Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1890-12-20

cred the TOUR miles In iebS IMAM IN nOuES
and duly presented himself ut the big,
gloomy pile Of gray stone that was the
home OF the Marquis. The flunkey who
opened the door smirked as he admitted
the handsome visitor, and remarked:
"You ave made mistoik, sir; this Is
the servants hentrance"
lit was the servants hcntrance that
wanted" answered Eustace. ''Please
tel his lordship should like to see
him at once"
The man led the way to the big hall
way, where big antlered heads looked
down from the walls, and guns and
fishing-rods hung on large racks. Pres
emily the turnkey came and ushered the
visitor into the library, where sat the
Marquis.
Eustace had expected to see grim
old man, stately Of demeanor and
naughty in appearance. Instead Of
that there arose to meet him o young
man of thirty or thereabouts, clad In
shooting corduroys, with broad Shout
ders and frank. healthy, red face.
~ have called, your lordship," an
nounced Mordaunt drawing of his
brick-colored kids, ito endeavor to Sc
cure the position Of assistant game
keeper, which you advertised yester-
day."
The Marquis stared. "You what?"
said he, cycling his wcll-bred- looking
visitor from head to foot.
Don't be astonished," answered the
young man, carelessly, but with re-
spect- 1T is true / am gentleman,
as you evidently perceive, but want
the place. / must have employment
/ am honest, healthy and will serve
you we'll. know all about grouse and
pheasants, and think your lordship will
find my services valuable"
After further conversation, which 1t
is unnecessary to repeat, the Marquis
rose, walked into the hall, took down a
couple Of breech-loaders from rack.
handed one to Eustace. and the two
walked down pathway into the woods.
When they returned Eustace was carry
ing four birds in bag, and the two
looked as though they enjoyed each 9TH
er's company.
The head keeper, an old man of near
~ seventy, was mere igure-head, and
the work fell mostly on Eustace and
the grooms, of whom there were sew
eral. Eustace lived in the little shoot
ing lodge, nearly two miles from the
manor, in the heart Of the beech woods.
The members Of the shooting parties
given by his lordship invariably ex-
pressed curiosity on the subject Of the
new keeper. To inquiries the Marquis
made answer that he knew nothing of
the young man except that he was the
best game-keeper he ever had on his
preserves. Mordaunts manner towards
I the ladies and gentlemen who visited
the manor was that Of undertaking re-
spect and courtesy. His breeding was
apparent at q glance. The Marquis
cousin, healthy country girl Of seven
teen, once remarked in his hearing on
the smallness and Wilderness Of his hands,
whereupon he blushed deeply and moved
out Of sight.
Time and again the Marquis besought
his keeper, to whom he had taken q
great liking flor which Mordaunt's abil-
tiles as q sportsman were perhaps par
TALLY responsibility, to quit his mental
position and become his private secre-
tary. The Americans invariable reply
was that he liked his position and
would keep it as long as his lordshir
allowed him to do so.
Then came tragic night. Poachers
were abroad and the Marquis Of Sans
downe, returning late at night through
his grounds from neighbours, tried to
capture two Of them single-handed. he
was felled to the ground with Q bludg-
con and might have persisted then and
there had not Eustace Mordaunt came
stalking through the moonlit glade
with his fowling-piece over his shout
der. One poacher fed. The other. as
he stood over the PROSTATE Marquis,
preparing to strike another blow, re-
ceived o charge Of bird shot in the thigh.
He responded with q pistol shot that
stretched the American on the dewy
sward, and then limped away.
| ~ was S1A Wcohb UolOEO 1SuoboOo ACAt
his bed. During his period Of captivity
the Marquis cousin, the blue-eyed lady
Edith, trotted down to the lodge
every day with some delicacy to tempt
his palate. The Marquis was not
jealous. Perhaps he rightfully In
terpreted her charity as gratitude for
his own salvation. When Eustace be-
gan to prowl about fairgrounds again,
pale and thin, work was out OF the
question. When his employer asked
him one day II there was any thing he
wished for he blusheG and hesitated.
"What is it, man? Speak out" said
the Englishman, heartily.
"While am idle all day." answered
the American, 4 should like to have q
piano down at the lodge. II your lord
1 90 onnA An