The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1905-02-23


try. Again he was named in will !:
again he must meet other claimants in
the courts. The parties in each con
test would be similarly situated In
deed. some of the same people would
appear.
Tyrrell had emerged from his pre-
viouS struggle with certain convictions
and nuggets Of wisdom. He knew
that his own claim in both cases was
perfectly just, he knew that the dis
putants could be bought out cheaply if
cash could be used Immediately. but
that after they got acrimonious from
strife, and especially after their law
yers had gained ascendeacy over them.
a settlement would cost more than it
was worth
he had only one near relative remain
ing on earth, a sister whose pecniary
interests were involved with his own in
this new contest as they had been in
the other, but as she was married to a
man of some means he had not wOr-
ried much on her account Upon ar
irving in his native land he learned i'm
mediately of the death of his sisters
husband This did not surprise him.
for the last news that he had received
in England had prepared him for the
event. 1t appeared, however, that the
husbands estate had vanished at his
death. as 50 many others do, having
been pyramid kept balanced upon its
apex by a constant, narrowing .Strug
gle and sinking instantly into oblivion
when the sustaining force was with
drawn. In short he found his sister
dependent-or about to become soup
on the dubious issue of the legal battle
which he himself had come home to
fight.
His experience of the former contest
filled him with cold fear, which was
ten times intensified by the knowledge
that q few thousands in cash would
have set all right, and that he couldn't
raise that sum. nor even 10 per cent
Of it, completed his panic
Behold him on balmy day in June
shivering with nervousness as the re-
suit of an interview with his lawyer.
whom he had visited in the gentle
mans luxurious residence in Il very
fashionable suburb Insensible to the
colors of the blossoms and even to the
heat of the sun upon his back, blind to
the sound of his own name which
some one was calling after him. he
plOdded on toward the station.
Bert Tyrrell" cried the voice for the
fourth time and almost in his ear.
He turned and stared ut two fine
horses glittering in silver mounted har-
ness and then at Il liveried coachman
and finally at Il very charming woman
in an open carriage.
''Lottie" he said in a dazed tone.
"Lottiei''
She surveyed him with an amused
and quiZzical smile
You haven't changed a bit" said
she.
The words affected him with sur
prise. first, because he fancied himself
grown old and haggard. and, second.
because Charlotte herself was 50 rad
lNtiIiN hlltltnJ llldI INT SlSlI VI ntI
seemed to change all the world. Yet he
could not have expressed his feeling;
she looked no older; she had not gained
flesh, as pretty girls are distressingly
apt to do.
Get in she said. I'VE must have
Il good talk
He smiled grimly.
Il was going to the station he said.
but if you know of an old mans home
or a nice, well managed asylum
''Now, that's the same Bert Tyrrell
whom l used TO know" said she, with
a laugh. Il shall correct that habit in
about five minutes. Get in
AS he climbed to seat beside her la
0oriously, like man of sixty. she gave
the coachman the word home" Then
for the first time the elegance of the
cquipage and the simple magniticence
of Charlotte's attire impressed them
selves upon him. The blood fed away
from his heart and tingled in his ears.
Really" he stammered, II have
had no news l don't know what to call
you
"Call me Lottie," she replied, "and
please utter the word cheerfully. You're
not altogether sorry to have met me,
you know"
He made a melancholy effort to smile.
Fairly good" said she, 'but you can
do better Try again
you ask too much of me-" he pro
tested.
Not at ALL" she cried. Il fought that
problem all out with myself nearly five
years ago. One may always be cheer
full"
He swept a slow, melancholy glance
over the elegant interior of the car
riage, which at that moment swerved
from the road and passed through a
stately arched gateway. A house was
visible through the vistas Of old trees.
'In such surroundings" said he sad
ly, "even I might smile"
Your surroundings do not matter in
the least" she retorted. "The smile
must come from within
II remember that you used to write
that sort Of nonsense for your WON