The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1885-07-25 00:00:00

A SECRET FOR YEARS,

CHAPTER 1.
TTIE FIRST STEP.
1a,w5.; a street in London, narrow, flint-paved,
~..._ers' offices on either side; time, four o'clock,
!:.:h• ; season, winter. Frozen, starved, outcrying,
T9'able Winter lords it over east and west.
__west receives him in softly-carpeted mansions,
7ithere the tread of his ice-cold feet cannot be heard;
h,,s him down to a plentiful board, where his chilly
~„Ttl'i melts into fragrant steam; warms him by
"Le-log fires, where his rigour must needs soften.
,East offers no I°3f to her Dead GueSt. The skele-
ri walks the street, and the groans of the houseless
',.°°r are his welcome. Hera he conies, striding
itva,nd the corner now' a north-east blast, so cold that
„uurns- on your face like fire, precedes his coming; a
'ls"liawer of mingled sleet and snow, and your eyes are
thende '; you stagger, and wonder where you are—in
road. A tattered beggar, half clad, wholly starved,
Diek
a yet. out of the gutter, and whines for his re-
Faild—eseith the sleet freezing in his hair and beard.
thiiie the pittance, poor wretch! and pass on; a
eulng cannot save you from your doom.
eon, e
one else hurrying up this narrow street,
thil'ing the pitiless blast bravely. No beggar this
wi,lei. A respectably-dressed woman, doing battle
,ouLhor umbrella, which t4ic wind has turned inside
vie for neither will it open nor shut as open and
it Should; the snow is lodging on her smooth
"a'r and
hee neat bonnet, the sleet beating against
..trosi. unprotected face, and the biting, bitter wind
,eh_icliing with her skirts, bent on letting all who
es""se know that a well- made foot and ankle lurk
7aeath them.
se 411 individual passing by at this present moment
tiglaY know it, but he does not choose. He is muffled
P to the eyes, and they are attracted by the battle
awilith the umbrella. "Pray accept my assistance ; "
d he politely grasps the inverted instrument of
shelter
for 9by a clever twist restores it to its eriginal
ss ra, and returns it to its owner with a bow.
ses:‘,4:l:hank you, much obliged. Would you be kind
gust of wind whirled the shawl round her head;
....hi could be heard through the mufflings these
. stores
"Basinghall-street, if you please?"
: 4i You are in it."
7` Rent and Mercer's."
" Solicitors ? "
iks• 4,_ti€l the bonnet was released, and the lady's face
t`ed out once more, distracted, red, and somewhat
°Yed.
'Exactly opposite—pull left-hand bell."
b,44ncl with a hurried "good evening" the gentleman
'led on.
se`',ive minutes after this, Mr. Kent was told a lady
e''sned to see him in his private room. The dapper
tittle
(Ito gentleman leisurely descended from his stool,
tni," 'went upstairs. He bowed courteously as he
tet-s,"tred ; for Mr. Kent was a gentleman, and he
tic-b, at a glance he addressed a lady, although not
44'LF clad. She rose without speaking, and placed
°Pen letter on the table before him. He glanced
at it f
: A.Or an instant.
4s:7—yes—certainly. I have the honour of ad-
eatioslitynthe lady to whom I directed this communi-
in"Ll'es, Sir. It was I who put that advertisement
renZat Thursday's paper, and now call here, at your
ss'est, in consequence of its appearing to meet your
slairements."
f 0: Certainly—to be sure. Not mine, exactly; I act
aiae another in this matter. I believe your advertise-
rlt stated you were in search of—'
housekeeper's or governess's situation in a
eerean's family; that I could teach French and
4Z,811, music and drawing."
Me 'aY
eI ask if those languages were 'acquired
: :: The French in Paris, the Spanish in Jamaica."
..',..0h, in Jamaica; indeed ! "
;4 ,7.4. Kent looked so surprised, that the lady added
. suest directly._
mother was a Spanish Creole."
The
the„ gentleman only inclined his head, and looked
("gistful over the intelligence. '
he riav'e you any objection to make on that score ? "
asked, after a short silence.
tri: N°-no--none in the least, madam. I was
tnerelY reflecting whether a lady of your accomplish-
Would choose to undertake the combined
.8,•
:tes of governess and housekeeper in the family I
eeak ets
::.Cyertainly, if the salary repays me."
ou would have two hundred per annum. The
theeeraan is wealthy and liberal; if you do not think
tsle terms sufficient, he would doubtless raise them,
-1e is fully aware the situation is one of great care
`
responsibility."
Eidc They are beyond my expectations as it is. May I
„ what will be required of me?"
d "The education and entire charge of his only ,
Zlghter, as well as the superintendence of his estab-
lTient, which is large."
less4e Was a second silence after this. Mr. Kent .
broke t
;_ meditative the lady impatient; at last she .
or :ounitryb.Y inquiring whether the place was in town '
" CountrYe,”
was the reply; "in ___--shire."
" Ara I to considet myself engaged? " she asked.
11:/ell, there is a little matter I have not men- i
as yet, as I thought it unnecessary until aware '
for• Your decision. I find that favourable, and, there- .
