Middletown transcript., 1891-08-06

Alice had discovered my lack Of er
thusiasm long ago, and insisted that
was preiudiced because Mrs. Climbe
was foreign looking and had an aHecl
ed way Of putting up an eyeglas
which, in the opinion of Val and my
self, was totally useless to her. I al
lowed Alice to think as she pleased
The fact remained that hitherto I wa
unconquered, and that Mrs. Climber
knew it.
Dust thickened at last, and we had
the approval of our consciences ii
closing blinds and drawing curtain
to, and shutting out by every recog
nized expedient the driving clouc
rack, the desolate landscape and tn,
constant drip drip Of the complain
ing trees. And then Val accepted {
stray challenge-mine or Alice's,
cannot now be sure the point is i'm
material-and proceeded with flow
! Of boyish eloquenoe which promised
we'll for his intended future al the
bar. to yindicate his latest hobby, the
science of graphiology. He had a
nota BILE little collection of autographs
and specimens of caligraphy, which
he rummaged out Of his hoard Of
treasures and upon these he decanted
with all the dogmatism of the profes.
sor and all the fervor of the disciple
As he was pointing out to half skepti.
cal critics and listeners an alleged re-
semblance between traits in the his
toricaI character of the Duke Of Well
iington and features in the great war
rior's handwriting he was interrupted.
To the surprise Of each of US, we
heard the rumble of approaching
wheels on the soaked avenue without.
Can papa be back after all, and
as early as this ?" Alice cried.
"Not he. That isn't our carriage.
Its a brougham certainly, but Spence
isn't driving 1.-THE rattle's different" i"
Val answered at the end of short
pause
Then, who can it be?" | said,
with wonder and "reminiscences of
anxiety.
Val crossed to the window and
caught question and reply of visitor
and coachman.
g" Is this the place." inquired the
former.
Yes, this be Mr.. Escott's, o t
Manor, Walnsey," returned the form
er.
Claug went the hall bell, and in
another half. minute Josephus, our
butler. looking anything but pleased
at the interference with his session of
enjoyment in the kitchen, opened our
door, and ponderously announced !:
Mr.. Lidlaw."
The name was entirely unknown to
me, as also the purport and occasion
Of the call. I debated for a moment
whether I should send Alice in search
of Mrs. Climber-who was, l believed,
writing in her own room-or whether
I should myself assume the RESPONSE
bility of confronting the stranger.
This question was decided for me.
On the heels of the domestic adyanc-
ed Mr.. Lidlaw F; he at least to have no
houbt as to the course to follow.
Understood, middle-aged, clean
shaven, gray-this is the best and full
lest description which | could have
given at the moment of the easy
going intruder, and it will suffice for
nv narrative.
All, three of you r he said. My
old friends daughters and son, | pre-
sumo? l wasn't aware he was so
favored"
The human voice is wonderful in
strument. In one case it shall of
itself convey suspicion Z; in another re-
assurance. 1t was the latter here. A
tyrannical imagination had painted
before my mental vision with swift
brush the portrait Of dangerous con-
spirator. Tie living enigma spoke,
and however puzzling and mysterious
his presence continued to be, my
courage revived. The Circumstance
is as ] state; the explanation I sieave
to others. a. 49, 80 u
My name is Escott :, this@Sisx my
brother-and my sister, I&stamner-
iDgly answered. ButsH'hP-to what
do we owe ?"-I was pftifully poor
inquisitor. Before I had framed my
query was stopped.
Who am II" the CHEEKY stranger
said. Well, l suppose one can't
claim universal fame but it certainly
strikes me as curious that you should
have to ask. As to my errand, that
is just pleasure and the resuscitation
of old memories. Your father and /
used to be staunch friends. You're
notvery like him, young gentleman.
The latter sentence was. of course,
addressed to nv brother Valentine.
Indeed" said Val laconically.
The strangers glance had fallen
upon the strange medley that decorat-
ed our comfortable. "Someone here
is collector of autographs, Isee," he
went gaily on. " May inspect them ?
Thank you. 1t is pursuit of greao
interest to me; I sometimes have t.
study-ahem!-in professional cat
pacity contrast and likeness in pen
manship." He bent over Val's speci-
mems, among which were included
examples of the hand of nearly all of
his acquaintances, for Val played
havoc very impartially with charac-
ters ancient and modern, great and
small. famous or obscure. And by
and by | noticed queer little start,
seemingly of recognition. Mr.. Lidlaw
looked up. who wrote this 2" he
said. 1t was couple of lines-a
quotation from Tennyson-and, be-
meath, the signature of Mrs. Climber.
1t was Alice who replied. That's
the writing ofour housekeeper," said
she, wonderingly. "Do you know
Mrs. Climber? She came to us from
Leeds. l like her hand-it is SO neat
and pretty"
uA nd n hospooku a strono, mill da