The advocate., 1894-02-28
CHAPTER XIII.
"THAT HANDSOME MAN

"She loves-but knows net whom she loves,
Nor what his race, nor whence he came"
MOORE.
Kate reached Risington at nightfall,
and was met at the station by Grace
and her uncle. Judge BOlder was a
large, fat, handsome, judicial-loOking
man near so years old. His large, we'll
formed head was covered with thick
growth of curly hair which had been
black but was now almost entirely gray.
His face, though strong and firm, was
relieved by an eye which betrayed a
kindly, generous soul. Grace greeted
Kate in the effusiVely affectionate
manner in which young ladies usually
greet each other, and then said:
"Uncle, my friend Miss COtterel,
who is going to live here with me"
81 am happy to meet you, Miss Cot
terrell, and | am glad you are to remain
here" said the Judge, extending his
hand. "But / fear Miss Alden may
make it very unpleasant for you with
her eccentricities.
GAS if | had not come honestly by
such little eccentricities as l may have
borrowed from my beloved uncle's
ample store" retOrted Grace.
"Well, well, " said the Judge. "YOur
uncle does not get so absentminded as
to neglect to give people he introduces
names by which they may be called. l
am aware ! bear a very hard name, but
Miss COtterell will not wish to call me
Uncle, and you have left her no alter
native"
"Really-let me introduce you again,
Kate" said Grace. "Miss Cotterell,
allow me to present my uncle, Judge
Thomas Bolder. There, how will that
do?"
81 have not the slightest objection,
Grace, to calling Judge Bolder uncle,
if he does not object, said Kate. 81
think you have privilege to be thank
full for."
"Hear that, will you, old mani" ex-
claimed the Judge, as he put his thumbs
in the arm-holes Of his vest and worked
his fingers and looked triumphantly at
Grace. "There, now, Miss Alden,
learn to better value your blessings here
after. This is an unprejudiCed wit
ness. But it is going to rain, and you
had better borrow roof as soon as
possible. If you will hand me your
checks, Miss Cotterell, l will see to
your baggage"
The Judge soon returned and es-
corted the two young ladies to hack,
and rode with them to the hotel, where,
on parting with them, he exscted their
Joint promise to call on him at his office
next morning.
Never before had Kate been inside q
hotel, and she found enjoyment in the
novel experience. After a late break.
fast next morning, the two girls called
at Judge Bolder's office. He was en-
gagged with a client at the time, and
they sat in the main office waiting.
While they were thus waiting, fine
looking, smooth-faced man entered,
learned that the Judge was engaged,
and went out again Immediately, but
not before he had given glance of in
voluntary admiration at Kate.
"Who was that handsome man,
Grace?" asked Kate. "He has the
noblest face l have even seen. How
extraordinarily handsome he isl'
"2erfdious, tickle beingl Frailty,
thy name is woman. And is our be-
loved and manly Clarence so soon
forgotten?" said Grace, in mock as
tonishment. Gas to this handsome
stranger, know not his name nor his
lineage, my pattern of fidelity, but l
believe he is some kind of preacher"
"DOes he live hereP Does he preach
in RisingtonP" asked Kate with much
eagerness.
"He does. Why do you not ask me
whether he has wife and childrenP l
assure you / cannot tell; but what
would your well-be-loved say could he
observe your eager interest in this
stranger parson2"