Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1869-03-26

the fine things in the house"
90 The girl is but three years old and tn
boy one. | don't think they'll see much dil
ference between his lordship's house an
this. | won't take the baby =
- What? Not the baby? the beautiful
little angel Lord Warleigh will never fol
give you for keeping him away
But Benford was positive. and taking hi
little girl by the hand he walked to the Cal
tie and entered the library. His lordshi
was not within, and Benford drew chai
near the table, and opened a book of print
for the amusement Of his daughter Will
they were thus engaged a side door noiseles.
ly opened and Lord Warleigh stepped il
He stood still at the threshold and looked a
the group before him. He seemed transfxe
with fear. He held out his hand and said ::
You-you there, so soon at this tim
of the day And she who is she -
My lord, - said Benford, came at th
hour you fixed. This is my little daughter
You asked me to bring her to see you.
hope you are not offended
"Ah, now remember, - said his lordship
and held out his hand Sc | see visitors s.
rarely, Mr. Benford-and ladies be add
ed with smile to the terrified little girl VIII
stood between her inther's knees and gaze
with mute wonder on the old man 5 face
.. ladies 50 seldom present themselves here
that was surprised-but now mos
happy
He sat down and talked with the greatest
kindness. lie drew the little girl nearer and
nearer to himself at last he got volume
from the shelf, Of the most gorgeousl Y color
ed engrayings. and took her ON his knee. lie
showed her the beautiful birds represented in
the book told her where they lived and some
of their habits and pleased with the child 5
intelligence, and more, with the confidence
she lelt in his good nature, he said '' And
now, little lady, you shall give Inc kiss, and
tell me your pretty little name.
The child said - Ny name is Dulcibel
Benford, and held up her little mouth to
give the kiss.
But Lord Warleigh grew suddenly cold and
harsh. He put her from his knee in silence I;
and the child, perceiving the change, went
trembling to her father.
\ strange name to give your child, Mr..
Benlord, ' said his lordship.
- m very sorry, indeed, my lord, began
Mr.. Benford, but perceived in the midst Of
the profoundest respect for the peerage, how
absurd it would be to apologize for a Christ
ian name
- You have son, think what name
have YOU given him p
" His name is Wilmington, my l0rd-au
uncom-''
&" What '' cried Lord Warleigh, starting
up. You come hither to insult me in my
own room. You creep into my house, and
worm yourself into my confidence, and then
when your think ! am unprcpared-ior
you
50 As hope to be saved, my Lord give
you my word, my lord never meant to
insult you, my lord, said Benlord " but
since | have had the misfortune to offend
your lordship, l will withdraw. Come, Lucy
Manifold. She has three names. my lord,
Ducibel Lucy Manifold. I'm sorry she didn t
tell you 90 before"
" No-don't 20, said Lord Warleigh,
sinking into his chair it was nothing it
was sudden pain, which often puts me out
of temper. Is the little girls name Lucy
Manifold? You won't come back to me
again, will you, Lucy ?''
.. o YES, my lord. Lucy, g to hIs lord
ship, he will show You the pictures again.
Benford pushed her towards L.ri War
leigh. but the girl blushcd and tremblcl. and
I
d" Don't force her. said the old man ~ 81
mournful tone. " knew she wouldn't. But
you won't 20 in anger Lucy Benford, You II
forgive me ?''
]. O, my lord. - said the cumte. immense
" Cratifed. and sat down again.
s. Are these family names, Benford 2.' in
quired his lordship, carelessly but still look
ing sadly in Dulcibe's glowing face.
T.,.I Th.r1 ..I ...H|.
er's name. and her brother name. W inning
ton Harvey. You have heard, perhaps, of
his melancholy fate He was murdered.
'You are Wilmington Harvey snephew o..
sand Lord Warleigh.
'' Yes, my lord, and they used to say was
very ike him."
=; Who-who used to say So? Yourm1th-
er, perhaps. Is she alive?
{" Both father and mother died when was
three years old. Ny grandiathe-, in York
shire, brought me up. IL was dear old cousin
Lucy who died when | was twelye-Lucy
Manifold" "
- She dead, is she ?''
.s o. yes, my lord, and left ne all the lit
tie money she had. She used to say was
very like my uncle
- And did she tell You any particulars Of
his end ?''
" No, my lord. She spoke very little of
the past She had been very unhappy in her
youth-a Disappointment in love we thought;
and some people said she had been fond Of
Uncle Wilmington but | don't know,-his
fate was very horrible He had been down
in Deyonshire, reading with friend, and
was killed on his way home. "
- And you never heard the friends name
" No. Cousin Lucy never menei0ned it.
and there was no one else who knew
- And how do you know his iate2'
" 1t was in the coroner's verdict. And DO
you know, my lord, he is buried not far from
this?''
-. Who told YOU that?" said Warleish.
starting up, as if about to break forth in an
other paroxysm Of rage. "Who knows any
thing about that?''
3. Cousin Lucy told me, when | was very
Young, that if ever | went into the West 1
should try to find out bis grave.
.. And for that purpose you are here; 1t
was to discover this you came TO Warleigh -
His lordship's eye flashed with anger.
90, no, my lord it is only a coincidence
that's all but the place is not far of In
fact, believe it is nearer than cousin Lucy
thought"
3D.. Go on, 20 on. cried Lord Warleigh,
restraining himself from the display Of his
unhappy temper. - What reason have you
to think SO p"
''The map of the country, my lord. Oak
field does not seem more than twenty miles
/ of
=. And your uncle Is buried there ?''
- Yes, my lord. | think Of going over to
I see the crave next week -
81 wish You good-mornng, Mr. Benford, "
said Warleigh, suddenly, but very kindly.
- You have told me strange piece Of family
history. Good-morning, too, ny little dear.
What YOU won't take the old mans hand
You look frightened, Lucy. VIII You come
and see me again, Lucy Mainfeld?" He
dwelt upon the name as if it pleased him.
"No, never" said the little girl, and push
ed Benford towards the door. - don't ike
you, and will never come again.
Benford broke outinto apologies, and cold
perspiration " She's a naughty little child,
my lord. Dulcibel, how can you behave 50 :?
Children, my lord, are so very foolish
- That they speak truth when it is dis
agreeable; but l expect it, and am not sur
prised. Good-day.''
oooh alter this a series OIL miracles occur
red TO Mr.. Bcniord, which filed him with
surprise. The manager Of the bank at War
leigh called on him one day, and in the most
respectful manner requested that he would
continue to keep his account, as heretofore.
with the firm. Now, the account of Mr.
Benford was not such as would seem to iusti-
fy such request, seeing it consisted az that
moment of balance of eighteen pounds seven
and fourpence. However, he bowed with
the politeness which a curate always displays
to a banker, and expressed his gracious inten-
tion of continuing his patronage to Messrs.
Bulk & LOBBY, and the latter gentleman, ai-
ter another courteous bow, retired, leaving
the pass-book in the hands of the gratiied
clergyman. He opened it, and the first line
that met his view was a credit to the Rever-