Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1851-06-05

wheelto the opposite corner, and set it ia
rapid motion. The youth lay stretched
upon the carthen floor, one hand beneath
his head, while with the other he fondly
patted the animal by bis side, and ten
derly examined the limb, whose acciden>
tai laneness had for the past few days
confined him 70 the house.
AS her foot moved quickly up and
down to turn her wheel, and the smooth,
wiry thread glided through her fingers to
the sound of tie whirling fiers, Margery
listened to the conversation which was
going on between father and son, res
pecting the state of the tiocks, and sus-
tanned her part by an occasional remark
or question.
Thus was the evening passing at the
cot in the vale, when suddenly the sound
of horses hoofs was heard by its inmates,
and, presently after, there was rap up
on the door.
"Some belated traveller who seeks to
spend the night with US" SAID the old
man; " rise quickly my son, and admit
him."
Alaric obeyed and gave entrance tc
two men. whose appearance seemed to
denote them as standing in the relation tc
each other of master and servant The
first was tall, dark man, with bushy,
black hair and eyebrows, naughty and
somewhat austere expression of counte.
nance, and bearing exactly correspon-
dent. He wore suit Of black, light
cloak thrown over his shoulders; while
the other, shorter and considerably
younger individual, was dressed in a rich
livery.
| GOOD even," spoke the shepherd. ri
sing to meet his supposed guests, and in
viting them to seats.
The eldest of the two strangers ac-
knowledged the salutation by slight in
clihation of the head, moved forward, and
awaited himself of the proffercd seat
while the other remained standing near
the door.
"You arc Hugh Won Hesse," said the
stranger gentleman. looking interroga-
lively into the old mans face,
Hugh Won Hesse is my name, and
know not that should shame to make
the confession, twas the reply, in calm,
but somewhat wonderful tone.
"Most likely not" rejoined the other
"but being assured that you are the per-
son that seek l will at once proceed to
the transaction of the business which
brought me hther."
So saying lie drew forth letter, and
placed it in the hands of Won Hesse, who
after glancing at the superscription, and
breaking the seal said, addressing the
bearer: ..
"My eyes are dim shall command
my son yonder to show me the contents,
or will you sir, do me- that service"
Without word, the stranger extend.
ed his hand, received the missive, and
opening, read aloud.
To Hugh Von Hesse. Shepherd IN tile
Valley Of Windtemere.
"SIR You arc doubtless aware that
tho estate which your ancestors occupi-
ed, the same which you now occupy, did
and does of right, belong to my family
and myself, through whose indulgence
alone, you have been, during so long q
series Of years in undisturbed possession
81 AS sole heirs TO the estates of my IA
Their, Lord Windlemere, lately deceased
l hereby demand that immediate pay
ment be made to me Of rents which hav'
been suffered to accrue on the estate il
question, since the same began to be zen
anted by your ancestors and that here
after, rents be annually paid according t.
general usage.
"FRANcIs, LORD OF WINDLEMERE."
| For the space Of a minute not syila.
bic was uttered, not sound was to be
heard within the cottage. The astonish.
ed listeners, with faces marble pale, and
eyes wildly fixed on the stranger, who
having finished the letter, re-folded and
with an air Of indifference tossed it upon
the table.
"What 10 your answer to my lord 2
he abruptly demanded.
"Then you are not he, returned thu
old man in strange, husky voice.
| II Va SOu'SO hOts ~ 3Ou ouppOSt
if were my lord himself.I could not have
delivered this message to you by word o
mouth, instead Of committing it to paper
BY the cruci6x, but you are dull old man.
True, true. you might have done so
and--and--you are."
His lordship's private secretary
since you must know"
! Pardon; / only wished to assure me
that you came from him."
"Do you take me for an impostor q
questioned the secretary. in passion
" Your eyes must be dim. indeed, ii you
cannot see the seal" and he pointed to-
wards the letter enstamped with the coat
of arms Of the house Of Windlemere.
"Your pardon again. murmured the
agitated old man 8" I hardly know what
l speak. All this is SO strange, SO I'M
expected. Had my Lord Windlemere is
sued claim upon the wife of nv bosom,