Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1898-08-10
THE AMPTHILLS.

vOAil SouplC GlNl plSetoiLS w " Hpoii-
tall and aristocratio looking, with rather
naughty features, but refined expression.
She wore her hair, which was snowy
white, raised over a cushion, and by way
Of a cap some priceless old lace. Her
brows We're delicately penciled, her eyes
clear gray. He was the picture of an old
English gentleman, with his rudy COM
~plexion, clear but not too red, his honest
blue eyes, his flowing white beard.
All young people delighted in the
Ampthills' garden parties, and l was OF
the number in years gone by. Everything
was so we'll "done," as we should say
now, and we enjoyed the freedom given us
of roaming through the well kept grounds
and tasteful gardens as well as of gazing
ut the art treasures indoors. But l re-
member Mrs. Ampthill always entreated
us not to touch the books.
cts a fad of my dear husband, y she
would say and always proceeded to tell us
of a friend of theirs who had smoked over
. book Of Mr.. Ampthill's and actually
burned a hole in the valuable old fash
ioned binding. $50, for fear of any fuss,
I do not allow any n to touch the
books" We all agreed that she was quite
right, too, though the nonsmoker could
not see the point of her story. wonder
now that it did not strike any II as
strange that the books were prohibitive.
But there was one thing that did appear
homogeneous, and thnt was a funny look
ing old woman or "housekeeper body"
who sometimes opened the door. In such
an ancestral home you expected adignified
butler or at least a footman in sober liv-
cry, not q hard featured old woman in
rusty black and without u cap. She opened
the door with a nervous jerk, looked at
one suspiciously and then, if the Amp
/ thills were at home she would leave one
on the doorstep and shuttle to summon the
parlor maid.
"Oh, that silly old Ann again!", Mrs.
Ampthill would say as she greeted one.
"It's another fad of my husbands to keep
her, not that she is of the slightest use,"
and then she would tap her own high fore.
head suggestively and shake her head,
"but she is an old pensioner."
"Dear Mrs. Ampthill, we know how
kind and benevolent you are!'' was the in
variable remark that followed, and per-
haps a successful appeal for a local charity
still further raised the Ampthills on their
pedestal.
Circumstances occurred when Twas still
a lad which caused my parents to leave
c., and other circumstances prevented
my revisiting the place for q few days. My
first question was, "How are the Amp
thills?" dead, both dead" was the an
swer, ''but only a short while ago and
within a few days of each other" "How
sad and touching too! Dear old Philemon
, and Baucis!'
Then I was told that both had been in
valids of late. She had a weak heart, and
he some nervous disorder. She died first,
and he caught a chill at her funeral-they
were both buried in the same grave. "But
! who gets their nice house and beautiful
belongings" 1 asked. "The house is left
to a nephew, and all the plate and books
and pictures revert to the heirs Of the late
Sir Anthony Ambrose" said my friend
the lawyer. "a relation?" I queried. "No
relation at all, " said Mr.. Fincham. "You
think it curious. Well, SO do 1. I wasn't
old Mr.. Ampthill's lawyer, but l have an
idea Of the case, and I rather want to get
the lease Of the house for q client. Sup
pose WI 60 and pay our respects to the
nephew9" whats he like?" "Oh, a hard
headed, honest sort. Name of Hayden,
from Huddersfield." "What a lot of his!
You pique my curiosity, Fincham. l see
you won't tell me your surmises, so let us
go and call at the Chestnuts. 1 shall miss
the old people there"
The place was changed indeed. Mr..
Hayden opened the door to us and was
civility itself IN a bluff, outspoken way.
I explained who I was and how much ]
| kol 1i1yoJ h}e ,1r@o1o md o,,,,% l., Tho ,>,et
He made no sort Of remark in apprecia
ton Of my flattering speeches, but said
rather gruf1y, II knew naught of my un
Gle and aunt" ''Don't you mean to live
here2" ono, not 1. 1 am not gentee
enough for this sort of thing. Besides,
have my fortune still to make for wife ant
little ones. 7 mean to let the place fur
> nished, furniture and flxings on a valua
ton. But come in, sir, and you, too, Mr.
Fincham. Happen to know Of q tenant
for me2"
:. "That's what I came about, and with
> your permission I'll take a look over thu
l house."
"Willingly." !,
We strolled into the changed and desert
ed rooms. Pictures, books, plates, wher,
9 were theyP Hayden's eyes caught mine,
5 suppose, looking at the blank spaces, ant
he answered my unspoken query.
eyes, all that's not mine l have sen
3 back to the lawful owners. How my unclt
lad the conscience to keep what wa no
Q his all these years I cannot make out"
"Your uncle!''
eyes, the tailor from York. He was
bit of a money lender too. He took owe
g all Sir ANTHONY Ambrose's effects for