8
THK DA1LF EVENING TELEG K A PH Till PL E SHEET PHILADELPHIA, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 24,
wfM-.s A ,T) rilE O HOSTS.
The Manor HousY 11
Among It, KSr.r5' d KrlM
hun when the shadow.. 1iul
Slow dropping to flUent placev
The home long since f it no.,..
Forever paes'd away.
No footstep on Its threshold falls,
No voice Is henrd within its halls,
But still upon the mould'riDg walla
Tho faded pictures hang:
The portraits o that ancient line
Bard, wan lor, statesman, and divine.
And matrons 6tatcly, maidens flno,
Once loudly toasted o'er the wlue,
Until the rafters rang.
At Christmas-tide, they eay, each year,
The Hst'nlng peasants vow they hear,
While lights gleam in tho ball,
Strange music, beautiful and clear;
And aye avoid in dread and fear
The gray and ruin'd wall!
One Christmas-tide at the dead of night, ,
When the moon was high and the enow
white
On meadow A hill,
Bo quiet and still,
That the world seem'd sleeping,
The wind seein'd dead,
When the stars were keeping
lay
1 heir watch o erbead,
A troop of villagers, all intent
On carol-singing, their footsteps bent
From house to house; and wherever they went
Sang the tidings ot joy, which lone ago
TLc shining angels in glory bright
Told aloud in the midst of the night
To the shepherds keeping their flocks below.
O Giles! O Giles! O faithless Giles!
What are you doing there on the tiles?
Your grandmother said,
When j ou went to bed,
She hoped you had quite got out of your head
The notion you hud,
Disobedient lad,
Of joining the carollers. This is too bad!
Now she'a asleep,
From your bed you creep,
And out on the roof it is somewhat steep
And slippery tee how the snow-flakes glisten
You sit and listen
To learu whereabouts the carollers are
You had better ko back to bed by far,
Or something will happen, sure as fate,
To make you repent, when it's all too late!
In vain!
It is plaiu
That he will uot refrain.
Cautiously down the roof he crawls,
And not without some stumbles and falls
Reaches the ground
All pafe and souud,
And hurries away with a stride and a bound.
Hark! there's music in the wood.
He's hurryiug thither, by all that's good!
flow very absurd!
For the boy has heard
A thousand times thut the ball is haunted;
But ou ho goes, and never feels d lunted,
For he saj s to himself as ho goes along,
That ghosts there may be
Of men, but he'
Ne'er heard in his life of the ghost of a song;
That whatever sprites
Iu the winter nights
Perchance may revisit the glimpse of the moon,
There's no ghost of a chance lor a ghost of a
tune.
'
The hall is bright
With many a light;
And noble lady and noble knight
As if from its lramo
Each picture came,
By two and two,
A strange-looking crew
Are going the cuntry-dauce mazes through.
Yonder maid
Iu her grave was laid
About the time of the last Crusade.
The gentleman near
Was a Cavalier,
And was kill'd by an Ironside severe.
The beautiful blonde
Standing beyond
Was one of whom Harry the Eighth was fond.
Her partner, I guess,
Is nobody less
Than a Lord High Admiral, temp.
Queeu Bees.
But what is that, there
CroucU'd down by a chair,
With chattering teeth and bristling hair ?
It is No ! Yes ! Truly 'tis Giles, I declare,
Wishing himself, you may safely swear,
In the cupboard or under the stair
Anywhere anywhere anywhere!
He fainted away,
And there he lav
Till nomebody found him at break of day.
They put him to bed,
And' tbey shaved his head,
'Twas a very bad case of fever they said.
And ihey would not receive
At all, or believe
The story he told
Of the Manor House old,
And the wonderful sight he had chanced to be
hold. What Might Have Happened One
liristmas Time.
TUB LAST BTORY WRITTEN BT MARK LEMON.
Christmas was coming. Thtro were Indica
tions of its approach everywhere. The grocers,
the butchers, ana ianey emporiums, all pro
claimed Christmas was coming. At the railway
stations there was more than the usul bustle
moie wagons going to and fro, more cabs for
down traius, more pleasant faces; fewer looking
'business,' nothing but 'business.' No doubt of
It, Christmas was coming.
Where for, 6ir?'
'Little Stanford.'
'What class, sir?'
'Second. Put my rug and portmanteau into
the carnage, and here s something for you.'
The traveller was a handsome, well-formed
oune man oi two-ana-twenty, one who evl
dently was prepared to look the world in the
face aud to force his way onwards, Ilia name
was Reginald Wainwrigut.
Having paid the cubinan, Reginald entered
the elation, and, taking his ticket, weut ou to
the platform. A neat brougham drove up and a
young man got out.
'Where for, sir?'
'Little Stanford.'
'What class first, sir!''
iYes, firfct.'
Have your things lu with you, sir?'
'Yes thanks.'
And the new comer having rpoken a few
words to Lis servant, entered the station, and,
Attaining his ticket, weut on to the platform
His name was Waller Mainwarlug. Iu a minute
or two the young men confronted each.
'Ah, Reginald, exclaimed Walter, holding
out his hand, which the other took somewhat
slowly, 'g!ad to have met you. Why, I've not
seen you time our day shooiiug on the 1st.'
'No,' r plied Reginald, coldly, 'London is a
Yust city; the dlstauce is great Letweeu Clarges
'It Is you that make it so, Regi,' Buld Walter,
entiling. 'You know that inv lather, tlster, all
f us are ra et glad to see you.
