The Saint Paul globe., 1900-04-15

for you? You don't imagine that the
fact of your being my heir has anything
to do with it?" IS
Rupert smiled a, fatuous smile, which
made his uncle long to shake him.
You think yourself worldwise, Uncle
Spen, and all that, don't you know, but
you're on the wrong tack this time: I
told them nothing about my prospects,
and if Meriel has accepted mel presume
it's for myself. SIS
''H-m-the daughter of a country par
son, seven brothers and sisters, etc.
However, will see the girl for myself
And so that she should be on her good
behavior-rich uncle and all that, don't
you know4'H go down to Systed and
stay atsstl1e Inn There's a trout stream
and I4l be supposed to be attracted by
the fishing Nobody need find out who
I really am and 1 cant easily make ac-
quaintance with the parson.'
> ,
Certainly. sir. you. can have the
room, and the fishing is especially good
just now"
'Wel, that just suits me. Can l have
some dinner?"
rYes, sir; certainly. sir. Er-what name
did you say?"
"Spens" $40
'"Thank you, SIR
AS the landlady left the room Sir Spen-
thorne Carnac walked up to the diamond
paned 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 a girl dressed in white, a tall
and finely. proportional figure, clad in
plain serge, with a sailor hat. The way
the girl carried her head impressed Sir
Spenthorne
'.By Jove, suppose. that's one Of
Lord LADDERS daughters" he said to
himself. ''I know they live somewhere
hereabout. Now, if Rupert had fancied
a girl like that
The girl was coming up the garden
path and Sir Spenthorne caught sight of
great brown eyes, chestnut hair, and a
complexion like a wild rose.
Eyes, Miss Meriel, dear?"
''Can YOU let s1ls have some eggs?"
s'Only a. few, miss Meriel. We've got a
gentleman come, here for the fishing and
Tn be wanting them for him. He's a real
gentleman" of.,o
Sir Spenthorne smiled in his long gray
mustache at this description of himself.
What was that?'' he asked of Mrs. Bart,
lett after the departure Of the young
lady. 49,
"rhat's Miss Meriel Bay, the daughter
"a great favorite tin the village. sup.
poser ,r
'sMiss Meriel, sir-we call her the Ray
of sunshine, bless her.:
ON the other side of the road there
presently appeared the tall figure of a
CLERGYMAN Sir SpeeIthorne went across,
and. taking off his hat, inquired If the
rector could advise him as to the best
sort of flv to use on the river, as he was
a sstr5nsyp1- In SISTED.
The Rev. Thomas Ray, himself a de-
votee of the gentle sport, took in with a
swift glance the tall upright figure, the
deap blue eyes, and the well cut. power
full face of his interleeutor.
ssWhat a. handsome fellow!" he thought,
seven now''-for the age Of the stranger
could not be less than fifty. 81 should
he delighted to tell you, anything in my
mower. - he said aloud: And the two men
walked amicably down the road together
between the sweet June hedges.
This walk was the beginning of a
quickly ripening friendship. Meriel
showed the way to the best pools. Sir
Spenthorne invented the most wonderful
picnics and al fresco teas for the chill
dren. When he wasn't by the river he
was at the rector's house, ard perpetual
ly he was in the company of Meriel. Sir
SpanIhorne had never married, because
years and years ago girl had Tilted him,
and yet his heart was as full of rever-
ence for women as a boys. Never had
he come across one who fulfilled his
whole ideal of wotnanhood until he met
Meriel He hardIy realized which way
things were driftiagw was not Meriel en-
gagged to Rupert and was not he, Sir
SpenthorRe, thesEicM elderly uncle, who
had come to make all things smooth for
them?
AS he returned tothis i'm one evening.
after delightful expedition In the woods
with MerieI ard half a dozen young
brothers and sisters, he found a telegram
waiting for him.ltg AA
81 am coming down tomorrow getting
anxious. - Rupert"