Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1898-07-07
And thus Fatt worked TO bring all
the male Deanes beneath the ancestral
roof.
III.
In Dramham Woods.

Thanks to stephen Deans restraining
influence over Dcrek, the latter's
shooting party considerably surprised
Hirst by the unexceptionabie charac,
ter of its members. 'Gentlemen, ev-
cry one OF 'em," was his prompt YER
dict, when questioned by his cantank-
erous old master. Not an outsider IN
the lot. There's two honorables, d
captain in the Guards"
Never mind Them broke in Sin
Deck. testify. What is that nephew
of mine likeI'
"A quiet, nice-spoken gentleman
enough said the butler, mindful OF a
five-pound note which stephen had al
ready seen fit TO slip into his hand
Master Derek swears by him, and, in
deed, he seems TO take the lead among
the lot OF 'em."
"Umph," growled the baronet. u
expect he takes after his vixen OF a
mother. He has a brother, hasn't he;
Why isn't he here, tooT"
Il understand from Master Derek
that Major Deane is coming next week
sir was the reply. 1T seems he has
recently returned on sick leave from
the West Indies, and is staying with
his mother at ~Cheltenham."
send Master Dereck here" com
handed the old man, Eat once, do you
hearg'
In obedience TO this mandate, Derek
lost no time in presenting himself by
his fathers bedside.
How dye do, sir" was his greeting
thirst tells me you wish TO see me"
''Just to tell you this" said Sir Der
elk, without even a gesture by way OF
welcome. II don't mind your having
your two cousins here amongst your
friends. But / won't have their moth.
er or sisters here at any price. Tn
derstand that, clearly"
who on earth ever dreamt of invit.
ing themg' queried the heir, with fine
scorn. 'tNot /. You may wager all
your loose money about that. And I'm
jolly sure Steph don't want them
mooehing about the place. By the
way, sir, Steph asked me to tell you
he's most anxious to pay his respects
TO you at your earliest convenience.
Those were his very words"
I'm quite sure they're not yours
growled Sir Derek. "Umph! Tell him
I'll see him one Of these days, and. -.
see here. . you may add that he is
welcome to Deanshurst."
II suppose I'd better tell the other
fellows that, also, hadn't IT, suggested
the lad, with a grin. mot that ii mat.
tiers much you know; but ii seems the
right thing to do, don't it? And, by the
way, sir. / wish you would speak TO
Hirst about the wine. He fobbed us
off with a Medoc at lunch, utterly un-
fit for men with palates."
did heg" sneered the old man.
Then, if I were you, I'd stick TO beer,
unless you can persuade him TO give
you Chateau Margaux at 1 o'clock in
the day. 1t wasn't done in my time,
boy"
..Stingy old fossill'' muttered Derek
to himself, as he retreated from the pa
ternal bedroom. Its that COMPOUNDED
butler puts him up to this, just to force
a fellow to tip him into serving decent
liquor"
Hirst had spoken truly in describing
Stephen Deane as having taken the
lead amongst all the other guests; in
deed, he had practicalls relieved his
cousin of all trouble and responsibility
as host, with the latter's full concur
renee and approval. Nay, when the
hour arrived for the first interview
with his uncle, he eve succeeded in
extending his influence within the pre-
cincts of the bed chamber. He was far
too astute a man to toady the morose
old baronet. On the contrary, he adopt
ed a blunt, almost brusque manner. 10
which Sir Derek had long been a
stranger, and which had in it a very
plausible ring, indeed, Of honesty and
independence. AS yet he had no very
definite object In view with respect to
the old man; but whatever plans
might subsequently suggest them
selves, it was clearly good policy To
produce as favorable an impression as
possible.
September was a week old, and
Notwithstanding was in full swing,
when Oscar Deane arrived to do his
share in the work of destruction He
was a very general favorite wherever
he went, and was speedily upon ex-
cellent terms with the rest OF the par
~, tAStpiihE ohis hIo youisihl LOSt.
The lad took il into his head hat his
soldier cousin regarded him as a mere
boy, and he resented ii, as only a shall
low, vindictiye nature al resent an
imaginary slight.
He was quite satisfied to defer TO
Stephen in almost everything, because
the latter had a happy knack Of hui
moring his ~inclinations while he guild.
ed his course of action. But if good
natured Oscar ventured to suggest
that midnight whiskies-and-sodas were
scarcely the best tonics in the world
for the nerves of so youthful a sports
man, Derek would glare at him, as
though thirsting for his blood. And
once. when he quietly reproyed the lad
for handling his gun with dangerous
carelessness, an alteration ensued
which, but for the Majors ~forbearance,
might have ended in blows.
If Iwere you, Deane, I'd leave the
young cub severely alone" remarked
the Hon. Dick Faucet. advice is
simply thrown away on him, and he's
as vicious as a dog-rat."
II shall certainly give him a wide
berth in future when he is scrambling
through a hedge with his gun at full
cock" replied the Major. "And he
seems TO have taken such a violent dis.
like to me. l shall cut short my stay
down here"