The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1895-11-22
THANKSGIVING At KINGSLEY HALL.
BY j. F HENDERSON

BY !. F HENDERSON.
Miss Victoria Kingsley, of Kingsley hall,
could afford to be Il little eccentric, people
said. Not only was she rich and beauti-
full and highly accomplished, but she
had reached the mature age of six and
twenty aud was mistress of her own for
tune Prior to the death of her parents,
both of whom had succumbed in the same
month to prevailing fever, the family
had resided in the city, spending portion
of each summer only at their handsome
country seat But soon after her bereave-
ment the young lady had gone into seclu
sion at Kingsley hall, which was part of
her heritage. and had since lived in the
strictest retirement there. receiving no Wis
itors except when her younger brother,
Robert, brought party of his boon COM
panions up from town for a few days rec
reation during the shooting season.
1t was now three years since Miss King
sley had been left an orphan. AT her age
this was a long time to renounce society,
and it was not strange that the world pro-
nounced her eccentric. But that portion
of the world residing in the wealthy and
eminently respectable village of Pennstock
began to have hopes for her when she sud
denly emerged from her sequestration so
giving dinner party. The truth was that
Miss Kingsley had neen doing some seri-
ous thinking 1t had occurred to her, up
on reflection, that people had right to
conclude that she was supremely selfish
and proud, and she decided to set aside this
verdict, if possible by giving series of
entertainments at her house. Thanksgiv
ing day was at hand, and she began to put
her plan into execution by inviting num-
Der of her church acquaintances in the vii
lage To dine at Kingsley hall on that day.
Ofcourse the invitations were all prompt
iy accepted, and the event was looked Tor
ward to as something out of the ordinary
il Pennstock. As for Miss Kingsley, she
was surprised to find that she took live
ly interest in the preparations for the din
ner, and when Thanksgiving day dawne',
with frosty and nipping air, she was in
clined % be proud of the success of her
undertaking in one respect. 1t had PROV
ed to her that there was Il pleasanter way
of passing her time than in brooiing over
her sorrow. All day she was strangely
buavant and cheerful, as if possessed by
presentiment that something very pleas
ant was about to happen.
And that afternoon something did hap
pen-Something that was not down on
Miss Kingsley program. The busy young
woman had entered the kitchen to give
some final directions to the cook, when she
observed that a strange man was sitting
quietly in chair on the opposite side of
the room She paused abruptly and stared
at him, with a flash of startled recognition
in her eyes.
"A poor tramp, mum, what asked for a
bite to eat" explained the cook, apologet
ically.
But Miss Kingsley did not hear. The
color was coming and going in her cheeks
and she grasped the back of a chair as if
to steady herself
Maurice CRANKY" she said, in Il low but
distinct voice Can it be possible:"
The recognition was evidently mutual
The stranger rose to his feet, a picture of
astonishment and confusion. He was a
strikingly handsome man, tall and straight
AS an arrow, with dropping brown mus
tache He certainly had not the appear
ance of a tramp, except that his clothing
was threadbare, and even ragged in places,
and he wore no overcoat.
III beg pardon" he stammered. II
did not know
But Miss Kingsley seemed to suddenly
recover her self-possession. Turning to
the cook she said:
Never mind, Hannah | will see this
gentleman myself. He is an old friend of
the family" Then, addressing the man:
will you please come with me, Mr.. Gran
by:"
He looked as if he would have preferred
| to sink through the floor, but she had turn
| ed and was leaving the kitchen before he
could reply He followed her hesitating-
| ", mechanically, like one in dream. She
| led the way to 4 small room adjoining the
| library There she turned and faced him.
Mr. CRANKY, will you kindly tell me
what this means"
He stood before her, fumhling his hat
| in his hands Her question seemed to in
crease his confusion, and he had to clear
| his throat several times before he could
| find his voice.
1T is all AN unfortunate blunder, he
| exclaimed at last II did not know that
this was your home chanced to be pass
| ing and thought we'll, | was hungry,
and mo | will not sit down., as she
| waved her hand toward a chair. IF YOU
will be good enough to let me go now |
will be careful not to intrude upon You
| again"
You mistake my meaning" said Miss