The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-10-17
A Gentleman Of the Old School.
(Concluded)

(Concluded)
Miss Hubbard smiled. II was so pleas
ant to hear that her dear old home was
still beautiful enough TO eaten the az
miration of strangers. She shook her
head. however, at the idea Of selling IT.
NO. indeed" she said quietly. j nope
we Snail never have 10 sell II"
I'VE would not quarrel about the price,
said Mrs Gray. Money isn't TO be con-
eidered when you really want q thing.
NOW. we would take the entire establish
ment off your hands, she went on, look
Ing about the room as she spoke, and
give you a good round sum for II. Wen
take the dog. and the old woman. and all
/ suppose the dog has pedigree! she
added. Now. that's a good oiter. what
no you say TO that?'
Miss Hubbard did not wish to smile, this
time. but she could not help it. She Won
dered If they would like TO buy her, too.
Mrs. Gray was waiting for an answer.
NO" reiterated Miss Hubbard, 1--WE
Mould rather not part with It,"
But that isn't an answer" persisted
Mrs Cray. "as ] said. we never let money
sfand I'm our way You can fix your own
price. and you'n find us ready. 1t wont
scare us. know you didn't get all these
Things for nothing. Those books alone
must have cost a pretty sum; and those
pictures, your ancestors, / suppose, we'd
Just as soon buy them too. They look like
pleasant people. though I always did say
lhe old style Of dressing was stiff. Wen
be having our own family portraits TO
Rdd 10 them some of these days. We
haven't got any vet because I say, when
you have a thing Of that kind done. do it
right I don't mean to have any Ameri-
ran artist make daubs Of Betty. I'll wait
now I'LL we go abroad and have her done
by the old masters"
Don't call me Betty" whispered Miss
Gray.
NO. Elizabeth. mean. The girls want
pld-fashioned names nowadays and every
thing else must be old-fashioned too. It's
Bet-Elizabeth that wants this house. I
don't know how her father'd take TO IT,
but he generally gives in to Betty It
could be fixed up. It's a sin and shame
10 let as fine an old property as this has
been run down"
Miss Hubbard's eyes fell, and a flush Of
color swept her pale face. She well knew
that the old house needed repairing, but
she hoped always that other people did
not know Il. too But she might have
known that they did Mrs. Gray's frank
ness left her no longer in doubt.
rs not so beautiful TO strangers" she
said aloud. "as IL is to us, but some dav
We hope to restore all its fading heautv.
In the meanwhile. we viii not consider
any proposition TO part with it," She
spoke positively.
Miss Gray was keenly disappointed. She
had always had every thing she wished
FOR, and now. TO have SO insignificant a
person as Miss Hubbard say mo" 10 her
was more than she could bear. moreover
she was not going 20 bear &C. Money. that
mad opened so many doors for her. should
open this door too. And what things Miss
Hubbard could do with monevi what
dresses she could buyl and with a maid
10 dress her abundance Of pale hair. how
different she would looki
We were told" she said that II r.
only a question of time when you'll be
forced 10 sell. should think you'd rather
place"
Il trust We shall not be called upon 10
sacrifice H. In any event. we prefer 10
run the risk replied Miss Hubbard
From what / hear. YOU haven't got
much to trust I'm. / am told. on good au-
thority. that the place IS mortgaged IN
20 is fun value. and that tho man who
holds the mortgage Is going to foreclose
and sell you out Come, Betty. 7 think
wen walt ltil come cheaper at public
SAFE, not that dollars and cents matter to
us Come. Good morning. Miss Hub
bard" w. -
with a rustic out Of the room and with
them went the Hon. Pat O'Rourke.
Through the han and across the porch
and down the walk he followed them.
and Miss Gray. not knowing what mis-
chief she was doing. held open tho gate
50 wide that he PASSED out with her.
Master Piggy, sitting In solemn state On
the back seat OF the cart saw him ana
down he came with "a pompous little STRUT
that said: ia like a word with Won.
sir
Pat opened his mouth 20 reply. but he
changed his mind. He had meyer been n
man OF many words. He closed his mouth
again asd closed Il over the back q the
neck OF PIGGY Gray. He wasn't going 20
hurt him, that IS he wasn't going % hurt
him mech II Puggv had been as dig and
strong a fellow as himself. he would have
taken him by The throat But as Il was.
ne only meant TO give him a good thor
ough shaking, and let him 80.
Mrs. Gray screamed and wrung he,
hands Miss Gray jumped out OF tho cart
with me whip The man In livery lum-
bered down from his seat and decl ircd
ne saw no way but 10 cut the bull dogs
throat Ihe crowd watched MIN in filont
astonishment He took out his pocket
knife and opened the blade.
Then. the heavy iron gate groaned en-
ffs hinges. and girl in black dress and
with = very white face made he~ way
through the crowd. Sho took he man
nrmiv by the arm. "Don't touch him..
she said and her voice trembled.
The man looked at her. Then he looked
Al Fat. He could not see any safe way
Of settfng 70 his throat. II was 80 very
AAas his<sstt. he closed his knife slowly