The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1896-12-31
THE RED HOUSE.

It was really red house. but it acted
upon the squire irasribe temperament
like tho red rag Of the proverb and he
never caught sight of it without flushing
augrily and bursting forth into volley
of furious epithets against it, owner.
If the builder had only chosen site
at the north, where the red house
would have been hidden behind the
plantation Of oaks and bceehe-. Squire
Turnbull would have good naturedly
sold him apiece of land for a mere song.
But that IL should have planted his
ugly, staring modern villa exactly III
trout Of tke squirrels windows, inter
ruptiug his fayoIIte view Of the south
downs and the sea, was an unbcarable
piece of impertincnee. But this land at
the south did not belong to the squire,
and his rage was Intellectual.
Now, Mabel Tulubull, the squire's
only daughter, lovely girl Of 10, was
interested in the young doctor, who was
both owner and inhabitant of tine red
house. This was not only because he
was handsome and had quickly Won a
reputation for clcverncss in the neigh.
borhood, but because she had once come
upon him in country lane, and, unseen
herself, she had watched him bind up
the knee Of little village Rirl who had
fallen and cut herself. He took the
greatest pains over the simple dressing,
using his own handkerchief as band
age, and when be further eomforted his
littlo patient with "a bright silver six
pence and kiss Mabel Turnbull came
to the conclusion that Dr. Gerard Mas
sey was "a man worth knowing But she
could not bring her father to her way
of thinking. The red house was an in
tolerable obstruction to Squire Turn
bulls cherished view of the south
downs and the sea. DR.. Massey owned
the red house aud lived in it; therefore
DR.. Massey was not to be tolerated.
1t was not often that the two men en-
oountered each other. and after their
first meeting they passed without notice.
On that first occasion DIR. Massey had
lifted his hat, but the squire had delib-
erately turned his head aside, and the
hint had been taken.
About month after the doctor had
taken up his abode in the red house
the squire strolled down to the south
gate Of his grounds and went out into
the road to see his daughter mount her
bicycle, and after she had started he
strolled along little way that he might
get better view of her as she swept
Of hn ha nlA
man s face glowed with pride and love
when she waved her hand to him and
vanished. and swinging swiftly round
he planted his foot on round stone
which rolled on the hard road and threw
him violently to the ground.
II fear you have hurt yourself. May
| help you?" said voice beside him.
Tho squire looked up angrily and saw
that he had fallen near to the gate of
the red house just as DR.. Massey WAS
coming out.
"Thank you, sir l need no assist
ance." he said haughtily.
As he spoke he scrambled hastily to
his feet and gave sudden cry of pain
as he put his wrenched foot to the
BrOunu.
"You have hurt yourself more than
you think" persisted DR.. Massey.
Here is my carriage. Let me drive you
home
The squire was white to the lips with
pain, but his pride rebelled against ac-
oepting u favor from the owner of the
red house.
THANK youl" he repeated decidedly.
II can manage with my stick "
LAS you WILL, replied the other.
Good morning.
He sprang into his carriage and drove
away, while the squire began his slow
and painful walk home, Reaching his
library, he sank into his easy chair,
with great beads of sweat rolling down
his pale checks
Having sent servant for his own
Doctor he proceeded to bathe and band