Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1891-09-24
A PARDONABLE DECEPTION.
BY d. j. FINLAY.

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
a call upon the Septon family, 81 have
news for you. | have just heard that an
old housekeeper has arrived at Moonlake
and has taken charge of the house"
"Well, there is nothing wonderful
about that 1t is quite common thing
for man to send his servants to clean
his 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
propertyf | am 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.
''lndade, ma am | can tell no more
about it than yerself. The ginteman
that hired me is the agent, and he towld
me to clane up the place and kape it 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.
Forester gathered from Mrs. Jones, who,
1t will be seen, was native of the
Emerald Isle, and had tact enough tC
keep secret
For some time after this affairs went
on in the usual quiet way, and Moonlak,
was allowed to rest in peace.
The neighboring houses were soor
hlled with gay summer boarders, and a.
Mrs. Forester had all she could accom-
modate she refrained from institutin.
any further inquiries concerning til,
missing heir.
1t was nothing unusual for the Forres
ters to have boarders during the summe
months, but MIR. FORESTER never liked tc
have strangers in the house, as he alway
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 a
long and rather spirited conversation
with his wife on the subject.
"Now, my dear Amanda, said he one
morning after he had come down Il littl
later than usual, and consequently ha
to be content with q cold breakfast, ''
tell you plainly that this is the last yea
we will be annoyed in this way. 1t
perfectly preposterous, and / will nc
stand it another season."
If it happened that Mrs. Forester wa
IN Ill humor on this particular mornin,
OF course there would have been Il sligh
family quarrel; but, fortunately, on thi
occasion she knew Just what to say il
cN'N' " Sbptilp litl huSbullu temper.
Now, my dear" said she, 81 know, a
well as you do, the number of discom
forts to which we have to submit, but
think, for Elias sake, we ought to beu
it gracefully. She is our only chile
and we have no right to keep her shu
up in the house without ever seein
company"
"Oh, no, of course we ought to col
slider our daughters prospects" said MI
FORESTER, land think she is consider
ing her own, too, if am any judge a
human nature. She seems to be yer
fond of entertaining Gerald Mansfel
and Reuben Faircliff."
"Well, dare say Ella likes to hay
compliments from young gentlemen, NJ
i did, too, when was her age, suid sh
with smile which made the old gentl
man vince, for he had not quite lost h
memory regarding her young day
"But," she added, II have no idea
letting her become attached to any ge
tleman yet awhile, us | have other viey
of husband for her | think that
Mr. Walpole would come and take l
his abodcat Moonlake cottage he wou
make very good husband for Ella; tn
is, if she liked him, and it is very prob
BILE she would, Judging from all ha
heard of his fine appearance and prepo
sessing manner"
Mr.. Forester laughed good-naturcd
at his wifes Imaginative turn Of min
and having lighted cigar he went out
take his usual walk after breakfast, pc
fectly satisfied to leave the care of t
house to his wife.
The suspicious Mr.. Forester entc
tanned in respect to Gerald Mansfield
attentions to Ella were, indeed, W,