Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1897-05-22
CHAPTER NXviIi.

ShAIlEU ANVIL.
"Eathcr," said Nuttic, trembling with
the effort. II want you to let Mark take
the agency with view to himsclf.-not
the. Let him be as he would have been
II he had never hunted us up ut Mickle.
thwayte. and put me In his place."
"Ehy said Mr.. Egremont. ut In not
entailcd--worse luck; II 1t had been, l
should not have been hound to dance at
tendance at the heels Of such an old sim
ner as the general"
"No. but It ought to go TO the male heir,
and keep In the old name. Think-there
have been EEre:n0nta st Bridgefield for
four hundred years!'
Every pretty talk, but how will II he
with you. miss? We shall have Fame. and
! don't know how many more. coming
after the scent of BridgcReld now" he
saia with heavy sigh, ending with bit.
ter, "Hang them all"'
"And welcome" said Nuttie. answering
the thought rather than the words. "Fath-
or, wanted TO tell yOu--"
lyon don't mean that any one has been
after SOU at such a time as thisv he
cried.
ut was before-i mean 1t was the even.
ing when we were all 10 glad. before we
began to be afraid"
"The umbrella man! by Jove!
"And now" went on Nuttie. In spite Of
the explosion. 'hc would hardly have ven.
turcd 10 go on with Il but for this--I
mean" as her father gare n little laugh
Of his unpleasant sort, ''hc said II would
he the greatest possible relief. and make
It all right for the property to 70 to the
male heir"
"You think m. do you? Zee how It will
be when come to talk to him! A shrewd
fellow like that who got out Of the Mick.
lethwayte concern just la time. Catch
him giving up place like that. though he
may hunlbug YOU"
''Tyhsn you will see him, fatberY"
III you turn him In on me I can't helm
Il. Bless me! Umbrellas everywhere!'
mir. DuttOn would not take me from
you. We would both try all We could to
make you comfortable"
dodgeT'
"Don't. father" for the sneering tone
returned.
''Come now." he added, In a much more
fathcrly manner, for her voice had struck
him. "YOu don't mean that q weil-leoking
girl like you, who could have her pick Of
all the swells In town. can really be smit-
ten with priggish old retired umbrella
monger like that Why, he might be your
father"
"He has been getting younger ever since
I knew him." said Nuttie.
well. He plays as good game of
whist as any man In England" muttered
Mr.. EgrcmOnt. leaving his daughter In
actual doubt whether he meant this ~
pa a n mr. IA nv IL.
trust OF him.
Mr.. Duttou had his interview as soon as
Mr.. EgremOnt had rested after his drive.
and the result was satisfactory.
No doubt much was due to the EgremOnt
Incidence and want of energy, which al
ways preferred to let things take their
course. And now that Gregorio was no
longer present TO amuse, and take all
trouble off his hands. Mr.. Egremont could
hardly have borne to part with his daugh.
ter; and. despite Of umbrellas and relig-
ion, was not sorry to have a perfectly
trustworthy son-in-law In the house. able
to play at cards with him, manage his
household, and obviate nil trouble about
suitors for the heiress. Moreover. his
better feelings were stirred by gratitude
on his poor little sons account, and he
match for his daughter would not have
secured for his old age the care and at
tentiOn he could rely upon here. He was
Obliged likewise TO believe In the disin-
terestedness, which disclaimed all desire
for the estate. as involving cares and du-
ties for which there had been no training;
and he was actually glad to keep the prop
erty In the direct line. The old liking for
Mark, and sense Of the hardship Of his
exclusion, revived, strengthened now by
regard for Annaple; together with the
present relief from care obtained by max
Ing him manager OF the estate. When
once brought to point, Mr.. Egremont
was always sudden and impetuous, chiefly
for the sake of having 1t over and being
unmOlested and at rest again. 30 that
very evening, while Nuttie only ventured
on sharing with Annaple the glad tidinss
that Mr.. Dutton was accepted. and In bis
marvellous goodness, undertook to make
his home with her father. Marx was 81.
most stunned b. TIE uswa. confirmed 70