Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1906-02-01

The little solicitor assented. 1T is
beautiful neighborhood, he replied,
rather proudly, and the castle Is
fine building. Very antique, remark
ably antique"
The adjectives were hardly chosen
to my taste, but could find no fault
with the sentiment Yet it seemed
strange that purchaser should have
been so instant; had understood that
the experience was uncommon in the
property market. AS sat contemplate
ing the letter Mr. Greenstreet inter-
posed.
@Well, sir" said he, smiling, "am !
to entertain the offer?"
no. / answered, though I could
hardly have said why.
sYou will live on the property ?" in
quired the lawyer.
Eyes" / replied, adding, "for the
present"
But. in truth, I was in no state Of
mind to determine upon any particular
course with definition, so involved were
my emotions in the face of the extraor-
binary news / had heard. 1t was an
amazing stroke Of good luck which by
signature of dozen letters convert
ed a comparatively impecunious and
briefess barrister into the proprietor of
an ancient estate. These thoughts and
feelings moved me as rode back to
the castle, quite oblivious of my earlier
resolution to be gone from Raymond
and the scene of that disaster. 1t
seemed now that was definitely bound
up with the fortunes of the place I'M
less 1 accepted Greenstreet's offer to
negotiate sale of the property for me.
had fallen into a reverie-nor am
ashamed to confess that it was very
pleasant reverie-when reached the
top of the hill upon which the castle
stood. That hurried drive which Mr..
Kesteyen and / had undertaken three
days previously had obviously been for
the purpose of executing the will.
now asked myself the motive which
had induced him so to favor casual
acquaintance, but could find no an
swer save in the general eccentricity
of his conduct. He had died without a
relative, even without friend, as 1t
appeared, and to that fact the mere adj
dition of a passing whim, generated
possibly under stress of unknown
emotion, must suffice to explain his be-
havior. At that phrase of my own,
unknown emotion" was pulled up
sharply once more. What was there at
the back Of all these homogeneous and
ineomprehensible incidents? In the
current of these reflections I almost
rode over the innkeeper Hood by the
entrance Of the park. He saluted me
deferentially, stepping aside to let me
pass and gliding noiselessly to open the
iron gates. At the sight of him the
lawyers statement as to the contents
of the will required to me, and refined
in, giving him good day.
"This has been a sad business, sir,
he ventured in his even tones.
I nodded, replying with some com
monplace.
Especially, sir, for poor Mr.. Kes-
teven, who was, In manner of speak
ling. quite alone in the world"
YES" said l, though the remark was
perhaps irrelevant. so Mr.. Green
street, his lawyer, tells me-"
Hoods glance met mine, as though
he would inquire of me; but feeling, no
doubt, that this would be too great a
| liberty, his eyes reverted to the gate,
which he still held open respectfully.
| tssMr. Greenstreet tells me-" l went
on, "and | suppose I am free to repeat
| it, that your old master has left you a
small legacy
The man started visibly, and for a
second his dark eyes shone on mine.
He seemed almost as surprised as /
had been, but he recovered his aston
ishment next minute and dropped his
gaze.
THANK you, sir. 1t is very kind of
him-Mr. Kesteven, l mean. | served
him three years, and a better master
no man need want"
HE paid you similar compliment"
said I, smiling.
HE was always very good to me,
SIR
He stood silent, as though for me to
enter, but as did SO he said respect
fully:
ST suppose we shall be losing you,
sir? It's a great thing for Mr.. Kes-
teven to have had you with him in his
| trouble"
"Well,' said !, with little laugh,
which / really could not restrain in my
excited condition, mot just vet, Hood,
| I think. I'm afraid you'll have to put
up with my company for little longer.
You see, Mr.. Greenstreet informs me
that / am, quite Unexpectedly, left heir
to the castle"
If Hood were as much astonished at
this statement as at his own good for
tune, he certainly did not show it.
caught one glance of his extraordinary
eyes, and then he had turned and was
closing the gate.
I'm sure congratulate you, sir, if
,,o,.,7,,, tho 1ibar.fxr Tho oaSf1a