Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1905-06-14

Ing ,aesar and Brutus. Did you
ever hear such names for children?
They're heather names. too. Awfulw
And then Maisle gave a faint shrek
as she looked at the envelope, for 1t
had been posted, not in Sydney, but
In London! True to his eccentric In
stincts. Hardcastle had thought. as he
intended to come over and as the next
vessel would carry the nails includ-
ing his letter. he might just as we'll
bring the letter over In his pocket and
post 1t In town.
we must prepare a room for pos
sible wife and nurse, and we shall
want wee bed for the twins. Eric"
And. quite unconsclously, the little
woman glanced toward wee bed
which was being prepared for another
little tenant, and there was an ex-
preston OH her face which made Eric
bend over her and kiss her.
They turned out of their own room
to make room for Lord and Lady
Hardcastle. hired wee bed. and placed
1t with bed for the nurse in the
dressing-room. Eric flew out and or.
dered unheard-of luxuries, and had
scarcely returned when carriage
drove up.
Maisie was sitting In the drawing,
room, eight feet by eight, trying to
look dignified, and Eric himself went
to the door. He hesitated for mo-
ment to open The had preceded their
little servant-and, ere turning the
handle. heard:
You can go back to town, John. or
whatever your name is, and take the
twins-why, where the devil are the
stables?'
Now, there are no stables in Pal
myra Villa-far from 1t.
And then Eric opened the door. A
little man as brown as berry. MS
hard as nails all over, with gray hair
and eyes. and an alert look, was Jack
Hardcastle. He did not attempt to
shake hands. Small as he was. he
seemed to fill the narrow hall.
well, young man. what have Won
to say for yourself?"
II am glad to see you. uncle"
"Of course, of course-oniy natural:
but do You mean to say that on five
hundred year you can't occupy a
larger dog kennel than this:"
" am only earning two-ffty. un-
Gle"
DO you mean to say Spooner &
Co. are not paying yon five hundred a
year?"
NO, sir-why should they:'
Because ] told them to, of course
they're my solicitors. ] own forgot
had arranged to grease your wheels
n bit for you before left England last
dear me. that's seven years ago
and when did think OF it--let me see.
was In the Andamans then--I wrote
myself-and in my own handwriting.
to make sure-and told them to pay
you Ave hundred year as long as
you behaved yourself, and got ca
Bile back months afterward--I was in
Mexico then: Five hundred punches
of bananas not arrived couldn't UNI
derstand what they meant---r suppose
there was something the matter with
my handwriting"
Maisie could stand this no longer.
She had stopped looking dignified. and
was crumpled up with undignified
laughter. So she came out and intro
duced herself, and the little gray man
kissed her.
But you nre not alone. uncle?"
There's only me and the twins"
but where are Lady Haricastle
and the nurse? have made all prepa.
rations. and am dying to see the
twins"
They We're In the eight foot by eight
now. and Hardcastle seated, looked
blankly at his hosts.
do You know, my dear" he said,
I'm bothered If l know what you're
talking about. was never married,
and never shall be. and do not re-
quire the services of nurse"
But your twin boys?" And she
produced his letter.
Twin boys" he gasped. "rwin