Well, I'll believe so ; but a lonely fellow Is
apt to grow captious, especially when ouly
clerk in a merchant's counting-house.'
'And what am I, Cou&ln Regi?' replied Walter
'The governor keeps me to the desk as clo3cly
a tnougn i were a stranger.
'Qnite right. You will have leisure enough
fc taint s, when be makes you bis partner. '
'Tak your places, take yo'.ir pla.-e",' aw!e
JprH-1 oa guar!.
'Where's your carriage? we'll travel together,'
said Walter.
'I fancy not; I go second,' replied Reginald.
'And no will 1. Here, porter, get out my
things'
'No time now, sir; train five minutes late.
Get In, please, sir;' and so the cousins, for such
the young men were, journeyed apart until
they reached Little Stanford, where their nnclo,
. - . . , . i. ! 1 .1 IT- 1. 1 1
Mr. Italpu Mam waring, resiuuu. jio uau ueeu
".irosperous stock-broker, and having pur
mi" XVTf fnir e8lale Jn tne country, retired
i 7 "Vt an onlv daughter to keep house
for him. it .. bl8 c,ltiUm to invito his
nephews at stated ....,, t f n
September taliiSJ?.". V1
tridgeB, iiua at Christmas time to lo,," ' pthn
1hcmiiiih. JU8 Old not ShOOl nimSClt, Uui h.
E reserved after a fashion, and Invited some of
is tenants to a day's sport occasionally.
Reginald was a legacy from a dear sister who
died soon after her husband bad been lost at
Iu?' ,,avi"tf fier witu very scauiy means. But
iootl?ood ,,rothcr Ralph came to her help and
h, v h o.JiT,1"1 hoiir byjthe assurance that her
A- V. for.
Walter was iu, f M Mainwaring's
brother, a thriving ci -rchaIlt who had veu
tures to all parts of the fife" ," Jd2 too buiV
ever to visit Little Stanlord; bdi'lut . alwats
ready to send an ambaseador, thinkiu,
doubt, that, it was highly politic to keep up
friendly relations with bis brother, tho more
especially as nearly all Ralph's ready money
was invested in the house of Main waring, Wap
sholl & Company.
Cousin Fmily was waitiug to give them wel
come in me station, Having driven from Sian-
the iraiWLT1 her pony-carriage, whilst Traps,
thSKi'if.u.M,lrbrol,'!ht h" cft,for
tion of Little Stanford and" . a(1.,n, ra;
her skill in hanflling them was no lesSen;'a"1
of general commendation. There was quite'a
contest lietwteu the young men as to who should
sit beside tie fair charioteer, and as she posi
tively declined to give the casting vote, Regi
nald proposed that tbey should toss for the
honor, and Reginald wou.
Emily AlaiHwaring was a capital girl to have
rule In a country house. Without a particle of
that detestable 'faetmiss' which has so deterior
ated the charms of English maidens, she had a
happy freedom of manner which made every
one at ease, and a cmsiderateness which iusured
tne comfort and enjoyment of every guest, otie
was very fond of her cousins, aud their advent
at the Hall was alwa's locked to with pleasure
both by ber father and her-clf, and this was
made evident the moment tho visitors entered
he houpe. There was the beaming old gentle
man illuminating, as it were, tie doorwav.
whilst the background of smiling servants
seemed delighted at the prospect of increased
duties. There was no make-believe iu the shake
of the hand or the ring of the mellow voice
which told the bo,y8 they were weleoiue, always
welcome; nor was there any possibility (nor In
clination) to pass by the Jlacon of cherry brandy
whith Botiing the butler had received orders to
administer ou the instant of arrival.
And then the bonfires in the bel-ros:ns.
Emily tad seen to them before driving to tho sta
tion. No heap of cinders just smouldering for
appearand sake, but a pile of crackling wood-
logs ou a suMstratuiH ot globing coils, till
gracious heat going at once to the marrow aud
thawing whatever there might be uudissolvel
by the cherry brandy. Theu tho beds wlih their
udtr-down coverlids and, pued-un pillow, that
lnade the new-comers almost wisu it were bed
time, had nov past experience recalled the
oruing savory luncheon, with Its h mest, home
brewed dingo, aud the good dinner which the
doctor and parson never refused to share wheu
Invited thereto, and no better assurance of the
excellence of the viands aud superiority of the
wine could oe uesireu.
The young men made a brief toilette and
then joined their host in the dluiug-roim.
Einilv had catered delightfully, aud ber coulna
gratified her by doing ample justice to the
luncheon. The round poud was lu excellent
condition for skakiug: so the whole party ad
journed thither, as Emily excelled in that
graceful pastime. Then home again to diuner;
but we are warned by tho space allotted to us
that however pleasant it would be to us to re-
couut all the cheerful doings at Stanford Hill,
we uiUHt forbear, and proceed as deftly as we
cau to the narration of thy events which will
constitute our story.
lo know Linlly Malnwaring was to love her,
especially if the heart chanced not to be pre
occupied. She was not, strictly speaking,
ncautiful; but .1 a nose a little relroussee and a
chin a trifle too round and short would not have
satfied Phidias, yet the rosiest of lips, the
vtiiiieti of teeth, the brightest of hazel eyes,
arched over by the most delicate eyehrows a
shade darker tlmu ber rich chesnut hair, made
ample amends lor the classical deficiencies of
her happy lace, radiant witn uealtn and cheer
fulness. Iler figure was faultless, and made all
kinds of exercise acceptable, and consequently
the was free from all line ludyish ailments
which are sometimes thought to be interesting,
but are at all times exceedingly objectionable
to those who are expected to sympathise with
them. She played aud sang moderately well,
and she always bad the good taste to attempt
nothing that required the education of a prima
aurma or the practice ana genius oi a Ueuedict.
there was more linn one eligible voung
gentleman iu the neighborhood who bad the
heartache through Emily Mainwarlug, but as
yet no one had ventured to propose to her. Her
latiier made no secret oi tin coumience iu tier
prudence and good sense, and it was generally
known that the would be free to make ber own
election should she be ever put to the test.
