The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-12-07

4 yOu 3uuQ lUe IUdleT any ItOTC.
Sponge! Ny dear fellow!"
"But what the deuce shall do? By
the way, does the mater know the state
OF tho case?"
Not a wdrd Of it,
you've sold her as well as mo !" and
Jack laughed. What lot OF selling
to be sure. Hill Rise--tho dear old
inater--and me! Jolly well sold!''
"Jack--you take it--tho surprise
| like good pal7''
That's all right. father" and Jack
came to the table and laid a friendly
| hand on Sir Johns back. 'I'n1 OFT to
change my breeches. Hark! Here they
come. A bold face on It Never say
die"
Then Jack brlskly retired. and almost
| Immediately Short flung wide the ma
hogany doors and announced first
Corners.
"Air Garrett, Mr.. Hope-Mr. Holland,
Mr.. Hopkins Mr.. Eaton. Mr.. Brown
-"
In very little while It seemed that.
responding to Sir Johns invitation. the
whole Of Medford had assenabled-at
least. all that was best and most rep.
resentative seemed already to be here;
and yet Short without intermission
continued to announce important peo-
pie. The footmep were ushering In
less important folk through the French
windows: and soon. from the windows
To- the table. that side OF the room was
difficulty could one thread ones way
through the crowd. soon the buzz OF
conversation was SO strong that Short.
really believing names, could scarce
make himself heard.
J Major and Mrs. afildew-Mr. and
Mrs. Anncndale. Miss Annendale--Mrs.
and Miss Granville-Miss Waco"
etc. etc.
The ladies In their garden. party cos
tunes gave brightness and animation
to the scene. Lady Vincent took en-.
tire charge OF the ladies, marshaling
them on Heats of honor between the
fireplace and the head OF the table.
making every one welcome. and attend
ing to everybody's comfort Thus on
mendously grand In vast bonnet and
black silk gown. but much overcome
by the heat, Lady Vincent gave her q
paper fan. and. taking her through
tire crowd. found her seat close to
the table. but within reach OF the fresh
air from the windows. The Hill Rise
girls came In such force that her LADY,
care OF themselves: she had all her
work with their Manln1as.
Sir John attended to the men only.
and indeed his task was no light one,
Here were Town and Hill m!ngllng.
tradesmen and gentry side by side, In
congruous elcments>tused BY Sir Johns
commando: tact and skill were Gorely
needed from the very trst. Sir John.
busting from group to group. had
genial looks, cheerful words. anicable
haud-grips for one and all. In these
busy moments before the real business
could begin. he was quite nirnself--the
great Sir John. OF Hill House. born
leader OF men. saying the right thing
without apparent thought as II oy
splendid instinct.
II one. might Judge from scraps Of
talk here and there. about the ROOM.
Sir Johns last appeal had been well
received by the Town. It was dis
tinctly modest scheme: there could
not be much to pay: perhaps the Hill
meant to put up most OF the money.
Tho High Street tradesnaen especially
appeared to countenance the proposal.
and even to be willing to bear their
part Of the cost. In talk. at any rate.
Sir John had large support.
mfr. Bowling reared Short. Mrs
Page-Colonel Beaumont"
Sir John, passing from one knot OF
takers to another. had been button
holed by Mr. Hope. the editor.
.Did you" asked Mr.. Hope. "see the
Advertiser this morn!ng-the leading
art!cle?.
Yves. Invaluable. Just at the right
II have" said Mr.. Hope. also button.
holing Mr.. Garrett u thipk have
worked up the Indignation steaa1ly.
The Indignation Is now very great. You
have thu town now solid at your. back
"That" said Mr.. Garrett, lis COM
Portable feeling
Then Colonel Beaumont came blum.
dering. calling for all Sir Johns tact. /.
.svince1t,' said the Colonel. II trust
YOU have excluded all those newspaper
"Tscht. Tsclt,' said Sir John.
"I am here" said Alr, Hope warmly.
az am here Colonel Beaumont--the
editor OF the Advertiser. !.
.To whom, we are greatly indebted.
| said Sir John.
ooh. ah-that may be-, said q, co :, me,
vate meeting :,
ssay no more" cried Mr.. Hope {" =
shall Withdraw - l.
"Not for world 81 said Sir John; and.
hooking round, he raised his voice.
|5"Gentlemen. VIII explair,--onr pro-
lceedirgs are private ana comlar :, e.
VITA tion--a,,d he will give such notes s
I'm. the press asflle thinks discreet and
l.proner,' !, Ia, 49,,
ott - es" said Ala er,,aa Hop sins. we're
sa fess with Mr.. ope, .,ra +, !.
..Exactly., sal a. Sir job 2. e may
give all our thought freely I.
Paop1e. were still coming IN. Snort
any,o,inced$ an quick ~ slcceE sic Mrs,
Ridgwortt1, Mr.. Ost orr, Mr.. Feogers Sir
Iolrns Cd at II is watch, made his va y
to the table. and seated himself ~ me E
81, = ~ snici Mr.. Eaton,