thee„' I.feel bound to make you acquainted with it, as
etc.'? °stance may or may not cause you to alter your
On in consequence. As I remarked, I act in this
130 ter for a third person, whose instructions I am
sv,' b
would 0 follow, and amons, them is this: that it
sit uld be required of the lady who entered upon this
;th_uation that she should, as it were, keep a journal of
4hi Most important items occurring in the daily life
e
led, and submit it to the third person of whom I
a.k, thl"
T inonhe listener Y.
slice looked amazed, and asked bluntly if
" a desire were the freak of a mad person.
l'he individual I speak of is perfectly sane," said
,tilawYer, curtly.
it e lady had a dark complexion, and, at this reply, ,
.ge b'ew darker still. She looked indignantly at the
,ntleman,
and rose from her seat.
spe! Your friend wants to purchase the services of a
decline the offer;" and she was going.
nloment, if you please. Not a spy—the service
40-4.l4ired is scarcely that of a spy. It may be there is
per,e important interest attaching to a person or
t°ns With whom you will be in close communica:-
ke", and of whose words, thoughts, and actions it
37 be advisable to have a knowledge." I
at: Possibly; but I must beg to decline offering my ,
se l'Y as the means of affording it. Good evening,
.4.),
011 instant, if you please; have the goodness to
li,:'n this, read it, and I will detain you no longer."
tee- Placed a sealed letter in her hand, which he had
etti,e,,n from a strong box on the table, and stood by,
byZlng his cold hands together, and looking at her
;itively, as she haughtily glanced her eye over
as follows es__
know not by what name to address you now,
by
l'oeeteen Sears have passed by since I called yo,t.! y
Ale,e,-,uaptisraal one. I only know that, though sail a
to ;,'I-iniured and lonely woman, it is in your power
age.-‘urn much good for the evil done you so long
lase It is the author of it who answers, through his
Dr ", Your advertisement. He is a man of large
?Pert
'„eflild,e Y In England, and a widower with two
his home is the abode of the wildest con-
fess."' and unchristian license; he himself is a reck-
-are ha.,nd desperate man, pronounced, by those who
keet-e,°,Bt intimately acquainted with him, to be
the '"'Y unsafe. You will understand that, being
Postsnwner of considerable property, the largest
104 .
kes, of it entirely under his own control, this last
lealt asatien is an important one, and not lightly to be
"et • B„ide,. His enemies say he is mad, lie says he is
'ticel'e'nu his friends desire the unprejudicssi testi
-
life-Jar(l.l' a truthful person, in the matter of his daily
taesii(„o" conversation, to place as evidence before
affirn,-.'„authority, in order that that may negative or
Proper:4lo accusation, when the disposition of his
1443 dea',Y2 bequeathed by
.will, shall be questioned at
'4:lw fo.'"e as it most certainly will be. Thus you
who
,aPper,..r lt is in your power to servo the man
-net -6,l°ned to you the life you lead. I have heard
Llie ,b'e wild license used in this house is the result of
ib3rictecrtice of a good woman from it' that the uon -
vecallsePassions of the father and children rage high,
eel, there is neither fear of God nor man before
131, ev
es. Knowing this can you, trusting to
i
l'
-teen
Years' change in y'our appearance, consent
~. elite,.
' ae ' the house of your enemy, and do your best
Ni the
way to save him here and hereafter
sf all te,i4l to joy as he helped you to Sorrow? Think
alse
isle fUlly, but not hastily; and, if you consent, write
to net ,_ , as a friend who is willing to serve you,
nilee,_?.etray the secret of your previous history as
11,_ teu With this man."
114ie,t-'fae%ladY sat down, and Mr. Kent saw nothing of
. sii4hates and heard nothing of Tier voice for full five
it' Was !Liter. He had an uneasy impression that
F3,.,N'sossid Lin tears, and that, when she next looked up,
L'e with a disagreeably disfigured face. No
vele - i•
n trae_'°nte7 e
..,.. , One could not fail to see she was not a
Yield eN,SY, 04 'eld to sudden emotions, but, on the con-
ewes sot e strongly endued with controlling power
'‘l'a as
e.._ Her firm, colourless countenance looked as
r When she next spoke.
e
11 terku4 ray refusal, and accept this situation on
aosssi 8 e
offer
Nsh by the Writer
My reasons for so doing will be
iat the he writer of these lines. Do yes know
,th ' Scsadi are ? e
e tette 12n, I am totally ignorant of the contents of
tht res
• I. Ylpuhold ' - e
.„ e
.ci in your hand.
‘, hem j° reply, but tore it into fragments and
.1 •
e),..ktiozi set into the fire.
hless se?w, I presume, we may consider this
ttlee,e said Mr. Kent, evidently thinking
rtleirg but
Pleasant one; "only the name and
-k US f„at4ing• Of course, the latter is a mere
'elss`s, aht,„leselri ; till, I would rather that Mr. In-
4trved.ss"'st be fully satisfied all forms have been
i •
1.14:44.7pe5_111e Is' Catherine Waco, and I refer you to
Ns- "'use address is on this card."
--"I
nOthin
g else remains. Miss Wace. but to fix

