The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1909-07-20

childhood. was passed in its pre-
cinctss
@Then, indeed, l do agree heartily
with Miss Leslie!"
Dorothy gathered her habit afresh
in her hand, and beat the cloth inn
patiently with her small whip
Pedigree is thing / never had
the smallest sympathy with, nor do ]
value the ancient belongings simply
because they are ancient; and to
prove that am speaking facts, may
inform you both that it is my SOW
ereign will that Knebwell Hall shall
be handed over to the care of stran-
gers without any unnecessary delay"
"You are going to sell it?" said
Enid in low, surprised tones.
Shades of the dead and gone
Knebwells, what heresy!" answered
Dorothy, in mock dismay. Then she
added, laughingly: @No, Mistress
Enid, am only going to let it, that's
all. You may breathe again. Here
come the horses. Let's be off, Ger
vais; we must be home early, as Mr..
Broughton arrives to luncheon"
Gervais, with grave look on his
face, went up to her mount, examined
everything carefully, then put her up
as easily as though she had been a
featherweight, not woman.
Geryais said very little as they rode
on, and Dorothy had all the conversa-
ton to herself at first. At last he
seemed to rouse himself.
"You were not in earnest just now,
of course, my darling?" he said, with
a smile.
Dorothy looked at him.
in earnest; what about?"
about Knebwell
She knitted her brows for an In
slant.
Eyes, l am" she replied, quietly.
Quite in earnest. And what is more,
I have already put the matter into
the hands of several agents.
Gervais was silent for awhile.
II wish you had consulted me first,
dear"
II did not think there was any ne
cessity," she observed coldly. She
was compelled to speak like this, 9th
erwise he might have seen how
fidgety and nervous she was
Surely there can be no doubt on
that subject. My wife should always
come to me for advice and aid"
"But, Gervais, darling, you are abb
surd. What aid or advice could 1
possibly want in this particular
case?"
What is your reason, darling?v he
asked, gently.
The place takes an enormous
amount of keeping up, and to leave it
empty with whole host of servants
as it's only inhabitants is preposter-
ous."
But you are rich young lady,
remember. You have no need to
raise an income like this. Dorothy
bit her lip and said nothing. BE
sides, my darling, can not help say
ing | don't like the idea. You know
| am head of the county, and as such
challenge criticism. All the world
knows that you brought me large
fortune. Now what will they think
when they learn that / have permitted
you to let Knebwell? Why, they wiz
say, of course, that your money is be-
ing taken for the Derriman estates,
and that you are compelled to raise
more on your own. / have pride.
Dorothy, and my pride rebels against
this!"
You are dear, stupid old thing!"
she cried, seeing that to continue this
discussion in its present form was
little short of madness.
Another thing" went on Gervais,
taking no notice of her affectionate
rudeness; II was going to breach it
to you at Weir Cottage, but somehow
it went completely out of my
thoughts. Would it not be a kind
action, dear, to offer Knebwell to Sir
George? You know how poor they
are, and this would be a kindness, If
not positive charity. With home
rent free, he could manage to keen
the place in order, and maintain his
social position!"
Dorothy bent and stroked the
mares neck
"The most Quixotic arrangement
ever heard Of, and consequently i'm.
possible of being carried Quit"
Gervais frightened his reins this
time, and his horse pricked up it's
ears. AS rule the hands that guild.
ed him, though firm, were as gentle
as down.
A cloud no larger than mana
hand had arisen, but small as it was,
1t was still there, and shed gloomy
shadow on the peace and contentment
that had filed the earPs breast this
morning.
To be Continued.
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