Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1906-03-08

teven, who was, in manner OF speak
ing, quite alone in the world
Yes" said l, though the remark was
perhaps irrelevant $50 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
liberty. his eyes reverted to the gate
which he Still held open respectfully.
MIR Greenstreet tells me- l went
on, land l suppose l am free to repeat
it. that your old master has left you n
small legacy"
The man started visibly, and for a
second his dark eyes shone on NINE.
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, | mean. l served
him three years, and a better master
no man need want"
"He paid you similar compliment"
said I, smiling.
AA-S'
sir"
He stood silent, as though for me to
enter, but as l did so he said respect
fully:
81 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 yet, Hood,
/ think. I'm afraid you'll have to put
up with my company for little longer.
You see. Mr.. Grcenstreet 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. l
| caught one glance Of his extraordinary
eyes, and then he had turned and was
| closing the gate.
Pm sure l congratulate you, sir, II
you'll pardon the liberty. The castle
| wants an owner, and hope you'll be
| living here, sir"
l told him l did not yet know and
| rode up the park, leaving him to f1
| the locks.
| | had said no less than the truth
when l had answered Hoods ques-
| lions, but circumstances soon made my
resolution for me. The rumor of my
Inheritance was spread about the coun-
try, and l found myself suddenly ele-
waited to new dignity in the eyes Of the
| neiehborhood And the first fruits Of
this celebrity appeared in an unexpect-
ed visit from my young acquaintance.
Montgomery. His farm, 1t seemed, was
mile or two from the castle, lying in
the next valley, and he rode over to
offer me his congratulations. 1t was
plain that he had not been SO deep In
LIQUOR as he had appeared upon that
evening at the Swan, for he was huge
" embarrassed during the interview
| and more than once offered to reflect
| upon himself in somewhat deprecating
terms.
.Tm not bad fellow" he was good
enough to explain, "but I'm deyilish
| fool. All the Montgomerys are. We've
had lot to put up with. Our estates
no better than barnyard. We're q
pack Of idiots, that's what we are, Mr..
| Greatorex. And when there's liquor
about Well, you know what 1t is"
didn't quite follow out his mean
ing, but, on the whole, he struck me as
very amiable fellow. honest accord
ing to bis lights, and bearing certain
distinction Of person which, derived
from long and gentle race, could not
wholly be concealed in the dull and
uneducated individuality of it's last
representative. He certainly knew 9
great deal about horses, and as re
suit we grew very friendly ere he left
When he did so, it was with a franz
hope, boyishly expressed, that intend
ed to live at the castle.
But it was not due to the arguments
of Montgomery that finally decided
to stay at the castle, but to an incident
very different, which fell out in the
following way on the next evening:
had dined early, and as the light was
still very full across the valley l saun
tered out through the park and wan
dered down the road toward the
Woodman. When reached the inn
noticed in the twilight the figure Of 9
stranger leaning against the stone
coping before the doorway smoking 8
cigar. At this moment Hood emerged
from the taproom, and nodded tt
him, asking If he had heard yet from
the solicitor.
Yes, sir; thank you. SIR" he replied
Its a very welcome present, sir
many thanks to my poor master"
| "Well, you seem to be getting on
said 1, with glance toward the
stranger, who, seeing my eyes on him
lifted his hat and smiled.
Eyes, sir" responded Hood in 6
lower voice. "The gentleman's come tt
stay bit, sir Name Captain Ser
combe, sir. You don't happen to know
him? No, sir. thought I'd mention it
in case you did. The gentleman likes
the fresh air, sir. He's been living
abroad. I always told poor Mr.. Kes
teven that I'd make it pay, sir" AND
furtive smile crept into Hoods som
Der face and broadened it into a grin.
The stranger advanced in leisurely
fashion and said good day; then, cock
ing an eye at the clouds, asked me my