Reginald and Waller were more in love with
their cousin than any one else, and there was
little doubt but the young men suspected each
other of entertaining this predilection. She
might uot have suspected it also, but if she bad
done so her manner was more encouraging to
Reginald, as he was geuerally ber esquire up m
any trifling emergency. 6?he was freer in speech
with him than with Walter, who wanted the
confident bearing ot his cousin; and when at
times he was silent aud she delected him look
ing at ber with 'lack-lustre eyes,' she would
cUulleiige, as it were, Reginald to talk, as though
to avoid Walter s obsei vatlon. iSot that sbe was
ever unkind to Walter; she never refused bis
companionship in a walk or a ride; she sang or
I1 a ed anything be requested of ber; she read
the books he brought to ber or sent to ber time
by time. She bade him good-night aud good
morning with a smile that sent a pleasvit p tiu
into bis heart and maae nun aeuciousiy miser
able for minutes afterward.
Was the a coquette after all
Christmas has been kept at Stanford IU11
with all the honors, as Mr. Mainwariug bad
been nourished on the milk of human kindness.
and believed be was doing God's work in making
as many of bis fellow-creaturos as he could
happy aud rejoicing. He thought, also, that
beoiiercdtho best tbauksgiviug for the good
bestowed upon him by eucouragiug in hi nut If
and others a pleasant cheerluluess, and in
dulging at fitting times in a 'beeoiniug mirth,'
mi J Cimsimua was one of those times when he
unci ills household and friends m tde merry, aud
found no better way thau in following the old
cut tows, decking his bouse with holly and
ether grtenerv, and dispensing his Christ
mas cheer with a liberal haud to great aud
small, like a true old English gentleman. Not
so bis brother Ellas. He was one of those who'
pride thenisehes npon being too stroug-minded
to care for 6uch in volties. be was too much 'a
man of business' to care to have the gieat cur-
rtnt of trade impeded out lor a day, aud though
be loved good eating aud driukiug, his dinner
must base been earned bv a morning of bar
gaining and speculation. Hence it was that at
a time when most families gather for one day
at least uuder the parental wings, that Walter
was permitted to eat bis Christmas dinner at
Slanfoid.
Two d.iys only remained of the young men's
Eleasant holiday. It wanted half an hour to
reakfast, wheu Reginald taliped at Walter'
bedroom door.
'Come in. Ah! good-morning, Regi.'
'Good-morning. I have been tossing about
half the night,' continued Regluald, 'aud I shall
do so for a down nights more, unless I speak
OUT
i
Indeed! Wfca;'t Kit jaatter .' asked Walter.
VtYll,' replied his cousin, 'yon know that I
am tibcr a blnnt speaker, and like to go
stmi.' lit to any object I have in view. And so
1 h . e come to you. I fancy, Walter, tht we
v ( iioth bit by the same bolt. I mean, plainly,
m 'uith are In love with Emily.'
Walter colored deeply, anl only said, 'Well,
w I :t then, Reginald?
'cimply this. I can see no right If it be 6o
wby I should give place to you, and I have de
termined to speak to my uncle this morning,
and If be consents, I shall propose to Emily.'
'I have no right to Interfere with any course
you think proper to pursue, Reginald replied
Walter. 'I wish it had been otherwise. You
have the right of priority, having spoken first;'
and he held out his hand to his causiu, which
the other took and pressed warmly.
A, "'V? bad been otherwise, atoo,' ald
in i .: buJ canot abandon what I believe
Will tiB ttlO UlftknH o n. . 1.. f lif ,
'V hatever may be the result, Kegiuaiu, t.
us still continue friends; though, if you are suc
cessful, I feel we shall not meet here again, at
least lor Eome time to come.'
'Oh, nonsense, Walter,' replied Reginald; 'you
are a prosperous man, you have a large society
about you, and may pick and choose. But I I
om a poor, struggling devil, with hardly m ire
female acquaintance than my landladr and ber
pqntnllne daughter. There's the breakfast bell.'
i wo brpnkfast lacked something to make it the
cheerful w.i u usually was.
Keginald frequently relapsed into thought -very
unusual with film-and Walter was evi
dently disturbed and ate with little appetite.
Umlly after a time caught the contagion, dail-
Bt, and had not Mr. Mai
- -
ga?denkfto Vmoke a "cigaV EM out into the
thoughts before seeking an intervlew"Wfft W.S
-Vs .As he walked up and down he was
oiai Lieu 1
roin .i ravarln hv Ranir n. fnvnrlrp
setter, jumping npon him in friendly recogni
tion. Without uinnir perhaps, ho kicked
the poor brute savagely anu ..t t.jie do" howl
ing away. As he looked towards the house he
thought he saw Emily leaving the window of
tho breakfast room. He thought little of that
matter, and went on with his cigar and hli cogi
tations. Reginald had less fear of rejection by Em ly
than by her father, who might, he thought,
take exception to his social position. But ha l
not that good uncle promised to advance him
three thousand pounds whenever an eligible
opportunity for Its investment presented itself?
lie reflected aloo npon bis uncle's frequent de
claration that Emily should choose for herself,
and so at last he found xourage to go to Mr.
