Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1907-05-23

Samuel Fleetwood l replled.
"Ahr' she said, thoughtfully; "he is
no friend of mine, and would do me
an injury if he could. But 1 am
armed now," she added, with a bright
look; you are my fllend.'
Day after day passed and We heard
nothing more of Mr.. WilmOt. We
were, however, quite prepared for his
arrival. A suite of rooms was ready,
md every morning Eunce placed fresh
lowers in them. l heard her and Mile.
Rosale conversing about my uncle.
This Mr.. Wilmot," said Mile. Rosa
lie, "is he very. very rich?'
$50 papa says" replied Eunice.
"a millionaire, perhaps?'
"Perhaps," said Eunice, laughing.
"He must be very good, then"
"How is that?"
Gall rich men must be. They cannot
nelp it,
This was an unsophisticated view,
and it brought smile to my own lips.
On the Wednesday in the following
week the three ladies and l were stand.
Ing on the lawn in front Of the house.
Mr. Mortlock was absent, and we were
not sorry.
Papa" said Eunice, sis Mr.. Wilmot
ever coming? He seems to have for
gotten his promise"
MIR. Wilmot never forgets promise,
Eunice," l said.
AS l spoke we all turned our heads
n the direction of the gates, being
attracted by the sound Of animated
voices and footsteps; and presently two
gentlemen came in view-Mr. MOrtlock,
and an old gentleman leaning on his
arm. | knew my uncle instantly, al.
though l saw at glance that he had
aged since we last met, and FASTENED
to meet him.
'IIave l taken you by surprise,
Nephew Richard| he asked (he had
always addressed me thus. But
Friend Mortlock knew l was coming
by this train"
A pang of modification shot through
me. "Why had "Friend MOrtlock",
known, and not /? Why was he the
chosen one? | concealed my mortifica-
ton, however, and expressed my de-
light at seeing him. He nodded and
nodded-he was a little spare man,
with not an ounce of superfluous flesh
on his bones, and his head seemed to
be set on SprngS-aGd shook hands
with me cordially, and greeted my wife
and kissed her, and then, holding Eu-
nicc's two hands in his, kissed her also.
The privilege of old age, my dear"
he said. And are you Eunice. You
have grown into Il very lovely young
woman. We shall be the best of
fricnds-the best Of friends. You have
Il pretty place here, Nephew Richard,
and it is well looked after. That is
what like to see beg your pardon"
These last words were in reference
to Mile. RoSalie, who stood Il little in
the background. | introduced her.
How do you do-how do you do" he
said, nodding at her as he had nodded
at us. Once set going, it seemed diff
cult for him to stop. "Lenormand-
Lcnormand. | Know family of that
name in Versailles. Any relatlon?"
II have no relations, sir" said Mile.
Rosalie, adding, with glance at me,
"out of England !
Indeed, indeed" he said; mo rela-
tons out of England? Nephew Rich
ard, want to walk through your
grounds, but Grst | wish to place this
in safety" He motioncd to Mr.. Mort
lock, who came forward with n dis
patch box. which | had observed he
was carrying. There is money in it,
Nephew Richard. | never travel with
out money. 1t is the open sesame
everywhere, even among savages, my
dear this TO Eunice. II have seen
many. and it is surprising how quickly
they learn the value of money"
Your rooms are ready, sir" l said.
"Will you see them now"
"At once-at once Garry the box for
me. No, 90 not trouble, my dears.
Nephew Richard and l will go alone;
we will rejoin you presently" F.,
We went up to his rooms together,
and was glad to hear him say that
they were pleasantly situated. (
g: ifuDn Won will make long stay
with u.s." said.
THAT depcnds-that depends. Let
me thank you now for your courtesy
to my friend, Mortlock. He is full Of
your praises; of yours and your good
family's. A charming gentleman-an'
exceptionally charming gentleman. Do
you not think sO?'
TO please him | replied, in as cheer.
full voice as | could command, that
Mr.. Mortlock was a charming gentle
man.
"That is as it should bc-as it should
be. have great regard for him, the
greatest regard. l knew that you
would be great friends-great friends.
Place the box therc-there by the side
of my bed, at the head That Is the
spot Thank you. Now we will go
down to the ladies'"
With polished polteness he offered
my wife and Eunice each an arm, and
we strolled through the woods, at the
beauty of which he expressed himself
4. ,.nI w. NAxr,N N1I