New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1868-07-20
AGNES PERCY;
OR,
THE RIVAL HEIRS OF ABB0TSWOLD'
CHAPTER i.
THE HEIR OF ABBOTsWOlD.

THE HEIR OF ABBOTswoID.
On pleasant afternoon In early Autumn III INC
year $780, small party of ladies and gentlemen stood
upon one of the terraces in front Of an old English
Castle called hbbOtswold
That middle-aged man. of bold front and goodly
presence, dressed in black velvet, with buckles Of
gold upon his shoes, and sparkling diamond OF
wOndrOus size and beauty in his frlled shrt-front,
is John Percy, the present Marquis of Abbotswold.
The youth by the lords side, with n book in his
hand il Eusace Percy, son of the Marquis, but not
his heir. No.--Eustacc is only eighteen, and his
brother Albert is twenty Albert, bold, dashing and
handsome, just home from Oxford for n hunting va
cation is 70 succeed to the lorshp of this great
tate for in England the oldest son is sole hor TO the
real propcry-and Eustace is hesitating between the
Church and the Army The Marquis says nothing 10
influence the boy either way the Marchoness pleads
for the church, while the boy himself prefers the
army. And wonderful and paradoxical rs 1t may
SEEM a certain beautiful maiden. named Isabel 81.
john who even now steals sly and papitatng ganceS
at the pale student whispers To him that he shall be
a soldier. She knows there will be danger: but she
thinks she could love n hero; and she knows Enstace
Percy would he "A hero if he were soldier; for she
knows that he is noble and true, and that Drawer
youth never lived
Eustace Percy was tall and well formed. His face
was strikingy handsome. His brow broad and high
his eyes large and brilliant and of clear, ceruean
blne the outline of his profile Of the finest Grccian
cast while his hair, of golden brown, cropped
short over the white full brow suffered to float
away over his shoulders and back in mass of natu-
raj curls.
At short distance from the marquis stood the
marchioness engaged IN conversation with beyy OF
girls who wero her guests for the time. She was
handsome woman, and tit companion for the lord
of Abbotswold.
"Eustace" said the marquis, regarding his son
with a look Of tender regarda look such as he never
gave TO the older son, If you feel You look, you
must feel rather sad What is the matteri | am
afraid shall have 10 shut your books away from
you for awhile The doctor says your temperament
is peculiarly sensitive one; and ! believe he Is
right
Yes" mumured the lad, half TO himself, and
am as sensitive to things vet 10 come as / am to
things already in the present. My father. there is
heavy load upon my heart this day.
There, boy-no more of that! never knew You
TO fall into of these fits but something Ill
to pass directly thereafter. The last time you
sad under heart-load our little Bertha was taken
from us-the third and last of my daughters-leav-
ing you and Albert alone for to love. o, no more
Of it, Eustace! Cheer up and look off to where the
lingtons cot look like diminished gold"
The marquis gazed OFF upon the iishermans cot as
he spoke and directly heavy shadow rested upon
his own face.
by the way" he said, speaking in a low tone, and
looking TO that only his could hear his words
have you noticed whether Albert visits Calling
tons cottage of late as he used TO DOR
Eustace shook his head without answering.
Il know what you mean," said Sir John, sadly.
Albert goes there too often, and tremble for the
consequences. Agatha CallingtOn is very beautiful,
and wonder not that the boy is smitten; but he
should remember his station. and not bring a stain
upon his name directly under the shadow of his own
home. ! will speak with him. should have done
so before. have neglected my duty
Aye John PeTcy,.you HAVE neglected your duty;
and that neglect hath given birth to a curse that
shall fall heavily upon your house in the coming
time that one whom you love and cherish shall,
under its fiery touch, wish that he had never been
bonl
Indeed, my father" returned Eustacc, hopefully,
II do not think Albert would do anything wrong.
Is he not a PeTcyi"
"Ah, my boy there have been some very bad quail
ties in the characters of men bearing that name.
But will not borrow"
Hal" cried Isabel ST. John, jumping up and clap
ping her hands at that moment and thus interrupt
ing the marquis in his speech, here come tho hunt
ers. Come, Mr.. Percy" she continued, approaching
Eustace, you must smile now, for you know we are
TO have a grand time this eyenng-Eustace! What
is iti You are ill.,"
"No, no. dear lady. 1t is only passing thought.
will Danish it speedily"
What means thati"
"WhatiD
"The horses are walking and there come men out
from the wood bearing something like litter"
Ayc-what is itf
And still the horses walk-walk slowly that men
who bear something like a litter can keep up with
them. Slowly, slowly,-but nearer and nearer still.
until those who bear the Interior litter it is
come mp to the terrace and set their burden down.
Lord AbbOtswOld what is OH that litter, and
with mighty groan he buries his face in his hands
and sinks down upon his knees by its side.
The marehiOness sees what is upon that litter and
with low, waing cry, she sinks fainting upon it.
Eustace Percy gazes upon the thing which those
men have borne from the wood, and with his hands
clasped and his eyes turned heavenward, he prays
for the eternal rest of his dead brotherl
Aye-Eustace Percy is no more for the church-no
more for the army. He is the heir of Abbotswod,
being the only living child of John Percy.
The sad story was told in very few words. Al
bert Percy had lost his life hundreds had lost their
lives before Excited in the ase-determined to !