Aiainwaring.
The old gentleman was hardly surprised, as
he believed every one must love his Emily; and
Kegn aid lelt him with lull permission to try
his fortune.
Reginald found bis cousin busied with her
housekeeping accounts.
jointly, win you allow me to interrupt vou
for a short time?' said Reginald, sitting down
by the table.
'Certainly, as soon as l have added no this
column. There, that's done.'
I am eoiny to surprise von. I fp.ir. hv what
I am about to say.'
A IIght flush came Into Emily's face.
'I have been with uncle this morulntr. and
have made a confession to him, and which I
now want to make to you.'
Jbxuliy s heart took alarm, and she only bowed
and eniilcd,
'I am not clever at making speeches, Emilv,
but what I am about to say comes from my
heart I have long
'Slay. Reginald dear cousin.' said Emily.
laying her baud upon his. 'If I guess the pur
port of what you would say to me, do not say
it. e have been like sister and brother to
ench other for so many years, that It would
grieve me greatly to say anything' that you
mii'lit remember as an unkindness. 1 have a
great regard for you almost a sister's love. Let
us remain as we have ever been. Come and go as
you have done, always welcome. My father
loves you and will care for your future but
you understand me, dear cousin? you will!
you do !'
bte pressed nis nand, and then, with eyes
filled with tears, left the room. Reginald's face
became dark with anger. He bit his lips until
blood camo. Tim folded bis rtua ud aloud
er- ct like one defying fate.
Rejected, he muttered. 'No, not rejected.
not even permitted a hearing. And thsit she
calls kinduess. I am forestalled bv Walter.
The well-to-do cousin Is preferred to the stran
gling dependent on her father's bouuty. Noth
ing new! the old fight money against poverty.
Walter knew he was safe, or he would not have
taken matters o coolly. A cur! Why did he
iiot tell me he had been before me? Well, be it
as it Is, but it he marries her, and l can cross
Lis path, I'll do it.'
With many other evil thoughts and words ho
left the house, hardly knowing where he went
Traps, the keeper, was standiug near the stable
w 1th a couple of guns, waiting for orders. He
touched his bat as Keginald approached, and
was startled at the angry expression of bis face.
'4b, traps, yes: give me a gun. IU take a
turn through the home wood.'
'xes, sir. mi a n i wait ou you, Birr
'No; I'll go alone. Send Bang.
'I'm afraid he wou't follow you, sir,' said
Traps, curtly; 'not after the kick you gave hlui
this morning.'
' hoitold you 1 kicked him? asked Reginald,
ehorply.
Miss tinny, rue sent to mo to iook at him.
thinkiuir he was hurt. Ho be is.
She told you, did she? asked Keginald. 'Seud
him here, aud If be don't follow, I'll shoot him.'
J bat would naruiy suit my dook, sir, nor
yourn, neither. X wouidn t take ten guineas tor
the dog.
' You wouldn't? you old fool.'
'The dog's mine, sir; aud If you doubt mo
yondur a Miss Emily, and you can ask her.'
Regluald gave a glance in the direction lndi
cated by Traps, and then, almost snatching tue
flask and sholbelt from Traps, ho strode oft to
ward the borne wood.
He continned to walk, his gun over his shoul
der, looking on tho ground, evidently recalling
what had passed during the morning. At length
be stopped at a gate, uud clinching his ti.-st,
exclaimed
That dog ! She saw it and has resented
it.'
He did not return to luncheon, but he had a
string will, acd by dinner-time had agaiu be
come master of himself, and laughed and talked
as though the present bad been the happiest
moment ot bis life.
The next day came as a relief to all. Coasia
Emily and her pony carriage were again iu re'
Quisitiou. aud Reginald, as though out of bra
vudo, took his seat beside bis fair cousin, and
chatted as he bad doue when no shadow hid
come between tbem.
V hen tbey parted at the station Reginald was
the last to shake bands with Jmily.
'Good-bye, fair cousin,' he Bald; '1 have seen
the last of Stanford Hall!'
Tears came into Emily's eyes, but Reginald
turned away smiling, aud jauutily waving his
handkerchief as he went.
CHAPTER II.
Reginald Waiurlght did not keep his word.
borne ten months alter the visit we nave re
corded be heard that bis cousin Emily was in
London, on a vlitit to bis uncle in Clarges street.
He bud so completely estranged himself from
Walter that be was not apprised of this visit,
as he would otherwise have been, and be only
heard of it by aocident. He believed himself
wronged both by Emily aad Walter, as It
was hardly a secret that tbey were now
engaged to each other. When be re
called the past he could remember bo
many acts npon ber part that be had a right to
consider justified him In the belief that be was
more than Indifferent to her, and be could only
conclude that be bad been trifled with for some
sinister purpose of ber own perhaps to draw
on Walter to an avowal of hla love for ber, and
ihlfh h lilli'Vprl hail hpnn mmln liv tils wllv
i coiula at tie time oX their Interview fa toe fced-
room. He allowed these Impressions to obtain
the mastery of hi better judgment, bis better
feelings, until be became restless and vindic
tive, and there was a proneness in his nature to
be dogged and revengeful. Yet his uncle,
Emily's father, was his lenefactor the only
true friend he had ever known, and ho was now
abont to visit Dm to claim the fulfilment of the
generous promise made two or three years
before.
