The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1899-07-26

"And hast thee thought of any dodge
to outwit the major. Master Charlie ?"
| 81 can't say / have. Have you,
John?"
II ain't's sure. Good night, Master
Charlie"
Next morning he came to me again,
this time with very long, grave face.
In his hand be held an open letter.
"There, Master Charlie" he said,
"Pve been and done what never done
before. This letter be for the mistress,
but see it was from the major. and
opened it,"
81 say! You shouldn't have done
that" demonstrated.
''Should or shouldn't, did, !" retorted
John, half defiantIy. "And I'm glad
l did, too. The major offers thee aunt
marriage in this letter, and he's going
to call for his answer this afternoon"
"Phewm whistled, in great dismay,
whats to be done now?"
master Charlie" cried old John,
very earnestly, "thee aunt must be got
away this very morning, before the
major comes
"But hOw's that to be done?p
al think it can be managed, +" said
John, with knowing wag of his bald
head. Fortunately, the doctors CON-
ing this morning TO see the mistress
about her eyes. He's reel friend to
the family, is the doctor; and doot he
disfavors the majors designs near as
much as you or do. Now, If you'd
see him first, Master Charlie, and con-
fide 10 him the exact state of the case,
who knows but what he'd find the con-
diiion Of the mistress's eyes so very
critical that he'd order her up to Lon
don to see a specialist this very day"
"Umphl Sharp work, indeed, John.
But I'll sound the doctor aud see
whether he will help US in the way
proposed" / said, after a brief refiec-
ton.
did so. The doctor, a charming old
fellow, who had known me ever since
was born, was divided between con-
cern and amusement when he heard
what bad to tell him.
Hem. Internal adventurer. I've
been afraid Of this for months. And
your aunt is in such foolish, weak
minded state that she would probably
yield to him. Hem. She must see q
specialist about her eyes shortly. And
why not now? Yes, Charles, yes! I'n
do you and her this service, my lad-for
indeed it will be kindness TO her to
save her from the major. I'll see If
can't frighten her into starting for town
at an hour or two's notice"
/ was waiting for him in the hall
when he came down after seeing my
aunt.
"Pve been as urgent as could" he
said, with a shrug OF his shoulders.
"But she declares il is impossible she
can go to-day. However, 1 met John
on the stairs and tipped him the hint.
He'll induce her to go if anybody can.
Good old John; he has ruled her so
long that he can make her do very
much what he likes. think he's talk
ing to her now. You go and add your
persuasions.
l ran up to the morning room; there
/ found John lecturing my aunt.
81 can't let thee run the risk of blind
ness, mistress. / tell thee, can't per-
NIT it."
"But day or two can make no dii-
ference, John, and"
''The doctor said every hour would
make a difference, and | reckon he
ought to know
"He considers it most urgent that
you should lose no time, aunt"
struck in.
81 tell you 1 won't go to-day" pre-
tested my old relative, peevishly. To-
morrow, If must, but not to-day"
John, however, was equal to the &C.
casion. He did not eondescend to fur
ther argument. He took the high hand.
"If thee'll not take proper care Of
theeself, mistress, he said, with deter
mination, 81 shall do 1t for thee. 1
knows my duty to thee, and don't for
get my promises to the dear master.
Pm going to telegraph for rooms, and
I'm going to give Saunders orders to
pack thee things, mistress. We shall
leave to-day by the two O'Clock train"
When faithful John assumed this die
tatOrial tone, it was wonderful what an
effect il had upon my aunt. She expos
tulated-shed tears-complained that
she was treated like baby-but she
yielded. By the two o'clock train she
left for London in company with her
maid, Saunders, and the indispensable
John. / stayed behind to look after
the house. / saw the major when he
called. He was not little chagrined
TO find that my aunt had gone away.
And for the first time he betrayed to
me a glimpse of the disagreeable side
of himself.
"Upon my word" he said to me,
rudely, and with half-threatening air,
"you nurse that aunt of yours very
carefully, young man. But l advise
you not to make an enemy of me; do
indeed
uI have no wish to make an enemy
of you, Major Mallaby," said, eoldly.
you'll regret it II you do" he retort-
ed, as he mounted his horse and rode
away.
From his manner it was evident that
he felt sure of success with my auut;
else he would hardly have ventured
thus to show me his teeth. And his
departure left me both angry and un-
comfortable. My aunt had been tenn
porarily removed from his influence,
indeed, but he could easily, If he wish
ed, find out her address in London,
and-and--sltogether, l did not like
the aspect of things.
About q week later / had letter
from John apprising me of the event
which feared. The major had found
out where my aunt had gone and had
followed her to town. He had actually
been to call upon her that afternoon.
Would / go up at once? He John
would meet the 4:45 at Euston with the