Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1901-02-17

town. If so. some surprise would be felt
at sight of him; but he could not well at
tempt TO enter in secret, and yet hoped
to accomplish his object therefore. Of
two evils he must choose the lesser.
The old house looked dark and deserted
as the fly drove up the avenue and stop
ped at the main door, Not light gleam-
ed from any window which was visible
and no sound could be heard save the
monotonous drip of the rain, the soft
washing of the wa.sr against the stone
coping. and the melancholy cry of dis
tant corncrake.
Several moments passed before his loud
summons with bell and knocker were an
swered and meanwhile he had paid and
discharged his cab At last light glim-
mered through the long. narrow windows
which We're like Sits on either side of the
door. and bolts and chains began TO rat
tie. A face looked out and the butler who
had served in the house during the past
spring and summer, showed his surprise
at the sight of the Duke.
your gracer' he exclaimed, in some
little confusion, throwing wide the door.
Maynard stepped leisurely over the
threshold. Yes he said, i've dropped
in to see If you can put me up here over
night"
Certainly. your Grace" said the man.
But I'm sorry to say both Mr. Palgraves
have gone to town and are not expected
back till tomorrow afternoon. Indeed,
/ had understood 1t was TO your Graee's
house that they were going"
II daresay," returned Maynard easily.
They were asked there to dinner that
is on for tomorrow night, but had some
business in this neighborhood which called
me suddenly away to-day, and as il is
now too late to think of getting back for
| the evening, felt pretty sure l could get
you to put me up
I'm sure. your Grace, Mr.. Palgrave
would be only too pleased" the butler
dutifully assured him. II only trust we
shall be able to make your Grace COM
Portable Several of the servants have
been sent away since the house emptied.
and there are but the women and myself
left at present. | must beg your Graee's
pardon for the place being shut up and
dark at this early hour of the evening,
but we were all at the back of the house.
Where would your Grace be pleaed to sit
till dinner can be prepared? Fires are
laid, and"
The smoking room will do for me-"
said Maynard. "and no dinner, thank you.
! shan't want anything to eat"
! He had not dined, but there was enough
of the Arab in him TO prevent him from
wishing to touch the Palgrave's bread
and salt.
The butler had lighted the big Moorish
lamp which hung in the hall. and now
moved obsequiously down a passage
which branched off to the right, and pre-
sumably led to the room which the Duke
| had designated Maynard had never been
In the smoking room at the Moated
Grange, but had CHANGED to hear and re-
member that such a place existed. He
followed, therefore, and sat down in
grandfather chair by the hearth. while
the butler lighted the lamps and the fire
which was laid ready in the grase.
II was but the first day of October, yet
the thought of blaze was very grateful,
as the rain sprayed against the window
panes outside.
After making all comfortable and MUIR
muring something about the blue room"
which was TO be got ready for His Grace.
the butler hurried away. He had left
nothing undone which could minister 20
the comfort of the unexpected guest. but
certainly he had not fingered for an in
slant longer than necessary
AS soon as he had softly closed the
door upon the Duke. he glanced hastily
at his big silver watch. a couple of mo-
ments more and he was laboriously writ
ing a letter to his own domain.
"Honored, SIR" he began, pardon the
liberty l take in penning these lines. but
II is now too late for a telegram to be
delivered to you. fear, and as you in
structed me without fail to send immedi-
ate word If anything happened, I shall
| hurry this to the postoffice, trusting a
messenger can there be procured who
will carry II TO town.
Your esteemed command was TO let
you know If any one came TO the house.
Within the moment his Grace. the Duke
Of Leicester. has arrived, and Will stay
the nlght.-CTaving your Indulgence, hon