A Stanford Hall was barely distant two miles
from the station, Reginald, having only a smll
valise, determined to whlk thither. What a
change in his thoughts and feelings since he
travelled that road to the ball, seated besido
ber that be had loved with all the strength of
bis passionate nature ! There was no doubt of
it; the blow he bad received had struck upon
bis heart and numbed It, and old remembrances
and associations had no nofiening influence
upon bini. He had been cartasido for the richer
suitor, for whoso advantage he had been used
anu wkih wilh
.I'",14 unexpected bv hla uncle, who
nevertheless received uim witu the old wel
come. 'W'bat, Regi, boy; I'm heartily glad to see
you!' said the old gentleman: and ho looked
that he mennt what be said. Why did you not
write, and I would have sent some one to have
met you at the station ?"
'To say the truth, uncle,' replied Reginald,
'I did not make up my mind to come down until
late Inst night.'
'W ell, I am glad to fee you, boy. Come Into
the dining-room; there's a good flro, and lunch
will be ready In a few minutes.'
Reginald followed his nncle into the dining
room, where a great fire blazed on the dogs; for
though it was ouly the end of October, the day
! i . 1 -m
was cniuy, ana tne warmtn was very accept
able.
tw'ee'u"" ifttcw commonplaces had passed be
paid: "r. Malnwaring
ell, now. Reel. I must make a clean hre ist.
of it, and then we shall both be more at ease, I
take It. I have been distressed nav. I have
been vexed with veu for what von hnv Hmm of
late refused to come In September, as you used
uo nuu mis mourn again as you used to do,
ai.d I thiuk I deserved more couttrierntinn '
My dear uncle, the moment I licnrd von wra
aloie '
'That's It! that's it, Reginald !' said the nncle.
Fpcnking sharply. 'You've made Emily verv
unhappy; aud I think that unkind of you.
it wa- not because you thouirht she would suit
yon tor a wlte that she should think you would
suii tier to, u,0d aud becailli0 ne Btoppe(j
you from making a fooi -...if t
mean mat neeause sue wouiu uoi iei, you . .
a t roposal which she must have declined, yon
iancy yourseii aggrieveu; auu give us au tue
vein of knowing so.'
'1 nave never saia as mucn, replied negiuaiu.
'No: but you've acted It. You cut your cou
sin Waller; you won't come to tho Hall. You
m rite regularly to me, It Is truo; but not as you
used to do. There used to be Borne warmth,
sraethlng cheery In your letters; but noiv they
are like a mess ot cold porridge, i am hurt,
Reginald, I am hurt !
'I am grieved to hear that, dear nncle, bat I
have been hurt too.'
'Well, and ought to have got over It by this.
time. Emily 1 always talking about you. Sha
thinks, au I do. that you are very uukind.'
'11 she would.remember that, possibly i bad
eome reason to think J. was not bo presump
tuous '
You bad no reason, sir ! Emily would scorn
to play the coquette. She is openness itself.
What the devil was ehe to gain by humbugging
you, fir t
Vou are getting angry.'
'No I am not, sir!'
'You would not call me sir, if you wero not.
No one can reverence my cousin s character
more thou I do. and if I have given offense lu
keeping away from her, It was because I cou'd
not bear to contemplate how much I had lost.'
1 here was some truth iu this speech, and eome
jesuistry; but it had tho desired effect. It
mollitied his uncle.
'Well, weiJKegI, we will say no more on this
painful tubjectj Only promise that you will
come aud Spend Christmas as usual, and let us
all le friends asaiu."
'Willingly,' replied Reginald, 'should I
eb uld 1 be in England.
'In Kucl.nd i"
'Yb, uucle. Acting upon your promise of
assisiance, 1 have entered into a negotiation tor
a partnership with the bouse of lulerton x Co.,
subject to your approval, of course.'
W hat do they trade mr
'Ivorv, told dust, and produce of that char
acter. I shall have to take charge of their in
terests at Sierra Leon.
'Dear me ! Very unhealthy place, is It pot ?
'No. not very. My predecessor has returned
a rich man- fortuues are made there rapidly
after a stay of some five years. I thiuk I can
last out that time in any climate,' replied Regi
nald, smiling,
l'ive years are not a long time, certainly,'
said Mr. Malnwaring. 'Have you satlstied your
self of the advantages of makirg this couuec
Hon r
Yes, uncle. They are all sot forth In that
Paper.'
Oh ! here's luncheon. Come, you must be
hungry' and the reek of a smoking pheasant
was not a bad appetizer for a less vigorous
eater tbau Reginald. 'After luncheon you shall
have a brush at tho phcasauts in the home
w od, and I will look oer this matter. Davis,
tell Trans to be round here with dogs and guu
at 3 o'clock.' Aud theu uncle and nephew de
voted their bett energies to the agreeable work
before them.
Traps whs ready with guns and dogs at the
time appointed; aud though Reginald bad f tlleu
a little in his estimation since his assault upon
Bung, be was 'main glad to see hlin. that he
war; and mlteed him on the two firsts, that he
did.'
bang, however, was not bo forgiving, and
Reginald, Traps, and his beaters had barely
crossed bnlf the hrst held when the old do:
turned tail, and scampered back to tho ken
Dels. A shade came over the face of Kegiuald
at this reproach of the intelligent brute he had
assaulted, aud he connected, as bo bad often
done before, Emily's rejection in some way with
the ebullition of temper which had made Bang
bis foe.
When Reginald returned having hiffged a
couple of brace of pheasants he fouud ttut his
nncle had mastered the conditions of the pro
posed partnership.
