The Monte Vista journal., 1915-07-31


his chair and bowed. johnson no
ticsd that II did not occur to him to
extend his hand. The old man. with
his white. flowing beard and flashing
eyes. his bowed shoulders and sense
OF being one with the historic past Of
his race. presented . pitiful spectacle.
sit down. sir" said Lord Claverins.
Mr.. Jones'" he added, to the agent.
will you please call Lady Elinorl"
But II was not necessary for the
agent to stir. for At that moment there
came into the room the most beautiful
girl that johnson had ever seen.
This gentleman 10 Mr.. Johnson"
said Lord Clavering to his daughter.
and Lady Elinor bowed. Again John
son noticed that It did not occur to her
to extend her hand.
The agent cleared his throat. Hum!
This IL . littls-painful. your lord
ship" he said. II am making this
statement by your wish" -
1T 10 the only condition upon which
! will consent to sell Mr.. johnson my
estate" answered Lord Clavering.
The agent cleared his throat again.
"Mr. Johnson" he began. when you
announced your desire to purchase
his lordship's Scottish estate, then In
the market, you understood that Lord
Clavering was only disposing Of 1t
under strong necessity3"
johnson bowed.
His lordship has lived here all his
life. He has no other home. His lord
ship sells only on the understanding
that you permit him and his daughter
to occupy the lodge at your gates"
johnson stared at the agent and
felt the blood dye his face. He had
not understood that Lord Clavering
was 20 poor. though he knew that his
debts were heavy enough to eat up
the price Of the sale. He half regret
ted having been inclined to purchase.
II 10 one thing for q young Chicago
man Of seven and twenty to decide
to buy . Scotch estate with the money
left by his Scotch father, always eager
to return to the land Of his ancestors,
and dying before the wish could be
realized. But It 10 another matter to
discover that the dream can be
achieved only by causing sorrow to
others,
One month later johnson came into
possession OF the castle. His fathers
acquired wealth enabled him to supply
. stan Of servants and to keep up his
position ~ the new lord OF the estate.
And It was q singularly lonely life that
unveiled itself before him.
To begin with. he discovered that
the tenants regarded him a. An In.
terloper. He had not anticipated that.
In his country, when one bought an
estate the goodwill of the neighbors
went with II ~ . matter OF course.
Then there was Lord Clavsring at
the gate. II CALLED the young man to
see the farmer, who passed him with
an uncomprehending stare. raise his
cap to the gatekeeper. And Johnson
began to understand something OF the
pride which permitted the old man to
occupy that mental position rather
than leave the place where hs had
been born.
Then there was the matter Of the
automobiles. cousins of Clavering,
Just returned from India. who drove
up to the castle. heard Johnson's ex.
plantations with blank amazement. and
Immediately went to the lodge. where
they spent festive afternoon. John
son heard their ringing laughter a.
he sat modify upon the balcony. q
boycotted man.
One thing alone kept him from
throwing up the castle In disgust. and
that was Lady Elinor. He had known
from his flrst sight OF her that he loved
her. When he passed her. he riding
and she walking, his lifted hat pro-
duced only the coolest sign Of recog-
milton.
1t was not In his nature to give up.
But his invitations were declined with
scant ceremony. his overtures frigid-
iy denied. And. like Mordecai at the
gate OF the Persian king. Lord Claver-
ing sat before the porter's lodge. his
daughter by his, side. while Johnson
chafea' and fumed impotently within
the castle.
At last he rent for Mr.. Jones and
announced his decision to sell the
place. The agent listened blandly.
Il can't say I'm kreatly surprised.
Mr. Johnson" he said. 1T was not Q
wise business investmeL.t However,
! think can get you q purchaser At .
little less than the original price. Mr..
Ballantyne has been sounding me-"
my neighbour
Eyes, sir. II you have decided I