Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1892-08-21

told the Sub-editor not 10 Drlng MIN
back. Most OF the literary staff were
youths trying to be bohemians, who
liked to feel themselves sinking, and
they never scaled the reserve which
walled Rob round. He had taken
sitting, however, in the Scotch church,
to the bewilderment Of the minister,
who said, "But l thought you were
reporter?" as If there must be mis-
take somewhere.
Walsh could tell Rob little OF Col.
Abinger. He was brave soldier, and
for many years had been widower.
His elder son was barrister in London,
whom Silchester had almost forgotten,
and Walsh fancied there was some
story about the daughters being en-
gagged to a baronet. There was also a
boy, who had the other day brought
the captain OF his school to Silchester
football ground to show the club how
to take a drop-kick.
docs the Colonel f1sh?" asked Rob,
who would, however, have preferred to
know il the Colonel had good memory
for faces.
"He is famous angler" said Walsh;
'Indeed, have been told that his bursts
of passion are over in five minutes, ex-
cept when he catches poacher."
Rob WINGED, for Walsh did not know
of the fishing episode.
"His temper" continued Walsh, SIS
such that his male servants are said
never TO know whether he will give
them shilling or whirl OF his cane
until they get it. The gardener takes
a look at him from behind tree before
venturing to address him. l suppose
his poverty is at the bottom OF 1t, for
the estate is mortgaged heavily, and he
has had to cut down trees, and even to
sell his horses. The tenants seem to
like him, though, and If they dared they
would tell him not TO think himself
bound to give them this annual dinner.
There are numberless stories OF his
fierce temper, and as many of his ex-
travagant kindness. According to his
servants he once emptied his pocket to
o beggar at q railway station, and then
discovered that he had no money for
his own ticket. As for the ne'er-do-
weels their importuning makes him
rage, but they know he will fling them
something in the end if they expose
their rags sufficiently"
go" said Rob, who did not want TO
like the colonel, che would not trouble
about them if they kept their misery to
themselves. That kind Of man is more
likely to be philanthropist In your
country than in mine.
keep that for Burns dinner" sug-
gested Walsh.
Rob heard now how Tomlinson came
to be nicknamed Umbrage.
"He was sub-edting one night,
Walsh explained, ''during the time OF
an African war, and things were going
so smoothly that he and Penny were
chatting amicably together about the
advantages of having a few Latin
phrases in a leader, such as dolce far
nients or celia 40 sans dire"
Il can believe that" said Rob, "of
Penny certainly"
"Well. by the middle OF the discussion
an important war telegram arrived. to
the not unnatural disgust OF both. AS
is often the case, the message was mis-
PEELED, and barely decipherable, and
one part OF it puzzled TOmlinson good
deal. 1t read: 'Zulus have taken UNI
bragg; English forces had to retreat
Tomlinson searched the map in vain for
umbrage, which the Zulus had taken;
and Penny being In hurry. was sure IT
was a fortress. So they riSked II, and
next morning the chief lies in the Mir
YOr contents bill were: --latest News Of
the War; Capture of Umbrage by the
Zulus.'"
By this time the reporters had passed
into the grounds of the estate, and be-
ing late were hurrYlng up the grand
avenue. 1t was the hour and the season
when night comes on so sharply that
it's shadow may be seen trailing the
earth as a breeze runs along field Of
corn. Heard from q height, the roar
OF the Dome among rocks might have
been the rustic of surrounding trees In
June; so men and women who grow old
together sometimes lend each other a
voice. Walsh, seeing his opportunity
i'm Rob's silence, began TO speak or him
self He told how his first press work
had been series Of letters he had writ
ten when at school, and contributed to
a local paper under the signature OF
''PaterfamiIias," aud IAN Indignant
Rate-Payer." Rob scarcely heard. The
bare, romantic scenery impressed him,
and the snow in his face was like
Whit of ThrumS. He was dreaming,
but not of the reception he might get at
the castle, when the clatter of horses
awOke him.
There is a machine behind u.s." he
said, though he would have written
trap.
a brougham numbered into sight. AS
its lamps flashed on the pedestrians, the
coachman jerked his horses to the side,
and Rob had a glimpse OF the CARRIAGES
occupant. The brougham stopped.
81 beg your pardon" said the travel
Ter, opening his window, and addressing
Rob. "but in the darkness mistook you
for Colonel Abinger.
1--WE are on our way to the castle,
said Walsh, stepping forward.
"Ah, then" said the stranger, per
haps you will give me your company
for the short distance we have still to
go?"
There was fine courtesy in his man
ner that made the reporters feel their
own deficiencies, yet Rob thought the
stranger repented his offer as soon as it
was made. Walsh had his hand on the
door, but Rob said:
owe are going to Dome Castle as re-
porters."
ooh" said the stranger. Then he
bowed graciously and pulled up the
window. The carriage rumbled on,
leaving the reporters looking at each
other. Rob laughed. For the first
time in his life the advantage a hand
some man has over plain one had
struck him. He had only once seen
such face before, and that was in mar
bic In the Silchester Art Museum. This