The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1907-06-13

he said 1t was some such name A. stai
ford"
Here was splendid discovery for on
schemer-the very man he most desire'
to meet with. No opportunity could b
more propitious for putting his design
into execution.
Daniel carried the card up to Mr.. Penn
hyddyn, who was, rs usual, in his librar.
among his books. The name of Wyli
was totally unknown to him.
Mr.. Wylie, with low bow, softly en-
tered the room Sir Launce rose eau
tiously, and babe his visitor be seated
wondering, meanwhile, what business THU
repulsive looking stranger could have will
! him.
Il have to apologize, Sir Launce, FOL
intruding upon your privacy at what is
| perhaps, an unreasonable hour" begar
Wylie, "and / should at least have waited
until the morning before 1 presented my
self, had not the time at my disposal beer
| so extremely limited. I started from
London this morning. Not to keep you
in suspense, / am relative Of Miss
Griersons-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 l to understand that you are OPP
posed to such an ailiance?" 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. am related to Miss
Grierson on the mothers side. We our
selves come of an ancient and honorable
stock, although foreign one-the De
Scissors of France"
Sir Launce started, and a 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 Manner
he said, quickly.
81 have heard the name, replied Sir
Launce, with something of discomposure
81 must discover why this iron-looking
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 Grierson is OF
family not inferior to your own. But the
name and the blood is all we have LETT
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
rich man of low origin, a match which,
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 L Will ex-
plain myself, without further delay. You
have been. l understand, already waited
upon by Mr.. Robert Grierson. Now, L
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 such
circumstances, | considered it my impera-
tive duty to wait upon you, in order that
I might understand the precise situation
of affairs"
s'The matter is left entirely to the
choice of my son." remarked Sir Launce.
"He writes me that the young lady is in
every way fitted by beauty, manners and
education to become the future mistress
of Penrhyddyn; but no formal proposal
has vet been made by him. As | before
said. if you or any of the rest of the
family see the least objection TO such
proposal, l will at once telegraph to my
son that all is broken off"
"But Miss Grierson holds the mortgage
deeds of the estate?" cried Wylie, who
could not forbear putting this extreme
test to his hosts sincerity.
"Mr. Wylie," answered Sir Launce, ris-
ing from his seat and drawing himself
mn haughtily to his full height, that
would not make the shadow of difference
in nv views. If 1 cannot preserve the
lands of my ancestors with honor, let
them go. 1 make no humiliating bar
gains"
The stoical pride Of the man kindled a
spark of admiration even in the cynical
heart of Mr.. Wylie. Although the main
object of his journey was TO break off
the match, yet now that he perceived how
easily it was to be accomplished he pre-
ferred little delay. 1t did not suit his
purpose to at once quit Penrhyddyn; and
were he to take the owner at his word, |
he could have no possible motive to pro-
long his stay.
But" continued Sir Launce, suppose
we defer any further discussion until the
morning You must be weary with your
journey, and 1 expect letter from my |
son by the first mail tomorrow, which |
nay materially affect the position of the |
ease. Moreover, | desire, after what l |
have heard, some little time for reflection. |
If you will accept the hospitality of Penn |
hyddyn during your stay, | shall be most |
happy to afford it to you"
Mr.. Wylie expressed his thanks for the
offer; and Sir Launce summoning Daniel,
told him to conduct the guest to certain
apartments, and to see that he was prop
erly cared for. Then by a distant bow,
and wave of the hand, he indicated that
The Interview was over.
Perhaps, before another six months,
shall be seated in that chair, Sir Lsunce,"
nuttered Wylie, inaudibly, as he followed
he old servant; then It will be my turn
o condescend and to smile. But l won