Middletown transcript., 1898-01-08


my mind, for he apologized, and ez
planned that it was because he had sail
SO much in his letters about my speeche
in the School Debating Society that hi
father had sent the invitation.
"My gov'nor isn't bad Sort" urge
little GlrdOn modestIy, "as gov'nor'
60, only that he's rather an invalid
And my aunt-that's his sister-she'
very good sort, too. Considered fathe
swagger in the way of looks. Ant
there's the river close to ur place, anC
there'll be one or lwo people staying
there; and, altogether, if you didn'
mind, Burleigh"-
"Tell you what" said, in rather 9
burst of generosity, ''you run out aud
smuggle in tin of sardines, and III
ask my people to let me come to yor
for week or so. Will you tryp"
. "Like a shotp said little Gurdon.
"Mind," l said, "if Pm bored 1 shal
bunk off home. know what country
houses can be when they've made ur
their minds.'
"Ithink you'll lind it pretty lively"
said Gurdon.
"What age is your aunt?" said,
putting bolb of pomatum on that
blessed tuft of hair that gives me more
worry than anything else in the world.
''Oh, / don't know" said Gurdon.
The usual age. One tin of sardines
you said, 1 thinkf"
l was at home in Kensington for
about a fortnight, and then 1 went
from Paddington down to Gurdon's
place. My mother saw me off at the
station, and there, of course, she must
needs give me away by kissing me and
telling me to be a good boy. It's one
thing to be kissed by women folks in
the house; it's quite another thing to
be slobbered over in public. A brown
faced man with beard was getting in.
to a smoking impairment (name on his
portmanteau, y arde), and if he had
laughed / should have asked him what
he jolly well meant by it. Fortunately
for him, he didn't.
/ mention this chap to introduce him
into this stony. He was a decent look
ing fellow, aud when lat Westbourne
Park changed into the smoking com
partment, found out in the course OF
the journey that he was going to the
Gurdons' place. He hadn't very much
to say for himself, but Pm rather good
at conversation, and | talked nearly all
the way down TO Taplow, and told him
what l though of several things.
"Burleigh, !" said little Gurdou, ex-
citedly, when we stepped out, I'm aw-
fully glad to see you'll I've been afraid
something might happen to prevent
you from coming. Man like you must
have lot Of calls on his time, know
and-Hello, Mr.. Wardel Is that youf
Didn't know you we're coming by this
train"
Mr.. Ward said that his boat had ar
rived rather earlier than was expected
Let me introduce you to my friend
Burleigh, said little Gurdon, proudly
"Never heard him speak on foreign
politics, s'pose3"
"Mr. Warde, as he stepped up into
the trap, confessed that he had not been
SO fortunate.
'Ah," said little Gurdon, fervenly
you've got a treat in store"
was little disappointed on arriv.
ing at the house to find that Gurdon',
governor, who was lying on a couch
did not make quite so much fuss ovel
me as little Gurdon had done, and that
be seemed on very friendly terms will
Mr.. Warde. But L had wash ant
put some fresh scent on my handker
chief; and then the aunt came in
and when she put in an appearance
forgot everything else. Sounds an ex
travagant thing to say, know, bu
she was absolutely the most charmin,
girl had ever seen in all the course O
my existence.
She shook hands with Mr., Warde il
rather reserved way, and said, with,
out looking at him, that she hoped b.
had had pleasant voyage home. HI
said tl.at any voyage would have beer
pleasant which brough him nearer Tap
low, and upon this he glanced at Cur
don's father, who was watching then
both rather keenly, and then turned tt
me.
"You are the statesman, Mr.. Bur-
leigh, at your school, aren't youP"
~ know something about public af-
fairs" / said.
"l'm afraid you'll find US rather be.
hindhand here" remarked Gurdon'
aunt. "We think Of nothing bat th,
river"
'Daresay you're not too old to learn. ;
"The river," said Gordon's father
from the couch, ''is most dangerous
pl ace."
"You mean because it's so easy tt
fall in, sir?" said.
@Because there 1t is so easy 10 fall ii
love-" answered Gurdon's father good
humordly. "When you're five or ST,
years older, my boy, you'll find tha
out. What do you say, Wardep And
you, Winnie7"
81 say" said Gurdon's aunt quickI.
THAT we'd better have something t,
eat. Are you sure you don't mind u
leaving you for timefn
She bent down over Gurdon's fathe
affectionately as she asked the question
Her face was flushed, and, 'pon N,
word, she looked-well iirst-class.