammered; but
we were talking and did not notice. !
want Miss CherltOn to hurry to Wheeler's
Farm"
"Oh, nonsense" he said, abruptly; but
it was such a pleasant abruptness; THE
Red Farm is a mile nearer. Give the lit
tie girl to me. Miss FeutOn, and then you
can walk on quickly. | will soon have
her under shelter"
There was no disputing this sensible adj
vice, and as soon as Peter was trOtting on
with his double burden | followed as
quickly as possible with Reggie. We
were only Just in time, after all. AS |
wheeled Reggie under the the porch of
the Red Farm the first heavy drops pat
tered down.
was i'll such haste that l only stole
quick glance at the low red house, with
its curious mulliOned windows and stone
porch. had noticed, as we came up the
gravel walk, thick privet hedge, and a
yew walk, and a grand old walnut tree in
the center of the small lawn, with a cir
cular seat. There were seats, too, in the
porch, and a sweet smell of Jasmine and
clematis. Then the door opened, and
there stood Mr.. Hawtry, with a beam
ing face, and Joyce beside him, evidently
pleased to welcome us all to the Red
Farm,
| lifted Reggie out of the perambuatOr
aud carried him into the hall. 1t had
some handsome oak furniture in it; heavy
carved cabinets and chairs, and Il tail
clock There was tiger skin lying be-
fore the lire place. An open glass door
led into charming Old-fashiOned garden,
with a bowling green and Il rustic arbor,
and long, straight walk, bordered with
standard rOse-treeS.
A tall, thin woman, with a placid face
and gray hair shook hands with Gay Mr..
Hawtry introduced her to me as Mrs.
Cornish, my worthy hOusekeeper,n and
then babe her, with gOod-humOred per
emptOrinesS, ITO get tea ready as soon as
possible in the oak room"
Il am afraid the drawing-rOOm has
rather a chilly aspect" he continued.
throwing open Il door. should you not
prefer sitting in my den, Miss Gay, until
Mrs. Cornish tells us tea is ready?n
| was sorry when Miss CheritOn pro-
nOunCed in favor of the den. | liked the
look of that drawing-room, with its three
long, narrow windows opening on to the
bowling green. 1t had faint, yeliowish
panelcd walls and an old fashioned blue
couch, AID there was some beautiful china
on an Indian cabinet. No dOUbt that was
where his mother and Mis-, \ gncs used to
sit. Perhaps the room held sad memories
for him, and he was glad to close the door
upon them.
Mr.. Hawtry'S den was small front
room, with a view of the privet hedge and
the walnut tree, and was plainly furnish
ed with a round table, and well-worn
leather chairs, the walls lined with ma
hOgauy bookshelves, his gun and pair
of handsomely mounted pistols oCCUpying
the place of honor over the mautel-pect
Joyce called 1t an ugly room, but Thought
IT looked comfortable and home-like, with
its pleasant litter Of magazines and papers;
and Gay said at once:
Il do like this old den of yours, Mr..
Hawtry; it is such a snug room, especially
in winter, when father and | have come
in after "A long, cold ride"
You do not come as often now, Miss
udy, nc Sdlu, looking at nef llLIle keeu-
ly.
She cOlOred, as though the remark en-
barrassed her, and seemed bent on eXcus-
ing herself.
Il am such a busy person, you see, and
now spend all my leisure time with the
children Am l not a devoted aunt,
Mcrle?"
You are very good to give us so much
ofyour company" l returned, for l saw
she wanted me to speak; but just then Il