The Colfax chronicle., 1899-04-29
in bringing the choleric gentleman to
his senses.

| In the evening, when the secretary
was on the point of leaving to return to
his lodgings in Kelverton, a small VIII
lage in the neighborhood, Mr.. Kennard
entered the room and handed him a
check for eight pounds, saying: THAT
| terminates all business transactions
between up. And now take my advice,
cultivate more respectful attitude
toward your superiors."
II don't think you are in position
to give advice to anybody upon that
subject, Mr.. Kennard. You may be
rich, but allow me to remind you that
mere wealth does not confer superiori-
ty worthy the respect Of any sensible
man." and so saying the secretary left
the library and was soon walking
rapidly toward the Kelverton road.
He slackened his pace in few min
utes and then, pausing, he turned and
looked regretfully at the home of
Muriel Kennard.
What could have possessed him to
lose his temper with that sweet and
gentle creature this morning? Was it
not maddening that he should have
done SO on the occasion of their last
meeting on earth? Oh! If he could but
tell her how deeply, how keenly, he
regretted this petulant outburst!
His mind agitated with these
thoughts, he slowly resumed his walk
along the narrow pathway skirting the
dense woods of the Elms domain. He
had not been walking many minutes
when small terrier scampered toward
him, in the next instant he saw the tall
and slender figure of Muriel Kennard
approaching, evidently returning from
visit to one of her many pensioners
in the village. He stopped and raised
)his hat when she was within few PAGES
of him. Acknowledging the salute with
slight bow, Miss Kennard was brush
ing past him when he said: miss Ken
nard, l fear you are angry with me-"
She stopped and looked at him, an
expression of grave reproof in her win
some brown eyes.
You are the last person in the world
/ would wish to Offend" he continued,
in tone of deep and earnest feeling.
Il cannot tell how deeply I regret my
hasty words of this morning. Forgive
me-"
"Yes, I forgive you, Mr.. Hope" After
moments pause she added: II sup
pose you have finally decided to leave
us?"
"As a matter of fact, have been ig-
ANONYMOUSLY dismissed" he replied,
with bitter laugh.
Il Trust you do not suppose" she
said, in low and tremulous voice,
shat 1 approved of my fathers bear
ing towards you?"
II felt sure you did not; indeed, it
was that belief may be perfectly
frank with you now-that encouraged
me to submit for month to his un-
governable temper" Drawing closer
to her, he continued, in tone of deep
and heartfelt tenderness: II cannot
resist confessing my folly, my mad
dream of impossible happiness, to you,
Muriel." He hesitated for an instant
and then added: II love you, darling.
/ love you."
She stood before him with downcast
eyes and quivering lips, her hurried
breathing betraying the agitation of
her heart. He took her hand tenderly
and said: ''Muriel. is there any hope
for me?"
She raised her head and looked at
him, her eyes glowing bright with re-
sponsive tenderness. And then in the
fast-gathering darkness Of this still
autumn evening their lips met, and,
hand in hand, they wandered into the !
deep shadows of the quiet woods.
81 say, Crouch" said Mr.. Kennard, |
bustling into his lawyers Office in Lon |
don two days after the above event,
what on earth did you mean by send
ing such cad as that man Hope down
to my place?''
"You surprise me, Mr.. Kennard!"
'Just listen. had to dismiss the fell
low for insolence; he actually seemed
to think that he was on a social equali-
ty with mel And now | find out that
he has been making love to Muriel and
the girl-who is young and inexperi-
enced-has been fool enough to encour-
age hisattentions. He is hanging round
Kelverton now, so wish you'd send for
him at once, SO as to get him out of
the neighborhood."
II was just on the point of sending
for him. The fact is, and may as well
confess the truth to you at once, his
name is not Hope at all"
'Ah! l thought he was an impostor.
Who on earth is he, then?"
The next heir to the Castletown
is the eldest son of Sir
Castletown, one of my oldest
clients. Shall / telegraph to Gerald to
come up to town at onee?"
'No; on reflection think I'll let mat
ters take their course" replied the
with sigh of relief.