Middletown transcript., 1906-06-09


fine education. and two years on.
the continent and then he joined
the Royal Engineers, where be is.
now d shining light. RegInal
Guam Fitsgearld. the second son
our friend here with . low
bow early displayed signs Of
mechanical genius. He received
the customary education and
tour, which was somewhat eur.
tailed BY an unfortunate strin.
gency of the family purse. 1t
was on this tour that he pulled.
my unworthy self from a hole,
and thereby endangered his neck
and broke an arm. Naturally we
vowed eternal friendship and
continued the trip together.
When it was finished, / induced
him tocress the Atlantic with me.
My father was an extensive man
nfacturer, and 1t seemed to me
that-this was a golden opportun-
ity for the encouragemento of fel-
low genius. Time proved I was
right. Reginal Guam Fitzgerald
among machinery was as dry gun
powder in a burning building.
Before we could collect our dag
zled senes he had flashed across
the horizon of inexperience into a
position as superintendent of the
works.
He paused a moment to sip the
tea which Mrs. Van Maurice
handed him, and then went on;
The third scion of the family is
Miss Essie, a musical genius, who
was obliged to assume charge of
the household on account of her
mothers invalidism. Stress of
finance and this duty have hither-
to kept her genius somewhat in
allegiance, but now, waving his
hand toward Reginal, this young
CrRsus comes forward with his
savings Of four years, beseeches
her to cross the big pond andavail
herself of all the musical adyan-
tages offered by our proud city.
There is a family consultation,
in which it is decided that Eliza.
beth Tara Fitzgerald, the fourth
aspirant, is competent to assume
the family dictatorship, and that
suppressed genius, in the shape
of Miss Essie, shall ind its nat
ural expansion in America-and
-er-I believe that brings Us
down to contemperaneous his
tory ? gIancing at his friend.
Yes. | suppose SO, answered
Reginal, with d wry face. When
] have occasion for biography I
shall certainly apply to you.
Then his face grew serious.
1t seems strange that have not
heard from home. Essie wrote
that she wasall ready to start, and
at least five or six steamers have
been in since til ~ ll 1t Ut this
season father usually goes up to
Ballyshannon for a few weeks
hunting, and perhaps she con-
cluded to wait until his return.
tbs alright, undoubtedly, said
Harold. From what you have
told me of her, she is like the tra-
ditional pussy-or, more happily,
like her illustrious brother
when she strikes America she
will be on her feet.
During the conversation Mrs.
Van Maurice had occasionally re-.
garded her guest with a puzzled,
inquiring expression. She had
never seen him before, but some.
how his features seemed familiar;
and that peculiar way he had of
throwing back his head-why,
she had seen it dozens of times.
Suddenly a mirthful CLEAN of
recognition swept the uncer-
tainty from her face, and she rose
quickly. With her a thought
was to act.
I suppose you and your sister
resemble each other, Mr.. Fitz-
gerald ? she asked.
People used to say SO, believe;
but Essie appropriated all the
beauty and grace which rightly
ought to have been divided be-
tween US.
Those attributes naturally go
to the sister, said Mrs Van Maur,
ice, smiling. But would you
mind going downstairs with me
a moment ? Ihaye something to
show you.
As they left the room, Mr. Van
Aanrice rose with the remark
that he would go into the chess.
men. Hardly had he disappeared
when Harold heard a slight rus
tie at the door.
Is Mrs. Van Maurice here?