Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1901-02-26


doubtful Of the propriety Of it, the
young man hesitated, and while he
did so the rector came within sight
of him and gave a joyful cry Of rec
ognition.
These two, it seems, 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
well-and the unexpected meeting so
delighted them both that they talked
and laughed like schoOlboys at pic
mic.
''Run in, Cissie, and get Capt. Gin
ton some lunch, said the rector, fond
lily. 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,"
81 hope you're a true prophet, old
man." said Capt. Percy Clinton, as he
watched Cissie's slender figure disap-
pearing through the rectory door.
"Jovel how her eyes sparkle! Just
like fairy fountain when the sun
shines on itr'
The pleasant little lunch was al
most over before Percy spoke of the
errand which had brought him to
Briardale. Then he told the rector
that he had come to see the owner of
Briardale Hill, with view to pur-
chasing the manor house, pretty
building which, for want of better
tenant, had long since been given over
to the rats and spiders.
81 want to live somewhere near
Briardale," he said, fixing his eyes, all
unconsciously, on Cissie, who became
suddenly interested in the pattern Of
the tablecloth. "The links are SO
fine, and since a jealous fuzzy wuzzy
made hole in m left foot COLTS the
only game l can indulge in with safe
ty. l can't play bit, mind you, but
| it's nice 20 pretend"
The rector shook his head.
"You never will induce old Will
liams to let you have the manor" he
said. Indeed, I doubt whether you
will even manage to secure an inter
view with him, He is the most per-
sistent hermit in the world. His own
servants despair of seeing him more
than once a week, and they say he
actually runs into the cellars every
time he hears the door bell ring If
you stop among us, though, you can
have his pew at the church. Henever
uses it, and | hate to see it empty"
II have only seen him once my
self since l came here, supplemented
, Cissie, "but | rather liked him then
He was standing by the garden gate
as | raced around the corner, and he
lifted his hat and blushed like boy
He has lovely complexion for so old
a man-one that makes you thing in
voluntarily of strawberries and
cream"
II am glad to hear you speak well
of him, Miss Melville" said Percy, in
a voice which was intended for her
ear alone, because | mean to stay in
Briardale till get all | want. Every
thing is so very tempting and desir-
able here"
! And there was that in his tone
which made Cissie's cheeks glow with
an enchanting color.
Percy Clinton paid remarkable
number of visits to the Melvilles after
that, and nowhere could he have
found a more cordial welcome. He
had always something fresh and anus
ing TO report about his unavailing ef-
forts to penetrate the hermit's retreat,
and as day after day went by and he
drew no nearer TO the accomplish
ment of his design, both the rector
and his neice-thc former openly, the
latter secretly-bcgan to entertain
the hope that he would be obliged to
stay with them throughout the sum
mer.
HE brings breath Of London into
the place." said the rector, who was
a cOckney at heart, "and the longer
old Williams delays the interview the
better | shall be pleased"
One beautiful morning in August,
however, the captain came into the
garden and sat down beside Cissie.
He seemed strangely excited. and the