That Stick

This eBook was prepared by Les Bowler.
by CHARLOTTE M. YONGE author of ‘the heir of redclyffe’, ‘unknown to history’, etc.
London MACMILLAN AND CO. and new york
1892
All rights reserved

‘Oh, there’s that stick. What can he want?’ sighed one of a pair of dignified elderly ladies, in black silk, to the other, as in a quiet country-town street they saw themselves about to be accosted by a man of about forty, with the air of a managing clerk, who came up breathlessly, with a flush on his usually pale cheeks.
‘Miss Lang; I beg pardon! May I be allowed a few words with Miss Marshall? I know it is unusual, but I have something unusual to tell her.’
‘Nothing distressing, I hope, Mr. Morton,’ said one of the ladies, startled.
‘Oh no, quite the reverse,’ he said, with a nervous laugh; ‘in fact, I have unexpectedly come into a property!’
‘Indeed!’ with great astonishment, ‘I congratulate you,’ as the colour mounted in his face, pleasant, honest, but with the subdued expression left by long years of patience in a subordinate position.