Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1901-09-11

JeWeleu SWORD nlll anu tne rings upon
his fingers? You would think by his
dress that his wealth was equal to his
pride, and by his reception of the suit
ors that his power was equal to both
pride and wealth together.
The levee began. One after the other
stepped up to him, spoke few words,
received n few words in reply and re-
tired, each apparently well pleased,
for promises cost nothing. To the poet
who asked for subscription and prof
fered n dedication my lord promised
the former, accepted the latter and
added few words of praise and good
wishes. But the subscription was new
err paid, and the dedication was after
ward altered so far as the superscrip-
ton to another noble patron. To the
clergyman who asked for q country
living then vacant my lord promised
the most kindly consideration and babe
him write his request and send 1t him
by letter for better assurance of re-
membrance. To the officer he promised
his company as only due to gallantry
and military skill. To the place hunter
he promised n post far beyond the
dreams and the hopes Of the suppliant.
Nothing more came of 1t to either.
The company grew thin. One after
the other the suitors withdrew to feed
on promises. 1t Is like opening your
mouth to drink the wind. But twas
all they got.
When they We're gone, Lord Flying
dale looked round the room. In the
window stood, dangling Il cane from
his wrist, a gentleman dressed in the
highest and the latest fashion.
Yet when one looked more closely 1t
was seen that this gallant exterior ar
rayed IN ancient gentleman whose
years were proclaimed by the sharpen
Ing of his features, the wrinkles of his
feet, the crows feet round his eyes
and his bending shoulders, which he
continually endeavored to set square
and upright. Hat in one hand and
snuffboX in the other, he ambled to.
ward his lordship on tiptoe, which hap
pened just then to be the fashionable
gait.
Thy servant, Sir Harry" My lord
offered him his hand with condescen-
sion. sit warns my heart to see thee.
Therefore sent letter. Briefly, Sir
Harry, wouldSt do me Il service"
~ am always at your lordship's COM
mands. This, l hope, have proved"
"Then, Sir Harry, this is the case.
1t is probable that for certain private
reasons may have to pay n visit to q
country town, a town of tarpaulins and
traders, not town of fashion," Sir
Harry shuddered. Patience, my
friend. l know not how long shall
endure the barbaric company. But
must go. There are reasons = let me
whisper, reasons of state, important
secrets-whlch call me there" Sir Har-
ry smiled and looked incredulous. ~
want on the spot friend"-Sir Harry
smiled again, as one who began to I'M
derstand "a friend who would ap-
pear to be a stranger. Would you,
therefore, play the part of such a
friendf"
II will do whatever your lordship
commands. Yet to leave town ut this
season'-it was then the month of
April = 1.-THE assembly, the park, the
card table, the society of the ladies' It
is possible that the Lady Anastasia
may go there. She will, as usual, keep
the bank If she does go"
The old beaus face cleared, whether
in anticipation of Lady Anastasia's So
ciety or her card table know not.
My character, Sir Harry, will be In
your hands. leave 1t there confident
ly. For reasons-reasons Of state-it
should be n character Of
81 understand. Your lordship Is a
model of all the virtues
$50 we understand. My secretary
will converse with thee further on the
point Of expenditure"
Sir Harry retired, bowling and twist
Ing his body something like an ape.
Then a gentleman in scarlet present
ed himself
"Iour lordship's most obedient," he
said, with scant courtesy. II come in
obedience to your letter of command"
Colonel, you will hold yourself In
readiness to go into the country. There
will be play. You may lose as much as
you please to Sir Harry Malyus or to
any one else whom my secretary will
point out to you. Perhaps you may
have to receive a remonstrance from
ME. We are strangers. remember, and
/ am no gambler, though sometimes
take n card" And he, too, retired.
There remained one sutton. He was a
clergyman dressed In fine silk cas-
sock with bands Of the whitest and Il
noble wig of the order ecclesiastic. l
doubt If the archbishop himself had a
finer.
Good, my lord" he said. 81 am. as
usual, q suppliant. The rectory of st.
Leonard lie Size, Jewry. in the City, is
now vacant. With my small benefices
in the country ii would suit me hugely
A word from your lordship to the lord
mayor-the rcctory Is in the gift of the
corporation would, am sure, suffice"
"You are living, as usual. suppose.
at great expense"
AT small expense considering my
abilities. but still at greater expense
than my slender income will allow.
Am not your lordship's domestic
chaplain? Must not keep up the dig.
nifty due to the position?"
"Your dignity is costly. l must get a
bishopric or a deanery for you. Mean
time l have small service to ask of
YOU"
Small? My lord, let 1t be great; IT
cannot be too great"
at is that you go into the country
for me-"
"Not to Bath or to Oxford?"
Not to either; to another place,
where they know not thy name or thy
fame. Very good. 1 thought I could
depend upon your loyalty. AS for ar