Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1911-05-04
Downright, 1904, by w r. Hcarst.}
.AAL aIaaAa Alf ral. laa-Nn

sraSped my hand as he sand THESE
words, and did not release it until he
had led me up the steps of his home
and begun to assist me to unfasten my
| great coat.
And how are you. my lad?" he con-
tinued, without giving me time to reply
to his hearty reception. why you
look us brown as a berry, n certainly
none the worse for your fifteen years
nabobism." -.
had Just returned to England after
having endured the trying climate of
India for fifteen years, and had
hastened at once to the old mansion
where L had spent so many happy days
In the company of my school chum
Stephen, and which was, at the time
of my story. in his sole possession.
A substantial repast was provided
for me in theo old dining room, and after
I had done justice to it, and the gray
headed butler (who had officiated in my
theirs tiine) had brought in the wine.
Stephen and l were soon deep in on
versation on topics peculiarly inter
esting to me.
l had heard o he had married a
beautiful girl, and how fondly he had
loved her, and how, after three months
of married life, she had deserted him.
With whom and whittier she had gone,
no one knew; and her name had be-
come almost a forgotten sound at
! Stanley house.
1 changed the subject of conversa-
tion, and tried to make him forget
the unpleasant recollections which my
words had raised, by relating some of
befallen me while abroad; but, though
he listened with interest. and seemed
to try to shake off the gloom that had
settled upon his min he never quite
regained his wonted c~heerfulness dur
ing the remainder of the evening, and
II T0fSrnd nr1 tn ,1~k l..---yA
by saying it was his custom.
And, knowing it would be useless for
me to turn into bed before midnight.
l put on my hat, lighted another cigar,
and strolled into the grounds to get a
breath of fresh air.
1T was q fine summer night, The
moon was shining brightly from a clear
starlit sky. l knew every foot of the
ground, and visited many of my favor
tie haunts; and 1t must have been after
eleven o'clock before I begin to think
of returning.
AS l drew near the front door my
attention was attracted by the sudden
appearance Of a man bearing a lam
tern, who had evidently heard my foot
steps, for he had stopped and awaited
my approach. At first l thought he
was one of the servants; but, on draw
ing nearer, 1 was surprised to And It
was Stephen. I fastened to speak to
him, when. to my great establishment,
aIter glancing at me eagerly, he turned
away without any sign Of recognition. |
and hurried away in the direction of
the deserted west wing.
My first intention was to call ont |
AFTER him; but I retraced my steps, en-
tered the house and was soon in bed
and asleep.
The next morning when l came down
stairs. l found Stephen already in the
breakfast room awaiting me. He was
standing with his back to the fire.
"Good morning. ALI" he said, smiling |
IN MS cheerful manner. You are an
i see."
Yes" I replied; Y sleep soundly and
therefore rise early"
These late hours seem to me a very
stupid custom, and one which / could
never cultivate. I think, my boy, that
you would have been much wiser lie Won
nad turned In when I did, and slept I'M
til morning."
YOU" oe1o
Tn bed before me-" he repeated,
With : e. e puzzled look. What do you
7 mean just what I say-that 1 was
unless you finish your rest and rise be.
fore midnight"
You u be joking, ALI" he said
incredulously. Il was in bed by nine
o'clock. and was up this morning at
Surely you must be mistaken.
stephen. for I met you or your double
Ct the top Of the avenue last night az
! wa returning to the house."
Indeed I did. I would have spoken
t g yoS, y you hurried away. and u
to be alone" S
1T could not have been me. I wa.