Middletown transcript., 1904-04-16

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| Manor House itself. 1t was furnished in
curious old-worid fashian, and its 'Para-
disc room contained spindle-legged
harpsichord, queer gilt chairs with cush-
ions curiously worked by dead-and-gone
IIilarys, and harp the strings of which
lad long since been broken. The pam
nelled room, otherwise the dining room,
was dark and gloomy, with heavy null
lioned windows, the upper panes OF
which were enriched with stained glass
and quaint heraldic devices whilst pic
lures of Court danes and cavaliers hung
in state at long intervals on the walls.
The Paradise room had formerly been
the boudoir OF the dowagers themselves; ;
and in the blue drawing room opening
out of it, the tapestry and hangings were
moth-eaten and dilapidated.
Tom Archer mentally resolved tore
store the former for his mothers sole
and separate use.
They'll sneer at me, dare say, he re-
marked to Mr.. Maxwell, who had come
down with him to see the place; but
they sha'n't sneer at my mother, and
everything shall be done for her as if she
was the greatest lady in the land
The lawyers eyes were dim as he laid
his withered hand or the young mans
shoulder.
Keep to that, my boy. he said kindly,
and the county will respect you as You
deserve. And remember one thing
Napoleon called us ga nation of shop
keepers" Well, you've golden key.
Use it wisely, and there are very few
doors it will not open for you. Take an
old mans word for that.
Sir Jasper Hilary was old and gouty,
and his temper, due to his trying ailment
which had put stop to his hunting, was
particularly short and crusty. No one
but Betty could manage him and some
how or other the touch of her little hand
could generally lead him, and even in
his worst fits of gout and temper he would
yield to her influence and wishes.
He had just proved this on glorious
June morning some ten days after Tom
Archer had taken possession Of the Dover
House. Betty insisted that her father
onght to call and see his new neighbor.
Sir Jasper grumbled and used little
strong language, but finally gave in,
grumbling and using strong language
still.
Some counter-iumper, l suppose (! he
exclaimed, with fine air of scorn and
indignation. Some counter-iumper who
has blinded old Maxwell's eyes and paid
his fees like prince
Well, dad, said Betty, sinking down
upon stool at her fathers feet, fortune
has been kind to him but, if you are not
kind to him, no one will visit him, and
he will be terribly lonely. Erndale is
shut up, and you are his nearest neigh
Dor, you know.
Oh, I know we'll enough, was the |
peevish answer and, the carriage being |
ordered, suppose 1 must go But I
warn you, Betty, that, if he is cad, he |
shall not set his foot in my house or
aaunt his money in your eyes, girl We
are pretty nearly beggars, but We are
what neither gold can give nor the loss
of it take away, and we can choose our
own company still
Yes, yes, dad was Betty's pacific
answer. You're dear guod tuti,er, and ,
come of grand old race so you can
afford to be kind to those who are less
fortunate, can't your
Sir Jasper limped across to the big
window which had been extended out
wards by some by-gone Hilary who loved
light better than rigid uniformity.
He has the gold, Betty, the old Baro-
net said at last huskily-he has the gold
and L Well, I'm a Hilary of
Hilary-and that's about all Which
scale will kick the beam, think you, girl
And, turning away without waiting for
an answer to his question, Sir Jasper de-
scended to his carriage, leaning on his
old butler Jennifer's arm.
Betty watched him indeed with her
little head held high, but tears were dim
ming her dark gray eyes and there was
sorrowful droop OF the lovely mouth
which seemed made only for smiles.
1t was three o'clock when Sir Jasper
started for the Dover House ;and, though
the place was distant only five miles by
the road, he did not return till it was
time to dress for dinner. Betty, worried
and anxious, awaited him on the terrace,
looking, in her white gown, with rope
of pearls around her neck, like fair
vision, beautiful as any Hilary Of yore in
all the bravery OF their Court dresses and
jewels. Instead of going up to his own
room to dress, Sir Jasper bade Jennifer
stand aside and wait until he was wanted
and then, limping over to Betty, he said
I'll be hanged il understand it, Bess,
but the fellow is no more a cad than
am And there's something about him
that's strangely familiar to me, though
I've never set eyes on him before. If
only had been blessed with such son,
he added, with break in his proud old
voice, I'd have been a happy man this
day!
And Betty noticed that he leaned more
heavily than usual on Jennifer's arm as
the old servant guided his steps up the !
shallow staircase of polished oak, where Z
carpets showed all too clearly i
in the rays of the westering sun.
When the servants had retired after !,
dinner, Sir Jasper burst forth again.
He's the finest fellow to look at ever C
saw, he said-six feet if he's an inch, and !
shoulders as broad as mine land the old .
Baronet Strengthened himself proudly
and looked across the table at Betty, as if
defying her to contradict him.
And he is like someone you have seen
r. Il