Litchfield enquirer., 1868-01-16


 1t did net matter much. ! only thought of 1t when ] began to feel that I was fast falling jn love with his daughter; and that if things were to go on. as smoothly as they then seemed doing. ! should have either Q knight OF 3 baronet for ny father-in-law.
 In the midst Of such pleasant specula- tlons, l could not help an occasional spell of dospondency, which even the cham pa2na faile,l to dissipate. 1t was more than presumption-it was the extreme of abs1lr,sitJ--to suppose that such 2 fine for tune was ln store for me. To think that I, Francis Elcetwynd,a simple captain in Her AoJeafy's service, with no other support than my pay, should come, see, conquer, and carry eff the only daughter--I had al- ready learnt that she was this-of rich English squire, knight, or baronet-the surroundings spoke eloquently as to the richcs--to fancy might achieve such a feat was, to say the least of it, not q little !udicrous. And when I looked around the table, and saw the elegant " swells" seat ed there, several addressed as my lord,' felt my heart sink within me, and trembled at my lnslgnltic0nce. What most surprised me vas the very great attention was re- ce1Ylng, not only from my pretty partner, but Sir William himself and his stately wife, who was addressed by the title of L2dy Mary" Others, too, of the more distinguished of the diners, were lavish of pleasant speech, and l might have felt my self the honored guest of the occasion. 1 conld only attribute this to that high con- slderatlOn shown ny the English aristocra- cy to one who comes among them as a stranger. u is true that to deserve 1t, he must come under correct Introduction, and mine was thoroughly so. No doubt my friend Henry had spoken well of me, and to this might accrejlit the quick intimacy that had sprung up between myself and his sister With all my gratitude to him for this, l had rather have believed 1t sponta- nc0us.
 Dinner was at length ended; the roast beef and roast ttrkey-the pieces de rests h112cc Of lIHg!and's Christmas cheer-had been removed from the board; the blue blaze of the plum pudding had gone out, and It's Q36Tts been carried away; the fruit had appeared upon the undercloth, along with tIee port, sherry and claret; tho nuts had commenced cracking, and the bon mots were be1n5 pulled, when all at once there came change over the hilarious scene, as Ii ;l wet blanket had been lowered down from tho ceiling over the bright candala1)ria that stood upon the table.
 oIr William was about rising to propose the usual toast of 8 Christmas dinner, when tho butler, entering by the dining-room door, slipped something white into his hand, accompanying the act with q whis- per.
 We his guests, could sec that it was a card--eFldentiy the card of 6 gentleman who might be waiting outside; but why should It bring cloud over the late smil- ing face of our host, was less easy to con- preAend. l writ served by the sheriff t1 p?op1%G persona, could not have caused a greater change on the cOuutenance of the worthy squire.
 For my part, supposed it to be some communication from his son-the card of some gentleman sent as 8 messenger to an- nounce either the death or it's near prox- lmlty, of the unfortunate Nimrod with the displaced shoulder blade.
 Of course every eye was turned upon Dir William, every ear on the alert to hear what he would say. That of the lovely Emily was no longer open to me.
 '' Ladies and gentlemen!' said our host, rising to. his feet, may l not ask you to pardon my seeming rudeness for leaving yoI moment? A gentleman whose card 1 hold in my hand, IS outside. He comes upon pressing business, and 1t is necessary 1 should at once sec him. Please fill your glasses, and make merry till my return " :
 Saying this, Sir William strodo towards the door; as he did so, casting 8 look across the table which seemed to comprehend me and his daughter Emily, in 8 glance both strange and incOnlprehensible.
 What the deuce does 1t mean?" was the reflection l made to myself, while oth- CTS seemed engaged i'll similar specul@tions
 No one attempted to answer the inter- roGatoTy; and although glasses were filled atresh, and an effort made to keep up the 1t proved failure, and was succeeded by-a death-like silence.
 It was a relief to all, when Sir William came back into the room; though it was somewhat embarrassing to me when ] saw him take stand on the opposite side of the table, with his eyes fixed upon me as though was to be made ansWerable for the late accident that had bofalien the fox hunter
 -" Is your name Fleeswynd?" he asked, in 8 tone Of .austerity close bordering upon insult.
 My name is Floetwynd"
 Jasper Elee5wynd, of her Maiesty's Civil service, late resident in Madras?"
 "No; Francis Fleetwynd, of Her Majes- ty's army, late serving in the province of Bombay"
 Permit me to ask, sir, how you came to be lere?'
 "By invitation from your son."
 From my son! This is very strange. Permit mo to say, sir, that I have some Ill giving credence to your state mont. My son, gentlemen" continued he, turning to his astonished guests, " had invited to be present with us, at our Christmas dinner, an old college acquaint- ance, Of whom you have all neard-Mr Jasper Fleetwynd. By strange accident, Rfr. Fleetwynd has been delayed upon the road; but he is now here, as I have evidence to satisfy me he is outside. Who Captain Fleetwynd may be, requires explanation; and hope, sir, for your own sake, you will be able to furnish it.
 I need hardly say that I was as much as- tonished by this speech as any one around the table, and quite as unable to furnish the explanation demanded. was chagrin- ed, sufficiently to cause mo some confu- sion; at the same time had some comfort in perceiying that there was one among the guests who did not, as might have been ex- pected, shrink from me with horror. In the eyes of Emily, I saw something that spoke of sympathy