The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1898-10-07

Cured to suggest Colonel Merridew' s
guilt, but at the same time it was con-
ceivable that sane man might have
thought Colonel Merridew guilty.
When l next met Sylvia, communi-
Gated my fathers suggested modification
of the terms of peace. / explained that
it covered u real aud most material con
cession.
Papa will never agree to that " said
she sorrowfully, and no more he did
Negotiations and pourparlers contin-
ued. Sylvia grew thinner / became alb
sent and distract in manner After a
month Sir Matthew forwarded fresh
terms. They were as follows: Although
Colonel Merridew may not have stolen
the maharaiah's rubies yet every rca-
sonable man would naturally have con-
cluded that he had stolen the rubies.
My father objected to this and proposed
to substitute, although Colonel Mer-
ridew did not steal the maharajah' S
rubies, yet reasonable man might not
impossibly think that he had stolen the
rubies."
Sylvia and built hopes on this last
formula, but Sir Matthew unhappily
objected to it. Matters came to stand
still again, and no progress was made
until the vicar, having heard of the
matter indeed by now it was common
property and excited great interest in
the neighborhood) offered his services
as mediator. He said that he was
peacemaker by virtue of his Office and
that he hoped TO be able to draw up a
statement of the case which would be
palatable to both parties. Sir Matthew
and my father gladly accepted his
friendly offices, and the vicar withdrew
to elaborate his eirenicon.
The vicar was man of great intel
lectual subtlety, which he found very
few opportunities of exercising. There
fore he enjoyed his new function ex.
tremely and was very busy riding to
and fro between our house and the
Marstons'. Sylvia and l grew impa-
tient, but the vicar assured us that the
result of hurrying matters would be an
irremediable rupture. We were obliged
to submit and waited as resignedly as
we could until the terms of peace should
be finally settled. At last the welcome
news came that the vicar, lying awake
ON Sunday night, had suddenly struck
on form of words to which both par
ties could subscribe with satisfaction
and without loss Of self respect | called
on the vicar before breakfast on Monday
morning He greeted me with evident
pleasure.
Yes" said ne, rubbing his hands
contentedly, Il think l have managed
it this time" And he hummed light
hearted tune
"What is the form of statement" l
asked, for l could scarcely believe in the
good news of his success.
"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.
THAT seems-er-very fair and
equal" said l. after moments con.
sideration.
II think so, my dear young friend, +"
said the vicar complacently. II imagine
that it will put an end to all trouble
between your worthy father and Sir
Matthew"
"I'm sure it must, J." 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
"On the Thirty.nine Articles" sug-
gested thoughtlessly.
mot 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 $.
He reached there at l2: 80 and remained
to luncheon. Starting again at levi.
IDENTIFY Sir Matthew had been hard tc
move), he reached my fathers at 30
and was closeted with him until
o'clock. had parted with Sylvia about
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.
II have made a great sacrifice foi
your sake, my boy, " said he. "Sir Mat
thew Marston and his daughter vii
dine here tomorrow And ne hunl
himself into Is chair.
"Hurrahp' L cried, springing to my
feet.
1.-THE vicar is coming also, pursued
my father, with sigh, and he looked
upat Uncle john portrait, which huns
over the mantelpiece, II hope hay,
not done wrong" he added, seeming t
ask the colonel's pardon in case any
slight had been put upon his halloweC
memory, The colonel smiled down up
on us peacefully, seeming TO enjoy tn,
prospect of the glass of wine which h,
held between his fingers and was repre-
scented as being about to drink
TITS wonderfully characteristic,
portrait of dear old Uncle John, " sale
my father, signing again.
Now, reconciliations are eXtremel,