The advocate., 1895-06-05
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Sydney Stone, ADti-FedGraL.
Copyright 1925,
By G.. c. CLEMENS,
(AuthOr Of ''The Dead Llne.'0
BOOK III.
CHAPTER |.
"DADDY HERMIT"
NV ewes are filed with childish tears
MY heart is idly stirred
For the same sound is in my ears
That in those days heard.
WORDSWORTH.
Let Fate do her worst; there relics Of JOY,
Bright dreams of the past which she cannot destroy
And which in the nighttime OF sorrow and care
BOOK III.
CHAPTER l.
"DADDY HERMIT. "


Feeling the need Of cultiVating the acquaintance
Of someone she could "trust as father" according
to Sydney's parting suggestion, and yearning for
news of her exiled lover who had been gone nearly
two weeks, Gertrude determined to visit the Hermit
age and to that end had old James get out the sleigh
and drive her into the country, Knowing that she
could implicitly trust the old ex-saVe, when they
neared the point where according to Jobs instruc-
tions they were to turn into the wood she informed
him of her destination. Old James was aghast, and
throwing up his hands, exclaimed:
"Lswd ha' massy, Missus! Lawd save usl He
done sole hisself to de debble MissusP'
In vain did his young mistress endeaVOr to reason
away his superstitious terror, but having induced
him to drive to within what he regarded as doubt
fully safe distance of the awful house in the wood,
she walked the rest of the way
The Hermit answered her knock, and she entered
a cheerful room with comfortable fire blazing in
the fireplace. AS she was elabOrately bundled up
to protect her from the bitter cold her journey,
the Hermit invited her to lay aside her wraps, and
turning his back proceeded to vigorously poke the
fire.
She noted that the walls Were,lined with shelves
loaded with books, and that the place more re-
sembled scholars Cozy retreat than the traditional
hermits cave while the Hermit himself, instead Of
being a sour, emaciated saint, was handsome,
healthy-looking, middle-aged gentleman Having
laid aside her heavy wrap and unwOund the scarf
from about her head and face, she approached the
fire with the remark
$50 this delightful retreat is the Hermitage"
The Hermit looked up dropped the poker, sprsng
to his feet, and grasplng chair as if for support
stared at his visitor, and in amaZement, exclaimed
"GertrudeP'
She was astonished at his behavior, and puzzled al
his recognition. But, with webred conceament OF
her astonishment, she Observed
"Really you are a magician Pray, how came you
to know my name2"
''Then you are really GertrudeP" he asked in
still greater amazement.
"Yes, sir, l am Gertrude. Were you expecting
meP Did he tell you would Gomez"
'Oh, God, let me not be deceived" groaned the
Hermit.
al am really Gertrude. Did he tell you about
meP"
Still dazed, he caught in an obscure way her ques
tion, and made supreme effort to regain his com
posure, as he asked
s'Did who tell meP'
"Why Mr.. Stone-Sydney Stone"
'Sydney Stonel And do you know himP
The mention of that name restored him to com
paratiVe Self-possessiOn.
'sHe told me you were more than father to him
and that could hear from him by coming to you.
am anxious to know whether he is SAFE"
'Yes, Sydney got safely away That much
know. But have not heard from him yet, and hi
may deem it prudent to go on to Canada. He die
not inform me that he had lady relative"
81 am not his relative. L am only an scqusint
ancav