--4""j*,,erirsvr
.;
- 4 • .
.%Fabt.'f-
•

•

es.,—..=tmtV7Cor..=
the frme of Ybui departure from London. This is
Monday; will Wednesday next suit you?"
"To-morrow, if you please. I have nothing to
detain me here."

"Then to-morrow let it be. You will proceed by
rail as far as I—, where the coach will carry you
on to Lowmoor. Mr. IngeAre's house, Redfern, is
six miles from the town; but I will send off a letter
by to-night's post, informing him of your arrival, and
he, of course, will send a carriage for you to the
coach-office. I need scarcely add that your position
in this gentleman's family will be, in all respects, that
of a lady."
• Miss Waco merely bowed in return to this, and
named the hour it was probable she would leave
London on the following morning. It seemed that
there was nothing to add after this. Stay—who was
to be the receiver of the monthly accounts?
.The
enclosures were to be directed to the lawyer at his
office. That settled everything, then, and the lady
took her leave.

Among the numerous business letters written by
Mr. Kent the next day was the following, addressed
to "Dr. Riga, Berners-street, London;" these the
contents:—

Sin,—According to instructions received from
you, I engaged yesterday a lady suitable in all
respects to fulfil the duties required of her in Mr.
George Ross Ingestre's hotisehold. She clearly com-
prehends the part you wish her to perform, and, if I
may offer an opinion, will perform it with zeal and
intelligence. Her monthly papers will be forwarded
to you on receipt of the same, and, for my own per-
sonal satisfaction, I should be pleased to hear from
you that my share in this painful and delicate trans-
action has been beneficial to the matter in hand. I
be to remain, sir, your obedient servant,
"WILLIAM KENT."

