Stories with a Vengeance — page 77: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

LORD SEVERNOAK’S DAUGHTER. Mary Shadwell addressed him at once. “Before sending for Lord Severnoak, will you be good enough to settle what you have so kindly called about. He naturally dishkes any kind of business connected with the estate.” Mr. Webster bowed, and answered, “I am happy to have it in my power to oblige his lordship. As I am my own steward, this house would lie idle on my hands; 80 if Miss Courtnaye and Lord Severnoak will honour me by keeping possession of it as iong as it suits them, they will confer a real favour upon me.” “We are quite willing—quite able to rent it, if you will kindly allow us to do so,” put in Cecil, in her soft, plaintive voice. ‘“ We are very independent people,” she continued, with a charming smile, although her sensi- tive lips were quivering. Mr. Webster’s keen perception showed him what would be the right course to pursue; so bowing again, he answered, “It shall be as you wish;” and at this moment her father entered. Lord Severnoak had quite made up his mind to find in John Webster a business man, who would be perhaps a little awk- ward in society to which he was unaccus- tomed. There was therefore a dash of patronage in the courtesy with which he extended his hand to his visitor. He did not all at once find out that John Webster’s deference was for age and misfortune, not for title or high birth. Had Lord Severn- oak retained his exalted position he would not perhaps have found the “ ironmonger”’ quite so respectful. As it was, his de- ference flattered the old man’s pride, and it never occurred to him that the man of business was a millionaire and he himself a beggar. He did discover that his new acquaint- ance was an intellectual, well-informed tleman—one who had travelled a good deal—and that his conversation was very pleasing. Although conversing with the father, Mr. Webster did not lose a single word or look of the daughter’s. He was forty-five years old, and his hair was beginning to turn gray. For twenty of those years he had been hard at work making money. Fe had never in the course of his life given a thought toa woman; but it was fated that at his mature age he was to fall in love as suddenly and helplessly as aboy of seventeen. The indifferent glances of a pair of brown eyes caused his heart to flutter, and the tones of a low, sweet voice | lingered in his ears like the soft sigh of a summer wind. : It was a case of love at first sight. Google 73 Cecil was not by any means looking her best. She was paler than usual, and there was a heaviness about her eyes that be- tokened weariness; nevertheless, John Webster completely lost his head over her beauty. She smiled upon him, for her father seemed pleased with his conversation, and the infatuated man lingered so long that, tea being brought in, he was invited to share the modest meal, an invitation which he accepted with manifest delight. How quickly he was taken possession of by the malicious urchin! The tea was nectar, the bread and butter ambrosia, and the young girl who handed him his cup the very goddess of love and beauty! When he rose at last to go, Lord Severn- oak pressed him to renew his visit, and he was only too happy to give a willing assent. “You are fond of flowers, Miss Court- nayeP” he asked, stopping before a bowl of lovely roses. , “Oh, yes, passionately. But I do not care for cut blossoms. I love to see them growing and nestling among their green leaves.” “My gardens are at your service, if you and Miss Shadwell care to—care to a He hesitated, remembering that his gar- dens had been her’s not very long ago. “Thank you,” she said, gently. “It will give us great pleasure to visit them now and then.” . . Cecil’s small white hand touched his for a second at parting, and the touch sent a thrill through his heart and lingered in his een as he walked home through the ark. Love, among” new-born, was no weak sentiment in his case, requiring to be nourished and cherished to maturity. It came all at once, strong and full grown, almost overwhelming him with its force and intensity. | ‘“‘ And she is as far above me as yonder star,” he said, pausing to lift his hat from his brow, ‘“‘as unapproachable as the sun. What madness is thisP As if she would bestow a thought upon me! With my gray hairs, too!” he continued, bitterly. * Oh, I must not see her again!” “The most gentlemanly man I have met this long time,” affirmed Lord Severnoak, as the door closed upon their landlord. ci “Notwithstanding his being an iron- monger,” said Cecil, slyly, for she was in high spirits at seeing her father so pleased. ‘He is not an ironmonger, child. Grimes called here this afternoon and told me all about him. His father was a great con- tractor, and left him a colossal fortune. It CY, JOO S CO)