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


that all at once the baronet's sense OF
humor seemed to overcome his fears,
and instead of quaking he laughed
heartily. Sir Clement was evidently
one Of the men who carry their joke
about with them.
This unexpected guest did Rob one
good turn. When the Colonel saw Sir
Clement he hesitated for moment, as
If not certain how to greet him. Then
the Baronet, who was ELUSIVE, muir
INJURED that ne had something to say to
him, and Col. Abinger's face cleared.
He did Sir Clement the unusual honor
Of accompanying him upstairs himself,
and so Rob got the seat assigned to him
at the dinner table without having TO
meet his host in the face. The butler
marched him down long table with
twist In it, and placed him under ar
rest. as IL were, in a chair from which
he saw only few Of the company.
The dinner had already begun, but the
first thing he realized as he took his
seat was that there was lady on each
J side of him and table napkin in
front. He was not sure il he was e1-
pected to address the ladies, and he was
still less certain about the table-napkin.
or such things he had read, and he had
even tried TO be prepared for them.
Rob looked nervously at the napkin,
and then took a covert glance along the
table. There was not napkin in sight
except one which q farmer had tied
round his neck. Robs fingers wanted
to leave the napkin alone, but by an ef-
fort he forced them towards it. All
this time his face was blank, but the
internal struggle was sharp. He took
hold OF the napkin, however, and spread
II on his knees. 1t fell to the floor i'm
medately afterwards, but he disre-
| garded that. 1t was no longer staring
at him from the table, and with
heavy sigh of relief he began to feel
more at ease. There is nothing like
burying our boges.
His position prevented Rob's seeing
either the Colonel at the head OF the
table or Miss Abinger at the foot OF IT,
and even Walsh was hidden from view.
But his right hand neighbor was local
doctors wife, whom the Colonel had
wanted 20 honor without honoring too
much, and she gave him some informa-
ton. Rob was relieved to hear her ad-
dress him, and she was interested in
tame Scotsman.
81 was once in the far north myself"
she said, "as far as Orkney We were
nearly drowned in crossing that dread
full sea between it and the main land.
The Solway Firth, is it?"
Rob thought for moment OF explain
ing what sea 1T is, and then he thought
why should he.
Eyes, the Solway Firth" he said.
ut was rather an undertaking" she
pursued; "but though we were among
the mountains for days we never en-
countered and of these robber chief
tains one reads about-caterans l think
you call them?"
"You were very lucky" said Rob.
"Were we not? But, you know, we
took such precautions. There was
quite a party of us including my father,
who has travelled great deal, and all
the gentlemen wore kits. My father
said it was always prudent to do in
Rome as the Romansdo."
~ have no doubt" said Rob, THAT In
that way you escaped the caterans.
They are very open TO tlattery,"
$50 my father said. We also found
that we could make ourselves under
stood by saying whatever and remem-
bering to call the men she and the
women he What funny custom
that is"
1--WE can't get out Of it," said Rob.
"There is one thing" the lady contin-
ued, that you can tell me. | have been
told that in winter the wild boars take
range in the streets of Iverness, and
that there are sometimes very exciting
hunts after them"
That is only when they run away
with children" Rob explained. "Phen
the natives go out in large bodies and
shoot them with claymores. 1t is most
exciting scene"
When the doctors wife learned that
this was Rob's first visit to the castle,
she told him at once that she was there
frequently. 1t escaped his notice that
she paused here and awaited the effect.
She was not given to pausing.
"My husband" she said, ATTENDED
on Lady Louisa during her last Illness
quite ten years ago. was married
very young" she added, hurriedly.
Rob was very nearly saying that he
saw that. The words were in his mouth
when he hestated, rejecting that 1t
was not worth while. This is only no.
ticeabl. as showing that he missed his
first compliment.
Lady Louiss?" he repeated instead.
ooh yes, the Colonel married one OF
Lord Tarlngton's dauhgters. There
are seven Of them, you know, and no
sons, and when the youngest was born
Il was said that friend of his LordShip
sent him copy Of Wordsworth, with
the page turned down at the poem,
We Are Seven'-a lady friend, l be-
lleve."
SIS Miss Abinger like the Colonel?"
asked Rob, who had heard 1t said that
she was beautiful, and could not help
taking an interest in her in conse-
You have not seen Miss AbInger?"
asked the doctors wife. "Ah, you
came late, and that vulgar looking far
mer hides her altogether. She is
lovely girl, but
Rob's com panion pursed her lips.
"She is so cold and proud" she
added.
"As proud as her father?" Rob asked.
"Oh, the Colonel is humility itself be-
side her. He freezes at times, but she
never thaws.'
Rob sighed Involuntary. BE was
not aware that his acquaintance spoke
in a similar way OF him. His eyes
wandered up the table till they rested
Of their own accord on pretty girl in
blne. At that moment she was telling
Greybrooke that he could call her Nell,
because Miss" Meredith sounded like a
reproaeh.
| rrl,n rnnnrtnr lnnkad At Nell with Ent-