Dn. RIGA'S name was on a dull brass plate affixed to
his door, and Dr. Riga sat over the remains of his
breakfast, conning, with a perplexed countenance, an
opeued letter beside him.
" It is strange—it is incomprehensible!" he muttered
(the doctor was not an English subject). "Who is
Mr. George Ross Ingestre ? who is the lady suitable?
and why is it delicate and distressing? and what has
it to do with me? Strange! Ah ! I have it ; " a thought
appeared to strike him. "The letter is not for me,"
and he put it aside.
In a few moments the door opened, and a person
entered, whom the doctor immediately addressed.
"Phillipe, a letter for you ; to me it is a mystery."
The gentleman took the offered note, and glanced
at its contents.

CHAPTER 11.
ruILLirE.

"No mystery to me; all works well so far ; " and
he put the letter in the fire as he muttered these last
words in an under-tone to himself.
But the doctor's ears were quick. "What works
well? what has thou on hand besides the interests of
our order? What right-"
"None, none! No rights have lin the world save
those you accede to me. lam a slave, bound hand
and soul."

"Dost regret it? eh ?" And the questioner looked
up from beneath his shaggy brows at the dark, hand-
some face opposite. _

"Regret ft-1, No! To you I owe my life, and to
you I gave it. I regret no bondage I incurred by the
gift. Command, and I obey."
"Do so ever, my Phillipe, or the hand which saved
must sign your death-warrant."
The other bowed his head, but made no reply;
when he turned his face again to the light, his lips
were livid and his white teeth appeared stained with
blood.

Fe3ruary 20th, 185—.—1 am ignorant whose eyes
will glance over these pages. lam ignorant whose
hand traced the few lines which causea me to under-
take their transcription; but I feel that it was one
who knows me and my history well; therefore, con-
cealment in any form would be superfluous, and it
remains to
.me now only to do the duty I have taken
up, without falsifying it either to myself or others.
And, first., a word as to why I have taken it up. lam
a woman of some determination of character; the
prospect of a hard life does not terrify me, nor will
a bed of thorns drive sleep from my eyes. I have
suffered, but, thank God, I have not become hard;
I have been injured, but the injuries I have endured
have not prompted me to turn against the inflicter.
I am content to leave the just issues to God, myself
striving to exercise mercy and long-suffering. There-
fore, when he who has made my Cot a forlorn 'one for
ever rises up before me in the supplicating position of
one I can aid, I dare not, for my soul's sake, refuse
the little I can give.
I have no fear that he will recognise me; and if he
did, what then ? The man is changed, indeed, if he
'could turn upon me for the help I would give him.
I have only been in England six months, but even in
visiting the land of his birth I have felt an eager long-
ing to see him, his wife, and children—little dreaming
that Heaven would grant my desire thus. As I said,
I have taken this trust upon myself, and will put
down here as faithfully as I can all that passes, day
by day; but I lay claim to no more than sincerity of
purpose and truthfulness of narration.
I arrived here last night; neither servant nor car-
riage was at the coach-office to meet me. I had to
walk six miles across a bleak country, and through a
heavy snow-storm, to reach the house. I saw its
lights two miles off, and, keeping them in view, I
steered my course with great difficulty across rough
fields and lately-ploughed land, until I found them
close at hand. A woman at the lodge guided me
across the park, or I must have given up the search
as hopeless, for the forest trees were so thick and
numerous that I lost sight of the glimmering lights I
had seen so far off on the high grounds.
I was not expected. Mr. Ingestre was from home,
and his letters were unopened. I was, therefore,
under the necessity of introducing myself, and re-
questing a room might be prepared for me as soon as
possible. I inquired for Miss Ingestre, but she was
not to be found, although four female servants and an
African man went in search of her; and, while they
went, I stood alone in the long, low ball, shivering
in my damp garments, and thinking of the reception
that should have been mine in this house seventeen
years ago.
I do not know much of English gentlemen's country
residences, but this one seems to me very large, very
comfortable, and unostentatious. The servants are
numerous, ill-trained, and uncivil, since it was an
hour before my fast was broken or my half-frozen
garments taken from my back.
By the time I was fairly installed in the " gover-
ness's room," as a flippant housemaid-girl termed it,
and warming my chilled blood by a blazing wood fire,
a furious scratching assailed the door from without;
some one opened it, and four or five dogs rushed in,
followed by a girl of thirteen or fourteen years of
age, who stared at me with open-mouthed wonder for
a moment or two, and then said
"Oh, you are the new governess, I s'pose ? lam
Miss Ingestre. Papa is not at home; he went out
with the hounds this morning (he's master of 'em,
you know), and has not been back. They had a
splendid run, Bob tel:s me (down, W.-cc! she'll wolf
that plate of toast, if you don't look out), lost at
Mistly. and found again at Boddesmere, and from
there went right across country to Charing Thorn,
where the fox took the cover on the left of the hill
by the Blean. Oh! I forgot you don't know the
places, so it's no use telling you. Papa is so pre-
ciously knocked up that he stopped at Tynfall, Cap-
tain Fox's place, instead of riding straight home with
the hounds. Ross is at home; would you like to see
Ross? He is my brother."
"Presently I shall have that pleasure. Just now
oblige me by turning those dogs out of the room, or
there will be neither food nor china remaining on the

