Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1911-06-08

q~uestioningly at the maid servant who
opened the door to him.
Nobody of that name in the house,
SIR"
NO? You surprise me-" he smiled.
teen added: However, as l am not
blind, I can see her at this very mo-
n.ent playing tennis in the court"
He pointed casually in the direction
osthe distant lawn.
THAT is Miss Peggy Smith. sir. The
g ,ntleman she is playing with, being
TIN young MASTER"
The little man coughed.
"Then, my good girl, would O have
the kindness to tell Miss Peggy Smith
that Mr.. George Brent, solicitor to the
late earl of Porthawn, would like to
see her for a few minutes"
The servant stared, then asking the
solicitor into the house. h showed
him into the drawing room and de-
parted on her errand. Brent had not
long to wait, for ere many minutes
had elapsed, the door opened and a
pretty, winsome girl entered the room.
closely followed by the young fellow
whom the solicitor had seer playing
tennis with her.
$50 have found me at last, Mr..
Brent she remarked by way of greet
ing.
"'Um, yes. my dear Lady Vesdris,'
replied the solicitor, l should be pleased
" yOA "O0AN CCSOlA 1ilC a ASW 1lA1AuSCS
private conversation-alone."
We'll, we are alone, dear M. Brent"
said Vesdris, smiling. Bert being in
h room does not alter h fact for
we, you see-we ave no secrets from
each Other.''
led more than ever. Am l to under-
stand, by that confession, that you are
engaged to this gentleman"
Not yet" replied Vesdris, hurriedly.
before Bertram Wilmot had TIM to get
a word in edgeways. "We--we"-
she paused, then flushing holly. said:
what was it that you wanted to see
ME alone or?"
sAll, of course, l was forgetting the
object of my visit in the pleasure of
seeing you" The smile died from his
lips, as he added, seriously. TT is my
pleasant duty to inform you that my
late client, the earl of Porthawn, died
as his lordship's only surviving relative,
inherit alike his estates in the duchy of
Cornwall n his fortune" He paused;
then added: The title, of course
lapses, though it could doubtless be re-
tracted a suitable marriage"
Vesdris laid a hand on the little
mans arm.
THAT, Mr.. Brent, YOU know that I
should always do" she said, smiling
into his eyes.
II am far from being certain on
that point" said the solicitor, a slight
note of testiness apparent in his voice.
Il remember the time when you told
me in all seriousness thai you wanted
to marry h gardeners boy"
But that was when l used to invite
you up to the schoolroom to tea with
my dolls, Mr.. Brent"
Tho were happy days, Vesdris,
when l used to come n drink thin
blefuls of tea with you and listen to
the respective history of your dollies!
Eth? I little thought then that you
would ever nave been thrown alone
on the hard world as Miss Peggy Smith.
Two years hard hunting it has taken
me to find you"
Il knew that you would want me to
come to If / let you know of my
whereabouts" Vesdris said softly, II
did not ant to be a burden on you.
for l thought that l could earn my WI
living! Rather than do that I would
have accepted the hundred a year I'm
Gle Walter offered me, when he stepped
into everything at the death OF my
poor father" Her lips trembled omin-
ously for a moment, then steadying, she
continued, Il have been very happy,
here. Everybody has been so kind to
me, and Bert has looked after me as
carefully as II I were his own sister,"
Perhaps more SO than If o were,'
said the solicitor dryly, adding briskly
as the young man colored awkwardly,
well, I must be off now. I am due at
York at 2, and"-
lunch," said Wilmot, speaking for the
first time. II know Peggy-er-Lady
vesdris would"-
Thank you. but I am afraid I can
not. / have just ten minutes in which
to get to the station" The solicitor
spoke briskly. Good bye! OF course
you must leave here. little girl, at once
and come up to town. You have a lot
Of documents to sign before you car
enter possession of your own. Let me
see. today Is Monday shall expect
you at my Office not later that Tuesday
week. Good bye! Good bye! Remem-
Der what I said about the title and
are me of the biggest, ifnot the biggest
heiresses in England, you have money
enough to revive IT," And so saying
the busy little solicitor walked to the
door and out Of the house.
Bert was standing by the window
his hands thrust down into his jacket
pockets. gazing absent-mindedly out
he in his w thoughts that ne wal
unaware OF Vesdris's presence till he
felt her hand lightly placed on hit
shoulder.
Bert" she said, w~istfully you told
me this morning that you had some.
thing to speak to me about"
He turned to gaxe at the girl besid,
him in mute agony.
Wont you tell me now what It wal
you wanted to say to me, dear?"
mo, ] am afraid that I cannot" h,
said hoarsely, 40 once again to turned
to look out Of the window. 'T-I-tt
tell you the truth. IL forget what
WAS 40in1 In lovO