, 1860-12-07

everything was made at home and great deal
OF coming and gOng.
Our quictest was about the beginning Of No
vember, just before the winter fairs began.
Then Mrs. Williams got her cattle killed, and
her meat salted, and most Of her servants were
busy about their work in the yard and buttery.
One close. cloudy day, such as comes SO often,
in the Martinmas time, was sitting by the best
kitchen, close by the window, doing some needle
work, and Mrs. Williams was up in her own
room settling the accounts, for It was Monday
aud early in the afternoon. The sound Of horses
4 hoolS on the road made me look out, and there
was gentleman handsomely mounted, with q
servant after him-as gentlemen rode in those
days. They looked as though they had travelled
far, and were coming TO rest at the inn. When
! the gentleman alighted, saw that he was tall
| and handsome, somewhere about thirty five, and
had iOvial, gOOd-natured look, like one who
was well pleased with himself and everything
about him. He walked in, not at all strange
like, and asked me, in the most civil and cour-
teons manner, if Mrs. Williams lived there, and
| If he and his servant could have dinner. The
first question was asked in low tone, the Sc
cOnd in louder key; and before l could an
swer il, Mrs. Williams came down. Judging
from her look, be was quite . new comer
thought the gentleman glanced curiously at her
At first, and then seemed satisfied that all was
right, repeated his question about dinner, saying
that he was stranger in that part Of the coun-
try, but had heard 50 much Of the Golden Sheaf
that be wished to stop and dine at the house.
never saw Mrs Williams receive any gentle
man with more respect and ceremony. She
courtesied him into her best parlor, called the
hostlers to help his servant with the horses,
took his orders for bis dinner, and set about
/ cooking Il herself for the cook was hard At work
My first notion was that she had discovered him
to be some great person travelling in disguise,
and half expected to be told Of It. Mrs VIII
lams used to talk good deal when we were
alone in quiet afternoons; but now she went OF
cooking and aking things ready without saying
/ 4 word and there was liked look in her face,
which / could not understand, but il kept me
from talking. ] laid down my work and rose TO
make the ell soup; il was one Of the things for
the making Of which Of late was my great exul-
tation. But now she stopped me. bf.s ~ ff
No, Mary, finish your sewing; those linens
| will be wanted. will make the soups myself"
sewed away, wondering who the gentleman
could be, aud what had come over Mrs. W., tlll,
happening to look up, missed her out Of the
kitchen. She had gone up TO her own room,
but came back In a minute, with paper in her
hand, which she emptied into the soup and then
threw the paper into the fire.
That's the red pepper; it viii do now" said
she, taking up spoonful and making believe "
taste H. bat she did not ! stitched on for q
minute or two, though my blood vas running
cold and the boiling Of that soup in the large,
quiet kitchen sounds through. my head some
| times even now. Mrs. Williams was standing al
the window, with her back to inc. l never
knew what made me do il but It was as If some
one bad hidden me; and without word OF
thought but that il must be done, ran TO the
fire and gave the saucepan poke, and sent the
soup blazing up the chimney. As il fixed up,
the thought Of her anger came over me knew
not what did, but uttering wild cry Of fear, |
rushed to the nearest door, and il was the best
parlor. The next thing remember is crouching
behind the gentleman, who had started up and
stood in the door, as Mrs. Williams came for.
ward with two knives, which had been lying on
the window, in her hand. ri. b. lst
"Pooh, never mind the spilling Of the soup,
said he, understanding at once what had done.
You would not be angry with the child for that
she could not help il, dare say. can dine
very well without il. You do not know me,
Mrs. Williams" he continued, coming q step
nearer where she stood, still looking at inc with
a deadly glitter In her eyes.
"Don't IL" said She, and l did think she was
irving which Of her knives was sharpest.
'"Well," said the gentleman, "you may know
me as Edward Winstaney, but you don't know
that have married your daughter and brought
her home lady. Ineyer meant to act the VII
/ lain towards her. We were privately married
but while the old man lived Il had 70 be kept
secret. and we knew you would keep IT, That
is why have come to-day 10 surprise YOU; but
you will come TO Winstanley Park aud give US
your blessing. By Jove, maam, you are not 90.
ing to hintr
She had staggered back against the wall, her
white lips set, and her eyes growing CLASSY lie
and I, and half dozen Of the servants, whom
my screams had brought in, ran to help her, but
she pushed US away with q desperate effort
darted up stairs, and we heard her lock herself
in her own room. The whole house was terri.
bly frightened; the maids all concluded that
Mrs. Williams had seen q ghost, What Win
stanley thought do not know, but he asked me-
no questions, and never seemed TO suspect any
thing about the spilled soup. He lcfl note foT
Mrs. Williams and went of with the servant a
little before sunset We all went about our
business, for work never slacksnsd in that house
on any account, and the evening coach was cx-
pected. .. 4
Just before il came, Mrs Williams's bell rang
and the housemaid said she wanted me. When
came into the room she was sitting at the desk
looking herself again but her face was still
white, and she had her long knitted purse full o.
guineas in her hand.
MARY" said she, you are agOOd eirl--tak,
this and go home-l'll take care that you get nc
blame"
"l want no money, ma'am," said I, "but III
go home if you'll let me, and never say word
except to my father and mother"
She held out the purse once more. and then
pointed to the door, but could say nothing: Il
must have been proud pull for the proud spirit
got out Of the room as quick as ] could, threw
on my hat and cloak, and got into the coach a
soon as il came up, leaving my trunk and alb
hind me.
Ny father and mother were nightly surprised