The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-02-07
MAURICE SANDYS.

ing out Of the carriage window at tho eyric
Of wind beaten houses perckad here and
there among the rocks OF '.is birthplace.
~ don't remember II no bleak as this"
withdrawing sharply from the curions
gaze Of the handful of mon and woirsn
who had braved wind and rain to witrlasD
the home coming Of their landlord.
"They'm black and bitter set" quoth
the nearest Cornishman to his wife, "but
there never was Sandys yet as weren't
good to look on, and nuns us fair O. face
as nuns father was, and m'appen as hard
hearted"
Maurice Sandys heard and laughed lit
tie.
"Truth will out" he said, Struggling his
shoulders. Isn't it almost Il pity you
troubled yourself to fetch me homc Drys-
dale9 Lanstead doesn't seem to hunger for
my presence as much as you represented"
~ only did my duty" said the Rev.
John Drysdale stifily "Thcre is always
plenty of help needed at Lanstead in the
winter time, as told you, Sandys."
eyes, you did," Maurice Sandys said,
sinking back into his corner with shiyer
II wish you'd draw up the window, Drys-
dale. The air cuts like knife and don't
want to benefit the Lanstead undertaken
earlier than is absolutely necessary. Are
we at the house? Ugh, how cold it is. No,
don't want helping out, thanks, my good
fellow" passing by a manservant's prof
fered arm and going slowly up the shallow
|, steps, followed by the clergyman. "Well,
Mrs. Mallow, how are your" He give the
group of servants careless nod and smile
and went straight into the dining r0om,
still followed by Mr.. Drysdale.
"a glorious fire." ho said, holding Nut
his thin, brown hands to the pleasant
warmth. "But, all the same, Drysdale, I
wish you'd left me to die in the south.
Lanstead doesn't want me, and I don't
want Lanstead. Well, you'll dine with Inc
tonight No? Why not? You know how 1
hate being alone, Drysdale."
"Im very sorry, but my wife will ex.
poet me-" Mr.. Drysdale said ungraciously
"You are old enough to be able to amuse
yourself, Sandys. Good night"
"Good night. And now" Maurice San
dys said, standing up and looking down
the long room, with smile half humor-
GUS and half bitter, chow am l to amuse
myself, wonderp Here, my good fellow,
you needn't lay that table. I'm not going
to dine alone Bring me cup of black
coffee and some dry biscuits, if there's any
in the place And ask Mrs. Mallow what
time the posts go out"
eyes, sir The fOotman hurried out
with scared look, and Maurice Sandys
threw himself into the nearest scat-a
monk S bench in finely carved black oak
and dropped his head on his hands. "Cold
as death here, and was always fond of
the sunshine" he muttered. II wonder
why came away. Did Drysdale really
touch my conscience or was it that Nice
bored me? The worse reason, expect, to
be in keeping with my life. Is that you,
Mrs. Mallowf"
Eyes, Mr.. Maurice, have brought you
your coffee, sir. l thought" said tho
orders to give"
"No you must manage by yourself, Mrs.
Mallow," Maurice Sandys said, taking the
coffee cup from her, "Im certain you can
do it very we'll You see," carelessly look
ing up at her, ''you won't have to keep
house for me very long"
II beg your pardon, Mr.. Sandys," fal-
tered the housekeeper.
Odd not Mr.. Drysdale tell you that I
was coming homo to die, Mrs. Mallowp
Some one should have done So" Maurice
Sandys said quietly. "I'm afraid I've star
tied you. Sit down"
''No, thank you, sir. IL am sorry to
hear that, Mr., Sandys. Perhaps your ma
tive air.
"My native air has knocked half dozen
more nails in my coffin already" said her
master rather sharply, "Never mind-on-
ly Mr.. Drysdale should have told you. Is
this place damp? The room is horribly
cold"
Let me put some more wood on the
fire, Mr.. Sandys. John says you won't
dine tonight, sir. Will you sup, then? Nor
A glass Of hot mulled wine before you go
to bed, at least, sirf'
Eyes, if you like" Maurice Sandys set
down his empty coffee cup and began to
crumble biscuit between his fingers.
Have you been long at Lanstead, Mrs.
Mallowf"
"Scvcn years, sir"
"Ah, thanks, " as the housckeeper deity
slipped cushion between his tired head
and the hard carved arm of the monks
bench, THAT $ better. Tell them to make
up II Dig IRE III NY heurouill, anu llat ID
ALL think, Mrs Malluw"
THANK you, sir, and good night
hope you will be better tomorrow, Mr..
Sandys,'
"Thank you," Maurice Sandys said,
looking up ut her with curious smile
Perhaps l shall be. Good night, Mrs.
Mallow"
The landslip that had overwhelmed half
Lanstcad village had found ready hands
and stout hearts to withstand it, and after
few hours work the doctor of the til
regiment, Mr. Drysdalc and two curatcs,
Miss Drysdale and half dozen strong
Cornish women and II score of priyates had
| done all that mere men and women could
| do to rescue the living and TO dig out the
| dead. And now the rcscucrs began to look
| about them and exchange n few words of
sympathy or of congratulaion.
"You here! What are you doing, sir,
Knocking about here still? Thought rec
| commended you to go home an hour ago"
| The doctor turned and caught the stran-
gers arm in an unccrcmouous grip
"What are you doing hcrc;' looking him
up and down with keen professional atten
| ton. "Why, don't you know you're i'll, sir
| ill runu,rh I'm lao in LnIy Whnt Iuvi npss