Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-05-20
BOOK. .OF.TRAVEL SKETCHES.
aQGu NUMBER Nv. ''@ Ia
81 "DooN A THE BRAH." 90
A TRUE STORY OF ENGLISH LIFE.
E BY AlICd.
PART FOURTH.

| Inere was scene Oh Win cohiuoion
exhibited within the usually quiet limits
of the Tandauk mansion, such as had not
for years, If ever before, been witnessed
there. A strange and startling revela-
ton had been made, resulting from old
John Byron's quest of his young mas
ter-the lad was nowhere about the place.
The terrified servant had made a thor
ough and entirely satisfactory search,
after failing to find him ia any of the
apartments in which he usually passed
the hours of the day, before he ventured
to communicate the unwelcome intelli- :
gence to Lady Anna. a9fe
But at last it had to be done, painfully
unpleasant as was the necessity-there
was no possible way by which it might
be avoided. But when that moment
came, the old man s strength and cour-
age had depar ted they deserted him en-
tirely, as he turned about from the aban-
doued search to descend to the court
balcony where he had left my lady stand
ing, awaiting his coming with dreadful
suspense. The whole dread truth came
to him now, and he knew just what re-
port he would have to make. He had felt
strange misgivings on certain point,
tinged with vague forebodiDg of evil
sometime before-several hours, il 1sy
have been-and now this sudden confirm
alton of his gravest fears, aye, fears be
had scarce dared to entertain, almost un-
manned him. tgf1) coaia
In just what manner he conveyed the
tidings to his anxious mistress the poor
man never clearly understood. But It
was done, and that was all he compre-
hended. His old head was well nigh
crazed. He had 90 longer .he burthen
of his own sorrow alone to bear, but
shared the grief of Lady Anna, and suf.
fered much in sympathy with her. He
could not avoid feeling, too, the stiugs OF
very tender conscience, which persisted
in charging upon him the responsibility
of this new bereavement. And he felt
that his mistress, more ready than ever
to distrust him, would also hold him to
that responsibility. Then he thought OF
Robbie's disobedience of his mothers
wish that very morning, and how be had
indirectly given countenance to the act,
and the old mans soul was pierced with
added sorrow and remorse.
And how ia it possible for feeble words |
a. tIot 4
the communication Of the dread intelli-
genee to the sorrowing mother There |
was no violence in her grief, no wild,
incoherent raving, no sudden, desth-like
swoon. 1t was as if the poor woman
had recognized in this sad event the |
further unfolding of an inevitable fate,
and in silent, deep despair submitted to |
il. She seemed 10 feel that this pursuing |
fate had at last done its utmost, and that
her boy was lost to her-was dead. The
fact Of his sudden and mysterious dis
apnearance, under such peculiar circum-
stances, she could only thus interpret.
True, she gave orders for more thor
ough and extended search to be made
through the house, still clinging to q
shadow Of hope that the lads place OF
retreat had been overlooked by too much
haste in the fret examination. Bat the
old game-keeper well knew nov that it
was useless labor, and would be spent 10
vain. he had his reasons, good and
sufficient reasons, too, and upon explain
ing these briefly to Lady Anna the fur
ther search was discontinued.
The cid man then FASTENED TO bring q
thick, warm cloak from q wardrobe near
at hand. aud speaking few words Of
comfort and encouragement TO the sor-
rowing lady, he bid two or three OF the
male domestics to follow him, and left the
honse ss once, proceeding as rapidly IS
possible in the direction Of the beach on
Tsndsuk Point taking his course
straight across the grounds Of the estate,
regardless alike Of paths, hedges or
bitches. = .-If.5. 4, t.t
Thisvss seemingly a very strange move
meHt, 10 say the least, but the old SER
want knew at last what was necessary to
be done--Ehat iad 10 be done, IN fact,
and he Get about doiHg II In earnest, aud