The advantages are certaiuiy ery great,
were it uot for the residence abroad in that in
fernul cl'mate.' .
'Without that, uncle, tbey would not be so
great; and I have no fear tor myself, replied
Keelnald.
'Well, it Is our own affair, ray boy. Nothing
venture nothing have. I will go to town with
vou to morrow, as I must give my broihera
month's notice of the withdraw! of, the three
thousand pounds, as he is my bauker you know.
May God prosper aud preserve you !' said the
3 Id man, laying his nana upon bis nephews
fiend.
Reginald was greatly touched by his uncle
generosity aud kinduess; and had huilly boen
at the hall no doubt but be would have for
given ber all tbe past and eo euded our story
After luucneou ou mo imiuwin aay .u
M&inwarlnir and Reginald left Stanford Hall
Rtglnald lookiDg ou it for the last time, as t.y
the end OI tue neii uiomu or wna a-ioaru tne
Lood Bhip 'Enterprise, bound for Sierra Leoae
CIIAPTFR III.
Two years had passed, and 'Walter was the
busbaiid of Emily. He was also the junior
partner in tbe great bouse of Elias Mainwarlug
and Company, of Sago Lane; aud be and hU
charming wlte niutut oe seen, with tne puuu
tualitv of the Horse Guards, driving every
morning through Hyde Park, on the way from
Kensinuton to bis place of business in the City.
Cedar Lodge, where Mr. aud Mrs. Malnwar
lre resided, was all that eould be desired in a
borne so near London. Not too large for com'
foit.but witb caraoiiy to allow o! all tae niod'ira
lutulc it bath Md tUJlari-rooasj andasp
clous conservatory. The stabling and out-ofllces
In the rear were models oi neatness in tneir way,
and the garden had lawns and noble trees,
upon which Addlon may have looked from
the terrace of Holland Honse. Within, all was
in accordance with a refined taste, which dis
carded all that was gaudy or meretricious; and
Emily proved a most admirable metropolitan
housekeeper, for which be had been in part
prepared by her Stanford Hall experiences.
But London dinners and London soaiety re
quire considerable tact to manage properly, and
though tbe young Mainwarings had not an
overwhelming acquaintance, they were called
upon not un frequently to 'entertain.' And then
their dinners were charming abundant but
not profnse, and all of tho very best kind. Tho
conservatory bad to yield up some of its trea
sures, and a parterre of flowers down the
centre of the table pleased the eye by tho beauty
of its colors, whilst the fragrance of the flowers
gratified the sense of smell. Their 'evenings'
and lawn parties were equally delightful, and
were more acceptable from the absence of any
appearance of extravagauce. Indeed, to quote
tbe mnch-auotcd Thomas Moore. Emllv aud
Emily and Walter might have said orsuug:
Anrt eh, If there be an elvsinm on earth,
It Is this! It IB this I It Ls this!'
Mr. Malnwaring, of Clarges Street, made
Cedar Lodge bis Sunday lounge after church
(which he never attended) In the summer time;
aud once or twice in the winter he would take
his dinner there. Not bo Mr. Ralph Maiu
waring, Emily'B father. He bad sold Stanford
Hall in order to be nearer bis children besides,
what would the old house have been without
Emily 4 There were no associations about It to
bind him to mere walla aud trees, as it had
come to him by purchase, and bo ho sold it to
good advantage, to an opulent advertiser in
want of a 'All,' and invested the money received
for it, as a matter of course, in the bouse of
a boreVbe was'a TrequVutTisItor at tuo'Ce'dars
wunuuru iu uitve some snare oi tho
society oi nis beloved i.nally.
ure oiessing, however, was thought to be
wanting to make the happiness of Walter and
.umy. ineywere childless, and they some
waies murmured that this blessing was wlth-
jueiu.
n . . .... .
i dib nappy condition oi auairs Laa onnin...i
for more thou four years, and many wero found
to envy the ocenpauts of tho pretty green
brougham which- passed bo resrularlv through
the Park. News came frequently from Reginald
to his uncle; and though bad had to battle
with sickness and fever, be be was iu no way
oissatisneu witn tne course he had adopted.
bo lelf'iua'i,tBoa'.teu,PeBtnear at Land, that was to
and over seas, and in otdWW. Jil lU0 Kingdom
W alter returned one day with a serious face
so serious that Emily questioned him as to tho
cause.
'Why, darling, there ls bad news in the city.
A house that exercises great influence on other
bouses Is rumored to be shaky.'
1 am very sorry to hear it. v ill it alloct
you, dear?''
"My father says not In tho least; bat Mac-
pherson, our chief clerk, and 1 thiuk that no
cue can ten wnere tno miscnict would end
should tbe big house fail. But we will talk of
something else, as my head is confused with
thinking and debating this subject.
But W alier could not think of anything else,
although he talked of many matters. He tried
to read, but the writer's thoughts were not his
thoughts they wero iu the city.
lhe early Junes, on the day after the . next.
must buvo brought dismay aud despair to many
a household, 'the great house in the city had
closed its doors, and smaller houses had col
lapsed in consequence. Walter had beard that
Biich a catastrophe was imminent, betore he
left the city, and had passed a feverish, rest-
less night. He ordered the broughaia half un
hour earlier than (usual, and would have pre
vented Emily accompanying hiiu as was her
wont, but she would not be denied. Tu;y
scarcely spoke, and when Emily did bo, it was
to beg of him to have courage, aud not give
trouble welcome by meeting it half-way. She
kissed blm and said softly, 'Remember, I love
you!" There was a momentary comfort in those
few words, but their influence was destroyed
when Walter entered the couniing-house.
