Mohave County miner. [volume] (Mineral Park, A.T. [Ariz.]) 1882-1918, 1890-09-06

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some excuse for speaking to the fostman,
who was arranging his clothes before
leaving him for the night, about the lady
who had dined there. Tho footman
looked at him unintelligently at first.
and then with q curious, almost quixzi.
cal, expression assured Mr.. Heaphey that
he had not the least idea what he was
speaking Of. a. he didn't know that any
lady was staying In the house, and as
the one or two ladies who had called
during the evening had driven homo 10
their residences. Seeing that he was to
get no light from this quarter, Mr.. Hea.
phey was silent, remained in the house
two or three dAyl finished tho portrait
which he had undertaken to paint In
water colors, and left.
From time to time all the circumstances
Ut this strange acquaintance would re.
cur 70 him, but he never cared to dwell
upon them In his own mind.
30 the time passed on. Once or twice,
taking the sketch up. Mr.. Heaphey had
worked uponit until it was well advanced
to completion. He never took It up sx-
cepting under stress Of feeling which
he could never define nor resist, he
never Ibid II away again except with q
sense Of relief and satisfaction. Early
in the ensuing winter Mr.. Heaphey was
called to the West Of England to keep an
engagement made long before with
friend who resided somewhere In the
marches OF Wales He started upon this
journey from some point the name OF
which can not now recall--for Il is
many yean since Mrs. Murray told me
this story--in the eastern or midland
counties. At all events, he left this
point on Saturday. and his route led
through the ancient little cathedral city
OF Lehfeld On reaching Lichfeld
great was Mr.. Hsaphey's disgust to Hnd
he could make no connection westward
until Monday morning This condemned
him TO pass Sunday n Lichfeld, pros
pect which hs was not enough OF
philosopher to accept with satisfaction.
There are two or three very decent
inns in Lichdeld, however, and In one
Of these think the Swan-Mr. Heaphey
made himself ~ comfortable u circum-
stances would permit. He ordered the
usual British dinner with the usual soup,
the usual fish, and the usual joint. He
had hardly got through with his dinner
when the waiter, 10 his astonishment,
came In with . card on salver. Taking
up this card, Mr.. Heaphey read on II the
name 81 gentleman who many years
before had been one Of his schoolfollows,
but OF whom he had seen and heard
nothing since he Came 10 years Of man.
hood. He bsde the waiter show him up
at once. When ths door opened lie wei.
comed-not man Of his own years, but
a quiet and rather serious looking, very
courteous young gentleman Of rs or 90,
who promptly explained that he was the
son and namesake Of Mr.. Heaphey's old
schoolfellow; that no had been sent by
his father with carriage to find Mr..
Heaphey ct the INN, his father being con.
fined 10 his room with an illness, and that
his father insisted on Mr.. Heaphey's leav-
ing the inn and coming 10 pass his Sun
day IN LicnneiA IN their house. Mr..
Heaphey, overwhelmed at this ciyility,
could not resist expressing his surprise
and asking the young man how in the
world his father came to know Of his en-.
tirsly accidental visit to Lichfield.
THAT can't tell you, said the young
man, 1but he has been expecting you all
day."
Well, this passes all comprehension!
said Mr.. Heaphcy. @And ! should be
very glad 10 find out how 1t came TO
pass" He endeavored, however. to ex-
cuss himself from accepting the hospital.
ity thus unexpectedly proffered him, but
in vain. The young man insisted that he
could not think Of such o thing a. goinb
back without Mr. Heaphcy, and after o
little the artist yielded. His portnan.
teau and dispatch box were brought
down, put into q neat little private
carriage which stood at the inn door.
and Mr.. Heaphey drove to the house Of
his old acquaintance.
Il win 60 up stairs, said the young
man, sand let my father know you are
here. He is 70 anxious to see you and
has been 80 nervous and restless Of late
that ought to zee him for few mo-
ments before you go np." And with
this he led Mr.. Heaphey into drawing
room, where he presented him to young
lady dressed in mourning as . sister.
my father, said the young lady, 1has
been hoping to see you here for months:
but It was only to-day that he felt sure
Of your coming.
-Yes7' said Mr.. Heaphey. .And how
In the world did he feel sure Of my com.
ing today
THAT ] can't tell you, said the young
woman, -but suppose II Is because he
had heard from you
Heard from met" said Mr.. Heaphey.
my dear young lady, have had no
communication with your father for
years. lam sorry 10 say ! didn't even
remember he was living here In Lich-
fisld."
Tho young lady looked ct hin incredu-
lousy.
How can this be when you have been
painting my sisters portraiti"
Painting your sisters Portrait" said
Mr.. Heaphey. Pray, what isyouraister's
namei"
Her name! I" said the young lady, re-
peating it.
Il assure you," said Mr.. Heaphey,
either am dreaming or you are. Your |
sister never sat TO me for her portrait
I never heard Of II until this moment
you must not say this to my father.