The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1895-03-01

Zachary n. Brambleby, II that were
his name, was a broad-shouldered
stout man, fairly tall, very fiorid, gray
whiskered and blue-eyed. He was
dressed In well-fitting black clothes,
his linen was spotless. the gold chain
that undulated across his portly frame
was singularly heavy, and the dia-
monds in his rings were genuine as
we'll as large. From the top OF his we'll
brushed gray hair to the tip of his pol
ished boots he looked rich and respect
able. There was a little too much
swagger and self-satisfaction about
him for the ordinary British merchant:
and, indeed, when he opened his lips
the ear was assailed by an unmistak-
ably Yankee twang. In build and COM
plexion he was not unlike Parker him
self; II Parker had been little bigger
and more genial he might have passed
as Mr.. Brambleby's brother. 1t was an
English, not an American type.
"Sit down, landlord" said MIR. Bran
bleby. Lets see what sort of stuff
you've got here. Not bad-not bad at
all. Now, how long have YOU been
! landlord of this little inn, eh?"
I've had the Airedale Arms for a
matter Of twenty year" said Parker
rather sulkily. land | think sir youll
find 1t comfortable sort of place"
"Oh, I dare say. l dare say. Bat I
amt going to stay here, my good man:
It's all very well for this side of the
water. but country village is not the
place for me. No, sir. British born as
I was, I am now a free, Independent,
respected American citizen; and / de-
spise your one-hoss village ale houses;
despise them ALL"
Then, excuse me, sir I wonder you
come to them" said Parker, with
touch of temper. which was not to be
wondered at.
II don't come to stay, landlord;
don't come to stay. I'm going on to
Airedale Castle straight away"
There isn't such q place in the
neighborhood," said Mr.. Parker, with
some inner satisfaction.
'Eh? No Airedale Castle? Then I've
been misinformed. Don't the Airedales
live about here?" There was a decided
change of manner in the man as he
asked this question. 1t seemed almost
as II he had been acting part during
the earlier part Of the interview.
His lordshp. the Earl of Airdale.
and her ladyship. the Countess of Aire-
dale, occupy the manson of Cheveley
in the immediate neighborhood of I'm
derwood," said Mr.. Parker in his
grandest tones.
And there's no other Lord and Lady
Airedale In the country, is there?"
asked the stranger.
mo, sir. Her ladyship, the dowager
countess. died thirteen years ago"
"Well, you do lay it on thick in your
blessed old country with your lordships
and ladyships," said Mr. Brambleby,
good-humoredly. Look here, old man,
what sort of lady is Lady Airedale?
Stifish, stuck up bit, or affable and
friendly?"
Her ladyship's most affable lady,
said Parker, "and most benevolent to
the poor. Very kind to her servants,
too. and to them that are in want. Her
ladyship is very much beloved"
us she, now?" said the stranger with
interest And his lordship, is he fond
Of her? Does the stepson behave de-
comfy to her? She's got two girls Of
her own, 1 hear"
Parker's hair began to rise on his
head with horror.
I have always heard that he was most
attached to Lady Airedale and very
grateful TO her for all her care. My
lord himself. the earl, sir, simply wor-
ships the ground she treads on. And
two more loving young ladies than
Lady Lillian and Lady Ellinor couldn't
be found; my wife's niece was maid
there once, and she tells me it's beauti-
ful to see them"
Mr.. Brambleby's face beamed with
satisfaction. Like picture to think of,
amt it?" he said complacently. Now
who would be such a fool as to try
to disturb that bliss? Not Zachary n.
Brambleby, thank the Lord. I'm not
made of such stuff as that. I'll JUS.
60 up to the house and say how dye
do to my lady, and then I'll go back to
America"
ITO see my lady. sir?" repeated Mr..
Parker. rubbing his chin.
AYE, old man, to see my lady. why
not? Oh, you think I'm bit below
them, do you? / can tell you one thing.
though. I'm a relation" He paused,
as If afraid to commit himself to any
thing further
"a relation--to my lady?" said the
landlord. opening his rather dull enc
esrX eyes.
"y :. reln;ion-a near relation-a
IN hv 'N ;riage. anyway! ana
~. -.,- ehv roared out a sud
-.. ..A If The idea were more
a he hrd realized at first.
~. --,, Won won't be able 10 see
a.d Parker, after
p--=r if you go up to
Cheveley; for supposs" with
a sneer-"that you mean to 60"
"Of course I mean to go; whafs
~san "a atay there. Tn going