The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1913-02-11

ged to be excused. Would the gentle.
man kindly give his views to Miss Le-
land, the governess, who would trans
NIT them to the writer?
Miss Leland being rather pretty
and evidently inclined to detain Mr..
Markland, he settled himself in an
easy chair before the fire. They dis.
coursed for awhile on the affairs Of
the Markland company, which he knew
little about, then branched off on to
other topics. He found Miss Leland
not only competent to instruct a child,
but to give him information on a va
riety of subjects. Nevertheless she
had the art to make it appear that he
knew a great deal more than she and
to be listening to the words Of wisdom
dropped from his rather than her own
rosy lips. He spent an hour with her
and was about to take his departure
when she said that she would report
what he had said about the Markland
company to Miss Osgood and let him
know if she had any further message
for him.
Miss Leland was gone some time
and when she returned had doffed the
simple morning costume she had worn
and appeared in more becoming If
not more elaborate toilet. She said
that Miss Osgood had been much i'm
pressed with his suggestions with ref
erence to a settlement of the Mark
land company problem and hoped that
If he would call again she might be
able to add to them herself. She de-
sired that he would remain to lunch
con and would consent to be entertain
ed by Miss Leland as her representa-
tive.
Markland was much pleased at the
way the affair was progressing. The
luncheon proved enjoyable, and while
at table MARYLAND took occasion to di-
rect the conversation upon Miss Os-
good. Her representative was quite
willing to talk about her and gave her
the highest praise. But when Mark
land questioned her in detail she did
not respond favorably.
"Is Miss Osgood beautiful?' he asked
"Oh, no. l should not call her that"
"Intelligent?"
81 fear she is rather inclined to COM
mon sense"
That's the highest kind of intelli-
gence, to my thinking. She's some
thing of business woman, isn't she?"
"What makes you think SOP"
"Why, she seemed to understand my
gIIprnctinnS with rI 70 fhn r1y
land company"
"Yes; l think Miss Osgood knows
enough about business to take care of
her own interests"
"HowP
Miss Leland thought for a few mo-
ments, then said, "She has told me-but
l suppose l shouldn't speak Of that"
Marlland urged her to do so, and
she continued There is a movement
on foot to unite the separate interests
by a marriage with your friend Mr..
Markland."
The visitor pricked up his ears.
Together they would hold a major
ity of the stock and the control l may
as well confess that 1 have mentioned
the matter to you by Miss Osgood's
order, because she wishes me to learn
from you something about Mr.. Mark
land"
81 shall be very happy to inform
her." replied Markland, with a sup
pressed chuckle Proceed to question
me-"
SIS he handsome"
"On the contrary, he is very plain"
"Is he considerate and deferential
toward women"
"As for that, l can only say that he
would make an excellent husband"
Miss Leland ceased her questions
and after some thought said:
II can assure you that Miss Osgood,
whatever her delinquencies, would
make a good wife. You have assured
me that Mr.. Markland would make a
good husband. 1t seems to me, there
fore, that it only remains for them to
meet and see if they are agreeable to
each other"
Exactly"
Would you say as much to your
friendW
81 will be most happy to do so. 1
am going to his house from here and
will tell him at once"
"And give him an invitation, please,
to call on Miss Osgood tomorrow morn
ing at the same hour you called today"
BE assured that will"
MARYLAND went away chuckling.
How admirably he had played his
game! And what a simple, confiding,
lovely creature was the governess!
What surprise there would be tomor-
row when he announced himself as
Vinton Markland!