CHAPTER 111.
MISS WACE'S DIARY.

table."
Thf had

—hey already devoure(
butter, and broken a plate.
" What ! Don't you like dogs?" she inquired, with
great scorn, and not moving to obey me. "Those
are Ross's hounds. I keep 'em for him, and I like 'em
to be with me when I say my lessons, mind. The
other governesses always let me do as I like;
you must too. I always do as I like in papa's
house."
And she folded her hands behind her, shook back a
profusion of straight black hair from her eyes, and
looked me defiantly in the face.
I looked at her, and smiled in spite of myself—for-
lorn, neglected, pitiful object that she was, with
the garb of a beggar and the air of a queen. Yes,
for a beggar, indeed, might have claimed as its own
the tattered old frock she wore. Her tanned arms
were bare up to her tanned shoulders, her feet and
legs were more visible than was seemly at her age a.nd
size, and the pretty face—dark, impudent, and gipsy-
•like—that looked out from her mane-like hair, had
certainly not been acquainted with water that day.
A dirty, pretty,: insolent gipsy girl, I should have
thought her, and most decidedly no daughter of an
English gentleman. But there she stood—my pupil,
and Miss Ingestre, road a rebel that had to be subju-
gated to my authority.
"We had better understand one another, young
lady, at once," I said, making a bold stroke for vic-
tory. "I come here to command—you to obey. I
shall instruct—you will learn. Therefore let me have
no threats—no resistance; for I dislike excessively
exerting my authority; but I do so when there is oc-
casion, mind that."
" Ah! you fancy you are going to domineer over
me. like all the rest of them; but you sha'n't I I
hate governesses and servants. Nasty vipers!" Her
face was scarlet and indignant as she Bung this
anathema at my head.
"I am not of a domineering disposition," I re-
turned, very quietly; "and tyranny is odious to me.
All I require is, the obedience a pupil owes to her in-
structor, and that I will have, Miss Ingestre."
She still glared at me very rudely; so I thought it
best to try a deeper cut, and see if shame would ac-
complish subjugation.
"Stay," I continued; "I shall look for more than.
this. You are to be my sole charge and care; there-
fore I shall require of you cleanliness in the matter
of hAnds .and face, smooth hair, and respectable
attire, and, above all things, shoes that do not betray
yoUr intimacy with the Stable, as those you have on
et-present do."
This was a masterstroke. She stared at me with
rage, grief and shame contending in her crimson face:
• ,


d three rolls and a pat of

• . -

4-• x

then the tears began slowly to roll down tier un-
washed face, and she did not attempt to check the
great bursting tears.
"It isn't my fault—l can't help it. No one cares
for me. Papa doesn't. Haven't got a decent frock
—no one to buy it. Only Ross loves me, the hounds,
and—and—l wish I was in Redfern vault, that
I do !"

Before I could interpose a word of comfort she had
turned round and rushed out of the room, the dogs
after her. I did not follow, for my ignorance of the
house prevented it.
(Yo be continued.)

l
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