Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1897-05-09

after my solitary lunch. Then | came
in here. 1 suppose l got sleepy after
The hunt and dropped on. Where were
you?"
Sir Jasper made no direct reply to
these questions Holding up the por-
trait, and looking fXedly at his nephew,
he asked in a voice that sounded unlike
his:
Who is that?"
Wilfred flushed all over his fair, boy
isb face.
"That-oh. that's Mrs. Mongorton.
You have often heard me speak Of her,
uncle"
Il forget, I forget" mwmured Sir
Jasper. Where does she live?'
she took the Maisonette on a short
lease last year. Ii looks like different
place now. She has made it jolly. No
end of improvements,
Does is her husband with herr"
asked his uncle. speaking as if the mus
cles OF his mouth were stiff.
NO. she is a widow. Uncle, meant
20 tell YOU very soon. l intend 10
marry her if she will have me. l know
YOU will love her, she is SO sweet and
gentle
"Have you told her this?' demanded
Sir Jasper quickly.
"Oh. no: not yet. But think she
suspects what feel. She does not Try TO
discourage me.
Wien did YOU see her last?'
This morning. She doesn't hunt, but
She came To the meet in her victoria.
She is exactly the kind OF woman you
would approve of. uncle said the boy,
eaeerly-"nOt a bit masculine"
Sir Jasper sat silent, wrapped IN
thought.
Uncle. / intend calling on her to-
morrow. VIII YOU come with me and
meet her?" rising and laying his hand
aflectionately on the elder mans shout
der
His uncle drew a long, shuddering
sigh. Perhaps 1 may, my boy-who
knows?'
Did you-wish to see me about any
taing when you came in here. uncle
Ii was a moment before Sir Jasper
could collect his scattered ideas. On,
YES. Macquistar-tha is, some orchids
have been piiiered from one OF the
houses.
oh. / am sorry," cried Wifred SYM
pathetically. being well aware chat next
TO himself the orchids ranked highest
In his uncle's heart. Were they very
special ones? l hope not
Just q lot OF blooms Of Cologne
cristala that Macquistan happened TO
be proud of. But You'll see the extent
of the damage tomorrow. Tomorrow
viii do
.I want to see it now" said Wilfred,
kindly insisting.
Later. then-later. l have something
must do first" and Sir Jasper left the
room.
Tor monet Wilfred wondered at his
uncias strange demeanor. But his
mind was TOO full of his own prospective
/ happiness to puzzle long over anything
else.
An hour later, when he sought Sir
JASPER. Wiifred was amazed to learn
| thar he had gone out riding alone.
CHAPTER H.
The wind had fallen. and the snow
I flakes were coming faster as Sir Jasper
WcHand. leaving the sombre trees oil
his long avenue behind. gained the high
read.
The path lay vague and misty in the
early dusk of the December day, but Sir
Jasper rode with the steady, firm rein
OF one bent on an important mission
a mission OF life or death.
The road. ever a lonely one, was al
most deserted. Save for the two little
children OF a forester ON his estate
trudgiug bravely home from school, he
rss,f I,.,h ftrt er-rtl
40 q certain point, he dlverSed into a
bridal path which, skirting the edge OF
a wood. ended at gate opening on to
the grounds Of mansion.
The MaisOuette as Mrs. MOngOrton'
temporary residence was christened was
OF ornate architecture, with many
French windows. tiny turrets, and bal
comics. The whole was painted white
with touches of warm yellow in the
Venetian shutters and o. namental
woodwork.
Sir Jasper had never before sought
to visit The MaiSOnette. Indeed, the
interiors OF most of the neighboring
houses were unknown to him. Until
/ his unexpected succession to the baron
2 etcv through the early deaths of two
cousins. he had never even seen Wei
land Court. And when he arrived to
take possession of his inheritance the
country folk were wOefully disappointed
20 find in him a reCluse. a man Of letters
engrossed in his books and in the study
of horticulture. At every social gath
ering his absence was conspicuous. UNI
til the neighbOrhOOd began TO take II
as q matter of course, and to shower
Inequalities upon Wilfred instead.
Tying his horse to a tree, Sir Jasper
/ opened the gate. and approached the
house on foot He remembered hay-
inc noticed. from the road the exterior
of ,he house as dull-loOking, owing 10
its dingy drab paint and cOldly cur
tanned windows. As he marked the
change wrought in the appearance OF
. The Maisunette a strange smile came
+ over his face. Her ali over he NUT
Tered. A mass of evergreens was
Dlanted in the borders round the house,
and also in the lawn tiOwer-beds, usually
naked and empty at that season. In
der the lowering sky smoke hung in soft
white clouds over many chimneys, and
Tghts cleaned cheerfully from the WIN
dows.
Sir Jasper did not seek the hall door.
/ Tnobserved he walked quietly round the
/ building. and paused outside a large
/ French window. The lace curtains were
nor closed. and in the glow OF wood
fire burning on the open hearth he could
! distinctly see the interior of the room.
n was furnished in luxurious fashion,
,,.i+b low chairs. warm feeCy rugs,
-. bc,nod with manV-hued cUSh-