Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1908-02-14

rupted
'No time now The mare has the
devil in her this morning Jump in
Steady, Molly. Steady"
Richards mind was in whirl If
he wished to see the daughter. he must
pass the fractions father first of ALL
so without more ado he sprang into
the trap. intending to explain as they
went along The mare reared. wheel
ed and started off at Il lively pace. Mr.
Renwyck held the lines with an expert
hand and plunged into rapid fire of
small talk.
First trip up the Hudson. | take It,
Magnificent river, but Of course moth
ing like the Rhine. That's old Wal
ker's place over on your right. Steep
hill, this, but good for Molly. Will
take some of the spunk out OF her.
confound her. Steady. girl. Steady"
Pardon me. Mr.. Renwyck," Richard
began again. my name
yes, yes; know" said the old gen.
tleman. taking corner sharply;
names all right. have your letter
from Carthwaite. Fine old fellow. isn't
he? Had hoped to have him during
your visit. but he's gone to Chicago
Hello. postman! Whoa. Molly. Any
thing for me-"
A letter carrier stepped from the
sidewalk and handed a packet Of mail
Party by the name of Lord Croyland
stopping at your place, sir?" he asked
YES" replied Mr.. Renwyck; this is
the gentleman. Here you are. Lord
Croyland. Thanks. postman. Go along
girl"
The bewildered Richard found sew
to him and scarcely knowing what to
do with them ct present thrust them
into his pocket. They had reached the
crest of the hill now and swung away
to the left on level road. Richard
essayed once more to straighten out
his friends affair. when his host again
cut in:
you've been in this country for
some time. haven't you?"
Eyes, for some time" answered Rich
ard. sparrlng for an opening.
What part of it,"
"Oh. around In spots-Texas mostly
-dabbling in cattle. you know"
he Old gentleman drew his mare
up sharply. then let her go again.
Texas. Ell? so have l. Ever met
an old skinhint cattle king and so on.
canned Bill Williams?"
The tone of Mr.. Renwyck's voice In
dlcated perfectly in what low estima-
ton he held the aforesaid Williams.
IL know his son." said Richard
nonchaantly.
"Umph. Any Improvement on the
iather?"
"In way. yes" the young man re-
piled. with a ghost of a smile.
Really. the conversation was grow
ing interesting! For the moment Rich
ard forgot he was Lord Croyland. al
though a resentment which he could
not exhibit considerably modified his
amusement.
Don't believe itr' the old gentleman
asserted fatty. mo, SIR" he exclaim-
ed, with a snap of his jaw under his
white mustache: no. sir. No member
I OF that generation of vipers could ever
| be anything else than a-than a.
"Snake. naturally" suggested Rich
ard In bitter but carefully yelled an
ger. his heart lodging in the very bot
tom of his boots at this sudden de-
velopment Of Renwyck's unjust hatred
of his father, which. in addition. BODIED
Ill for the success of his love affair.
That's IT," continued Mr.. Renwyck.
with cool deliberation. nodding vigor-
Susly-"a rattler.''
Yes" smiled Richard. the humor OF
I the situation appealing TO him in spite
) of its possibilities. i've heard him
called that too, in-in IA poker game"
-, The adventurer was sinking every
moment deeper into the mire. He did
not think the present instant was
suspicious for declaring himself a
viper. Yet tell his name be must soon.