Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1903-04-25
The Big House IN
the Square.
BY John X. Legs.

and IL WAS plcSSanter for ne 10
wait in that Quiet sDo; than in the b"sy
tho-oughfare. 1t WAS warm day.
Most Of the houses in The square
Were shut. their owners not yet re-
turned from the country. but one very
large house was evidently Inhabited.
Ii filled the centre Of the block facing
the square on my right was wonder
ing what it could be- for the dwelling
seemed too large for private dwelling
house. when my attention was attract
cd by young man.
He came nearer and nearer % me.
touching every fourth iron upright of
the railing rs he went. and then when
he had reached the corner. without no.
ticin@ me in the least. h. turned round
and rctraced his steps. still touching
the ratings. Eut ii seemed 10 me that
lie did not Law his hand on tie same
uprishts that he had touched before.
What could be the Young mans rea-
son for behaving in this extraordinary
way?
He came slowly nearer. and just rs
he was ahont To turn round. oheyins
an impulse. called to him.
He gave a little guilty start as i
aware for the first time that he had
been observed. and hesitated as IL he
had made up his mind 10 walk away.
Don't 60" ! said. and my voice
reached him easily in The quiet autumn
air. You see can't do you any harm.
l only want 10 speak 20 you for mo-
ment."
lie left the ratings and came mp to
my chair. and then saw that he WAS
really very nice locking hoy with an
omen. pleasant face th:t just now was
slightly flushed
Tell me why yen touched every
fourth upright in the ratings as you
passed along just now
The young mans check flushed with
shame and annoyance. and he replied
rather sharply. y can't conceive. sir.
how that is any business OF yours
'You are perfectly entitled to make
me that answer" said l with smile.
land. 10 tell the truth. | quite expected
that you would. But as you see. am
an invalid. ard being unable TO go
az .Ou Nsil. 4itiGt tIln.S HIR slDl
TO ACQUIRE an unnatural Importance in
my eyes. My curiosity has been
reused. ard il you can see your way to
gratifying il l should really feel Obliged
10 You. Besides. you know you prom
ised TO do me favor
''Oh. we'll" said the youn@s.cr in an
off-hand way ana with q toss Of his
shoulders that | thought became him
vastly. ''if YOU care to know. the fact
is was seeking for q mark on the rail
ings-a signal
'Ycs."
'You seq that big house opposite? Ii
is girls school. and ore o. the young
ladies there
He stopped and Ecsitatcd FOR word.
bushng furiolsly.
with whom yom are in love-
81 suppose you would call it that. She
Is very Ill. ana i daren't 20 TO ask how
she is. They wouldn't tell NE il did"
But why"
Because she * Il ward in Chancary.
and they have cot m injunction---''
Against YOU: Upon my word. my
young man. you are beginning early
Don't make frn of me. Please. sir.
can: stand it. and l might say some
thing that would not he respectful. and
he horribly sorry for il afterwards"
Il assure you l am not laughing nj
you nor thinking q, such thing" said
I. Ard as | lcosed into the lads iasc.
Euous facr | wished | could have had
such n boy 10 call me father. But
don't understand yos abo"t the signal"
l added
1T was Carrie Emble;on. ore Of the
little girls. who promised that il Win
ME was better she void make sticky
smear or Gre CT the ratings. bur
laren't been able to find Il: And am
afraid she Will not get better: she may
die. and shall never see her again
How would IT DO Il We're TO go to
the house aad ASK for her.
'Oh. sir. II ron would, And do ven
thinl; might 20 with you
| ponderei for Il moment. ard ii,s;
then Jenkins. my Map. came round the
corner o. tine street. That gaze re an
idea
Suppose ron iakc my mans place
and wheel me ~ II the house," said
Then rcu will have TO help mo Up the
steps. for | can't walk by myself. and
/ ,an make III excuse that | want 10
iinve You within call TO bring You into
the sitting room. If you are not afraid
Of being recognized that might do
II don't thin, Mrs Meirose would
recognize me coming as your servant.
and if she did 1t wouldn't much matter.
she could only turn me ont AS he
spoke lie laid his hand on the long han
die of the chair
| despatched jenkins on another e.
rand and the young man wheeled ne
up to the big house. On the way
asked his name. anu he told me it was
Edward Neiherington.
We were admitted without any diff
Guilty. and as we waited for the mis-
tress OF the house 10 appear my com
panion whispered 10 me something
rather important which had quite
forgotten. The Young lady's name. he
said. was Winifred Gordon and she
had reither father nor mother
Mrs. Melrcse swept into the rooal. 4
we'll Developed specimen OF her class.
and came mp 10 mo when she perceived
my helpless condition. Hetherin.ton
stood mcicstly near the door.
Il called to inquire" | said. after
In ~ g