Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1901-03-14
OLD ROYAL STATE COACH USED BY EDWARD.

1.
you at the station how far 1t was. They
never will, though. for they don't like
the trouble Of hunting UP fly. See,
uncle Is coming up the road, and I'm
lunch"
Longing with all his heart to accept
this generous invitation and yet doubt
full Of the propriety of 1t, the young
man hesitated, and while he did SO the
rector came within sight Of him and
gave joyful cry Of recognition.
These two, it seemed. had known
each other years befOre-indeed. the
versatile rector had himself coached
the young man for the army and had
danced for JOY when his pupil came off
wcll--and the unexpected meeting so
delighted them both that they talked
and laughed like schOolboys at pic
mic.
Run in, Cissie, and get Capt. Clin-
ton some lunch," said the rector fond
ly. Don't wait for an Introduction
You'll be like old friends when you've
known each other five minutes, take
my word for It,"
The pleasant little lunch was almost
over before Percy spoke Of the errand
which had brought him to Brardale.
Then he told the rector that he had
come to see the owner of Brardale
Hall. with view to purchase the ma
nor house. pretty building which. for
want Of better tenant, had long since
been turned over to the rats and spi-
ders.
Percy Clinton paid n remarkable
number Of visits to the Melvilles after
that, and nowhere could he have found
a more cordial welcome.
| One beautiful morning in August, the
captain came into the garden and sat
down beside Cissie. He seemed to he
strangely excited, and the girls heart
gave throb Of apprehension as she
looked at him.
You have seen old Williams. of Bril-
ardale" she said, as carelessly as she
could, though she fervently hoped his
answer would be NO.
IL have" he replied. with nervous
little laugh. "By climbing the wall
and dropping into the garden man
aged to catch him unawares and when
lie saw there was no possible escape
for him he held out his hand and said
he was delighted to see me. Did you
ever know such bare-faced hypocrisy?
After I'd spent the best part of the
summer in hunting him too"
II think it was nice of the old man."
said Cissie. wishing he would tell his
news without beating about the bush.
WAS he SO scrupulously polite all the
timer"
almost too much So" responded
Percy gloomlly. "lf he had stormed
about the place and torn his hair,
think could have bargained with him
better, but he was so suave that my
own courtesies sounded blunt and stiff.
! In short, he refused to let me have the
manor"
what a shame!' cried Cissie, with
flash Of girlish petulance, which
gave an added loveliness to her face.
"There is just one hope for me. Miss
Melville" said he, leaning forward In
his chair and lowering his voice a lit
tie. "but l fear it Is rather a fOrlorn
one. Old Williams objects to me be-
cause am bachelor. II will agree
to marry and promise to give no noisy
parties, he will sell me the house."
Some of the color left Cissie's cheeks
and all unconsciously she gripped the
lace that fluttered above her palpitat-
ing bosom.
ut should not be hard to fulfill a
condition like that" she said. trying to
smooth telltale catch out Of her voice.
"Noisy parties are not fashionable in
Briardale. and men can always get
married."
$50 they cam" he responded earnest
~, but not always to women they most
desire. l am ambitious. Miss Melville.
and want to marry the sweetest, love-
Hest and kindest girl In all the world.
IF she will not have me. shall remain
a bachelor for the rest Of my life"
"And the manor will be doomed"
said Cissie In a hurried undertone.
Exactly" he replied. letting his
hand fall pleadingly on hers, unless
you will 1t otherwise, Miss Melville"
ut Is a beautiful house. Cissie," he
went on. ready at the lightest sign to
clasp her In his arms. Don't let 1t go
to rack and ruin when one little word
wifi saye IT, Sneak darling"
! She looked at him with happy dim
pling smile.
III the manor depends on me. Percy.
1t will not be desolate long" she MUIR
INJURED. II love the dear old place, and
l love its future owner, tooc'-Chicago
Times-Hcrald.