Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1898-11-05
A MIXED FORESOME.
BY ROBERT cRoMIE.

| IL IeaQs ike an OlQ rOmanceI It
| positively antedatcs the late Ia
mented three-yolume!"
These remarks were made by Hugh
Gordon, the junior partner TO fa--
nous London physician. Gordon
was seated in the firms consulting
room, and as there was no one else
in it his observations were in the
form of soliloquy. He held a let
ter in his hand, which, although re-
Gently received, be was reading for
the fourth time. It WAS really o
surprising document, but it can be
explained briefly. IA
A year previous a telegram had
reached the famous London physi-
cion requiring his attendance at
Sandmouth, village on the South
ern coast remarkable for its fine view
of the English Channel and excellent
golf links. The famous physician
could not leave London at the time,
| for the whole town was down in a
valuable epidemic; so be remained
there and sent his junior to Sand
mouth. This was strongly resented
at first by the patient, a hard riding.
hard.drinking sporting squire, who
earnestly believed in horsefesh and
the early decline and fall Of the
British Empire consequent on the
growing interest of its citizens in
golf. This pastime, the squire de-
clared, could only be followed for
its own sake by the demented Che
used stronger language), and in it
none but blind cripples could hope
to become proficient.
1t should be mentioned that the
golf club held lease of certain acres
on which the squire wanted to breed
rabbits, and for which he was willing
to pay handsomely. But as these
acres we're vitality necessary to the
links, the club was obstinate, and 1t
was believed that the game suffered
proportionately in the estimation Of
the lord of the soil.
Having resented the treatment of
his disease by the junior partner
with as testy a manner as he could
assume, end avenged himself suita-
bly, on his household, the squire re-.
covered his temper when he found
he was progressing we'll under the
juniors care. He soon took more
favorable view OF the universe. And
when be was completely restored
to normal health he made a new will
leaving the greater part of bis
money, as we'll as his house and
lands, TO the young doctor who bad
certainly saved his life for the time
being. This might have been praise
worthy only that the same instru-
ment which conferred these easily
earned emoluments cut off with a
couple of hundred q year the old
bachelors sister, " no had been his
housekeeper for long period. The
sister, Mrs. Mostyn, had q daughter
accustomed to consider herself the
heiress of a handsome fortune. so il
was probable that the squirrels &C.
centric generosity would mar az
much happiness as it made. Twelve
months after the will was signed,
the squire was thrown from his
horse and died from his injuries
DR.. Gordon's soliloquy, therefore,
did not overstate the case.
Mrs. Mostyn received the London
doctor who had robbed her of her
heritage Gas the local curate put it,
with quiet dignity which was not
lost on her guest. if the owner of the
house might 80 be called. Gordon
was already acquainted with her, but
be was hardly prepared for the un-
complaining acceptance Of the situa-
tion which Mrs. Mostyn showed.
The daughter May was a new &C
quaintance, and, indeed, a new ex-
perience. She had been on yacht
ing cruise on Gordon's last visit.
Her manner was very different from
her mothers.
Miss May was very we'll dressed
and very booking, but che was
also very rude. She would have
been quite unbearable, only that
Gordon could see she was talking
and acting under strong sense OF
injustice; that she regarded him prsc
tically from The eurate's point oil
view, and that she was therefore moi
to be judged too harshly. She broke
in upon a commonplace remark oil
his on the view from the window Of
the pleasant morning-room by say
ing abruptly:
| when do you mean to turn u
out?n
Il beg your pardon; I do not I'M
derstand," Gordon answered. Ii
| his nsfanich,nanf L. ro.~~k f..-4i.,