The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1892-08-05
THE SOUfHGATE MIRROR.

rambling old house known for miles
around by the somewhat fanciful title OF
the Wildrose. But seeing it for the hrst
to wonder at the name, and thought only
of its appropriateness now, however,
the season is passed and only the clusters
of scarlet seed berries are left to tell OF
what has been.
But the young man standing by win.
dow of the old house and looking out
through the diamond paned glass saw
nothing of the smooth, green slopes, the
wiidrose hedges, or the hazy light over
all that spoke of early autumn. This
man was Maurice Southgate, the present
owner of the place, and the last of his
family. If he had overheard the phrase,
the present owner" he would have
smiled sarcastically, and thought how
fittingly it was expressed, for though
true that he was the owner to-day,
within "A hours the Wildrose might be
the possession of another. The house
had been built by his great grandfather,
who had left it to his son; this son, Paul
Southgate, had never married, and
upon the decease the Wildrose had gone
to his nephew John, the father of Maur-
ice Southgate.
1t was of this the young man was
thinking as he stood there by the win
dow Could he bring himself to give up
all claim to his old home-his birth
place? Here the greater part of his life
had been passed, here new, sweet hope
had sprung up in his life only to be
dashed away because of the fact that,
though the owner of the Wildrose,
lie had nothing beside. And after all,
what did it matter? Since he could
not have the love of Evelyn Ross the
world seemed to hold out but little
worth striving for. Still-and the
thought was both bitter and sweet-he
believed he did have her love as she had
his; it was only her father who would
not allow his daughter to receive at
tention from poor man. Yes, it was
best for him to sell the Wildrose. He
had received good offer for it from
an old friend, SO that was not quite
like giving it up to strangers. 1t
needed repairs; he really could not af-
ford to keep it; so in due time it be-
came the property of his friend, Roger
Clifford
There were those who regarded the
handsome, darkeyed young lawyer as not
in the least undesirable, looked at in the
light of son in law, but Maurice's only
feeling for such as these was an amused
impatience, and after the sale of the
Wildrose he devoted as much as possible
of both time and thoughts to the practice
of his profession.
The needed repairs and few changes
We're made by Roger Clifford at his new
house, and invitations were sent out for
reception. The place was a mile or
TWO out from the city of Hartman, and
as Roger Clifford would dispense his hos.
pitality in manner befitting his wealth
and position in society, he arranged for
company of 10 or IL to spend several
days preceding that of the reception at
the Wildrose.
"You will come, Maurice. of course,
he said, after talking over the matter
with that young man. II want you to see
what we have been doing there. l hope
you'll like it, for have feeling that
the old place belongs to you after ALL"
You are very kind. Roger" was all
the other answered at first; then after
moments thought he added, Il think Ill
go. I'll try to be out every evening at
least.
But after his friend had gone Maurice
reproached himself for having accepted
the invitation; reproached himself bit.
terly for precisely the same reason that
he had accepted. Evelyn Ross was to be
there. He had seen her only OCCASION
ally for several months past, and now
but, yes, he would go; it might be the
last time he would ever meet her as Ev-
elyn Ross. for report said that she was
betrothed to Garland Jones, q man 90
years older than she, and whose only
recommendation was a handsome in
come.
The first of January found a merry
company at the Wildrose, and all that a
host and hostess could do for the enjoy
ment of their guests was done by Mr..
and Mrs. Clifford. Evelyn Ross was
there, beautiful as ever; there too was
Garland Jones.
The second evening d1ser their arrival
they were all sitting about glowing
wood fire in the large open fireplace and
telling stories. One or two had been told
when young girl turning to their host
said, Now, Mr.. Clifford, there must
surely be some story connected with this
| old house Won't Won tell IL tn us
| please?"
If there is story, it is Mr., Southgate
who can tell it, not l." was the answer.
How is it, Maurice?" turning to tho
young man. as there a story?"
Il believe there is one," was the an.
swer, but it is not of altogether pleas
ant nature.
He looked as if he would like to
change the subject, but the irrepressible
young lady who had first spoken of it
exclaimed" Oh, Mr.. Southgate, that is so
much the better! Make it just as horrid
as you can."
Maurice laughed. II am not good at
story telling, he said.
But you don't suppose that after You
have said so much we shall be contented
without hearing the whole-shall we? 2"
appealing to the company.
Still the young men hesitated, then
looking over to Evelyn sudden decision
was made, and he said gravely. "Then
will tell it, but il any of you fail to
sleep well after hearing it you must not
blame me, but Miss Merton, who insists