Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1900-09-25
CHAPTEB XIV.

There was great excitement in the town
Of Lilford. As one man said to another,
they might always expect something
strange when the earl came home; but
this was stranger than ALL The earl's
tenants, and every man in Lilford with
whom he did business of any kind, receiv-
ed an invitation to dine with the earl at
the Bramber Arms.
The proprietor of the Bramber Arms
gave glowing accounts of the dinner that
was to be prepared. No expense was to
be spared. He was to provide the choic-
est dishes He declared that during his
business career he had known nothing
like il.
Felix heard of the grand banquet the
rent dinner, as it was called, and went
home one evening pleased to have some
news that would interest his father
When he reached Vale House he was as
tonished to find that two letters OF invi-
tation We're there before him-one for his
father and one for himself
THAT is wonderful" he said Why
has the earl invited us?'
Nor was his wonder much decreased
when in his fathers letter he read a few
words written in the earl's own handwrit-
ing, and signed "Arlington''-a few kind
ly words. begging Mr.. Lonsdale, if posi-
BILE, to be present. as he very much wish
ed to see him.
THAT means good news for you, faith
err" he said. He had never mentioned
his interview with Lady Maude, neither
had he forgotten it.
Mr.. Lonsdale shook his head gravely.
"There will be no more good news for
me in this world, my dear boy-no. second
will-o' the-wisp will ever lead me astray
For the future l shall believe in nothing
but what / see."
you will find that I am right" said
Felix. You will go, father, will you
not?"
Yes, / will go just to show my fellow
townsmen that, while they treat me as a
thief or a swindler, the Earl of Airing
ton treats me as a gentleman. Yet l have
some misgivings, Felix. If they avoid me
as they have done, it will kill me. Felix,
what if his lordship has heard nothing
of this story, and has invited me in ignor
ance? What if, when he finds it out, he
avoids me, too?"
MY dear father, why dwell ON trihes?
Lord Arlington says expressly that he
wishes to see you. Surely you do not
doubt his word? He has been so much in
Lilford lately that you may be quite sure
he has heard the whole history"
In his heart Felix felt certain that
Lady Maude had told her father all about
it, and that this invitation of the earl's
had something to do with her commune
cation.
They engaged fly to carry them to the
ID -. |. a. i
were surprised at the decorations. the
flags, the evergreens, the arches of well
come.
People show great respect to Lord
Arlington said Darcy Lonsdale, "and
well they may, for he is a just man."
Then, together, father and son entered
the assembly room where the grand ban
quet was laid. They saw the earl at the
top of the room surrounded by a group
of gentlemen.
Il shall go straight to him, Felix said
the lawyer; there shall be no mistake
about it. | viii not sit at his table under
false pretenses."
You shall do as you will, father.
Where you lead 1 will follow" was Fee
lix's reply.
Darcy Lonsdale walked UP to the earl,
but before he had time TO speak to him
Lord Arlington held out his hand and
shook his with hearty grasp.
Il am delighted to see you, Mr.. Ions
dale, he said, warmly
But Darcy Lonsdale, looking into the
earls face, said:
My lord, before l take advantage of
your kindness, let me ask you if you
heard my story-if you have heard that
have been charged with influencing one
of my clients to leave me money!"
Yes, / have heard it," replied the earl.
(To be continued)