The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-04-21
"oh! come, GOMEZ. I remarked. un-

easily.
II should not have alluded to the SUBJ
ject II you were not likely to become
fully aware OF 1t on your arrival. 80
will be beforehand with my relations.
was brought up In tlHs way should Co.,
he continued with tho utmost concern.
as II commenting on something that did
not affect him In the least: but did
not walk in 1t, partly owing to the un-
congenlnl companionship that It involved.
especially that OF my Aunt Mary, who
took up SO much room herself In the
narrow path that she effectually kept
mo out OF 1t. From my earliest youth.
also, took extreme interest In tho para
bic of the Prodigal. and MS soon as 1t
became possible ! exempllfed 1t myself.
4 may even say that acted tho part In
a manner that did credit to- q beginner;
but the wind-up was ruined by the Ia
mentable inability Of others. who shall
be nameless, to throw themselves Into
the spirit OF the piece. At various in
tervas.., he continued. always as u
speaking OF some one else. II have re-
turrsed home, but I regret to say that
on each occasion my reception was not
in any way what / could have wished.
The flavor of n fatted calf 10 absolutely
unknown to me; and SO far from meeting
me halfway Z have. In extreme cases,
cunIary considerations. found myself
obliged to walk up from the station"
Dear me! I hope It Is not far7'
said.
"A mere mater o. three miles or so np-
HILL" he resumed: nothing to- "A healthy
Christian. though trying to the trembling
legs OF the ungodly. after LONG course
of husks. There. now, I think you arc
quite au fait as to our family history.
Y III, ,7If n,
Il house ignorant OF little domestic details
of this kind; he Is apt to make mis-
takes oh. pray don't mention it'-as ]
murmured some words of thanks--"no
trouble, assure you; trouble Is thing
I don't take. BY tho way. are you aware
we arc going straight into nest OF pri-
vate theatricals Mt Stoke Moreton? To-
night Is the last rehearsal: perhaps
had better look over my part. I took It
once years ago. but ! don't remember
word OF IT," And after much rummaging
In n magnificent siiver-mounted travelling
bag. the Prodigal pulled out paper
book and carelessly turned over the
leaves.
did not Interrupt his studies. save
by n few passing comments on the
weather the state OF the country, and
my own health. which ] am sorry to say
Is not what 1t was: but as only re-
cleSed monOSyllnblc answers, we naO no
more conversation worth mentioning till
We reached Stoke Moreton. "a
CHAPTER VII. .
Stoke Moreton Is fine old IIlizabcthan
house. standing on rising ground. AS we
drove up the straight. wide approach, be-
tween two rows OF ancient, fantastically-
Clipped holies, / was Impressed by tho
stately dignity of the place, which was
not esscned as we drew up before n great
arched doorway and were ushered into
Il long hall. supported by massive pillars
of carved white stone. a roaring log fire
in the immense fireplace threw rudy
glow over tho long rnrray of armor and
cleaning weapons which lined the walls.
and made the pale winter twilight outside
| look bleak indeed. Charles. emerging, slim
and graceful, out of an exquisite ulster.
| sauntered up to the fire and asked where
Sir George Danvers was. AS lie stood In
| sldo the wide fireplace, leaning against
one of the pillars which supported the
towering white stone chimney piece, COW
| cred with heradic designs and coats-oY-
arms, he looked n worthler representative
Of an ancient race than ! fear he really
| was
80 they have put the stage ia that
end In front of the pillars" he remarked,
nodding at a wooden erection. quite
| right, ! could not have placed 1t better
| myself. What, Browng Sir George Is In
| the drawng-room, is he? and tea. as
| perceive, is going In at this moment.
| Come, Colonel Middleton" And we fol-
lowed tho butler 10 the drawlng-room.
| Cro be continued Tomorrow