The Saint Paul globe., 1899-03-19


house, and in the thickets of Towering shrubs
that grew in neglected luxuriance in the
beautiful old garden around it, the birds were
singing gaily. The sun shone into the library
through the long, uncurtained windows, max
ing the dust that hung on the walls and COW
cred the furniture more distinct and conspic-
uous than usual, showing up the patches and
darns in the old red Turkey carpet on the
floor, and bringing into grim relief the time
stained, dirt-begrimed features of the family
portraits that hung on the oak paneled walls
of the apartment.
Mr.. March, small, bony, sharp featured
old man, verging on three-score and ten years
of age, sat silently pouring over the docu-
ments before him, absorbed by their contents
and the casting-up of some long columns of
figures in one of themys till he was rroused by.
knock at the door, He gave the required
permission to enter in sharp, irritated
voice, and the door opened slowly; admitting
his factotum, an old, bent weather-beaten
servant-half groom. half butler.
What do you want?" asked Mr.. Marsh
testify. Don't you know I dislike to be dis
turbed at this hour?'
Beg pardon. SIR replied the old man;
"but Lord Forester is here, and wants to
see you.''
Wants to see me!'' said Mr.. March, in
some surprise.
'Yes, sir. He says"
Well I don't want-rve no time to see
Lcrd Forester" interrupted Mr.. March,
dryly. Tell him"
s.He said, sir he wished to see you on very
particular business, SIR put in the servant.
He seemed anxious-put out-he's in the
hall"
"Oh, very WE'LL I must see him, sup
pose let him come in. Dust chair for his
lordship, Carter, and set it there. He's not
a rich man, but this gloomy old den will look
poor to him after the library at Forest
Court There, bring him in
Carter disappeared, and presently returned,
threw open the door. and announced
Lord Forrestier!"
0rd oil
looking man, with a pleasant if rather anx-
ious face, entered.
"Glad to see you, Mr.. March," he said
''Though we are near neighbors, we don't Of
AS 1 could wish
'Your lordship is too good said Mr.
March, with suspicion of sarcasm in his
voice. "I live so out of the world, am such
a recluse, that my society is hardly worth
seeking May I ask
"It's pity, a great pity for u.s. that you
shut yourself up as you do,' said Lord For
restier, with kind smile. "a little society
a little amusement, is good for everyone"
Society is no amusement to me, Lord For
restier, replied the old man, grimly. so
other years ago. 1 was about to ask"
"But your nephew-Young fellows like Mr.
Beresford-' began his lordship.
"Oh, put no restraint on Brian Beres-
though his sharp eyes flashed curiously
'eYoung men will be-young FOOLS Brian can
amuse himself as he chooses. It's all he
seems fit for
"Oh. surely not!-a fine clever young fell
low Mr. Marsh. I am very partial to him,,
cried Lord Forester.
Mr.. March raised his eyebrows.
sIndeed! I am glad he has your approval"
he answered coldly. Brian Beresford. nv
nnlv sisters child, has his good points, 1 am
wiling to allow; but he has much to learn
To make his own way in the world, for one
thing"
aware; but
..None: nothing but a few hundreds-per
hans a good thing" returned Mr. March
.sTo understand the value of money, young
dor,e must learn to make IL Rrian,s ftha.
got his by marrying my sister, and he and
her fortune speedily parted company"