The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1896-03-14

ing l usually find myself clutching at
my original rcspectability-'sir, al
though the force of circumstances has
brought me thus low, / am by birth
and education gentleman. Having
told you this, trust that you will re-
member 1t, even in the heat of your
natural resentment"
"You speak almost as prettily as you
write" he answered, scornfully, pulling
letter from his pocket.
This is beyond me-" thought I; for,
of course, knew it could be no letter
of mine. Besides, glance told me that
had never set eyes on the paper or
handwriting before. think my next
remark showed self-possession:
would you be kind enough to ex-
plainp" asked.
Il rather think that should be your
business" said he; and, faith, / al
lowed the justice of the contention,
awkward as it was. But he went on:
1T astonishes you, dare say, to see
this letter in my hand?"
1t did. acknowledged it with a
bow.
He began to read In an affected, MIN
licking voice: "My ever-loved Kate,
since your worthy but ng-headed
father"
"Father!" 1t sounded like an echo
1t came from the young lady. who had
sprung forward Indignantly and was
holding out hand for the letter. "The
servants! Have you not degraded me
enough?" She stamped her foot.
The old gentleman folded up the let
ter again and gave it into her hand with
cold bow. She was handing 1t to me
oh, the unfathomable depth of wom-
an!-when he interfered.
For your own delectation, IL you
will, miss; but as your protector l must
ask you not to give it back"
He turned towards me again. AS he
did SO l caught over his shoulder, or
fancied l caught, glance from Miss
Kate that was at once warning and an
appeal. The next moment her eyes
were bent shamefast upon the floor.
began to divine.
said L: IF that's n sample Of your
manner toward your daughter, even
you, in your cooler moments, can hard
ly wonder that she chooses another pro-
tector."
Protector" he repeated, lifting his
eyebrows, and that Internal footman
cackled again.
IF you can't behave with common po-
likeness to lady" put in, smartly.
you might at least exhibit enough of
rude intelligence to lay hold Of an ar
gumsnt that's as plain as the nose on
Your face"
Gently, my good sir!" said he. "Do
you know that. il choose, can march
you off to Jail for common house
breaker?"
/ should think I did know Il - n
plaguey sight better than he!
ITO begin with" he went on, .you
look like one, for all the world"
This was sailing too close for my Iik-
ing.
"Old gentleman" said I, you are
wearisomely dull. Possibly had bet
ter explain at length. To be frank,
then, had counted, in case Of failure.
to avoid all scandal to your daughters
name. had hoped you (you will ex-
cuse mel to have carried her off and
cvaded you until could present myself
as her husband. II baffled in this. l pro-
posed TO make my escape as a common
burglar. surprised upon your premises
1t seems to me-" wound up, including
the three servants with an indignant
sweep OF my arm, that you might well
have emulated my delicacy. As il is,
must trouble you to recognize it,"
Heaven send" l added to myself,
that the real inamorato keeps his
bungling foot out of this till 1 get
clear!' And reflected with much com
fort that he was hardly likely 10 make
nm attempt upon premises 80 brilliant
ly lit up.
I'm justice to my daughters taste,"
replied Sir Harry, II am willing to believe
you looked something less like Jail
bird when she met you in the Pump
Room Mt Bath. You have fine clothes
in your portnanteau, no doubt, and
sincerely trust they make all the diff
ference to your appearance. But n fine
suit is no expensive outfit for the cap
ture of an heiress. You may be the
coInmonest of adventurous. How do
know, even, what right you have to the
name you carry?"
IL he didn't, il was still more certain
that l didn't. Indeed, he had con-
spicuous advantage over me in knowing
what that name was. This very painful
difficulty had hardly presented itself,
however, before the girls wit smoothed
it away. She spoke up-looking as in
nocent as an pngel, too.
capt. Fitzroy Pilkington could add
no lustre to his name, father, by giving
it to me. His family is as good as our
own, and his name is one to be proud
Cf."
$50 it is, my DEAR" thought I, ''if
can only remember it. So it's Capt.
Fitzroy Pilkington 1 am--and from
Bath. Decidedly 1 should have taken
some time in guessing it,"
II suppose, sir, 1 may take it for
granted you have Tot brought your
credentials here tonight" said the
old boy, with a grim smile.