Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1900-01-02
PART l.

'sThen il isn't question Of property
or next Of kin r. said the CONSUL
''Lord. mol" said the lady vivacious.
". "why. goodness me, l reckon old
Deshorough could at any time before be
died have bought up and bought ont
the whole lot Of his relatives on this
aide Of the big pond-no matter what
they were worth. No. It's only mat
ter Of curicsity and just sociablsness-
The American consul 1t st. Ken
tigorn felt much relieved. He had fear
ed it was only the old story Of delusive
quests for imaginary estates and I'M
possible inheritances which he had con-
fronted 20 often in nervous, wan eyed
enthusiasts and obstreperous claimants
from his own land. Certainly there wal
no suggestion Of this in the richly
dressed and bediamonded matron before
him. nor in her pretty daughter, charm
ing in 4 Paris frock. alive with the
consciousness Of beauty and admiration,
and yet q little ennuye from gratified
indulgence. He knew the mother to b
the wealthy widow Of q New York
millionaire. that she was travelling fcE
pleasure in Europe, and chance meet
ing with her at dinner few nights be-
fore had led 70 this half capricious, hall
confidential appointment st the con.
sulate.
"No" continued Mra Desbcrough,
"Mr. Desborough came to America
when email boy. with IN uncle who
died some years ago Mr.. Desborough
never seemed 70 banker much after his
English relatives - long ~ ! knew
him. but now that and 6adie ars ovGz
here why we guessed we might look
'em mp and sort Of sample en- Desbor.
oush's rather q good name. added the
lady. with . complacency that how
ever, had suggestion Of query In IL
Yes" said the consul; from The
French. fancy"
''Mr. Desborough was English-vefy
English. corrected the lady.
~ mean Il may b IN old Norman
name. - said the consul.
''Norman's good enough for me. "
said the daughter, rejecting. Wen
just settle IL a Norman never
thought about that Dea I"
'Only you may Hnd Il called Deb
borough here and spelled %. !" said the
consul. smiling.
Miss Desborough lifted her pretty
shoulders and made charming gfimaca
"Then we won't acknowledge EN-.
No Debborough for mel
"You might put IN advertisemeut In
the papers, like the next Of Kim mo-
tice. intimatins In the regular way that
they would hear Of something TO their
advantage a. they certainly would. >
continued the consul. with bow. IN
would be such . refreshing change 70
the kind Of thing I'm accustomed 10.
don't you know-this idea Of one OF my
country women coming over just %
benefit English relatives BY Jove ]
wouldn't mind undertaking the whole
thing for you; It's such . novelty. "
He was quite carried away with The
idea.
Bot the two ladies were far from
participating In this Joyous outlook.
''No. " said Mrs. Desborough promptly.
"that wouldn't do. You see. |" she went
on with superb frsnkness. that would
be Just giving ourselves away and ny.
ing who we were before We found out
what they were like. Mr.. Desborough
was all right in his way. but we don't
know anything about his folkA We
amt here ON q mission TO improve the
Desboroughs. nor to Lathr In any 'losl
tribes " -
II was evident that In spite Of thu
humor Of the situation and the levity
Of the ladies there was characteristic
national practicalness about them. and
the consul. with q sigh. ct last gave thu
address Of one or two responsible ex'
perts in genealogical inquiry. ~ he had
often done before. he felt 1t was i'm
possible to offer any advice to ladies q
thoroughly capable OF managing thesl
own Affairs as his fair country women
yet be was not without some curiosity
to know the result Of their practica
sentimental quest. That he should evea
hear Of them again be doubted. IA
knew that after the hrst LONELINESS hs<
worn OF in their gsegarious gathering
st London hotel they were not likely
to consort with their own country peo
pie. who indeed were apt TO fight "a,
of each other. OF even indulge IN IN
vidious criticism Of ono another when
admitted 10 that society In which the.
were all equally strangers So he tool
leave of them on their way back Il
London with the belief that their &C
auaintance terminated with that beie
Incident. But he was mistaken.
In the year following he was spsnd
ing his autumn vacation at coun6!
house. Il was historic house and ha1
always struck him - being. sven Il
that country Of historic seatS. dngula
example Of the vicissitudes Of Enehsl
manorial estates and the mutations o
its lords. His host In his prime hal
been recalled from foreign service 9
unexpectedly succeed to IN uncle's It'll
and estate That estate, however, ha'
come into the possession Of the uncl
only through his marriage with th
daughter Of an older family whose poe
traits still looked down from the wal