The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1905-07-26
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Continued.

On the DAY LQat Mt. Sl0LTOLulQ 0Sheu
of me the hand of Eunice for his son,
I wrote to these lawyers, saying that
4 had something Of interest to com
municate to Mr.. Wilmot, and that
should feel obliged to them if they
would give me his address. Their re-
ply was to the effect that they had re-
eeived strict instructions from their
client to give his address abroad TO no
person whatever, and that they could
make no exception in my favor.
wrote again, asking, If l sent q letter
TO Mr.. Wilmot under cover to them,
whether they would forward it to him.
They replied that here again the in
structions under which they acted were
so strict and peremptory that they
could not depart from them. All lei
tiers which they received tor Mr.. Will
mot were dropped in sealed boxes, OF
which he had the keys. Once more l
wrote, inquiring whether they were
expecting Mr.. Wilmot's return home,
and within what time. In reply they
stated that they did not know when
he would return. Nothing was left for
me to do but to write to Mr.. Wilmot,
acquainting him with the fact OF my
daughters engagement, and giving hin
every information in my power OF the
standing and character Of the family
into which she was about to marry. In
this letter l made a delicate reference
10 the subject of settlements: and said
that in my interview with Mr.. Clan
ronald / had been compelled to ask
for a postponement Of this branch OF
the matter until my uncle returned to
England. l dispatched my letter to
the lawyers, with a sense OF intense
satisfaction at the idea that it would
be dropped in a sealed box and would
be read by my uncle heaven knew
when.
1t was with a feeling Of joy that one
morning, among my letters, l recoS-
nized the handwriting Of Mr.. Wilmot.
His letter. which / read with eagerress
and anxiety, was addressed from Nor
and in it l received the welcome
Intelligence that We might expect MS
return to England within three months
from the date of his writing. This in
formation enabled me to give a salts
factory answer to Mr.. Clanronald, who,
dn the course Of the day, made an in
direct reference to the uncompleted
business of my daughters settlements.
1t was not the first time that he had
made such q reference, and hitherto
l had always experienced a feeling OF
awkwardness in meeting it. Now l
was quite at my ease.
III have received a letter." l said,
from Mr.. WilmOt, who is at present IN
Norway, and within three months all
will be arranged"
Mr.. Wilmot" said Mr.. Clanronald.
In a tone OF inquiry; and it was only
then it struck NE that l had never
mentioned my uncle's name before 10
him-there being, indeed, no special
reason for it.
MY mothers brother" / said. who
has made the most handsome promises
In respect TO Eun:ce's future
"Yes, yes said Mr.. Clanronald. and
seemed to ponder upon the name. and
not with pleasure, bat nothing more
was said.
My uncle's letter contained something
which l then regarded as of small i'm
p%ortance. but which, in the near future,
was destined to bring about the peril
of my life. 1t was included in the
following words:
VERY soon after my return to Eng
land it is my intention to pay you q
visit at Boscombe Lodge, and to tres
spass upon your hospitality for q few
days. Meanwhile you can confer an
obligation upon me. l have given MIR.
Leonard Mort!ock, q yourg gentleman
in whom | take 4 deep interest, and
who for three months has been my
companion in my travels, a letter OF
introduction to you. which he will
present in person. l Wish him to be-
come acquainted with you and your
family; l wish you to make a friend
OF him. Any social courtesies and
kindness which you can show him
shall regard as extended to myself
You will find him an agreeable and
charming person. and it will afford me
pleasure to learn that the association
has been mutually pleasant
The request. which could not have
been more distinctly conveyed, was
to me and my wife a law, and we de-
cided that when Mr.. Leonard Mortloc6
made his appearance we would ask
him to make house his home fol-
a while. My wife set about at once
making the necessary preparations, ant
q sitting room and bedroom were pu,
in order for the expected visitor. we
had ample accommodations at our dis
posal, there being at least half 4 dozeI
spare rooms in our house. Eunice
assisted in making the preparations
delighted at the opportunity Of doing
something in return for Mr.. WilmOt':
great generosity. Two days after The
receipt of my uncle's letter Mr.. Mort
lock sent in his card, and was warmly
welcomed.
He was n ma Of good education:
agreeable Manners AID smooth speech
and we judged his age to be thirty
From bis conversation it was c'ea'
that he had seen a good deal OF II
world; and when I invited him to sta.
with us rs lorS as he wished TO re
main in the neigEborhood, he accepted
the invitation with cOrdiality. Moth
ing, Of course. WAS said by us us to tn