A Temporary Vagabond

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While wandering through the small town of Hambledon in search of copy, Dick Derelict, a young novelist, meets and falls in love with Peggy, the adopted daughter of James Hurst, a wealthy but mean local landowner, who has never recovered from the mysterious disappearance of his little son, Derrick, through the carelessness of a nurse some twenty years before. While bathing one morning Hurst gets into difficulties, and is rescued by a fishing smack which is not due back in port for five days. The episode is witnessed by Dick, who, aware of the grievances of Hurst's tenants, determines to remedy them during the landlord's enforced absence. From a London hotel, Dick telegraphs instructions in Hurst's name that numerous improvements in the estate are to be carried out immediately, afterwards traveling to Hambledon to share with Peggy the tenants' joy at the news. A week later, Hurst returns from his compulsory voyage, to be welcomed as a popular benefactor by brass bands and cheering crowds. His astonishment and indignation at the trick to which Dick confesses, are changed to delight when he discovers from a birthmark and other evidence that the young author is his long-lost son. After this disclosure Dick and Peggy have no difficulty in securing his consent to their marriage.