The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-27

baltimore American
walls. Rose drove with Mrs. Beauchamp.
the doctor came his bicycle and last of
all Mr.. Gaythorpe drove up in a dog cart.
! Lord GaythOrpes condition was critical:
but there had been a rally and he could
leave for few hours, he explained; and
as the most important personsage present
he was made much of
But a sudden commOtion disturbed the
peace of the party after tea. Young Johnny
Beauchamp, just into his teens and adven-
turous of disposition, had preceded the rest
in ascending to the top of the tower with
two younger lads. There was legend that
a sailor had once descended from the top
outside by the help of the lightning conduct
or and the numerous dints in the masonry
which afforded fair fOothod Johnny had
been dared to initiate this feat and had
started to do so, but when about one-third
down his nerve gave way and, stopping
where a missing brick afforded safe foot
hold he bawled out loudly for help.
To fall to lose his life, for the empty
fosse was below and the drop considerable.
One man of the party dashed off to the
farmhouse. a quarter of a mile away, for
a rope. and DR.. Smart who. with the rest.
had reached the top, exhorted Johnny to
hold on bit, and he would speedily be res
cued. But Johnny. sobbing and frightened,
cried out he could hold on no longer
The young doctor thereupon climbed over
the parapet and began to descend; he
reached the lad. who thereupon clutched
him and tainted. Smart's position was crit
ical in the extreme; he had but precariOus
foothold, an inanimate lad to support, and
but one hand to maintain the two of them.
Mrs. Beauchamp swooned most of the la
dies cried, and there no signs of Ham
mOnd returning with the rope Rose peered
over the top and saw below her Smarts
face white and set; her own no less
! banched.
| Don't worry" he called out. ST can hold
on. 1 see Hammond coming
But the seconds went like minutes and
Rose could see how terrible the strain was
on the young man. By dropping the lad he
could save himself. but he set his teeth and
held Johnny, though the strain on his right
arm was almost uncomfortable.
But now help was at hand. Hammond
raced up and flung a rope noosed at the end
to the doctor. Choosing his opportunity he
let go his hold and clutched it, slipping
Johnny through He had a hand free and
|
take the boy again Then the men of the
party hauled them both up
Smart was very much spent, but made
light of it and CURLY deprecated the gush of
some of the ladies on his heroism. Johnny
speedily came round and the party broke up.
Rose had not long been home when a
groom drove up from the Hall with some
flowers and a note for her from Mr.. Gay
thorpe The latter contained formal pro-
posal of marriage. He had tried to speak
| that afternoon, said Mr.. Gaythorpe but
| found no opportunity She was probably
aware of the feelings with which he regard
ed her and his anxiety to know hers could
brook no further delay. With some stiff
expressions of love and devotion the letter
concluded, the writer stating he would call
next day for the answer.
Not for one second did Rose hesitate She
tossed the letter aside contemptuously. That
afternoon she had made her choice between
the two men for good and all. In the face
of emergency, while Gaythorpe had fid-
died with his eyeglass and done nothing
Smart had saved the life in danger at the
risk of his own. Il love him. she said to
herself" and when l see him alone again
I'll tell him many times as he likes
That evening the aunt and niece were
sitting by the open window in the drawing
| room, when servant announced Mr.. Gay
thorpe.
Forgive my calling at this hour" be-
gan the visitor II wish to be the first to
acquaint you with the news. My cousin
passed away an hour ago. 1t would be af-
fectation to say I'm deeply grieved," he
went on, when they had said what conven-
ton required I'm my poor Cousins condi-
ton, death was a merciful release. l am
more concerned, Miss Rose, in answer to
my letter Dare l ask for it now?'
81 am sorry said Rose in low tone,
very sorry but it cannot be-"
Child" said Miss FaIconer. almost in a
scream, you refuse Lord Gaythorper'
'Who is alluding TO me?" exclaimed a IA
miliar voice by the open window. and the
doctor stepped into the room. Pardon
this uncerimonious entry. ladies. l took
the short cut through the garden to tell
you the news from the Hail. but see Gay
thorpe has anticipated me-
81 was not speaking of you, DR.. Smart -
sharply replied Miss Falconer.
II beg your pardon. 1 have come, Miss
Rose. for an answer TO the question l
asked you yesterday"
He bent before the girl as he spoke, and
she raised a flushed face. 1T is yes -
she said in a. whisper. but it reached the
ears of all three.
The young man swung round to the ell
| der lady. you see you are mistaken" he
| said. Il distinctly 1 came in heard you
| say TO Rose: You refuse Lord Gaythorpe!
But she has accepted him.
Rose sprang to her feet. What do you
mean, Digby?" she cried. 1T is you l ac-
cept-you. not Lord Gaythorpe.
| 81 can corroborate that said the unsuc-
cessful sutton, with a forced laugh.
Nevertheless. you wrong" the
answer, "fOr | am Lord GaythOrpe."
The elder man laughed again. You have
annexed the lady, doctor. but you surely
don't claim the title and estates l inherit
to-day, into the bargain?''
This is exactly what 1 do Cousin Gay
thrope."
| Are you mad? BY what right?"
LAS the lords nephew. / am Digby Gay
thorpe. son of his brother and as such his
heir