Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1907-05-31

board being offered him.
But an additional advantage to be de-
rived from his visit had been revealed to
Mr.. Wylie since his arrival in the country.
While waiting at the inn for the carriage
to be got ready, he employed the time in
questioning the landlord about the pres
ent inhabitants of the Castle and learned
from him that young artist gentleman
had arrived there the day before. Mr..
Wylie asked eagerly II he knew the Wis
itor's name.
1T was John Tregarth, the hostler, that
told me-" answered the landlord. Il think
he said 1t was some such name as Star
ford"
Here was a splendid discovery for our
schemer-the very man he most desired
to meet with. No opportunity could De
more propitious for putting his designs
into execution.
Daniel carried the card up to Mr.. Penn
hyddyn, who was, as usual, In his library
among his books. The name Of Wylie
was totally unknown to him.
Mr.. Wylie, with a low bow, softly en-
tered the room. Sir Launce rose eau
tiously, and bade his visitor be seated,
wondering, meanwhile, what business this
repulsive looking stranger could nave Witn
him.
81 have to apologize, Sir Launce, for
intruding upon your privacy at what is,
perhaps, an unreasonable hour" began
Wylie, "and I should at least have waited
until the morning before presented my
self, had not the time at my disposal been
so extremely limited. started from
London this morning. Not to keep you
in suspense, l am relative OF Miss
Grierson's-one Of the executors OF her
mothers will-with which lady l have
recently and accidentally heard that your
son, Mr.. Arthur Penrhyddyn, Is about to
| form an engagement"
"Such a thing has been spoken OF" re-
piled Sir Launce, coldly; but nothing
has been definitely arranged"
Precisely, Sir Launce," replied Wylie /;
nothing could be arranged without my
concurrence"
"Am to understand that you are op-
posed to such an alliancew inquired Sir
Launce, freezingly.
"Oh no, Sir Launce," hastily replied
Mr.. Wylie; there Is nothing that would
give me greater pleasure than the honor
of such an alliance. l am related to Miss
Grierson on the mothers side. We our
selves come of an ancient and honorable
stock, although foreign one-the IN
Scissors of France"
Sir Launce started, and strange look
came into his face at the mention of that
name. Neither the start nor the look
was lost upon his visitor -.
"You have, doubtless, heard the nameT
he said, quickly.
"I have heard the name," replied Sir
Launce, with something of discomposure
81 must discover why this iron-lookins
man betrayed such emotion at the men
ton of that name. 1t must be power
full reason to relax his features men
tally observed Mr.. Wylie. You will
therefore, perceive" he continued, aloud
"that on one side Miss Griarson Is of 8
family not inferior to your own. But the
name and the blood is all we have left
to boast of now. The Revolution reduced
the De scissors to beggary and exile
Poverty induced my cousin Arabella, Con
stances mother, to accept the hand OF Q
|
through the remainder of her life, she
never ceased to deplore. But ! perceive
that YOU are still at loss to comprehend
the precise motive of my visit. ! will ex
plain myself, without further delay. Yor
have been, I understand, already waited
upon by Mr.. Robert Grierson. Now,
must inform you that although, as l have
} said before, am joint executor and guar
dian, have never once been consulted
. upon the subject, nor even directly in
formed of the proposed event. Under sucf
circumstances, considered it my impera
tive duty to wait upon you, in order tha
might understand the precise situation
of affairs"
| "The matter Is left entirely to tn,
I choice of my son." remarked Sir Launce
"He writes me that the young lady Is IL
! every way fitted by beauty, manners ant
education to become the future mistres
, of Penrhyddyn; but no formal propose
has yet been made by him. As befor
said, If you or any of the rest of tn
family see the least objection to such
proposal l will at once telegraph to m.
, son that all is broken off,"
"But Miss Grierson holds the mortgag
deeds Of the estate?" cried Wylie, VIII
could not forbear putting this extrem
J test to his hosts sincerity.
t "Mr. Wylie," answered Sir Launce, ris
ing from his seat and drawing himsel
! up haughtily to his full height, "tha
would not make the shadow of a differenc
in my views. If 1 cannot preserve tn
lands Of my ancestors with honor, lie
them go. make no humiliating bar
I gains"
, The stoical pride Of the man kindled
. spark of admiration even In the cynica
I heart of Mr.. Wylie. Although the mali
t object Of his journey was to break oi
, the match, yet now that he perceived hoy
, easily 1t was to be accomplished, he pre-
. ferred little delay. 1t did not suit hi
: purpose to at once quit Penrhyddyn; an
: were he to take the owner at his wort
: he could have no possible motive to prc