The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1886-02-20 00:00:00

worse perhaps—to be driven out of the kingdom;
and that lawyer fattening on the spoils of our pool
tenants. lam convinced there is knavery at work.
When visiting Ravenside of late years I have been
received invariably with gloom and distrust; but I
shall see Mr. Pulsford to-day, and force from him an
account."

Ringing the bell with violence, Lady Marion ordered
her footman to bring a cab. Enveloping her person
in a large cloak, and closely veiling her face, she got
into the vehicle, and ordered the man to drive to Free-
man's Court, Cornhill. It was a long way from her
own patrician mansion; but as Lady Marion had
plenty of food 'or reflection, she was surprised when
the man stopped to ask for further instructions.
"I will get out here, and you will await my
return," was the reply; and threading her way down
a narrow alley. Lady Marion rang. at a door marked
Pulsford." There was a sound of loud and angry
voices inside, and the door opening somewhat
violently, Mr. Pulsford appeared, in a state of high ex-
citement, ushering out, somewhat unceremoniously, a
stout man in the garb of a country farmer.
"I will distmin, sir—distrain immediately—rent
niust be paid."
Mr. Pulsford stopped suddenly, as his eye fell upon
Lady Marion's figure, which, closely muffled as she
was, he did not at first recognise. She, however,
knew not only him, but his companion, and throwing
up her veil stepped forward.
"What is all this ?" she said. "Mr. Pulsford, this
is surely John Graham, one of my oldest tenants at
Ravenside. Come in, Mr. Graham, we wilt try to
settle this affair.'
The honest farmer followed the lady into the office,
and Pulsford, for once nonplussed, was silent.
"Will you explain this matter, Mr. Graha.m?" said
Lady Glanville, somewhat impatiently.
"Why, you see, my lady, I leately becom' kind a'
surety for my brother, and he has been misfortunate,
which has kind a' putten me aboot, and I couldn't just
pay the rent at the day, sae I tuk a journey up to
Lunnon, to see t' agent, and ax him to wait two
months till a' got the money raised, but he wunnot.
He threatens to sell us up, and it's varra hard, ma'am
—my lady, I mean—we've still been honest, hard-
working folk:'
"Go home, Mr. Graham, mind your farm, and pay
your rent when it suits you. I'll take care there shall
be no distraint: there is something to pay your ex-
penses." And Lady Marion laid a five pound note into
the honest man's hand, who warmly grasped hers in
return.

"Heaven bless 5 ou, my lady !" he exclaimed, as
he retired. "We will pray for you every night at
whoam."

"I do, indeed, require your prayers," muttered the
baroness unconsciously; then turning to Mrulsford,
she exclaimed, "This, then, is the way in which you
treat my tenants, whilst you are corrupting the morals
of my son by supplying him with money in secret;
enabling him to indulge in a reckless career of dissipa-
tion. You are playing a deep game, sir, but I will
thwart you. You must furnish me before this week
is out with a debtor and creditor account. I have
been too indolent to look after my own affairs, and,
trusting to my brother's recommendation, have allowed
you to exercise full power; but I will no longer be
trifled with. You will make up your accounts
immediately, and I shall find another steward."
Mr. Pulsford

_
"Always happy to obey the ladies, madam, and
particularly Lady Glanville."
"Remember," she resumed, "if you' advance
another shilling to Alfred you shall never be repaid."
Wrapping her mantle round her, Lady Marion left
the office. Pulsford followed, but ere he reached the
door of the cab she had seated herself; and, with a
decided" home" to the cabman, left him bowing in
the street. There was less of mirth than malice in
the little man's chuckle as he closed the door of his
offi3e—
" Ha—ha ! my lady; not so easily got rid of," he
said. "Awkward accounts to balance; pity she
suspects, though.'
Mr. Pulsford set out for the City, whilst Lady
Marion, wearied and heart-sick, was driven home to
her splendid mansion.
(To b 2 continucd.)