The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-03-21
TREMBLING ROAD

admitting 10 a long bedroom facing
south. Here rich rug was spread on
the bare floor, handsome draperies
curtained the windows. a tall mahoR-
any bureau faced him. and In the
middle OF the room was a mahogany
four-post bedstead covered with -
rich silk quilt.
The bed was occupied.
While Darlington hesitated some-
body came out Of the shadow Of the
curtains and advanced toward him
quickly. throwing backward look
and word toward tho occupant OF
the bed as she came.
Some one has come to buy tina
place. grandfather. I'll BIO back In y
moment"
Darlington was almost guilty Of
staring at the beautiful girl who con-
fronted him In the hall, even while
he barred his head and listened to her.
4 don't know who you are" she
murmured hastily. but I'm going to
ask favor u you. My grandfather
Is dying. and he has set his heart ON
selling the place before he dies so
that he can provide for me. Would
you object to pretending that YOU
have come to look at the place and
want to buy II? 1t would be harm
less deception and would ease his
last hours" She spoke pleadingly.
her hands clasped tightly In front Of
her. -
Certainly" said carrinkton.
quickly; 'and there won't be any
deception about the matter. either.
because I have come down to look at
the Fletcher place with the intention
Of huying II. thought the house
was unoccupied. ! beg your pardon
for intruding.''
That does not matter in the least
We are very poor. grandfather and I.
ana the Few rooms up here. are all we
have to live in. Come and speak IN
him. She led the way back into
the room. where small. shriveled
old man lay dying. Darlington could
guess after one rapid glance about
the room that the giri mad sur
rounded her aged relative With every
luxury the old place afforded.
I'm goins-going fast. Reset"
whimpered the old man a. she
caught one OF his hands 20 her H>s
"Has--somc one come to buy the
place.
Yes" answered Darlington im-
puIsively. I've come down from the
city to look II over and buy II. What
Is your price,"
The dying man turned his eyes to-
ward the stranger and smile Wild
ened his lips. Its worth Z good
deal more. but I'll take ten thousand
cash for It," he croaked.
Just give Rose here something to
bind the bargain--have Il In writing.
sleep a little while Rose-you'vo .
been GOOD girl. I'm contented 70
go now~--the place 10 Sold" he added.
He sank back on the pillow and
closed his eyes and did not breathe
again.
carrington found himself in the
unique position Of comforting : psr-
fectly strange girl In the loss q her
only relative: but Rose Fletcher hAA
been through too much skreAe "
poverty and storm OF A6llction 10
rive way to her Gricf SITTER The flrst
shock was over. In = few words 1hs
told Garrington tho facts Of their
stead. Thomas Fletcher. the old
man who had just died, was = dio-
tant cousin Of the former owner ~
the place and had come into the nfOb.
erty short time before. The former
owner had been lAnd.poor and when
tourneyed to Swampton to make their
homo In the old place they found 4
q desoIate wreck of what they h1A
expected to And.
80 It happened that Alec CARING
ton was the only person 70 stand be-
was laid to his last rest ID the family
plot. He It was who advised her .Aa>d
found home for her with tho 6kxnilY
Of the minister In 6wampton until
her grandfather's affairs should ~
settled UP.
Because Carrington's client did M
care for the old Fletcher placa CaE@
rtngton managed to ruPchase u him.
self and make good his promiGn1 ~
the old man. and who can ny th9t
the young real estate dealer did not
have visions Of day when thu Old
place should be restored 70 IL fot1nee
comfortable homslineas ana that "
Fletcher should continue 70 llve thet4
IN tho persons Of CArrington's WtfA N
ROsef
do you know Of any good remedy
for deadlock"
Il should suggest key to the ~.
uation. - Baltimore American.