The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-11-29

her best rooms the like Of
whom did not often come 20
Rosegarland. He had arrived by the
coach from London on a Tuesday. and
had now for three weeks been Mrs.
Lumley's ledger.
He dressed modestly in garments Of
Quaker gray or snuff brown. but the
suits were cut with distinction His
hair was slightly powdered by Time
but was yet plentiful and naturally
curling. he wore lowered waistcoats.
magnificent although sober. and his
linen was of the finest. His coat and
breeehes, although Of wooden stuff. were
of a fneness that exceeded silk. 1t was
a pity. said Mrs. Lumley, who was a
kind soul. TO see how the garments had
been stuffed headlong into his travel
ing bag Under her housewifely hands
they had somewha, recovered from
their evil treatment. being laid away
with lavender bags between the folds
in the bow-shaped c!4sst of drawers and
the mahogany wardrobe great enough
10 have held all Bluebeard's wives.
Rosegarland village lies pleasantly
upon a hin. The strange gentIeman's
bedroom-he called himself Mr.. Jones'
stood endways to the valley The win
dow Of one Of its closets looked over
the valley. and at night the songs o.
the nightingales cdne in by il. Across
the fireplace which was lined with tiles
representing the parable OF the Prodigal
Son. was another closet. powdering
closet which did not admit chink Of
light. uad was hung with clothes pegs
and shelved to the roof.
The powdering closet interested Mr..
jones. Mrs. Lumley was very ready to
talk about It. Many a lady had had
her head dressed -there in Squire Al
varley's time. when there were huns
balls and the Ike at The Spotted
Lamb. That was thirty years ago. and
the place had been shut up these many
years 1t was another world without the
-Alvanleyg
Mr.. Jones seemed 70 like to listen to
Mrs Lumley's simple rustic talk. her
tales Of the great days that were over
She was often afraid that her ledger
might be bored and might depart as sud
denly as he had come.
And how long might your honor be
pleased to stay?~ Mrs. Lumley asked
timid,y. after one of their conversations
She had AaEen a fancy to her lodger. In
spite OF his premature aging. he was
still fine. handsome man. with an ele-
CANT figure and an air of distinction
And he had beautiful manners.
STAY" ne repeated. with a frown
that had no displeasure in it. why.
stay forever, my good soulr'
Forever, sir!' Mrs. Lumley could not
believe in her own good fortune. Your
honor means to stay with us?-
Gould do better?'
He waved his hands toward the win
dow Of the sitting room. which was open
on an orchard all rosy with blossom. A
troop OF little black pigs grunted and
squealed in the grass which lay under 8
shower of the blossom. Stocks and
giliyhowers in great. scented clumps
grew under the window and the air was
spicy with their smell
All. but sir" she said, "the winter
VIII come. and twill not be so pretty
Your honor will go baci, TO town, then -
Not I. ] am sick Of the town ! want
the simplicities Of life. There viii be
beauties in winter-a sky of rose and
lilac over there beyond the Alvanleys
chimney stacks. and a flight Of crows
upon It. And the brooks cutting chan
nels in the roads when the wet weather
comes. and shouting and singing as they
run. And all the world charmed to still
ness in a frost. And the old church over
there huddlcd under its mantle Of snow
There is nothing ike the tossing Of trees
IN gale to rock a child. or man. for
the matter cf that, asleep"
Mrs Lumley looked at him wonder
ingly.
"Td have taken your honor for a
countryman 10 hear you speak
He laughed and flushed a little
''Tis the townsman loves the coun-
try best he said. Your countryman
Only KNOWS LAttA Llt lA4lG u DAt HIS
boots. however fine the sky"
That night he walked into the inn
kitchen and sat down on the settee by
the fire. within the shelter Of the great
screen Of oak. so delicately poised that
a child's little finger might move IL.
.'The Spotted Lamb" was a pleasant
place. fun of bowery rooms and little.
intricate passages. But no room in Il
was so pleasant as the ldtchen-that
great apartment lined with oak. which
contained many cupboards, its table and
benches of oak blacl1ened and polished
with age, its deep windows fun OF flow
erIng plants. and its magnificent hearth.
with the seats either side of the logs.
Mr. Jones made f~i~~'~ ra the
merry party and paiC many drinks.
Mrs. Lumley could make YOU q tankard
OF spiced ale. with an apple bobbing in
II. with any woman; and the spiced ale
went around many times. lie joined in
the chorus Of '|The Jolly Farmer
Boy" as though he had been a country
man born. and never went wrong In the