Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-03-12

u I Y @ "sers saa '' to spend nd
he summer at Hilltop, our country NOME
had never met fathers new secretary
md | didn't feel much enthusiasm over
having a clerk from the big steel stofa
inter our family circle, which consisted or
ust father and me. Father said tnat NJ.
rhompkins was not an ordinary clerk, but
could not believe that any one WITH
such name could be anything but oroi-
nary.
When 7 Sa the secretary knew a.
,nce why father had been attracted =
him He English. Indeed, VERY
english our family was English some
generations ago. and, while father $ m
,enseiv American at heart. he prides hinl-
self great deal on his British an
.estry.
1t was pleasure TO me TO ma tnat nv
rhompkins did not look i'll the least IKE
lis name. There was something very
distinguished about his stalwart figure
md ruddy blondness. His was the rosy
wholesome type of a Young Englishman
hat one associates with cold water. plenty
If exercise and not TOO much porting over
books Fortunately. father is not much
# literary man himself. or he would
,ble secretary even for the short time
hat he filled the position,
As il was. father was very we'll pleased
with Mr. Thompkins for while. They
1sed 10 come out together on early
rain every afternoon and work in the
study for an hour or two. Then father
would take his nap in the hammock and
Mr.. Thompkins would coach me ten
nj y-l6 fin
-ealy getting me into pretty good form
Ehen-but / haven't come 10 that part Of
ne story Yet.
Father expected 10 go 10 England In the
.all 10 look after his claim 10 a great
English estate of which he believed that
ae was the rightful heir. 1t was in prep
,ration for this trip that he had engaged
secretary. He wished TO leave all his
American interests in perfect order. So
hat he could remain in England inde:i
litely, and he and the secretary were
working over a plan TO convert the steel
business into stock company.
''Oh. no. my dear" father answered.
when ! asked him if Mr.. Thompkins could
give him much assistance in the matter
IF the family records. He doesn't know
anything about it and l don't wish him
20. Ny attorneys over there will look
after my interests. IL | find / am the
rightful heir. l wish it 10 be a complete
surprise TO friends in this country
Thompkins is all right He is a very nice
fellow. but / don't wish him to be med
ding with my private affairs, SO not \
word 10 him about it,
''Very we'll. father / replied dutifully.
never could he quite sure whether father
took his expectations seriously or not. but
was very certain that he liked to have
me treat the subject with gravity.
You may be a lady of title one OF these
DAYS. Sue Father smiled at me with
that indulgent air SO becoming TO fathers
and comforting TO daughters If YOU
are | know YOU will he just the same in
dependent little democrat that you are
nov. and that YOU will treat Mr. Thomp-
kns just kindly ever. even il he
does belong 10 the middle class But
there. hang it all. don't believe in class
distinctions. My mothers father kept a
retail grocery store, and | am no better
than my grandfather. even if do hap
pen TO be a wholesaler in steel
Then he must have been very good
man. daddy" | ventured
father. Sue"
-ts time went on father became more
and more engrossed in his genealogical
studies. He often sat late into the night
tracing back his connection with the
English family of Grantleish. \ son of
Lord Grantleigh had come TO this country
late IN the seventeenth century and father
believed him to have been the rightfli
,;f,,
had descended
Sometimes ] wondered If Mr.. Thompkins
lad also embarked in genealogical re-
searches, for he seemed quite as absorbed
in some mystery as did father. But one
DAY he confided TO me that he was work.
ing on an invention. that. if successful.
would revolutionize certain industries in
This country, and undoubtedly win for him
fortune. He was spending most of his
spare time perfecting the work, and de-
sired 70 keep the matter secret until he
had II ready for the patents. felt rather
proud to be in his confidence, and We use
10 talk a great deal about it,
What does this mean" asked father
coming upon us suddenly one warm after
in the grape arbor. where we were
resting from tennis. and Harold-Mr.
Thompkins' name is Harold-was explain
ing 10 me the mechanism OF his inven-
ton. II was embarrassing TO have faths
find Mr.. Thompkins' arm around me. But
then we had intended TO tell father that
very night.
What does this mean he thundered
again as | stood before him abashed
1t means. said Harold, that 1 loge
Your daughter. and she las promised.
with your consent. TO marry me | was
proud of Harold at that moment, for lie
did not quail before fathers furious
r,ance.
That consent will never give" roared
father and wish YOU TO leave this pla e
Al once. You will find check in the
study"
He strobe away. leaving Harold and m
sadly gazing at each other.
He viii surely relent. said Harold
after a short silence. e
oh. Harold. | replied, tearfuly, he
es>IS have deceived him and il