Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-01-01

relative, even without friend, as it appeared, and to that fact the mere ad- dition of a passing whim, generated possibly under a stress of unknown emotion, must suffice to explain his be- havior. At that phrase of my own, unknown emotion" l was pulled up sharply once more. What was there at the back of all these incongruous and incomprehensibIe 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 recurred to me, and refined in. giving him good day.
 'sThis has been a sad business, sir, {" he ventured in his even tones.
 I nodded, replying with some com monplace.
 Especially, sir, for poor MT. Kes- teyen, who was, in manner of speak ing, quite alone in the world"
 "Yes," said I, though the remark was perhaps irrelevant ''So Mir. 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.
 Mir. Greensreet tells me-" I went on. and I suppose I am free to repeat it, that your old master has left you 8 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. It is very kind of him-Mr. kesteven, I mean. I served him three years, and a better master no man need want"
 He paid you a similar compliment" said I, smiling.
 He was always very good to me. sir
 He stood silent, as though for me to enter, but as I did so he said respect fully
 T suppose we shall be losing you, sir? It's a great thing for Mir Res teven to have had you with him in his trouble
 Well" said I, with a little laugh, which really could not restrain in my excited condition, mot just yet, Hood. I think. I'm afraid you'll have to put up with my company for little longer. You see. MT. Greenstreet informs me that I am. quite unexpectedly, left heir 10 the castle"
 If Hood were as much astonished at this statement as at his own good for tune, he certainly did not show it. I caught one glance of his extraordinary eyes. and then he had turned and was closing the gate
 I'm sure I congratulate you. sir, if you'll pardon the liberty. The castle wants an owner, and I hope you'll be living here, sir
 l told him I did not yet know and rode up the park, leaving him to fix the locks.
 I had said no less than the truth when I had answered Hoods ques- tl0as, but circumstances soon made my resolution for me. The rumor of my inheritance was spread about the coun- try, and I found myself suddenly ele- yated 10 new dignity in the eyes of the neighborhood. And the first fruits of this celebrity appeared in an unexpect- cd visit from my young acquaintance, Montgomery. His farm. il seemed. was a mile or two from the castle. lying in the next valley. and he rode over to offer me his congratulations. It was plain that he had not been so deep in liquor as he had appeared upon that evening at tine Swan. for he was huge ly embarrassed during the interview and more than once offered to reflect upon himself in somewhat deprecating terms.
 I'm not a bad fellow" be was good enough 10 explain, but I'm a devilish fool All the Montgomerys are. We've had lot 10 nut up with. Our estates no better than a barnyard. We're a pack of idiots. that's what we are. Mir Greatorex. And when there's liquor about Well. you know what f is.''
 I didn't quite follow out his mean- ing. but. or the whole. he struck me as very amiahle fellow. honest accord ing 10 his lights. and bearing a 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 a great deal about horses. and as a re- suit we grew very friendly ere he left. When he did so. f was with frank hope. boyishly expressed. that intend ei 10 five q the castle.
 But fl was not due 10 the arguments Of Montgomery that I finally decided to stay at the castle but to an incident very different which fell out in the following way oB the next evening: I . had dinei early. and as the light was still very full across the valley saun- tered ont through the park and wan iered down The road toward the Wo0dman. When ! rrached the inn noticed in fhe twilight the figure of a stranger leaning against the stone rgT,tng bef0rr the d71rwsv smoking a ] ei-zr. 1t thls moment Hood emerged from the tarrggu- and ! nodded to 1i1a. sskiHg 1T he had heard yet from lie solicitor
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