J. S. Fletcher

“ With a muttered word of thanks Guy took both pocket-book and candle from him, and crossing the room to its furthest side set down the candle on an oak press, and by its light proceeded to examine the pocket-book, while Harry and Valencia watched him. The examination was brief: Guy, after a quick glance at some of the papers which he drew from the old case, transferred certain of them to a wallet which he produced from a hip-pocket; this done he put wallet and pocket-book together and placed them where the wallet had come from. He blew out the candle and turned to his brother and sister. ”

“ During the next half-hour, Valencia, listened to the two men as they discussed matters of rent, repairs, income, outgoings, realized that whatever else Guy might be, he was a shrewd business man; she realized, too, that he was honestly anxious to give Harry sound advice as to his future management of the Markenmore properties. ”

“ Her room faced the east; far away across the park and the low range of hills beyond the fringe of old woodland that enclosed it, a broad belt of red was slowly widening. And already thrush and blackbird were piping in the coverts, and a lark was rising from the home meadow. ”

“ It's because I remember her and her kindness that I'm going to make Markenmore over to you now."
"Thank you!" said Valencia. "We'll remember. But Guy—your father's at the end of things. Won't you see him?"
"No!" answered Guy sharply. "No! I'm dead to him—and what's the good of upsetting a dying man? Let things be, Valencia—as I said just now, perhaps you'll know more and understand more, later on. At present——"
The door opened just then, and Harry came back into the room. In his right hand he carried a lighted candle ”

“ The light tinkle of a bell, very gently pulled, interrupted Braxfield at the beginning of whatever suggestion he was going to offer. At its sound he and Valencia stared and looked at each other.
"He must be back again! "exclaimed Valencia.
"No, miss," said Braxfield; "Mr. Guy would come to the garden entrance—always his way, that. This is our front door bell."
He picked up an old-fashioned lantern as he spoke, lighted the candle with it, and went out. Valencia followed him. The corridor and the big hall were in darkness the turning ”

“ I mind him well enough: a red-faced gentleman."
"Older than herself?" asked Valencia.
"Old enough to be her father, miss. But a very wealthy gentleman. They were married here in our church, soon after that, and a bit later the regiment was ordered out to India, and, of course, she went with her husband. Queer, isn't it, miss," continued Braxfield, with a shy glance at his young mistress, "that these people which knew each other well in the old days, Mrs. Tretheroe and the two gentlemen, Mr. Guy and Mr. ”

“ Finally, he pulled out and handed to his younger brother a card.
"There's my business address in London," he said, "and on the other side is an address in New York, to which you can write at any time during the next twelve months. Let me know how things go—everything. And now, I must be off." ”