Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1861-10-10
dNOrtester 4ailg Spy.
AND THEN Z!

"Why, then, I'd pull down the rickety old
house up there and build palace fit for Il
prince 70 keep nothing but the old wine
I'd have lots OF prime fellows to stay with me
and should sport the finest horses and dogs
in The country p The speaker paused out OF
breath.
"And then 2" said Mr.. Canute, quietly.
"Why them I'd hunt, and shoot, and ride,
aud drink, and smoke, and dance, and keep
open house, and enjoy lite to the tull-leasting
from years end to years end-the least OF
reason aud the flow of soul, you know, in old
AmbeTmead."
"And then 2"
"Why, then, suppose that in time | should
grow old, like other people, and cease to care
Tor all these things SO much L did when
Youth and strength were mine"
And then Z" said Mr.. Canutc, more slow
IT,
"Why, ia n"-and the stranger hesilated-
"then | suppose, like other people in the
course Of nature, should have 10 leave all
pleasures of this lite, and, like other people
die"
"And then z" said Mr. Canute, fixing his
eyes, gttering like diamonds, on the young
mans lace, which flushed up, rs lie exclaimed
with some irritation
ooh, hang your and thens = But the moon
is well up, | see, so I'm OFF. Good night, and
thank YOU" And without further barley he
started off on his walk over the hills and Mr..
Canute silently watched his guests retreating
figure TILL in the deep shadows OF the surround
ing groves he was lost to view. In the moon
light, in the darkness, in the valley, and OF
the hillside these words haunted the way tarer,
and he kept repeating to himself, And
then z" Thoughts took possession OF his mind
that never before had gained entrance there,
orat least they arranged themselves in Sc
qucnce which gave them quite new signIii
canoe His past te presented itself to him tor
the first time as a coherent chain OF events,
eXempIifying cause and effect; and ii his plans
for the future did not at that moment receive
any delerminate change, he still kept repeat
ing, anxiously and inqu ringly, as lie wandered
on in the moonlight, the two strangely sug.
gestive words "And tLen z" II proved long
and t0.lsnme nights journey Tor that beated
traveller; for he had left Mr.. Canute's cottage
so hastily that he had omitted to ask tor Ger
tain landmarks on tnc hills leading to the
place whittier he was bound. In consequence
the stars faded in the sky, and the rosy morn
broke through the eastern mists, ere the wpa-
ry man. from the summit OF high hill which
he had torluously assembled, beheld atar off,
down in the valley, the shining river, the
bridge, and the church tower of tie town
where his friend, in some anxiety, awaited his
reappearanCe.
During all his after life that young uiau
never forgot the solitary night walk when he
lost his way beneath a beautiful spanged SUN.
nler sky; the stars seemed TO form the letters,
"And then % the soft night breeze seemed tG
whisper in his ear, ''And then"
Ii is true he had not gained the intelligence
-A-----,Asil,t respecting the inmates of Amber.
Tor the inspection Ur-4-->;d i,re his own folly
turn lie had listened to 10 reprooi-tI;;-, ne.
some lecture you9hsated from prosy age to
ardent youth but simply two words had pene-
asu1l l. L.:
ously. Mystic little words, "And then ?'
For nearly three years after Mr. liarwell's
decease, the cid Hail. contrary to general an.
tlclpation, remained untenauted, save by do
mestcs lett In charge. Miss Clara had ound
shelter with her relative, Lady Ponsonby
though her memory was still fresh and warm.
ly cherished ....~-- ifer
beautiful native village. Mr. Canue e, il posi-,
ble more silent than ever, still remained the
village oracle perhaps more cherished than
OF yore lnasmuch as he was the only menIelI-
to remaining OF the beloved Harwells-the old
tamli + faces now seen no more. He would
listen, and they would talk, of days gone by F.;
he felt the loss even more than others. for he
mourned companion and friend in Mr. Har
well, and Clara had been to tie good Two
Words as an adopted daughter. At length it
was rumored that Mr.. Selby, the new proprie-
tor, was soon expected TO take possession OF
his property in due form; moreover, that he
was on the point OF marriage, and that his
young bride would accompany him. Ill re
ports fly quickly and it had been circulated
In former times that Mr. Selhy was wild and
eXtravagant, careless OF others, selfish and
pruigate. Indeed, Mr.. Canutn had not CON
tradcted such reports, SO il was generally
opined they were too true, and had legal
foundation. With heavy hearts the inhabi
tants of Ambermead commenced their rural
preparations for the reception of the squire
and ms BRIDE green arches were erected, and
wrcathes oil flowers were hung on the spread
ing branches beneath which the travellers road
iav. 1t was the season Of roses and niglltjn.
gales, when Ambermead was in It's glory and
never had the rich red roses bloumed so pro-
fusely, and never had the chorus OF the groves
been more full and enchanting, than on the
summer evening when the young and old OF
the hamlet, arrayed in their holiday attire
waited to greet the new corners.
MIR. Canute stood at bis cottage door; the
bridge just beyond, over which the route con.
Quoted to the ball through avenues OF green
erie, was testUoned with roses and band
of madens in white lined the picturesque ap-
proach. The sun was setting when carriage
drove quickly up, sackening its pace as ii
crossed the bridge, and stopping al Mr.. Ca
nute's humble gate. Two Words himself
bareheaded, stepped forward OIL seeing Il lady
alight, who in another moment threw herself
Into his arms eXclamng-"Our first greeting
must be from you, dear, dear Mr. Canute! |
need not introduce Mr. Selby-he is known
to you already" Speeches. from aslonish
ment and emotion, the old man could only say,
"MisS Clara as he gazed from one to tile
other, recognizing in the gentleman the way
farng guest who had departed SO abruptly on
his walking expedition over the moonlight
hills more than three years previously. Seiz.
ing the hand which Mr.. Canute silently ex
tended, MIR. Selby said, with deep feeling -
1t is to your instrumentality that owe my
present happiness"
GLOW so @ was Mr.. Canutes reply, look
ing with pleased surprise into tile open face
which, on former occasion, had won his con
fidence and admiration
"Ieco VordS spoken in season wrought
change in me which all the preaching of
friends and guardians had failed to effect, re
turned Mr.. Selby, "and without which Clara
never would have blessed me with her hand.
These years OF probation have proved NV sin
cerity; and Lady Ponsonby Ia severe and
scrutinizng judge pronounced my reforna
ton complete, ere she permitted me to address
Clara Those two little words, e'Aad then !'
enigmatical to the uninitatcd, convey deep
and mystical meaning to my heart and they
are of such significant import, that by insert
ing them whenever paint the future / trust
to become a wiser and better man."
Clara gazed proudly and confidingly on her
husband and the news Of her arrival having
spread through the village, a crowd collected,
whose JOY and surprise found vent i'll tears
and blessings, to say nothing of numerous