The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1895-02-06

dictatorial tone, rs if she were his
wife, by Jove ~
Marling laughed. "Well, l know
he isn't one of the Grange party"
"HOw ," calculated Blount.
Instead Of replying, Marling rum
maSed among some papers which lay
in square wicker receptacle on his
knee-hole table, and tossed over note
to his guest. 1t was dated the previous
Saturday from the EAST India Club"
and ran thus:
DEAR MARLNG-I am not going
down to the Grange, nevertheless, |
cannot keep my appointment on Mon
day. | have other and better fish TO
fry, and am obliged To ruin over To the
continent on Monday night. Shall
write when | know time of my return.
Yours traly.
HUGH EvERARD.
"Ah, then he could not have gone to
Mrs. Morton's,r said BIount, with
sight of relief. 81 can't think how
Gwen puts up with his overbearing
swagger."
Come now, Blount. he doesn't
swagger"
II suppose Gwen will be home 10
| dinner at Z. | think III 20 aud dine
with my uncle in ease he feels lonely.
He was at the Office to-day, and am
not supposed to know that his darling
! will ratIfrn IN chaay him -
Prudent young chap, yoa are Go
and prosper, Blount, my boy"
The aspiring young lawyer carried
out his intention and presented himself
to his uncle few minutes before in
accurate evening dress, a dainty flower
in his buttonhole and "A smile upon his
lips. Altogether a handsome, gentle
man-like looking young fellow, and
steady, Thought Mr.. Ardell, who was
spelling over an evening paper some
what disconsolately in his big and
boanteoUsly ornamented drawingroom.
Mr.. Ardeil was a well preserved man
OF perhaps 65-very precise and little
ezacting, with severe notions ~ re
garded conduct, principle, integrity
and such like old-fashioned laws oflife
"Ah, Philip! This in an unexpect-
cd pleasure. Glad TO see you"
Thank you, sir. Thought you might
like my company, as probably Gwen
may not return-and-"
cor possibly that you might find her
here? Eth, Philip? Very natural, my
dear boy. Very natural. Still your
impulse is somewhat prophetic"
Mr.. Ardel stretched out mis- hand for
a yellow envelope which lay on small
table beside him. II fully expected
Gwcndoline 10 luncheon, and not feel
ing quite the thing, little liverish in
fact, | had ordered James TO meet the
1870 train from R TO look after
her luggage and find her a cab, when,
about ll:45, received this" handing
telegram to BIount, who read:
''Shall be home to night" G. D."
That means by the last train, sup
pose" said Blount.
''No. doubt. Very th1Gghtful Of hes,
knowing she was expected and that
should send To meet every train till
she arrived. She sends this to keep
my mind at rest
"When is the last train due ~
about 1922" returned Mr.. Ardeli.
''Then | shall go and meet her and
f.r.ffa hs.- l.au 4
till $50. \ hanson will rattle across
the park to the Great Western in %
minutes.
"Yes, do, Philip, Gwendoline will be
glad to see yon. There Is Bradshaw
in the dining room. Wen make a
note of the time"
"Dinner is on the table" said James,
the solemn man out of livery, who rul-
ed the lower regions.
Philip Blount followed Mr. Ardell
down stairs contentedly enough though
being somewhat given TO suspicion and
self-tormenting, debated that telegram
in his own mind. Why did she not
say "shail return by such or such a
train?n Why did she leave things in
such vague condition? James might
have been dancing attendance al Pad
dington from ESQ on, leaving his funct-
ions To he indifferently performed by
the housemaid, and reducing Mr.. Ar
dell to the Inconvenience of a female
waiter.
Dinner was, as usual in Lonsdale
Gardens, remarkably good-a matter
Of no small importance in Blount's
eyes-and Mr.. Ardell was exceedingly
conversational in "A careful and didactis
manner throughout it.
When desert was put on the table
and James departed short pause en-
sued; then Mr. Arlell said: II think
you will find fresh Bradshaw on the
writing table in the window. Let us
make sure of tine train before you
start"
Philip rose and went to the table
whence he returned with Bradshaw
and another book, handsomely bound |
in deep red with gold letters and dec
orations.
"You are right, he said, the R
train is due at 1920. He handed !
Bradshaw to his uncle and continued :
81 see you have Everard's book mere.
Life in the Wild Woods I don't
fancy him in print-doesn't give me
the idea of = writing man"
II have not read the work." retTri--
cd his uncle, with tinge of disdain in
his tone. THAT copy was presented
to Gwendoline. was rather annoyed
at her accepting it, though / do not
very well see how she could have refus-
ed it. He is pretentious and dictato-
rial, i'm fact, inclined 10 take liberties,
or / should say, he presumes on some
connection with old friends of Gwendo-
Inns 10 come here much oftener than
| like, and assume a familiar tone with
my niece of which | totally disap-
prove"
"Yes, my dear uncle, | have noticed
ii also, and il makes me indignant.
However, he has gone to the continent
and
"Why, yes, / know. He wrote to