The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1895-11-23
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THANKSGIVING AT KINGSLEY HALL
By j. +. HENDERSON.

Miss Victoria Kingsley, of Kingsley
hall, could afford to be little eccentric,
people said. Not only was she rich and
beautiful and highly accomplished, but
she had reached the mature age Of six
and twenty and was mistress Of her own
fortune. Prior to the death Of her par
ents. both Of whom had succumbed in the
same month to prevailing fever the fam
ily had resided in the city, spendinga pOr-
ton OF each summer only at their hand
some country seat. But soon after her
bereavement the young lady had gone into
seclusion at Kingley hall, which was part
of her heritage. and had since lived in the
strictest retirement there, receiving no Wis
itofs, except when her younger brother,
Robert, brought a party Of his boon COM
panions up from town for few days recre-
ation during the shooting season.
1t WAS now three years since Miss Kings
ley had been left an orphan At her age
this was Il 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
suddenly emerged from her sequestration
50 far as to become the hostess of Thanks
giving dinner party. The truth was that
Miss Kingsley had been doing some serious
thinking. 1t had occurred to her, upon
reflection, that peOpie had Il right to con-
clude 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
inc day was at hand, and she began to put
her plan into execution by inviting num-
Der of her church acquaintance in the vii
lage to dine at Kingsley hall on that day
Ofcourse the invitations were all prompt
" accepted, and the event was looked for
ward to as something out Of the ordinary
in Feppstnrk As for Miss Kingsley, she
was surprised 10 iEd that SIZE took q lively
interest in the preparations for the dinner
and when Thanksgiving day dawned, with
frosty and nipping air, she was inclined
TO lie proud Of the success Of her under
taking in one respect, It had proved to
her that there was u pleasanter way OF
passing her time than in broOding over her
sorrow. All day she was strangely buoy
ant and cheerful, as if possessed by pre-
sentiment that something very pleasant
was about to happen.
And that afternoon something did hap
something that was not down on
Miss Kingsley programme. The busy
young woman had entered the kitchen to
give some final directions to the cook,
when she observed that strange man
was sitting quietly in chair on the oppo-
site side of the room. She paused abruptly
and stared at him, with flash of startled
recognition in her eyes.
"a poor tramp, mum, what asked for
bite to eat, explained the cook, apollo
gatically,
But Miss Kingsley did not hear. The
color was coming and going in her cheeks,
and she grasped the back of chair as if
to steady herself.
Maurice CRANKY = she said, in low
but distinct voice. Can it be possible p
The recognition was evidently mutual.
The stranger rose to his feet, 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.
I'll beg pardon = he stammered, Il
did not know
But Miss Kingsley seemed to suddenly
recover her self-possession. Turning to
the cook, she said
Never mind, Hannah; I will see this
gentleman myself He is an old friend of
the family Then, addressing the man
"Will you please come with me, Mr..
Granby?''
He looked as if he would have preferred
to sink through the floor, but she had
turned and was leaving the kitchen before
he could reply. He followed her hesitat-
ingly, mechanically, like one in dream.
She led the way to Il small room adjoining
the library. There she turned and faced
him.
''Mr. CRANKY, will you kindly tell me
what this means T
He stood before her, fumbling his hat
in his hands Her question seemed to
increase his confusion, and he had to clear
his throat several times before he could
find his voice,
''It is all an unfortunate blunder, he
exclaimed at last. II did not know that
this was your home. CHANGED to be
passing, and | thought--well, | was hun
cry, and mo, [ will not sit down, as
she waved her hand toward chair. IF
you will be good enough to let me go now
| will be careful not to intrude upon you
again.
''Yop mistake my meaning, said Miss
Kingsley, with a look of distress. II am
not asking why you are here. God knows
| am glad to see you. What | want to
know is what has brought you to this
this-condition | cannot believe that
you have voluntarily adopted the life OF
a.
t'Of a tramp?" he said, finishing her
sentence with a bitter smile.
Pardon me, she added, hastily; 81
have no right to question you. Pray,