The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-11-13
CHAPTER III.-contlnued.
n these holiday trips he was g,
.l...e.u.a nnd sIit tal< :. rnfISinrs &c

= b y /
CHAPTER III-Contlnued.
On these holiday trips he was ct
once shrewd and simple, refusing 70
be "diddled.'' as he termed II, b. ex-
tortionatc fly-drivers, guides. and itln-
Grant curio-dcalers. but giving bravery
In largesse to hall porters. headwaiters
and railway guards who fiattered him
by obsequlous attention.
He WIS chary of converse with TEL
low travellers. although gratified by
the chattiness OF undoubtcd ladies and
gentlemen freely exchanging small
talk with his gray-eycd. Brown haired,
graceful companion. For the most
part he preserved silence; but when
urbanely forced into speech. he eA-
hibited natural common sense that
was we'll accepted by polite listeners.
ut was only when Unexpectedly he be-
came OF sudden too much interested
| in a discussion that he made less
favorable Impression.
so 1t was. unfortunately, at the gem
eral table OF a west country inn, when
tho assembled guests talked about
buildlng-of all things In the world.
Every one had been to see the show
place of the neighborhood an ancient,
ruined castle: and now visitor, fun
pously condemning the errors OF the
penny guide-book. Then Mr.. Crunden
!. became too much Interested. The
whole fabric, said the learned visitor,
was of earlier date than that assigned.
| IL was a composite construction. CIV
| Ing plain evidence of varied historic
epochs. The gate and outer nail were
saron on a Roman foundation; the
| inner court was Norman; of later
date, but also clearly Norman. was the
Uctagonal brick tower, with the orlck-
faced hall.
...StuY," said Mr.. crunden
~ beg your pardon" asked the gen
t1eman; what did you say?
iSturfw said Mr.. Crunden loudly ana
warmly. II said stuff to all the tale
you've been telling us. Not course
| OF that brlckwork liz older that Henry
seven or Henry Eight can judge
| that By q hundred different signs. 70
ANYBODY who has the knowledge It's
az plain as~the nose on your race.
| "Irather.r whispered Lizzie. shyly.
pulling the sleeve OF his black frock
coat.
Let me be. my girl" said Mr.. crun-
den sternly; 81 know what I'm taxi
ing about"
Home again at Kings Cottage after
| the holiday. 1t was pretty to see Lizzie
taking up the quiet humdrum nome
life. devoting herself to her father. try
| ing to help him with his correspond
ence, sui1ing all her hours 70 ms s..
| thev ..ept that fashionable custom for
| the holidays. Lizzie understood thai
/ papa,s habits, founded in the dim past.
were SO firmly established that he
would feel discomfort If he broke them.
! He must breakfast early-eight
] o'clock at the latest. Then he went for
his first walk. This was the hour
when he used to look in at the yard.
i and then trudge round and inspect all
| work in progress. 1t was a settled
4 habit. Wet or fine was all one; he
could not have remained indoors be-
tween nine and half-past ten. His
second and longer walk was at Two
O'Clock. Immediately after dinner.
I, In the morning, from about II,
i he sat at llome--as OF old-in the
4 room that had been his Office. 1t was
q pleasant enough hall sitting-room
4 now. The red-bound ledgers, etc, had
\ disappeared from Mr.. Crunden's bu-
4 reau: Chippendale cabinet had been
/ brought in for balance and ornament
A and the late Mrs. Crunden's blue china
looked we'll behind the latticed glass
\ on the broad mnntelpiece there Wert
only vases and Nh. Crunden's tobacco
'tjar-no sample tiles, parquetry blocks
land bath taps now. Two engravings
4 Tor Medford Bridge and Hill. as painted
4 Lin the year 1917, now occupied tbs
4 space where auction bills used to hane
land hutter. Glazed drain pipes. mode
Iplumbing4 devices. and pattern bell
J, pushes had fall been banished. and tht
| dais or raised floor of tho large bay
window was now clear of all the wall
lpaper books, rolls, and cuttings thai
!, used once to fill it. In the window rs
cess there was now a. black oak tablt
4 with a large bowl OF flowers. and
comfortable chair for Lizzie to 81 !;
and look out at the local aristocrat Y
:: going up or down Hill Rise, while ia
( Their was amusing himself With ms pa
pers and letters.
q Here in the past, from II TO J. n
s. used to polish or his correspondence
l frame tenders, make out accounts-l'
t fact transact his business. And nov
$ Ia made for. himself dilletante bust
8 ness. He had endless and lnnunlernbl,
trade lists sent to him still and he Wen
Through them thoroughly EN- amateur
r.EIf in a list there was anything new
4 and startling. he would take UP pei
! and write: Touching those Ajax re
I Ivolvlng cowls vow adyer,lse on +. =
-.lof catalogue Just to hand. would sa!
THAT although retired am interested \
i such nroblems. Should b.
. clad, therefore, IL without trouble, 20,
9 could give me some further infornla
elton. !. .. DO you find your Ajax t.
t irevolve and stop down-draught wher
lofty trees screen roof and chime!
llatucl,g" Then, of course. Blank Co
! showed him UP With cowl-lIterature,
t He 5studiously read such Journals a
4 The Architect and The Builder. AM
t had nppe AIRED In the print OF BOTH,
i. modest little piece OF authorship woul
keep him busy for two or three morn
!. ings. gsS Az 5s
q '"ro the Editor. Sir, with regard Il