Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-02-12
THE MAYFIELD MYSTERY.

y Il
FROM THE NOTEBOOK OF AN ENGLISH JUDGE.
The extraordinary events which, under the
above title, shall detail to my readers, re-
quire no preface.
In the pretty, and even now romantically
situated vicinage of Hampstead, proceeding
further north than the old suburban village,
with all its well-known associations, was
country house, that went somewhat oddly by
the name of Mayfeld.
This house stood very nearly on the brow of
hill, and commanded q charming view over
many miles Of highly cultivated country. 1t
was surrounded by very small kind Of half
park, half garden, and the persons residing in
1t rented a held OF about twelve acres close to
their home, from which each summer toler-
able stack Of sweet, fine hay was procured, to
the great delight of couple of ponies who
luxuriated upon it.
The owners and occupisgs of Mayield were
an old couple Of the name Of Cattley. They
had one only son, an adventurous but fine
spirited and good-hearted boy, who, to the
great grief of Mr.. Cattley, and to the greater
grief still of his wife-if loud and fearful de-
monstrations portrayed greater grief-was
fully impressed with Shakspeare's idea that
"Heme-keeping youths have ever homely wits u
So he determined upon seeing something of
the world before he settled down, either in
town or in country, to the enjoyment of the
very handsome income which would in the
course Of nature be his.
There was long struggle with parental
fondness before the consent Of the father and
mother could be procured to Edward Cattley's
departure to the Mauritius.
Those islands, which we wrested from the
French, but which retain SO much of their
French character engrafted upon the nearly
tropical manners and customs of the real
island race. ever had for Edward Cattley an
attraction that, at some period or other of his
life, was sure to drag him to their verdant
shores.
And 50, by dint of perseverance, Edward
fairly started for the isles Of beauty with the
consent Of his parents.
The young man was nineteen years of age,
and he made solemn promise that he would,
under any circumstances, not be more than
three years away from home.
And so he departed, and a gloom fell upon
the cid house at home. 1t was not until he
was gone past recall that the old csuple began
to feel how completely bound up in his exist
ence, and even in his presence, their lives
were.
But days heightened into weeks, and weeks
accumulated into months, and months became
year, and the time Of the return of the wan
derer was approaching; and when half his pc
ried Of absence had passed away, it was to Mr..
and Mrs Cattley as if some dreary night was
fitting by, and the first streak of dawn was
mantling the esst.
Two years Of the three were gone. A letter
had come from Edward, stating that he was
well and happy, and that the dear thoughts of
home were still with him, and that he would
be back in the three years that were passing
away.
Then the last winter that was to pass over
Mayfeld House before the expected return
came, and the loud storm wind houled about
the old gable ends of the place, and the snow
lay deep on the ground.
1t was fearful night, when several of the
oil fran boat 81 L.. -
by gale that at sunset had sprung up from
the northwest, that a loud knocking ut the
outer door Of Mayfeld House, just as the old
couple were about retiring to rest, disturbed
the whole household, and brought many fears
TO the hearts of the anxious father ana mother
There were some FIVE or six servants kept in
the house, for the means of the Cattleys were
much greater than their style of living ap-
peared to indicate; and as cid Mr.. Cattley went
half way from the dining-room, where they
had been sitting, to the hall, he heard some
one questioning the old butler, who had har-
ried after the foOtman, whose duty it was to
open the door.
voice.
'Yes, sir,' was the reply
And is Mr. Cattley within ?''
Yes, sir -
Will you say, then, that Mr.. st. George.
from the Isle Of Bourbon, is anxious to see
him ?"
Now, old Mr.. Cattley knew perfectly well
that the Isle of Bourbon was the old French
name that one Of the islands of the Mauri-
thus went by; and, the moment he heard
the message given, he felt certain he was about
to hear something of his boy.
But what would that something be2
Would it be disastrous or joyful? That was
the cheek of Mr.. Cattley, and set his heart
beating at most unusual rate
Mrs. Cattley, too, had heard, while she stood
at the open door OF the dining-roo sufficient
of whatths visitor said, to feel that it had some
connection with her son, and she ran out of
the hall, crying out, "Oh, sir, sir, whoever
and whatever you are, tell me at once, what
you know about my son w
''Ali is well with Edward Cattley," said the
stranger.
Neither the father nor the mother noticed
the peculiarly strange and solemn way in
which the stranger uttered these words. but
they both exclaimed together. Thank God
thank God Welcome sir, Nelcome to May
field with such news. Come in sir-come i'm"
Old Mr.. Cattley almost dragged the stranger
into the well-warmed, well-lighted dining
room; and then they saw that he was q slight
made young man, Of about twenty years of
age, and that there was q peculiarly of CON-
plexion about him, which, if it did not stamp
him at once as a creole, at least signifed that
he had black blood in his veins
He had the vivacious eyes Of the creole race,
and the dark olive complexion, but his hair
and the shape Of his head and features were
decidedly European.
"My dear sir, pray sit down, said Mr.. Gait
ley. "You shall sup. Nay, you have proba-
bly, not dinsd yet-what say you, What shall
We order for you?"
Nothing, kind friends, nothing for me-"
replied Mr.. st. George, as he warmed himself.
my heart is too heavy to permit me to par.
take of your hospitality"
"Your heart heavyh' gasped Mr. Cattlsy.
"Good Heavens. :" cried the mother; "then
1t is i'll news you bring e
The young stranger shook his head.
Mrs Csttley burst into tears. 81.
Mr.. Cattley strovs 10 speak in tones of firm
ness, as he clasped his hands together, and
said, "For the love Of Heaven, sir, tell us ALL
for suspense is the worst agony the heart can
suffer-"
The young man was silent for 9 few mo-
msnts, and then, with deep sigh, he said,
"It would be sffectation and folly for me to
keep from You the information have come 30
many miles to impart to you. Your SON.
"Spesk. oh, speak"
"My son, my SON." screamed Mrs Cattley.
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