Middletown transcript., 1903-10-31
GLADYS THE HEIREss
BY VILOT WHYTE


Always makes me think Of fat woman
who squints, he answered.
They were walking towards the village
by that time, and Gladys merely smiled
in reply. She was anxious to reach
home; for the pain in her hand was agon.
izing, and seemed TO be growing worse
each moment. In ntter unconsciousl.ess
of it, Mr.. Fame continued
Gladys is a charming name, and yet
you are hardly what l pictured a
"Gladys."
Did you never know any one go called
before? the girl asked, looking up at him.
Never. l should say though that
have never known the name personally.
But you know some one SO called by
repute?
Yes, he returned shortly, and in SO
marked manner that she perceived the
subject was not pleasant one to him.
| had an uncle who was guardian to a
lady called Gladys.
see; and you did not like her?
never knew her-never saw her.
How strange!
Hardly. I have been in India for the
last ten years until two months ago.
Oh, yes-I forgot! she said dreamily.
Forgot? he repeated, in a tone Of sur
prise.
That you said you lad never dnown a
Gladys personally, she returned. And
what was my namesake's other appella-
ton?
Hawthorndean.
That is pretty name-rather too long.
You like short names2 he asked eagerly.
Much. They are less troublesome in
every respent. Now fancy giving such a
name as Hawthorndean to a servant!
What could he be expected to make of
such mouthful? Oh, you can form no
idea of the nuisance it is!
What? How do you know?
l have long name myself, she said,
with laugh; and you, who are blessed
with one of but four letters, can hardly
appreciate the luxury of it!
! suppose not. Then there was mo-
ment's silence. You said you were going
to stay sometime?
Yes, six months or so, unless it grows
very cold; and then, suppose, we should
have to 60 home.
You are Scotch, l hear, lie remarked.
He wanted to know where she lived,
but had not quite courage or rudeness
enough to ask the question plainly. She
did not however crafty his curiosity on
that point.
Yes, she answered.; am Scotch. NV
father was an Ayrshire man; but my
mother was an Englishwoman. have
lived mostly in Scotland though.
This part of the country is very pretty,
is it not? he observed, shifting from one
commonplace to another.
Very. There are not many visitors
here, anu no TOURISTS.
And it is so delightful after India. l |
hardly knew at first what to do with N.Y.
self; for have no relatives, except a
cousin or two, who don't consider me
eligible enough to invite. dare say they |
do not know l am in England.
Country houses are rather stupid, Miss
Branscombe returned sympathetically.
l absolutely made my aunt come to the |
most out-of-the-way place We could find.
BY the way, are you too staying in San
dune, Mr.. Fame?
No; at Rudkirk, two miles away. It's
not exactly comfortable, and l wish 1
could find lodgings. You don't let lodg-
lngs, do you, Miss Branscombe? he asked
An odd expression crept over the girls
lace.
No, she said seriously, we do not; but
here is dear old lady in the village who
loes.
Would she take me in, do you think?
I'm sure cannot say. Why, are you
of remaining some time in this
leighborhood?
think | shall stay few months. The
act is, | am at kind of loose end Just
low. By Christmas my leave will be
'ver, and my time will be no longer my
'wn; and really this is such charmingly
place that am tempted to stay
lere as long as possible.
Yes; it is quite an Arcadia, Gladys said.
They had now reached the gate; and,
he opened it, she laughed. |,
Is it not queer little place? Not large
nough to swing cat, if we wanted to
indulge in that amusement.
She led the way down the narrow path,
etween the rows of garden daisies which $
ordered it, to the house, and, entering
he passage, opened door on the right.
Auntie, she said, here is Mr.. Gerard 5
'ane. Mr.. Fame, this is my aunt, Mrs.
lcDonald. have had little accident,
unite, she continued; and this gentle
IAN was SO kind as to help to rescue me.
IN, not was nothing very alarming!
'nly huge crab took fancy to shake s
ands with me. {
My dearest child! Mrs. Mcdonald cried
her eyes fell upon Gladys's hand still I
raped in Gerard Fane's crimson hand
erchief. :;
l am afraid Miss Branscombe is making
20 little of It, Mr.. Fame put in. The
reature's claw crushed her hand terri
ly. May unite it for you? +
Gladys held out her hand, and lie un.
'stened the coverings, displaying the 8
DIT white skin all bruised and discolored. !.
I'should advise warm water at once, he
lid tenderly.
Mrs. Mcdonald flew out OF tile room !,
erself in search of it, and GLADYS sat :
own in an armchair, looking very faint. :.
Is it very painful? he asked gently.
1t is horrible, she returned, her bravery
lddenly deserting her. 1 have been
lmost mad all the way home.
And l, like brute, have been-he be.
IN.