Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1903-06-30
CHAPTER VIII

and l was glad to hear him say that they
were pleasantly situated.
Il hope you will make long stay with
u.s." | said.
THAT depends-that depends. Let me
thank you now for your courtesy to- my
friend Mortlock He is full of your
praises; of yours and your good family's.
A charming gentleman-an exceptionally
charming gentleman. Do you not think
soT'
To please him / replied, in as cheerful
a voice as l could command, that Mr..
Mortlock was a charming gentleman.
THAT is as it should be-as it should
be. l have a great regard for him, the
greatest regard. l knew that you would
be great friends-great friends. Place
the box there-there, by the side of my
beds at the head. That is the spot.
Thank you. Now we will go down to
the ladies'
With polished politeness he offered my
wife and Eunice each An arm, and we
strolled through the grounds, at the beau
ty of which he expressed himself much
gratifed. Samuel Fleetwood approach
ed us.
Here is faithful servant, sir" /
said, reckoning to Fleetwood, who will
wait upon you and attend to your wishes
while you remain with us. We thought
it likely you might come without a
valet"
II haye-I have" said Mr.. Wilmot.
Il discharged my seoundrel only yes
terday; he had been with me fifteen
years. and l discharged him at a mo-
ment's notice. Disregarded my orders,
the scoundrell Had he not 5iSobeyed
me l should have provided for him.
am not the besttempered man in the
world; know my failings; l must have
my own way; l will have my own way.
Ali l know what is in your mind. Right
or wrong? Yes, right or wrong, / must
have my way. Too old to learn. l am
fxed-fxed. like an ancient tree. Lu-
dies, you must not be displeased to learn
that / am a very willful, hot-tempered
old gentleman. That is why / never
married: | should have made my wife
miserable. so one woman was spared.
1t was very thoughtful of you, Nephew
Richard. to give me new valet. Fleet
woods that your name?'
Yes, sir" said Samuel Fleetwood.
Good name-good name / shall not
forget it. | never forget anything. Two
trunks and a valise of mine have by this
time arrived at the house; l told the
scoundrels if they used dispatch they
should have half q sovereign. Here it is;
give it to them, and take my belongings
TO my rooms, and arrange things. Here
are the keys; don't touch my papers,
only my clothes and printed books"
Fleetwood sped off, and my uncle fol
lowed him with his eyes. He nodded and
kept ON nodding. till Eunice. selecting a
small white rose, put it in his button
hole.
THANK you. my dear: like attention.
But why not one to your father?"
Smliagly she picked up a flower and
put it in my coat.
And why not one for Friend Mort
lockg said my uncle.
With a heightened color and biting lip,
Eunice gave Mr. Mortloek rose. lie
made no demur that she did not fasten
il in his coat as she had fastened my un-
cle's and mine; but he took his revenge
by placing the rose to his lips before he
put it in his buttonhole.
Mr.. Wilmot laughed.
"Oh. youth. youth" he exclaimed: in
estimabl,.. priceless treasure. that can
Sc invest with magic qualities simple
reset VIII science ever lead to the dis
covery of the elixirI Nephew Richard.
l have in my dispatch box Eve thousand
pounds would give it cheerfully for a
ye,s' OF life: l would give all my wealth,
and stand a beggar in naked feet. if
were twenty once more. My dear niece
and it was Ii mark of graciousness on
his part TO so address my wife-"I am,
as You see. fond of life; il is all we
have
In the evening, when dinner was over
Harry came. and was duly introduced.
"Clanroaald.' exclaimed Mr.. Wilmos
he eyed Harry narrowly. and there was
a shade of displeasure on his face Clan
ronald. Ahr'
Then he looked at Eunice. who was
Flushing and III at ease. and Al Harry
again. who was nervous and awkward IN
the presence of Stranger and then ne
turned his sharp eyes upon Mr.. Mortiock,
who met them smilingly. whereat Mr..
Wilmot smiled. and nodded. and nodded
with great vivacity. Mr.. Wilnfot took
Harry as his partner in. a rubber Of
whist. and even when Harry revoked il
did rot rufie him. After the rubber my
uncle proposed a game Of chess. and
checkmated poor Harry in twelve moves.
Then my uncle called upon Mr.. MOrtlock
TO furnish entertainment. and this ge-s
tleman. With great willingness. applied
himself to the task. and surprised us
With a display Of accomplishments of
which he had hitherto made no parade.
He related story after story he gave
limitations of singular people be had met
In his travels; he sang in French. Ger
man and Italian. and accompanied him
self with the skill Of a master Ny wife.
as / observed. disapproved of some Of
these songs. but Mr.. Wilmot shook with
laughter. Mile. Resale was called upon
20 contribute to the entertainment. and
she sang admirably and with great spirit.
4. length. TO our relief. the evening came
20 an end. Harry had said goodnight
and had gone home unhappy. Eunice was
miserable. and ny wife aud were 6Iled
with disgusting reflections. Only Mr..
Wnmos and Mr.. Mortlock seemed 70