TliHrn'a a panic In tlm City, sir, a perfect
panic!' said Macpherson, without making or
wailing tor the usual morniug salutations.
'A panic lu the City!' aery almost as dreadful
as that of 'fire!' iu a crowded ship.
What does that word panic convey to us?
Merchant-prince, proud of their commercial
honor proud of their worldly places bumbled
aud toppled down as it wore by a whirlwind.
Speculations that promised fortunes crumbled
into atoms, and those tint trusted to thctu well
nigh stark with ruin. Brokeu home, and ull
that those two short words Imply. Geutle wo
men, matrons and maidens, tenderly uurUred,
whose lives had been lives of ease and refined
enjoyment, suddenly deprived of all that minis
tered to their wants, and the world at its worst
beloro them; for nouo but those who have had
the bitter experience know Low difficult the
task, how hard the sacrifice of retrenchment,
even when there has been neither waste nor ex
travagance. Many a high-spirited youth, who bad looked
forward to a future of liberal employment,
compelled to turn aside and accept the drudgery
of servitude. Worthy men, who had worn out
their lives in honorable service, aud had thought
in tbe winter of their age to bo considered by
those they hud benefited by their labors hope
less now ! All burled iu the ruins of the house!
More broken homes ! more household gods cast
into the mire ! Thousands whoe slender
means made existence tolerable, deprived of all
by the wrek of those iu whom they had con
hued. How many droop and die none can tell
none.
But wby pursue thc6e painful details ?
Christmas should be a merry season, and we
would not willingly detract from its cheerful
ness. A fortnight had passed, and Walter returned
earlier than usual.
'1 have come home, Emily,' ho said-, 'that I
may mj self tell you the worst before it hap
tens. Despite every effort we have made, our
house must succumb to this terrible storm aud
to-morrow our ruin will be known.'
'My dear Walter!'
'It is a terrible blow; but I am more at ease
now that 1 know our fate ls inevitable. What
grieves me most is that your dear conliding
father will share our rvi'n. My poor father,
always sanguine and generally successful, has
speculated largely; aud two or three schemes in
which we had invested largely are brokea up,
and, bo far as I ttan Bee, we coauot nearly meet
our engf geraents.'
'And your father?'
'I perfectly overwhelmed. He seems d3-
1)rlveo of all power of reflection or of action.
: Bbould not have left him, but your dear father
has promised to remain with bim. Hoar, gene
rous man ! Not one word of reproach; not a
moment's hesitation at applying all he was
worth to stay our downfall. But too late! Too
late!'
Such consolation as occurred to ber Emily
o lie red ber husband, and sbe was made com
paratively happy when she saw bim fall into a
culm sleep, to which he bad been a stranger
for many nights, aud which lasted long into the
morning.
Ellas Malnwaring A Company were declared
to be bankrupt; and the day before their names
were to appear In the Gazette, Walter took
Emily to ber father, as be knew that as soou as
the fiat was issued there would be some one to
i take po8esion of Cedar Lodge. He did not
remove anything from .the bouse except some
wearing apparel and a miniature of Emily and
a portrait ol her mother; these lares he consi
dered were too sacred to be chattered for by
dirty brokers. And then tbe Elysium w'as de
serted. Karly on tbe afternoon of tbe following day,
Wa'ter was on bis way so Clarges street, wheu,
passing through Leicester Square, he stopped to
look lu at shop-window, lie knew uot why
be did so, but we do many strange things uu
consciously when we are in sorrcw. He was
"wiv vacantly at coma bootrs wl'h paudyMnd
! tegs, wtcn a aan tuuitarly octupied, as in4-
ing near bim tuddcnly looked round and ex
claimed:
'Walter! Walter Mam waring:
He was balf-dazcd, and failed to recognize
tbe speaker the more bo, ns be was bronzed
and barded.
Not know me. Walter ?' asked tbe man. 'Ia
Cousin Reginald quite forgotten ?"
'Keginald ! This ls indeed an unexpectea
meeting!' replied Walter.
'On both Bides.' Baui Keginald, 'ior i oniy
landed this morning, and have not as yet re
ported myself.'
'Then you have not heard of our misfortunes?'
aked Walter, one subject being uppermost la
his mind.
'Misfortunes? No. But you look pale-111.
Let us go to the cafe at the corner, where I
have ordered dinner, and came out for a stroll
whilst it was getting ready.'
Walter made no resistance as Reginald placed
his nrm In bis and led tbe way to the cafe.
When they were seated, Walter told Reginald
all that happened how loss had followed losa
during this terrible panic until tbe house of
Mainwarlug and Company had fallen also.
Regluald would havo been a harder man than
bis long residence abroad, and the sensual life
be had led there, should have made bim had he
been able to have listened unmoved; and he
eitiier affected to be touched, or he was really
bo, by what Walter told him. But be declined
to accompany Lb? cousin to Clarges Street when.
Walter rose to go there, after pleading a want
of appetite as an excuse for not accepting Regi
nald's invitation to dinner.
'Shall j ou be In the city to-morrow?' asked
Reginald.
'Ye; and for many days, I expect. There
will be much to see to.' replied Walter. x 'Good
byeI wish I could have welcomed you home
with better newsl' Aud so they parted.
Reginald lingered long over his dinner, and
drauk freely of champagne. He was evidently
"""uu tuonKhts that troubled him.
Walter saw nothing more of bim for some
days, and not until Cedar Lodge had been adver
tised for sale under the bankruptcy.
