Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1894-09-07

A DARK MARRIAGE
MORN.
A Romance of LOUe, intrigue and
Crime.
BY MRS, ALICE P. CHARLESTON.
CHAPTER xvI.-GConIuued.)


Months passed, md not another word
did he hear from his old classmate.
He grew very restless. The whole thing
was preying upon his mind.
He decided that he must have some oc-
cupation. Young Belmont and others
of his acqu ,intance had gone to Con-
gress.
His father suggested that it would be
good idea for him 10 follow their ex.
ample.
The suggestion struck him favorably;
but thore was one great drawback.
The member for the district in which
they resided had too strong hold on his
constituency to be easily shaken off.
One morning, when he happened to be
in his fathers priv.te room at the bank
and while he was consid er.ng the matter,
an elderly gentleman entered and asked
TO see the President.
Warren Immediately arose 10 withdraw
@No,no" exclaimed the stranger; don't
20, sir, reg. My business is not of a
private nature l merely llled to ask a
question n two about the Sedley farm-a
most excellent piece of property in Rox-
bury. One OF my cons ituents is anxious
10 buy or lease it, ind Knowing l was TO
be in New York to-day, requested me to
call here about the matter.
THAT gentleman is the owner of the
farm" smiled the bank president, nod
ding toward Warren.
You, sir? 1 thought"
sit is my son, sir, MI Warren Leland,
explained his father. The property was
left him by his grandfather.
"Yes, yes; his mother father, James
Sedey. l knew him very we'll; and
l. -
before she lecame Mrs. Leland. My
namo is SweetIand-Emerson Sweetland." i"
"Ah!" exclaimed the elder Leland; "the
member of Congress from the Third Con-
necticut District"
Exactly, sir; but for not longer than
the present term, hope. l am heartily
tired of it, and am anxious to spend a
year Or two abroad"
"Well," smiled Warren, II suppose it's
easy enough to find a successor?"
Not so easv as you think, there are so
many qualifications required. What a
pity yOu are not citizen of Connecticut,
and living on your farm at Roxbury.
Judging from your looks, you're Just tho
man We want, provided your politics are
all right.
"No trouble on that beldl'' exclaimed
the elder Leland, quickly; "they IRE the
same rs your own Mr.. Sweetland.
Then Why not think Of it?" asked the
Congressman. Il have year longer to
serve; that will give you lime to gain a
residence in the district. You can lie in
your own house, and turn farmer, yOu
know" Then with q cOmical look and
gesture
Good grac;ousl What am I saying?
Advising YOU to come up and live on the
Sedley farm when 1 am here 10 buy or
lease that very farm for friend"
Don't let that thought disturb you,
smiled Warren. Il certainly should not
think of selling, and 1 am hardly IRE
pared to consider an offtr for a lease.
Then what do you say to the other
plan? You mustn't be surprised that
take SO much interest in your mothers
son. She was what We cal ght smart
girl and | always liked her"
Il am much more inclined to consider
that proposition fayorably," responded
Warren.
We'll, then, I'll help YOU"
But won't il be uphill work to prepare
myself, get acquainted, and be able to
capture the convention in a year ime?
"Oh, der no; not with my help, and
the help Of one other party"
And who may that other party be, If l
may ask"
"Of course you may. It's Nathan Met
ca'f, the or Gle Of Roxbury, the mo t I'M
Iortant man in the district, though not as
wea thy as some others.
Nathan Metca'f, repeated Warren,
rs though to fix the name in his mind.
"Yes: and my first advice TO you, young
man, is 20 and lie on your farm, and
!, Mafoo1f -
10 do that l must know something
about him. What kind of a man is Mr..
Metcalf?"
He is a clever fe Iowa very clever
follow, indeed md all-powerful in his
neigh orhood. as | have said He is
original, as YOU will see, and we'll worth
study ing. Then there's his daughter-a
charming youn woman. / tell you, my
friend, you must please them. for Met
calf is rea ly the master of the district
Why, | had 10 securs his friondsh p, or
else, uron my word, | would have been
elected to remain at home"
But, sir, what shall do to please this
powerful M M"
You must see him. He is, as l tell
you, a great oddity. He has never b en-
in Washington; he has n horror of New
York and our other large cities. 1t only
needs n little tact TO tatter his views on
these poin S. We always need little
tact in this worl J, young man.
But his daughter. Mr.. Sweetland2"
"Ah, the deuce! You must please the
daughter also. He worships her, and she
manages him completely, although he
grumbles lit le som times"
And vba sort Of WON n is she?'
A splendid woman, glorious woman
"a widow; somewhat pious, but very
we'll infomed-a o woman of great merit,
| Gssurc you.
But what course must t Ike TO pie lse
this LADY,
"Wht course? BY Jove, young man.
You 5sk a great many questions. l am
green as grass wi;h EN- always 1t l. a
il NC | can't underst nd; but you, my
vOung friend, You have little need 10 be
instructed in that matter. You can't fail
to le Sc her; you Lave only to make
Yourself agreeable But you " II know
how to do it-yoI viii conduct yourself
perfectly. am sure.
Yes, captiyate Metcalf and his daugh-
ter. These are my first struciiOns. An
hold! to please them both pay some at
tention 20 Miss Lester"
And who is Miss Lester?"
An unfortunate young lady, residing
with th"m at present. ] can't tell you any
more abont her just now. But mind! it
VIII plea them if YOU pay her some at
tention."
Mr.. Sidney Leland low asked TIE Con-
gresham how long he proposed to remain
in the cit ana on learning that he did
lot expect to leave until the next day in
sisted on his taking din OF with them and
remaining over night.