Middletown transcript., 1904-05-21

perous town consisted of little more than
few -fishermen's huts and diminutive
lodging houses But, though hotels ana
boarding houses ses-magnificent structures
which gave quite an appearance Of super
iority to the small town-had sprung up
on all sides, the little hostelry itself still
held its own. Indeed the Royal George"
though quite as retired, was still as pros
porous as it had been forty years before,
when the huge signboard upon which
the monarch after whom it was named
was displayed, looking as gorgeous and
king-like as his crown and an unlimited
quantity Of somewhat stiff-looking ermlne
could make him, hung out over the mar
row little doorway, with the name OF the
worthy proprietor, Andrew Gi.librand,
set out in gilded letters below. And, as
one stood in the lovely quaint old garden
and gazed around at the stretches OF down
and the heather-grown cliffs beyond, one
could hardly believe the changes which
had been effected scarcely mile away.
1t was late one evening toward the end
of July when stranger who lad just
arrived sauntered leisurely into the large
dining-room of the "Royal George" and
gave orders for dinner to be prepared for
him Immediately.
He was a tall, dark, striking-looking
man, with soldierly bearing and de-
cidedly distinguished air; and, as he
crossed over towards the bay-window and
sat down at small table, the walters
paused involuntarily with their white
table napkins slung over their arms and
trays of jingling glass held up high above
their heads, whilst Josiah Williamson,
under whose charge that particular table
happened to be placed, mentally decided
that he was in for little luck at last.
What will you take, sir, he began. with
an air of expectation-soupe la Refine,
Bouillabaisse, or Julienne?
Bring me anything you have ready,
said the stranger brusquely. Yet to
think, he murmured to himself as he
took up the wine card and lazily studied
the long list-to think that the last time
I was here, twenty years ago, Andrew
Gillibrand was brewing his own ale 1t
was certainly primitive bill OF fare that
he had to offer his customers then-only
ham and eggs or bread and cheese and
pint of his prime October-to-day he has
all the delicacies OF the season. How
things change, to be sure
Then he turned and looked out of the
open window There however the change
was not so remarkable The "Royal
George" had always possessed lovely |
garden and, if the grass was shorn little
closer, if the paths had neater appear
ance, and the flowers were more recherche,
prim rows Of calceolarias, geraniums, and
stately dahlies taking the place of the
quaint old clumps Of sweet williams, mar
igolds, and pinks, the change was not so
great as to strike him with the same force
as naturally did the interior.
This evening the garden had very
serene unruffled air. The tennis courts
were deserted, the chairs under the trees
unoccupied, and, excepting for the gentle
tapping Of the water upon the shingly
beach, scarcely sound disturbed the
dreamy stiffness OF the July evening.
1t is an idyllic place, suppose, unused
the stranger, but it would drive me mad
if | thought had to stay here a moment
longer than twenty-four hours. There
does not seem to be soul about.
His closing sentence was spoken half
aloud and, just as the words left his lips,
as though to disprove the truth Of them,
a handsome black French poodle came
trotting into the middle OF the room with
an air of unruffled composure decidedly
at variance with the aspect OF his mistress,
who moment later suddenly appeared
in the open doorway with rather be-
wildered expression upon her face.
You bad dog, Sambo! was just won.
dering if you could have found your way
here. Could you give him bone, Henry?
But here her care for Master Sambo
was unceremoniously cut short, as, rails
idg her head, she suddenly encountered
the gaze of pair Of amused gray ewes,
and for the first time became aware of /,
the presence Of stranger in the room.
As for the owner of the gray eyes, he
carefully surveyed the figure in the door {
way for the space of about three seconds
longer, and then, looking away, tried to {
become absorbed in the merits of MIR. |
Andrew Gillibrand's extensive wine list.
But, after studying it intently for five
minutes, lie tossed tile card aside and I
steadily regarded the doorway through
which the Enthusiastically clipped poodle :
and its mistress had just disappeared. II
By-the.bye, who is she? q
There was something strangely incon-
ceivable in the question, and the waiter.
who had made his appearance with the t
first course, paused to stare in astonish.
ment. Ii
She, sir? he repeated. beg your par 9
don, what she? 8
Oh, the young lady with the dog
Surely you know whom / mean!
The young lady with the dog? Able
that is Miss Evelyn Oh, yes, sir-of
course know Miss Luttrell-here a
placid smile expanded the walters face
and very nice young lady she is! LIZ
She is staying here, l suppose? There t
was commendable diffidence in the
speakers tones. lI
Yes, Sir-with her aunt Lady Howard.
They have been here more than fort G
night now; and, as they generally do
remain for a month when they come. /
don't suppose they will be goirg till the t
end OF that time. Her ladyship is Miss +
Luttrell,s guardian.
Ah-she is an orphan, then?
Yes, sir. Squire Luttrell died Just t
about two years ago. You will no doubt
have heard tell of him. In