News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1898-12-14

"Why, this answered the vicar
Although there was no reason what
soever to think that Colonel Merridew
stole the Indianapolis rubies, yet any
gentleman may we'll have supposed and
had every reason for supposing that
Colonel Merridew did steal the mahara-
jah's rubies. y
''That seems-er-very fair and
equal " said l, after a moments con.
sideration.
81 think So my dear young friend,
said the vicar complacently 81 imagine
that it will put an end to all trouble
between your worthy father and Sir
Matthew"
I'm sure it must, " | agreed.
II have modelled it." pursued the
vicar, holding out the piece of paper
before him and regarding it lovingly
II have modelled the form of it on
son the Thirty-nin Articles, " suc,
gested thoughtlessly
Not at all, said the vicar sharply
"On parliamentary apologies. "
AS may be supposed, Sylvia and
spent day of feverish suspense miti
gated only by one another's company
The vicar rode first to Sir Matthew's
He reached there at 1890 and remained
to luncheon. Starting again at 3 (evi-
IDENTIFY Sir Matthew had been hard to
move), he reached my fathers at 4:30
and was closeted with him until Z
O'Clock. had parted with Sylvia about
6 and came to dinner. My father was
then alone. | looked at him, but had
not the nerve to ask him any questions
Presently he came and patted me on the
shoulder.
Il have made great sacrifice for
your sake, my boy" said he. "Sir Mat
thew Marston and his daughter will
dine here tomorrow And he flung
himself into chair.
Hurrahr' cried, springing to my
feet.
1.-THE vicar is coming also," pursued
my father, with sigh, and he looked
up at Uncle Johns portrait, which hung
over the mantelpiece 81 hope l have
not done wrong, he added, seeming to
ask the colonel's pardon in case any
slight had been put upon his hallowed
memory The colonel smiled down up
on US peacefully, seeming to enjoy the
prospect of the glass of wine which he
held between his fingers and was repre-.
sented as being about to drink.
Its a wonderfully characteristic
portrait of dear old Uncle John, -" said
my father, signing again.
Now, reconciliations are extremely
wholesome and desirable things. In this
case, indeed, a reconciliation was an
absolutely essential and necessary thing
since the happiness of Sylvia and my
self entirely depended upon it, but it
cannot, in my opinion, be maintained
that they are in themselves cheerfui
functions After all, they are funerals
of quarrels, and men love their quar-
rels. The dinner held to seal the peace
between Sir Matthew and my fath,I
was not enjoyable, considered psrely ~
an entertainment. Both gentlemen were
stiff and distant, Sylvia was shy, EN-.
barrassed. The vicar bore the who's
|
were great difficulties. 1t was imp6ssi
BILE to touch on the subject Of the ma
harajah's rubies, and yet we were all
thinking of the rubies and Of NOTHING
else. At last my father, in despair, tool
the bull by the horns. He was always
In favor of bold course, as Uncle John
had been, be said
cover the mantelpiece, said he,
turning to his guest, with rather fore
ed smile, "you will observe, Sir Mat
thew, portrait of the late Colonel
Merridew. 1t is considered an extreme
ly good likeness. -
Sir Matthew examined the colonel
through his eyeglasses with a critical
stare.
cit looks, said he, Every like what
l have always supposed Colonel Merri-
sew to have been-indeed exactly like.
My father frowned heavily. Sir Mat.
thew's speech was open to unfavorable
Interpretation.
"You mean" interposed the vicar,
"a man of courage and decision? Yes,
yes, indeed, the face looks like the face
of just such man"
'Poor Uncle JohnW sighed my ia
ther. His last years were imbitteret
by the unfounded aspersions''-
81 beg your pardon" said Sir Mat
thew politely, but very stiff1y.
''Bv the unfounded but very natura
accusations, suggested the vicar has
tily.
"To which he was subjected, pur
sued my father
"Or-er-may we not say, exposed
himself?' asked Sir Matthew.
Sin fact, which were brought agains
wrongly, but most naturally,
suggested the vicar.
Matters looked as unpromising as the,
we'll could. Sylvia was on the point o
bursting into tears, and my thought
had again turned to an elopement. M,
father rose suddenly and held out hi
hand to Sir Matthew. Again he had de
cided on the bold course.
''Let us say no more about it," h
cried generously.
with all my hearth cried Sir Mat
thew, springing up and gripping hi
hand
The wears eyes beamed through hi
spectacles. | believe that touched Syl
/ Was foot under the table.
! | We will - nureued INV fathnr ure