The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1890-12-18
CHAPTER IL

CHAPTER IL
During the or suing eigh teen months
Mr.. Eustace Merdaunt saw pretty much
AN of Europe. Being possessed of a
small independence. for which he was
indeb to the timely decease OF a
maiden aunt, no had tho means at his
disposal to crafty his whim for travel.
But continuous travel is bound TO grow
stale after = certain time, especially II
one has q well-defined sorrow, that the
flight of months can not rob of its piq-
nancy. gnawinR at his vitals; so 1t came
to pass that the young man, as he sat,
solitary. in his rooms at the Metropolo
In London one gloomy October after
noon, found himself very much at loss
where to 20 next OF continuous tour
ing he was heartily tired. A return to
America was not to be thought Of. As
he glanced idly over the columns Of the
Daily Telegraph, his eye lighted upon a
certain advertisement He threw him
s''lf back in his armchair. gazed dream
lily into the fire and said, half aloud:
why not?. 1t would be = novelty, any
way"
The early afternoon of the following
day found the American alighting from
a train at a little wayside station in
Kent lie looked rather distinguished
in long ulster, buttonel closely up to
his throat and the station-master
touched his hat respectfully az the
stranger came forward and inc uired the
way to the Marquis Of Sansdowne's.
III you were expected at the manor,
SIR" he said, there is sure to be car
riage here presently
I'm not expected" answered Eu.
STAGE, land Id much rather walk"
He was informed as to the way, and
started of at swinging gait He COW
cred the four miles in less than an hour,
and duly presented himself at the big,
gloomy pile of gray stone that was the
home of tho Marquis. The turnkey who
opened the door smirked as he admitted
the handsome visitor. and remarked:
"You ave made mistoik, sir; this is
the servants hentrance."
1T was the servants hentrance that
wanted" answered Eustace. "Please
tel his lordship 1 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 ths library, where sat the
Marquis
E,stace had expected to SEQ grim
old lasc. stately Of demeanor and
naughty " appearance. Instead Of
that, there arosa to meot him young
man of thirty or *horeabouts, clad III
shooting corduroys, WITH broad shout
ders and frank, healthy, rea :>ce.
II have called, your lordship,s ~
nounced Mordaunt drawing of his
brick-colored kids, ito endeavor to SO.
cure the position of assistant game
keeper, which you advertised yester.
day."
The Marquis stared. you what?'
said he. cycling his woll-bred-lookina
visitor from head to foot.
Don't be astonished," answered the
young man, carelessly, but with re-
spect 1T is true l am gentleman,
as you evidently perceive. but wan,
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 II
is unnecessary to repeat, the Marquis
rose, walked into the hall, took down .
couple of breech-loaders from = rack
handed one to Eustace, and the two
walked down q 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 hgure-head, and
the work fell mostly on Eustaoo and
the grooms. of whom there were sew
eral Eustace lived in the little shoot
ing lodge, nearly two miles from the
The members OF the shooting parties
given by his lordship invariably OK
pressed curiosity ON the subject Of the
new keeper. To inquiries the Marquis
made answer that he knew nothing OIL
the young man except that he Was the
best game-keeper he ever had on hit
preserves. Mordaunts manner towards
the ladies and gentlemen who visited
tho manor was that OF undertaking re-
spcct and courtesy. His breeding va.
apparent 1T = glance. The Marquis
cousin, = healthy country girl of seven
teen. once remarked in his hearing or
the smal!ness and wilderness Of his hands
whereupon he flushed deeply and moved
out of sight. 49,: ,. ....
limo and again the Marq us besough1
his keeper, to whom he had taken I
great liking (for which Mordaunts abil
tiles as sportsman were perhaps par
TALLY responsibility. to quit his mental
position and become his private secre
tary. The Americans invariable repl,
was that be liked his position ani
would keep it IS long % his lordshil
allowed him to do So
Then came tragio night. Poaoher,
were abroad and the Marquis Of Sans
downe, returning late at night through
his grounds from neighbor's, tried *
capture two Of them sin9le.handed- HI
was felled to the ground with bludR
con and might have persisted then AND
there bad not Eustace Mordaunt came
stalking through the mcdnlit GLADE
With his fowling- piece over his shout
dor. One poacher led. The other. .!
10 siooa over tho PROSTATE Marquis