W alter was engaged with Mr. Macpherson in
his private counting-house arranging deed and
prtj ers, when Reginald was announced.
Mr. Macpherson rose to leave the room, but
Regina'd stopped bim. 'Don't eo, Mr. Mac
Phi rsun; how do you feel haven't forgotten me,
1 hope, as my cousju had! Well. Wi
are your
'As well as I can hope to be,' replied Walter.
'Such business as I am now engaged upon is
neither conducive to hflnlth nor spirits. '
'Well, when things are at their worst they
must mend, folks say. I havo been down to seo
the place at Kensington. Nice place charm
ingly doue up. I have called to know whether
it must go to the hammer, or whether It can be
had bv puvnte contract.
perty by valualionrl "f j? P"!
deeply. 'It would bo something to savec?!in
those brutes, the brokers.'
'Well, we'll see,' said Reginald, curtly. lSi
affair this, Macpherson. Plenty to koop you
company, however. Well good-dav, Walter;
I see you are busy. Good-day, Macpherson:
something will turu up, I've no doubt, when all
this is Fettled.' And so paying he walked out,
whistling as ho went, but not from want of
tl'ougbt.
The failure of Malnwaring and Company had'
not left Its unfortunate representatives without
friends. In less than twelve months Walter
was engaged at a liberal salary In a house of
repute. His father had never recovered the
shock of his bankruptcy, and was content to
wear out tbe day in futile calculations as to the
cause of his ruin. Mrs. Malnwaring bad a set
tlement from ber father ot aouiu flve hmutrod
year, and the family was placed therefore be
vond tbe reach of want. Walter had a Binall
house at Hollaway, and though It might have
been put Into tho conservatory of Cedar Lodge, it
was yet made BUtflclent by the love and con
tentedness to be fonud within. Emily did not
accompany her husband to the city as here
tofore in a brougham, but he walked with bim
to the end of the road and saw him mount the
omnibus, and met blm again ou his return. Mr.
Ka'ph Mainwariug had lodgings near them, and
managed wonderfully well on an annuity of
i'tre, which had escaped tho wreck in Sago
Lane.
Cedar Lodge and its belongings had been pur
chased bv Reginald, who, more than once, had
invited Walter and Emvly to visit, him i tbolr
old bom ui u acquired more resolution than
either possessed at the time to look npon the
scene of tbe happiuess tbey had known, and tbe
invitations weie declined. But as time vjn en
Emily and Walter upbraided themselves for this
weakness, aud felt that it betrayed an unthank
fulncss for tbe good that was still about them,
and the next invitatiou was accepted.
As truthful chroniclers, it must be confessed
that the old happy homo was not revisited with
out some pain some regrets. It would have
been strange had it been otherwise. Reginald
received them with a great show of kinduess.
'I am glad you have come at last. You will
find little altered; all was so perfect,' he said,
lending the way to tbe dra lug-room. Emily
was struck to see how all the old arrangements
had been preserved; every ornament iu iu ac
customed place; almost tho same flowers in the
window-stands. One object, however, was
wanted, and marked tho change tf proprietor
ber pet canary! No, be had shared ber expul
sion. After luncheon Walter went to call on a lady
who bad been very kind wheu the great trouble
came aud Emily proposed to look through the
conservatory whose treasures had mostly been
nurtured by" her hands. As she was about to
leave the rom, Reginald said,
"Stay a moment, Emily; I want to speak with
yon.'
Emily looked somewhat surprised.
"1 saw,' be continued, that your quick eye
notiied that you bad beeuf recent beie though
obsert. It is true I have disturbed nothing
Eight yvars ago you sent mo Into exile.'
n. Reginald?
'Yes. you you rejected my love, and as I
Ftlll believe because I was a poorer mau than
Walter. I nm not so now Emily. I know that
you loved me better than yoa loved Walter. I
never have lost that conviction. I remember a
hundred evidences of it. You married the
richer man.'
'I married Walter because I loved blm,' said
Emily, warmly.
'I do not believe that your love was all with
him I cannot, will not believe It. You see how
1 have thought of you; here is a home worthy
of vou. It ls yours whenever you like to claiio
It.' '
'God forgive you, Reginald, if I understand
you God forgive me if I misinterpret your
weaning;' and she weut towards the door.
"Hear me to an end," Baid Reginald, his face
becoming dark again as it did at Stanford Hall.
'Hear me to an eud. I said this house is yours
wLentver you like to claim it which implies a
condition which I did not care to name to you
when your husband can buy it of me !'
'I am glad that such conditions were in your
mind,' said Emily. 'With your permission, I
will visit my old favorltts.'
So Bajlng, she went to the conservatory,
Ihiukii g again and again of the strange scene
just ei, acted.
Reginald bit his lip, and then giving vent to a
Lold round oath, opcued a glass door that led
into tbe garden.
Reginald bad met bis first great disappoint
ment in life like a fool and a coward. Cut
adrift, as it were, from LU first love, he. had
allowed himself to be tossed about on a sea of
passions, drifting where the wind listed, and
never seeking to find a haven of rest. Abroad,
bis seusualilies were bardly observed, and since
bis return to England he bad kept so much
apart from his family connection, that bis
movements bad been unknown. His mind had
become eo gross that he doubted the existence
of virtue.
When Walter came back, Emily expressed
ber wish to return home, pleading the distance
they had to go and the shortness of the day
light as an excuse for leaving. Reginald made
but slight effort to detain bis vUitor, al
parting witb tbem seemingly the best' 9i it
ixmtsyMi ttt A imk J aye.