The Somerset reporter., 1896-03-19

aristocrats-fiery, imperious and inor-
dinately proud of the integrity of his
name and ancestry. At the time | went
into his employ, years ago now, he was
living alone with his only daughter at
his family seat in Gloucestershire
A strange looking, tall lady was Miss
Linda Barbican, with large, black eyes
and pale, hard set features bearing the
traces of some inward SORROW.
Sir Mortimer, l learned, had had
son. whom he had disinherited and dis
owned. owing to some act which had
| brought dishonor on the name of Barbl-
can, and he forbade all mention of the
seapegrace of the family.
A young man, shabbily dressed, with
reckless albeit handsome face, stood
on the doorstep and scanned me merry
ously as l looked questioningly at him.
"Is my-is Sir Mortimer Barbican
disengaged?" he asked huskily.
Eyes, sir, u l answered. will you
please come IMP
Is there any one in the hbrary?'
mo, sir. 8"
"Then show me in and tell your mas
ter | must see him. "
Very we'll. siri What name shall
give?"
"Oh, never mind the namel He'll
know me fast enough, he added bit
terly
Sir Mortimer looked up in a surprised
way when | communicated to him that
visitor had arrived and wished to see
him. He opened the door and strobe in-
to the room.
Father p
That was all. One short, despairing
cry, and father and son stood face to
face once more.
A gray, drawn look stole over my
master face as for a brief moment he
stood eying the prodigal who had SO
mysteriously reappeaIed. Then he found
his tongue.
So it is you, you houndl" he said,
his features working strangely, while
there was tone of suppressed rage III
his voice; cit is you, is it? Have you
forgotten how we parted? Have you for
gotten" his voice rising ominously,
''how l cast you off and forbade you
ever to step i'll my house again? Be off
before l forget myself and whip you
out, as you deserve.
Il will speak, cried the younger
man. As there is a God i'll heaven,
am innocent But since you will not
bear me, will not try to save you. May
it be ON your own head, and may you
reap as you have sown But you will
have the comforting assurance of know
ing that you have sent me to the devil.
and | curse you'll" And, striding from
the room, the younger man passed out
into the hall.
| FASTENED to open the door for him.
As he was passing out into the night he
turned.
'You are stranger to me, y be said
after brief space, but your face locks
like an honest one. If you can contriye
it, meet me tomorrow. about this time
at the drive gate. 1t is matter of life
and death. :"
The next morning after breakfast Sir
Mortimer tulsled to me and said:
IF you value your situation here,
Parkin, you will bear this in mind Not
word Of what you saw and heard last
night, and never mention my-my son s
name to me again under pain of instant
dismissal That is all. u
1t was with some feeling of trepida-
ton that | repaired to the trysting place
that same evening to await the arrival
of the disinherited son. Having inquired
my name, he began;
L f.
be i'll this plight. Some years ago a
forged check in my fathers name was
discovered Suspicion at once fell on
me, and, though innocent, was at once
branded as guilty by my father. He did
not wish to have the family name drag
ged into court, so he took tho easier
course of disinheriting me and casting
me off entirely. My enemy, whoever he
was-and heaven knows thought | had
none worth speaking of-had done his
work we'll. | became frequenter of the
turf. gambler, and nearly-but, thank
heaven, not quite-a thief. | was tempt
ed some few weeks ago to join band
of burglars who contemplated robbing
my fathers house. But though | had
puhh ACN was i4pb 1hitO bdu t1puSH
for that, and, overcome with remorse, |
determined TO seek an audience with
my father and warn HIM of his danger.
The result Of that interview you know,
and
Here he broke off abruptly, a queer
break in his voice
l will pass over the rest of our con-
versation and merely state the plan
which the reluorSe stricken man had
formed to chechnate the robbers.
must explain that at the back of tie
house was courtyard, shat in ON three
sides by the kitchen premises of the
house. Ii was a small Window-that of
the pantry-whieh was to be the mode
of ingress. Young Mr.. Geotfrey-that
was the sons name-was to lead the
burglars in their enterprise He would
conduct A ZEN through the window, and
then, VA the aid of myself and Sir
Mortimer, whom l was to apprise of
the robbers advent, would help to over
power the others, two desperadoes, for
they had not wished to heve too many
concerned in the job.
Friday came, and it was, | am bound
to confess, with no slight feelings of APP
prehension that looked forward to the
work which was before me- for | was