The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1893-01-14

1
81 knew you would like him, ma am.
I'm SO glad he called today. He was so
kind and good to me, and you've been SO
kind and good to me, that I've often
wished you knew each other. And Mrs
Allardyce is a very nice lady too, ma am;
I'm sure you would like her if you knew
her. Oh, just one minute, if you please,
ma'am. broke one of the claret glasses
just now as | was carrying the tray down
stairs, and 1 couldn't rest until l told you.
I'm so very sorry, ma'am; l hope you
won't be angry with me.
Accidents will happen, L said, sagely
"And now, Eliza, really must go. Ihave
left Mr.. Allardyce all by himself. u
"Shall l light the gas in the drawing
room, ma'am p
"Why, no. It's not dark yet.
'But when it is dark p
Certainly" I said.
found our guest standing in the middle
of the plate room, with his hands in his
pockets, softly whistling 'Nancy Lee
a must apologize for running away" L
said, as | began to lock up the press. II
am sorry DR.. Lester has been called away
also. If you can find your way down to
the drawing room [ will put my keys away
and follow you
"Thank you very much for affording me
such great pleasure, he said courteously
as he went out on to the landing. He de-
scended the stairs, as locked the outer
door of the press As | did so, felt
something craunch beneath my feet.
picked it up, and found it was a small
piece of white wax. | did wonder for half
a minute where it could have come from,
as never carried candles into the plate
room, which was lighted by gas, and no.
body but myself had access to it. But the
matter passed from my mind as rejoined
our visitor in the drawing room and Charlie
came in. Eliza brought in coffee, after
which we had little music; and | could
hardly belive Charlie when he said that
the time had come for ordering the brough-
ham to take our guest to the station. Mr..
Allardyce babe us friendly farewell, and
was most urgent in his desire that we should
visit Oakwood before long. We promised
to do so, and parted, delighted with our
visitor, whose pleasant manner had charmed
us both.
A few days afterward 1 received the fol-
lowing letter
OAKwooD VICARAGE, Saturday, July 6.
DEAR MBs. LESTER: / trust you and DR..
Lester have not forgotten your promise to
come and visit US this Summer. This glori
GUS weather makes the country especially
enjoyable, and Mrs. Allardyce and l propose
to give garden party on Thursday next, at
which we should be very glad to have the
pleasure Of your company. Some famous
local tennis players have promised to come,
with whom your husband ought to try his
skill. In case DIR. Lester's engagement should
not permit him to remain here for the night,
there is train for town at nine P. NJ. We
trust you will come early, and we will meet
you at the station. With kind regards, | re.
main very sincerely yours,
WENTWORTH ALLARDYCE.
After some little discussion we agreed to
90, but decided that it would be better
not to stay all night So wrote a note to
that effect and dispatched Eliza with it to
the post, telling her that Mr. Allardyce
had invited us to visit Oakwood, and that
we were going on Thursday. The good
girl was delighted to hear it.
On the morning of Thursday my hus-
band started very early on his rounds,
while made an elaborate toilet in honor
of the occasion, and by twelve o'clock we
had reached Waterloo, and were in the
train for 0akwood The only other per-
son in the carriage was an elderly clergy
man, very gray and fragile looking but
with good, kind face He asked me
whether | liked the window up or down;
and from remarking on the fine weather
and one hing and another he and
I Charlie soon got into conversation. Peo-
pie always talk to my husband when he is
on journey. | suppose his genial face
and manner attract them At all events,
! never knew him travel any distance with
out somebody entering into conversation
with him. He and the clergyman began
discussing politics and sympathized most
cordially, being both ardent Conservatives.
Then they talked on general topics for a
few minutes, and then rambled on to con-
tinental experiences. Our companion told
us that he had living in Surrey, but that
his health had been so bad latterly that
he had been compelled to travel abroad for
three months, his duty being taken by a
clerical friend meanwhile.
"I was in Manchester for many years,
be said 81 had very populous parish
and the work was so hard that / was glad
to have the offer of quiet country vicar
age. But Oakwood lies so low and there
are SO many trees that n is sadly unheal-
thy
lockwood ?" 1 involuntarily asked.
eyes, Oakwood, in Surrey, near Guild
ford. Do you know the place !"
ave are on our way there now" I said,
"to garden party at the vicarge."
aAt the vicarage ?" he repeated, looking
very much astonished.
ayes. suppose there are two churches
in the place-yours and anOther2 p
"No. my dear madam, only one-St.
Padl's, of which l am the vicar
I never felt SO puzzled in all my life, and