Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1899-11-22
"Mk. SPENS. !"

y
I've always brought you up to ex.
pect TINT would do something for
you, Rupert, and will-but confess
am disappointed. AS my heir you
would have n right to aspire to almost
any marriage but the daugh.
ter Of country rector, one Of seven
children, nobody in particular, no
connections"
"She's the most beautiful creature
you ever saw"
"Of course, I" said Sir Spenthorne Car
mac drily. That goes without say
Ing"
walt till you see her, Uncle Spen."
I'm beginning to be quite fired with
curiosity. If she's all you say, my boy,
wonder what she saw in your The
tall old man, with the iron gray hair
and long mustache, shading well cut,
expressive mouth, smiled as he looked
down at his nephew. "If l were q
woman should prefer some one over
Ave foot Six"
All women don't worship thews and
sinews,' said Rupert Carnac Impatient
".
Lucky for you they don't, my boy.
Well, you really think the beauty cares
for you? You don't imagine that the
3 fact Of your being my heir has any
thing to do with it?"
Rupert smiled a fatuous smile, which
made his uncle long to shake him.
you think yourself very worldwise,
Uncle Spen, and all that, don't you
know; but you're on the wrong tack
this time. l told them nothing about
my prospects, and If Meriel has ac-
cepted me presume it's for myself
"H'm-the daughter of country
parson, seven brothers and sisters, etc.
However, will see the girl for
myself. And SO that she should not be
on her good behavior rich uncle and
all that, don't you know-I'll so down
to SISTED and stay Mt the inn. There's
q trout stream, and I'll be supposed to
be attracted by the fishing. Nobody
need find out who really am and 1
can easily. make acquaintance with the
parson."
Yes, II you go; to church he will
probably call"
Sir Spenthorne Carnac intimated that
he was prepared to make even that
sacrifice In the interests of his nephew.
And as the two men separated on the
steps OF the Naval and Military, the
stalwart old soldier could not help once
more wondering what the deuce the
girl az she was all Rupert said) could
have seen in the little chap.
Certainly, sir, you can have the
rooms, and the fishing is especially
good just now
We'll, that Just suits me. Can l
have some dinner?"
Yes, sir; certainly, sir. Er-what
name did you say?'
"Spens."
seThank you, SIR"
As the landlady left the room Sir
spenthorne Carnac walked up to the
diamond PANIED windows of the little
Inn parlor, and looked across the road
to where stood a small white house,
the abode, he knew from his nephew,s
description, of the rector. Presently
down the dusty road came girl
dressed In white, tall and finely pro-
portioned figure, clad in plain serge,
with sailor hat. The way the girl
carried her head impressed Sir Spen.
thorne.
by Jove, suppose that's one of
Lord LADDERS daughters" he said to
himself. Il know they live some
where hereabout. Now, If Rupert Ind
fancied girl like that
The girl was coming up the garden
path, and Sir Spenthorne caught sight
Of great brown eyes, chestnut hair, and
complexion like wild rose.
Yes, Miss Meriel, dear?,
Can you let us have some eggs?"
Only few, Miss Meriel. We've got
q gentleman come here for the fishing,
and Ill be wanting them for him. He's
q real gentleman"
Sir Spenthorne smiled In his long
gray mustache ut this description of
himself. who was that? he asked
of Mrs. Bartlett after the departure
ct the young lady.
That's Miss Meriel Ray, the daueh-
ter Of the rector"
"a great favorite in the village. l
suppose?"
Miss Meriel, slr-we call her the
Ray of sunshine, bless herr"
The good woman enlarged for some
time on Miss Meriers PROJECTIONS, and
was perhaps surprised at the extraor-
binary patience with which her guest
listened to her long story.
Il wonder this charming young lady
has not married." said Sir Spenthorne,
We'll, now, SIR" said Mrs. Bartlett
confidentially, there is a young man
The be bit understood, to be sure
but Mr.. Ray would be glad to see one
OF his daughters marrled--he has seven
children, you must know, and gals are
not Just SO ensy to settle nowadays.
And 1t is said in the village
that Miss Meriel she's doing 1t to
please her pa, and make room for her
younger sisters. But here's your din
ner, SIR"
Sir Spenthorne walked up and down
before the door of the inn smoking, re-
fiecting on Rupert and his love affairs,
1t certainly was astonishing to see the
sort of men women will marry-aston-
ishing! On the other side of the road
there presently appeared the tall fig
ure Of a clergyman. Sir Spenthorne
went across. and, taking Off his hat,
inquired If the rector could advise him
as to the best sort of fly to use on the
river, MS he was stranger in SISTED.
The Rev. Thomas Ray, himself a de-
votee Of the gentle sport, took in with
swift glance the tall upright figure,
the deep blue eyes and the well cut,
powerful face of his interlocutor.
what a handsome fellow!" he
thought, "even now"-for the age of
the stranger could not be less than
fifty. Il should be delighted to tell YOU
anything in my power" he said aloud.
And TIN two men walked amicably