The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-07-01
che bct11e Reading Girtle
A DREADFUL OCCURRENCE.


as he is to her. She tries to take an
interest In politics just on purpose to
please him. I've seen her poring over
a blue book as she calls 1t, by the
half-hour together, tryin' to under
stand it. And when she found that
was impossible, she'd go and get him
to explain II to her."
Are there any others in the family
that's as nice as themselves, MN, may
ask?"
I'm sorry to say there's no one else
in the family except their two selves
not a chick nor child, unfortunately
There's her ladyship's sister Lady
Barnard, but she's been with her hus-
band in Jamaica-he's governor there
for the last two or three years, so we
haven't seen much of her lately. And
there's Mr. Reginald Crawford, her
ladyships brother but he only looks
in here now and again, to see If there
are any letters to forward to his sister
or his lordship. So, you see. with no
callers, no dinners, no parties. this
house has been as good an imitation Of
the grave as you'll be likely to get in
long days march,
And what kind is Mr.. Reginaldw
"Oh, he's good enough. A bit fond
OF horses-betting and racing, and all
that. But, of course, I never see any
thing of that here. He's never tried to
bet with me-" Mrs. Mason affirmed
with conviction. "And, after all, it
may all be fibs. I heard of it from
Mr.. Benson, the butler, but Mr. Ben
son often says more than his prayers,
I've had occasion to think To me he's
always polite enough-Mr. Reginald, 1
mean. Always behaves himself pro-
perly when he comes here, so l can only
speak of him as / find him. Gracious,
girl" broke off Mrs. Mason suddenly,
looking at the clock, II had no idea
1t was as late as that! I'm neglecting
my duties, and yours, too. Here,
Jane" she continued, calling to the
upper housemaid, come down and helm
me show Ellen Parker what she's got
to do. Gene, be quick-there's no time
to lCse!"
In another five minutes. the three
women were engrossed in their respec-
| tive domestic duties.
But surprise-one she little dream
ed of-was all this while in store for
Mrs. Mason.
The housekeeper had not very long
| been engaged in superintedning the
work of the two housemaids, when a
| loud postmans knock resounded
| through the hail. quickly bringing Mrs.
Mason to the ground floor again. Open
| ing the letter box she drew from it three
packages. The first addressed to the
Right Honorable the Viscount Will
mington" looked like a circular The
second, also for the master, was palp-
! ably an advertisement of some kind.
hn hi,
worthy housekeeper herself Now,
Mrs. Mason seldom got any letters.
The receipt of this one was, consequent
ly, something of an event to her. But
what astonished her still more was that
her communication was from no less a
! person than his lordship himself! Now
what could he possibly have to write
to her about? 1t was my lady who, of
course always addressed her on any
subject connected with domestic mat
ters. Was anything wrong?
AS, perhaps the most feasible way of
solving the mystery, Mrs. Mason-after
slowly turning the envelope round
about several times in her hands-open-
ed it. and read as follows:
Hotel D'Angleterre, Paris, Oct. 10,
| 1S6.-MIs. Mason: 1 deeply regret to
say that her ladyship is far from well.
She caught a chill some few days ago,
which she has found it impossible to
| shake off. Under these circumstances
she is anxious to return home as soon
as possible in order that she may be at
| tended by her own medical man. In
deed, the doctor here himself recon-
mended that course. But do not wish
her to return until everything has been
made comfortable and home-like for
! her reception. At once, therefore, upon
| receipt of this, please set the house
maids to work to get all ready light
large fires in all the rooms that We shall
use, and get the plate-chest from the
bankers. We shall expect to get home
about 10 o'clock tomorrow night. If
you require help in any way, 1 have no
doubt Mr.. Reginald will be able and
willing to give it you so far as he can.
In haste. Faithfully yours,
WILMINGTON.
| Goodness! Here's news!"' exclaimed
| the housekeeper as soon as she had
reached the end of the letter. And 50
sudden! Why, we shall have to work
| like galleys to get even the few rooms
her ladyship and he will occupy ready
to receive them. Then there's the plate
TO get from the bank, Dear me, how
ever, is that to be done? I'm bothered
fairly bothered"
AS a first step toward getting out of
| the maze of troubles she saw before
her, Mrs. Mason sat down on hall
shair and put on her considering cap
After a few seconds cogitation, the old
| lady brought her hands together wit
quick movement, and said to herself:
| II know. First thing I'll send to Mr.
Reginald and see what he can advise.
| So saying, she ran to his lordship's
study and scribled two or three lines
to Mr.. Crawford, begging him to steI
around to No, 10 B Square, at his
earliest convenience, on a matter of inn
portance. Then, sending for Jane, she
directed her to run out and give the
note to a cabman on the stand hard
by, with instructions-and shilling
to deliver it as quickly as possible al
1 II