Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1907-05-09
CHAPTER lN.
Continued.

Continued. -
On the day that Mr.. Clanronald asked
of me ths hand Of Eunice for his son,
I wrote to these lawyers, saying that
I had something of interest to COM
municate to Mr.. Wilmot, and that 1
should feel obliged to them II they
would give me his address. Their re-
ply was to the effect that they had re-
ceived strict instructions from their
client to give his address abroad to no
person whatever, and that they could
make no exception in my favor.
wrote again, asking, if l sent letter
to Mr.. Wilmot under cover to them,
whether they would forward 1t to him.
They replied that here again the In
structions under which they acted were
so strict and peremptory that they
could not depart from them. All let
ters which they received for MI. Will
mot We're dropped in sealed boxes. or
which he had the keys. Once more
wrote, inquiring whether they were
expecting Mr.. Wilmot's return home,
and within what time. In reply they
stated that they did not know when
he would return. Nothing was left FOR
me to do but to write to Mr.. Wilmot,
acquainting him with the fact of my
daughters engagement, and giving him
every information in my power or the
standing and character OF the family
into which she was about to marry. In
this letter | made a delicate reference
to the subject Of settlements; and said
that in my interview with Mr.. Clan.
ronald l had been compelled to ask
for q postponement Of this branch OF
the matter until my uncle returned to
England. l dispatched my letter to
the lawyers, with n sense Of intense
satisfaction Mt the idea that it would
be dropped in sealed box and would
be read by my uncle heaven knew
when.
1t was with feeling of joy that one
morning, among my letters, recog-
nized the handwriting of Mr.. Wilmot.
His letter, which read with eagerness
aud anxiety, was addressed from Nor
way, and in it received the welcome
intelligence that we might expect his
return to England within three months
from the date Of his writing. This III
formation enabled me to give salts
factory answer to Mr.. Clanronald, who,
In the course of the day, made an IN
direct reference to the uncompleted
business of my daughters settlements.
1t was not the first time that he had
made such q reference, and hitherto
I had always experienced q feeling or
awkwardness in meeting 1t. Now
was quite at my ease.
II have received letter." l said,
"from Mr.. Wilmot, who is at present In
Norway, and within three months all
will be arranged"
"Mr. Wilmot" said Mr.. Clanronald,
in a tone of inquiry; and it was only
then it struck me that l had never
mentioned my unclc's name before to
him-there being, indeed, no special
reason for 1t.
my mothers brother" said, "who
has made the most handsome promises
In respect to Eunice's future"
"Yes, yesw said Mr.. Clanronald, and
seemed to ponder upon the name, and
not with pleasure, but nothing more
was said.
My uncle's letter contained something
which 1 then regarded as Of small i'm
portance, but which, in the near future,
was destined to bring about the peril
Of my life. 1t was included i'll the
following words:
Every soon after my return to Eng
land it is my intention to pay you
visit at Bosc6mDe Lodge, and to tres
spass upon your hospitality for few
days. Meanwhile you can confer an
obligation upon me. have given Mr..
Leonard Mortlock, a young gentleman
in whom l take deep interest, and
who for three months has been my
companion in my travels, a letter of
introduction to you, which he Will
present in person. l wish him to be-
come acquainted with you and your
family; l wish you to make friend
of him. Any social courtesies and
kindness which you can show him
shall regard rs extended to myself.
You will find him an agreeable and
charming person, and it will afford me
pleasure to learn that the association
has been mutually pleasant"
The request, which could not have
been more distinctly conveyed, was
to me and my wife a law, and we de-
cidcd that when Mr.. Leonard Mortlock
made his appearance we would ask
him to make our house his home for
n while. My wife set about at once
making the necessary preparations, and
a sitting room and bedroom were put
in order for the expected visitor. We
had ample accommodations at our dis
posal, there being at least half n dozen
spare rooms in our house. Eunice
assisted in making the preparations,
delighted at the opportunity OF doing
something in return for Mr.. Wilmots
great generosity. Two days after the
receipt of my uncle's letter Mr.. Mort
lock sent in his card, and was warmly
welcomed.
He was man of good education,
agreeable manners and smooth speech;