The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1912-04-25
A Family Reunion

- AS0W A040p AO4O 1k1CudIu JOC0lyu
sat reading a letter. 1t was from his
father in England, the fourth ~viscount,
and ran as follows:
You have now been nearly eight
months in America for the purpose Of
selecting a bride, and have not sue
ceeded. You are young. fairly good
looking, heir to an historic name and a
castle-great attractions in the United
States, I understand; all the cards are
in your favor, and yet you cannot find
a single American girl who will link
her fortune with yours. I have OBJ
tanned introductlons for you among
the wealthiest families, and from the
reports that have come back to me I
understand that you have rejected
many opportunities to form alliances.
Now, Richard, / cannot blame you for
your reluctance to marry an Ameri-
car. I could not imagine myself do
Ing such a thing unless her wealth
were ample enough to counteract the
unpleasantness Of her constant prox-
Unity. But l have come to the con-
clusion that you are either hopelessly
devoid Of common sense or else a con-
genital imbecile, and II you marry at
all you'll probably elope with some
designing actress. Therefore. since
the condition Of our finances makes it
essential that you discover a bride at
the earliest possible moment, I shall
sail shortly for New York to help you
in your choice"
Jocelyn put the letter down and
groaned. .
''The devil!" he muttered, striding
up and down the room. Nov I'm in
for it. The governors bound to mar
~ me OF, and from what I know of
him he wouldn't stick at anything II
he could do SO. Talbot"
Ibid you call. sir?" asked his serv-
ant, emerging from the kitchen. a
tump!er in n hand and a towel in
the other.
II did. Talbot. my fathers coming
over in a week or two to get me- mar
Red"
Eyes, sir: hindeed. sir?" answered
Talbot respectfully.
What shall I do, Talbot"
"Wky, sir, I wouldn't do nothink,
sir. It amt much: use doing nothink
when Lord Jocelyn's made hup' is
mind, sir"
But l don't want to meet him,
idiot"
Then why not go 'ome. sir?"
Home? How do you mean?"
IF you was to take the next boat,
sir, Lord Jocelyn might think as 'ow
you 'adn't received is letter, sir, and
meanwhile ed be hin Hamerica hand
you'd be in Hengland, SIR"
IAN excellent plan,, Talbot. my boy"
said Jocelyn. I'LL 60 right down to
the shipping Offices and e about a
ticket on, one Of tomorcow's outgoing
ships"
Eyes, SIR" said Talbot. "Will I pack
for you, sir?"
when I get home, Talbot; I'll see
how the idea strikes me when I've
had luncheon"
He put on his hat and went out into
the avenue. The heat Of summer vas
gone; a few leaves were following
upon the trees in Madison square, and
as Jocelyn gazed around at the city's
streets a sudden revulsion Of feeling
came over him. Why should he return
to England and leave this land of ro-
nance behind him? Let his father do
his worst; let him stop his allow
ance, buster, threaten, rave. at least
he could earn a living here. If only as
a plain soldier in the American army.
And so, having lunched at a modest
restaurant, he put aside his plan and
strolled leisurely homeward.
IF 1 ever find a BRIDE" he unused,
as he turned up the avenue, "she shall
come to me by blind chance, by favor
of fortune, No more scrapings and
shufhings among the plutocracy for
me. And / shall tell the governor
go"
The elevator carried him to the
front door of. his apartment, and, In
sorting his key in the lock, he was
about to open the door. when the
sound of a feminine voice within ar
rested his movements. Very slowly
he pushed the door inward. A lady
was standing in the hall.
"You say that you can cook a sole?'
he heard her call to Talbot. "And
you're sure that you know how to
make sauce tartare?"
Eyes, indeed, my lady" answered
the servitor.
Excellent. Then Lord Jocelyn and
i will dine here together this eve
ming"
Lord Jocelyn closed the door with
out a sound, and, standing on the mat
without, took of his hat and famed
himself.
"whew!" he whistled. "she's GER
,tainly come. Who can she be? my
llady?' Can it be that I have become
. benedict without knowing It'll"
Here there flashed through his mind
a.whimsical idea which, If carried out,
would not only afford him q little
needed diversion, but would be the
best means Of enabling him to discov.
or Just what fate had contrived for
him. From the glimpse that he had
caught Of the lady he was positive he
had never seen her before; ergo, abe