The morning call., 1891-09-10
PARDONABLE DECEIT.
BY D. j. FISLAY.

subject was the theme of gossip. Everybody
wondered why the heir to the property did
not make his appearance. or course, there
was no particular reason why man could
not leave his house shut up while he amused
himself elsewhere. but that explanation did
not satisfy Mrs. Forester, for this eStima-
bic lady tried In various ways to solve the
mystery.
my dear" she said to her husband one
evening after she had returned from max
ing call upon the Septon family, have
news for you. [ have just aheard that an
old housekeerer has arrived at Moonlake
and has taken charge of the house.
''WpH, there is nothing wonderful about
that 1t is quite common thing for man
TO send his servants to clean hrs house be-
fore he comes TO take uD his abode IN II,
said Mr.. Forester 10 his better hall.
"How stupid men arel To my mind it is
a very unusual occurrence, and l am sure
there is some mystery attached to 1t. Why
should Mr. Walpole remain in Florida for
two years after the death OF his aunt, who
left him heir to her property? l am going
over to see tile old hOusekeeper In the morn
ing, and # | don't ind out something from
her then my name is not Amanda For
rrstrr."
Faithful to her promise she walked over
70 the cottage after breakfast next morning,
but failed to elicit the desired Information
from Mrs. Jones.
''Indade, ma'am. I can tell no more about
1t than yersel The gintleman that hired
me is the agent. and he towld me to clane
uD the place and kape ii in good orther.
He said the masther might cum soon, but
that he didn't know for sure"
This was the substance of what Mrs. For
roster gathered from Mrs. Jones, who, it
will be seen was a native of tie Emerald
Isle and had tact enough to keep a secret.
For some time after this affairs went on
in the usual quiet way and Moonlake was
allowed to rest in peace.
The uelghb0riug houses were soon filled
with gay summer bnarders, and as Mrs.
Forester had all she could accommodate
she refrained from inStituting any further
inquiries concerning the missing heir.
II was nothing unusual for the ForreSters
to have board-rs during the summer mon tbs
but Mr.. Forester never liked to have
strangers in the house, as he always found
that his home comforts grew gradually less
in proportion to the number Of guests Be
did not usually complain, however, but on
this occasion he had long and rather spiUi-
ted conversation with his wife on the sub
jet,
mo, my dear Amanda" said he one morn
ing after he had come down little later
than usual, and consequently had to be con-
tent with a cold breakfast, Il tell you plainly
that this is the last year W. will be annoyed
in this way. 1t is perfectly preDnsternuS,
and will not stand it another season."
If it had happened that Mrs. Forester was
In i'll lumor on this particular morning Of
course there would have been slight family
quarrel; but. fortunately, on this occasion
sh- knew last what 70 say in order to SOOthe
her husbands temrer.
Now, my dear" said she, II know, as
well as you do, the number of discnmf0rts
to which we have to submit, but l think,
for Elias sake, we ought to bear it grace
fully. She IS our only child, and we have
rfrb+ 70 her m in ha a
without ever seeing company"
"Oh, no, Of course We ought to consider
our daughters prospects," said Mr.. For
roster, "and think she is considering her
own, too. If am any judge of human ma
ture. She seems TO be very fond of enter
tanning Gerald Mansfield and Reuben Fair
cliff"
well, dare say Ella likes to have com
plimsnts from young gentlemen, and l did.
too when l was her age" said she, with a
smile which made the old gentleman vince,
for he had not quite lost his memory re-
gaTding her young days. But" she added,
Al nave no idea of letting her become at
tached TO any gentleman yet awhile, as
have other views of a husband for her. |
think that If Mr.. Walpole would come and
take up his abode at Moonlaks Cottage be
would make a very good husband for Ella
that is. if she liked him, and it is very
probable she would Judging from all | have
heard of his fine appearance and PROPOSES
ing manner"
6lr. Forester laughed good-naturedly al
his wife's imaGina alive turn of mind, and,
having lighted cigar, he went out to take
his usual walk after breakfast, perfectly
satisfied to leave the care Of the house to his
wife.
The suspicious Mr.. Forester entertained
in respect to Gerald Mansfeld's attention,
10 Ella were indeed well founded, as a close
observer might Imagine, seeing them to-
gether on this particular morning.
They had gone out for row on the lake,
and seemed to be enjoying the society Of
earn other very much.
Looking at them now. as they are under
the shade Of the large trees which skirted
the lake, it would be hard to find a more
perfect type of physical beauty than each
possessed.
Mr. Mansfield was man of fine personal
appearance, and had all the culture and re-
fnpment of a true gentleman.
Miss Forester was decidedly good look.
ing; blonde in every sense of the term,
but not what is yulgarly called "a washed
out blonde" for she had all the bloom and
freshness Of country girl accustomed tc
plenty of fresh air and exercise.
That is a decidedly old fashioned cot
tage," said Mr.; Mansfield as they came il
sight Of Mr. Walpole's place. :" Do you
know the history of it, Miss Forrester?"
'Oh yes" said She" but don'tsuppose i
would be of much interest to you. l be-
lieYe the man who built it was an old En-
gsh gentleman who took a fancy to tn,
situation and bought the place 1t was sale
that be lived rather reckless life auC
killed himself by high living. The prop
erty then descended from one to another
and now 1t belongs to a young gentleman
whose name is Walpole 1t has been va
cant for some time, and nobody seems t,
know anything about the present owner"
That is rather strange history" salt
he, "and 1t has aroused my curiosity.
10 N he IVA l0nly oil
some day if you will act as companion anC
guide"
81 think I would make a poor guide,
said Ella, "but l will go. nevertheless, If /
is any pleasure TO you"
THANK you," he replied; 'anything Il
which you are concerned cannot fail to hav
an interest and pleasure for me; therefore
if it is convenient for you we will go to
morrow afternoon"
This arrangement and few others of
similar nature being amlcably settled, the
returned to the house, and were surprises
to find the family waiting supper for them
as 1t was long past their tea hour.
That evening was rather an unpleasan
one for Mr.. Mansfield, as there was no OPP
portuuity for him to spend it with Ella
Company mad arrived and she was oblige
TO entertain them, although If the trutl
must be told she would rather have beer
otherwise employed.
Mr.. Mansfield being thus thrown upon hi
own resources went out Tor q quiet stroll
The night was fine and bright, and as HI
walked along his thoughts were of tn
beautiful girl who had been the bright sta
Of his life since he came to Moonlake
''AhP he thought, what If 1t be but
pleasant dream after alp Perhaps she en-
tertains nothing for me more than mer
friendship, and then all my bright vision
OF future happiness will be gone. The al
castle which fancy has built for me may b
dashed to the ground by cruel reality"
After walking some distance In quie
thoughtfulness he came to some defnit
understanding with himself, and being tOl
erably well satisfied with his plans for tn
future returned to the house and soon re
tired for the night.
Next day Mr.. Mansfield reminded Ella O
her promise to visit Mooplake cottage, AM
shortly after lunch they set out to stOrI
"Mrs. Jones' CASTLE" as it was called sint
the old housekeeDer had taken up her abod
there.
81 think we shall have some difficulty t
convince Mrs Jones that we are not goin,
to carry off the house." said Ella, as the
came in sight OF Moonlake.
l. IL