Frederick citizen., 1895-02-01

1t was the middle OF June, and thu
London season was at it's height
Among the most bright and fashion
able of the London houses had beer
Tor several years that OF Sir Theodor,
and Lady Trevor-a house which thi
particular season had, for several rea
sons to be hereafter explained, no
dealt out It's hospitalities with quite $,
lavish hand as of yore. In fact
here had been a rumor early in tht
season that perhaps the Trevors nigh
not come up at ala rumor which
had caused much disappointment to a
good many persons, particularly suct
persons as love dancing. Rumor had
mot been altogether correct They did
come to town, but 1t was not till later
than usual-quite the middle of May
and. as already said, their entertaining
was restricted on account, said the
1'revors and society in general, OF
6ir Theodore's health. not having recov-
cred from the fI'ghtful shock to his
nervous system. and the long and
dangerous Illness which six months ago
had followed upon a daring and yet
dastardly attempt upon his life. the
authors of which had never yet been
traced
For Sir Theodore Trevor had the
fortune or misfortune to be not only
an English but an Irish landlord-one
OF the best kind-whose well-managed
estates. liberal behavior. and careful
attention to the needs of their tenants
form great stumbling block in the
path of those who would fain do away
with landlordism
1t was nearly noon on a brilliant
June morning; breakfast had been over
for some time and the husband and
wife were waiting for their horses to
be brought around for their usual ride
IN the Row. He was a stately looking.
middle-aged man. with a dark. rather
severe face and grizzled hair She was
many years his junior-a beautiful
woman. justly renowned for her pow.
ers as social leader She enjoyed that
society in which she shone. but the
passion of her heart was her husband,
and next to him their two lovely little
daughters.
They were looking over some letters.
and discussing them as they waited
for the horses.
Here they are" said Lady Trevor
starting up as the door was opened
and the butler came in THE horses
Ncduy, Il dTTlDBton she asked.
mo. my lady" replied the man,
coming forward and handing her a
visiting card; 'it's a lady and gentle
man. who wish to see Sir Theodore.
They say their business is very i'm.
portant-that they know you don't
know them, but they beg most urgent
ly to see you"
Lady Trevor's face darkened. and A
~ aIa
Since the attempt on her husbands
life she had suffered nervous terrors
without number and every stranger
who wished to see her or her husband
was an object of suspicion to her. As
he was busy and popular member of
Parliament. as well as a man of wealth
and high position. 1t may be imagined
that Lady Trevor's fears were Just now
seldom suffered to slumber.
''Oh. what is 1t? Who can thev be.
Theodore" she cried. with vexed i'm.
patience. going to him and showing
him the card. 1t was inscribed: DR..
and Mrs. Dobbs. Piercy Lodge. Ras-
tonlea. Now Bastonlea was largo
and important town in the Miilands.
What can they want? Dr. and Mrs.
Dobbs-who wants to see DR.. and Mrs
hour! 1t is most intrusive and imperti.
nent. I should send word that YOU
are engaged beyond all possibility OF
seeing them"
But. as it happens. | am not.
can very well spare them a few min
utes. Where are they. Harrington >"
I'm the little drawing room. sir Both
the gentlman and lady look very arm.
i0IS " said ~
"and so fiuttered and nervous. think
they are quite afraid of you. sir. but
they are very urgent about It,"
"They had better come in here" said
Sir Theodore
Then" said his wife. with heroic
resolution. 81 remain with you. So do
not ask me to go"
MY dear I don't" said her husband.
smiling.
"And. Harrington" she added. turn.
ing toward him. do you wait in the
anteroom and before the little drawing
room. and II | ring, fly here without
losirg a moment. Do you under
stand?"
''Yes. my lady"
In very few minutes Farrinptor
ushered in DR.. and Mrs. Dobbs. and
behind him and depa rted. perhaps to
the anteroom. perhaps not quite so
far
In spite OF all her nervous terrors
Lady Trevor could not feel afraid
when she beheld DR.. and Mrs. Dobbs.
Honesty and innocence were written
In every line of their figures and coun.
enances--"country cousin" in every
shred Of their clothing. Their color
was high with nervousness and solemn
excitement; they were evidently very
much more afraid OF the fashionable
ady and gentlman than the latter need
'e OF them. These were assuredly no
d-be-assa sassins-neither agltators
lihiiists. Social Democrats. nor any.
hing but a very old-fashioned, shy,
nd nervously-exclted country doctor
nd his wife. SO much must hau
cen patent to the meanest compre
snsien.
S'r Theodore rose. and courteously
ivanced to meet his visitors. Lady
'evor remained little to one side. !