Middletown transcript., 1904-04-23

| At that moment perhaps the first faint
shadow Of what might be il his pride did
not stand In the way dawned on the old
Baronet's mind, and he glanced uneasily
at Betty.
i She might do worse, he thought bit
terly, and he's fine young fellow. But
she'd never do it. The things impossi-
BILE |
But so perturbed was Sir Jasper at the
vision he had coniured up that he actually
| got out OF the carriage without waiting
for Jennifer's help, stumbling and nearly
coming to grief on the threshold Of the
grand old Manor House which he could
still call lis own, and which, as he had
truly said, was Betty's only Inheritance.
The Earonet was anxious to drive over
in person and inquire after the new arri-
val at the Dover Honse, but Betty per-
suaded him TO send over a,note instead.
People feel so wretched after long
journey, she said wisely, and Mrs. Archer
is not young. Say we will come over as
soon as she has recovered little from
her fatigue.
You know more about women than
do, growied Sir Jasper, whose very fear
of what Toms mother might be like
made him impatient to face the worst
and get it over so perhaps you're right.
Send over note, and let the boy-so' he
would always call Tom-fix aday for our
visit.
So the groom went over to the Dover
House, and returned in about an hour
with note.
| "Dear Sir Jasper--tle missive ran
| My mother has completely broken down
since her arrival here. She was really
too weak to travel, and is not able to
leave her bed this morning. Doctor Giles
is now with her and, though am afraid
| great comfort to see you. My cordial
and grateful thanks for your kind
ness. Faithfully yours, T. ARCHER"
Well 90 over after luncheon, Betty,
my dear, said Sir Jasper, handing Toms
note to his daughter, and perhaps you
may be comfort to the poor woman.
Those servants you engaged are not up to
much, and want looking after themselves.
Why didn't you get better ones when
you were about it?
thought, replied Betty, after little
hnsitafion-T tho,,0bt fhot fino enrp6nfe
might be rather trouble to Mrs. Archer.
chose old Mrs. Peters because she is
a very good cook and, when she offered
to bring her niece as housemaid, I was
thankful. You know how supercilious
servants can be. Ours of course have
lived with US all their lives, and that is
different. New servants would be terri
Bile to think Of !
What you are too civil to say, said Sir
Jasper, I'll say for you. You're afraid
the poor boys mother will disgrace him.
That's what you're afraid Of. But, by
George, admire his sticking to her as
he does!
Betty prudently said no more. Sir
Jasper had expressed her own fears only
too exactly and she felt more uneasy
than she liked TO express as she took her
place in the carriage and was rapidly
driven off to the Dover House, where
Tom received them with a glow of pleas
ure that put Sir Jasper in good hunor
at once.
Doctor Giles has telegrapl'ed to Lon
don for nurse, he said, as lie declares
the servants will be of no use whatever,
and my mother is suffering from COM
plete nervous breakdown, and may be a
long time in getting back her strength.
It has been coming on for months, he
assures me, and the excitement of seeing
me has evidently brought it to climax.
After a momentary pause, Tom went
on with puzzled frown.
The strangest thing is that she tainted |
dead away when happened to mention
that the Dover House was near Erndale.
She said Erndale was the last word on
my fathers lips when he was taken i'll
and in letter written before his death /
and addressed to my mother he mentioned
the name Of solicitor to whom she was
to write in London, winding up with the
words, my curse on you If you do not
recover Erndale for my son It's all a
mystery to me, Sir Jasper. Tom contin-
ned, ruffling his short brown curls. Ger
tainly I was scarcely ever at home dur
ing my fathers lifetime-l.e seemed to
hate the sight OF me-and ] never heard
him mention the name of Erndale. All
the same however, what can the whole /
business possibly mean?
Sir Jasper had been staring at Tom
whilst lie was speaking, and now he
burst out suddenly, bringing his fist down
on the table with an emphatic bang
Betty, have it now The likeness,
the look, the trick of manner! It's the
Erndale's he reminds me OF Here's a
pretty kettle OF fish Who was your
father, I should like to know And why
y
are you called Archer?
It's all mystery to me, the young
man answered. I know no more Of it'll
than you do but, If you'll help me, Sir
Jasper, we'll unravel it together.
As Betty drank her tea and the two
men left theirs untasted, Sir Jasper asked
the name of the solicitor mentioned in
the letter Tom had spoken Of.
Cadican & Cooper, the young man re-
plied-of Lincolh's Inns, think.
The biggest villains in London, my
boy said the old Baronet wrathfully.
It strikes me we shall want MaxwelI's
advice here, for it would never do for you
to fight them single-handed.
Just then Mrs. Peters, the cook, SUM
moned Tom go his mothers room.
I can't do nothin' with Mrs. Archer |
she said, melting into tears. She can't
abide the sight Of me, and won't touch
nothin' as | give her
Presently Tom returned.