St. Landry democrat., 1891-11-14
A PARDOuABLB DECEPTION.
By D, J. FISLAY.

Moonlake cottage had been untenanted
for two years, and as matter Of course
the subject was theme Of gossip.
Everybody wondered why the heir to the
property did not make his appearance.
Of course there was no particular reason
why man could not leave his house shut
up while he amused himself elsewhere,
but that did not satisfy Mrs. Forester,
for this estimable lady tried IN various
ways to solve the mystery. -.
"My DEAR" she said to her husband,
one evening after she had returned from
call upon the Septon family, Il have
news for you. I have just heard that an
old housekeeper has arrived at Moonlake
and has taken charge of the house."
swell, there is nothing wonderful
about that. It is quite common thing
for man to send his servants to clean
bis house before he comes to take up his
abode in it," said Mr.. Forester to his
better half.
"How stupid men are! To my mind
It is very unusual occurrence, and /
am sure there is some mystery attached
to it. Why should Mr.. Walpole remain
in Florida for two years after the death
Of his aunt, who left him heir to her
property? lam going over to see the
old housekeeper in the morning, and if
/ don't find out something from her then
my name is not Amanda Forester"
Faithful to her promise she walked
over to the cottage after breakfast next
morning, but failed to elicit the desired
information from Mrs. Jones.
"1ndade, ma am, I can tell no more
about it than yerself. The gintlenan
that hired me is the agent, and be towld
me to claue up the place and kape it in
good orther. He said the masthsr might
cum soon, but that he didn't know for
sure"
This was the substance Of what Mrs.
Forester gathered from Mrs. Jones, who,
it will be seen, was native of tie
Emerald Isle, and had tact enough to
keep secret.
Tor some tiE.e 4f si his his affairs went
on In the usual quiet way, and Moonlake
was allowed to rest in peace.
The neighboring houses were soon
filed with gay summer boarders, and as
Mrs. Forester had oil she could acco n.
modats she refrained from instituting
any further inquiries concerning the
missing heir
It was nothing unusual for the Forces.
tiers to have boarders during the summer
months, but Mr.. Forester never liked to
have strangers in the house, as be always
found that his home comforts grew grad.
ually less in proportion to the number Of
guests. He did not usually complain,
however, but on this occasion he had
long and rather spirited conversation
with his wife on the subject.
"Ncw, my dear Amanda" said he one
morning after he had come down little
later than usual, and consequently had
to be content with cold breakfast, u
tell you plainly that this is the last year
we will be annoyed in this way. It is
perfectly preposterous, and ! will not
stand it another season."
II it happened that Mrs. Forester was
In i'll hunor on this particular morning
of course there would have been slight
family quarrel; but, fortunately, on this
occasion she knew just what to say In
order to soothe her husbands temper.
"Now, my DEAR" said she, II know, as
we'll as you do, the number Of discon-
forts to which we have to submit, but 7
think, for Elias sake, We ought to bear
it gracefully. She is our only child,
and we have no right to keep her shut
up in the house without ever seeing
company"
ooh, no, Of course we ought to con.
aider our daughters prospects" said Mr..
Forester, land I think she lie consider.
ing her own, too, if / am any Judge Of
human nature. She seems to be very
fond of entertaining Gerald Mansfield
and Reuben Fairclitf."
"Well, | dare say Ella likes to have
compliments from young gentlemen, and
] did, too, when was her age said she,
with smile which made the old gentle.
man vince, for he had not quite lost his
memory regarding her young days.
"But," she added, 81 have no idea Of
letting her become attached to any gen.
tleman yet awhile, as have other views
Of husband for her. I think that If
MI. Walpole would come and take up
his abodeat Moonlake cottage he would
make very good husband for Ella; that
is, il she liked him, and it is very proba-
HE she would i1,dcriuor from ali bavo