The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-11-07
CHAPTER n.-continued.

8
CHAPTER Il.-Continued.
The noble landlady Indeed without
being approached on the subject, trans
mitted through her deputies a hand
some donation towards the cost OF
levelling the fields from which she
was renouncing future 1broht.
When things seemed to demand dis.
cussion-when tenants had a fancy
for structural changes or additions
there would come down, for suave der
BATE. Mr. Abinger. He was sort Of
'splendld surveyor or steward-nCS real
ly a gentleman. but just like Rentle-
man.-known to all tenants as Mr.. A"
welcomed by all. and entertained hos
pita bly, by all. Indeed. as he drove up
in his fly from the station and turned
Into Hill Rise. one might say there
were twenty hot luncheons waiting for
him.
Come In. ofr. AbinEer," the tenants
would say. They were all the Same In
their welcome to Mr.. A. Warrn-tem-
pered Admiral Lardncr. naughty Col
onel Beaumont, old Mrs. PadfleId. who
was very difncult lady. Mrs. Gran
Vile. Mrs. Page, etc, they all made
hall, ordering servants to take hts over-
coat and rug and umbrella, ushering
him forthwith to tho dining-roon.
sit We down, Mr.. Abinger. Not a
word OF business till you've had a
snack OF lunch. You must be famish ed
after your Journey. No hurry about
my little affair. I know am In good
hands. I leave the decision to you
alb. olutely. I'll tell you what wish.
and l won't press II. But believe
you'll decide that what ! am asking
liz not unreasonable"
On several occasions this magnificent
steward lunched with Sir. John at Hill
House: and twice or thrice even had
the honor OF sitting at meat with
Lady Vincent. Although. OF course.
Sir John was not tenant. 1t seemed
fit that he should entertain Mr.. A.
He was the owner OF the adjoining
freehold-the next big landowner
(omittlng the Crown. the man OF rank
highest and nearest to the exalted rank
OF the Countess.
And doubtless Sir John talked pleas
antly enough to the guest-keeping his
light bridges of conversation to en-
able Mr.. A. to advance and retire. Mr..
A. never forgot, never presumed.
How is her ladyship. Mr.. AbinEer?"
"wonderfuI-no other word for It.
was down at Burroughclere last
week"-and Sir John would nod his
head as though he were familiar with
Burroughclere, Lady HaddinghaIns ma
jestic country seat-"Bitter bleak morn
ing-but there was my lady IN her
pony carriage to meet me at every
turn. Mr.. Abinger,' she said. Ike
to SEQ for myself. I don't like giving
things up
..Ah! we'll, Mr. Abinger"-this. would
be after fitting compliments to be con-
veyed to the aged countess when sop
nortunity oTered-''these old ladies arc
like creakIng doors: they hang on"
And then. perhaps. Sir John told Mr..
A. about that most notorious creaking
door, his old cousin at Bournemoutl.
Everybody knew about her. When
she died her money would come to Sir
John. 1t was all settled: she couldn't
leave 1t away from him. but she could
keep MIN waiting for it-and she did
so. She was deplorably aftifctcd--a
dreadful paralysis First she lost the
use of her feet, then Of her hands. etc.
"Heaven KNOWS" said Sir John. u
would not hasten any ones end-or
wish any one out OF the way for the
paltry money But-poor old dear!-
ask you what pleasure can she have
In ljre'
Lady Vincent, the kindest OF women.
you'd agree-would be constrained to
own that neither life nor paltry cash
could he OF mhcl, value 10 poor dear
Cousin Harriet, though she still clung
to both.
Young ladies at the tennis. opening
large eyes as they talked OF Str Joiias
cousin, SAID the money WAe q .s s'''i.e
but paltry. tx /,
edo call it rough luck on Sir John
..But he doesn't want 1t. He is rich
enough already. He must be very
Eyes; but it is nice to>becone richer
howe er rich you are" -,
.'What could he do With ~!
..Anyhow, young Mr. Vincent, couaa
spend ii. II. could marry and have ~
lis old enough to do that"
..I don't believe" said a. young lady
W; Il, ,pistful eyes that MI. Jack VIZ
ever, marry. ~
e.Why not 2"
II don't believe lie Is fond Of girls"
"Oh, isn't he? What about the par
maids at the White Hart-and the
n cfresses that come with every musical
comedy"
One could not blame these young
Ladies OF the Hill for the wistfulness
N their eyes or the tone OF deep respect
lin their voices when they came thus
Ito spEak OF money; because through
our It'll Rise there was not much
READY cash, and nearly oil that there
was felr into the hands Of the sons
and little enough was left for the
Daughters
Ihe heads Of families were gentry
neither more or less. They based on
this proud title all their pompful pre-.
tensions, and never asked the world
10 believe that they were secret mil
Ilionalres. Mr. Garret,5 although g soil
cttor. was q man OF good family; DR..
lH.ake, who practiced medicine was
extremely well-connected;. these We're
the only two residents tainted with
Damaging derogatbry professions =, and
Ion the plea of good birth tn were
paydoned, For tho rest, there were
X AxImirais Gardiner Colonel Beaumont,