Sullivan republican. [volume] (Laporte, Pa.) 1883-1896, 1893-10-13

out seeing him. He was sitting un-
der willow at the Billabong, reading
over and over to himself the address
to be delivered before the Governor in
the evening. And as he read his face
had wintry and inhospitable look.
The night came. Old Roses entered
the dining room quietly with the
crowd, far in the Governors wake.
According to his request, he was given
seat in distant corner, where he
was quite inconspicuous. Most of the
men present were in evening dress.
He wore plain tweed suit, but car
ried handsome rose in his button
hole. 1t was impossible to put him at
disadvantage. He looked distin-
guished as he was. He appeared to be
much interested in Lord Malice. The
early proceedings were cordial, for the
Governor and his suite made them
selves most agreeable, and talk flowed
amiably.
After q time there was rattle of
knives and forks, and the Chairman
arose. Then, after chorus of "hear,
hears" there was general silence. The
doorways of the rooms were filled by
the women servants of the hotel. Chief
among them was Vic, who kept her
eyes mostly on Old Roses. She knew
that he was to read the address and
speak, and she was more interested in
him and his success than in Lord
Malice and suite. Her admiration of
him was great. He had always treated
her as a lady, and it had done her
good He had looked earnestly and
kindly into her brown eyes, and
''And / call upon Mr.. Adam Sher-
wood to speak to the health of his Ex-
cellency, Lord Malice.
In his modest corner, Old Roses
stretched to his feet. The Governor
glanced over carelessly. He only saw
figure in gray, with rose at button
hole. The Chairman whispered that ii
was the owner of the house and gar
den which had interested his Excel
lency that afternoon. His Excellency
looked little closer, but saw only q
rim of iron gray hair above the paper
held before Old Roses face.
Then voice came from behind the
paper: "Your Excellency, Mr.. Chair
man and Gentlemen-"
At the first words the Governor
started, and his eyes flashed searching
ly, curiously at the paper that walled
the face and at the iron gray hair.
The voice was distinct and clear, with
modulated emphasis. 1t had pc
culiarly penetrating quality. A few il
the room-and particularly Vic-were
struck by something in the voice
that it resembled another. She soon
found the trail. Her eyes also fastened
on the paper. Then she moved anG
went to another door.
Here she could see behind the paper
at an angle. Her eyes ran from the
screened face to that of the Governor.
His Excellency had dropped the lower
part of his face in his hand, and he
was listening intently. Vic noticed
that his eyes were painfully grave and
concerned. She also noticed other
things.
The address was strange. 1t hat
been submitted to the committee anC
though it struck them as out-of-the
wayish, it had been approved. i
seemed different when read as Ole
Roses was reading it. The words
sounded so inclement as they were
chIselled out by the speakers voice
Dickey Merritt afterward declared tha
many phrases were interpolated by
Old Roses at the moment.
The speaker referred intimately ant
with peculiar knowledge to the famil,
history of Lord Malice, to certain
more or less private matters which die
not concern the public, to the author
ity of the name and the high duty de
volving upon one who bore the earl
dom of Malice. He dwelt upon tn,
personal character of his Excellency'i
antecedents, and praised their honor
able services to the country. He re
ferred to the death of Lord Malice
eldest brother in Burmah, but he di,
it strangely.
Then, with acute incisiveness, ht
drew II picture of what person i'll 81
exalted II position as Governo
voice assuredly had at this point fin'
edge of scorn. The aides-de- camI
were nervous, the Chairman apprehen
sive, the committee i'll at ease. Blu
the Governor now was perfectly still
though, as Vic Bowling thought
rather pinched and old-looking. Hi
eyes never wandered from that paper
nor the gray hair.
Presently the voice of the speaker
changed.
''But, said he, "in Lord Malice ",
have-the perfect Governor a man o
blameless and enviable life, and pos
sessed abundantly OF discreetness
Judgment, administrative ability an,
power; the absolute type OF Englisl
nobility aud British character -
Then lac dropped the paper from bo
fore his face, and his eyes met thos.
of the Governor. and stayed. Lor,
Malice let go long, choking breath
which sounded very much like ina
measurable relief. During the rest o
the speech delivered ia fine tenn
pered voice he sat as ia dream, We
his eyes iutently upon the other. wh'
nos seemod 10 reeite rather than read
lie thrilled all hY the pleasant reson
anee 6f his tones, ani sent the hloos
aching delightfully."- through Vie Dow
ling veins.
When he SAT down there was im