Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-05-11

This state of things was especially dis
pleasing to Lady Anna, who possessed
her full share of the proud, sristocratic
notions of her class. At first she yielded
to her love for the boy, and INDUCED him.
He was but child, they were but two
children together, she reasoned, and this
childish sentiment would not stand
against time. But when, on the other
hand, she saw it increasing with each
added year, her fears became sharply
aroused, and she determined, in the ex-
ercise ofwh she was pleased to consider
her duty, to cut short the dangerous inti-
macy at once.
Robbie was therefore forbidden asso-
ciating with Mary, or even recognizing
her upon any casual meeting. More
than this, the widow Purcell was notified,
in very correct and formal letter, that
it was desirable she should prevent her
daughter from placing herself in the way
Of the heir of Tandeuk, as it was GER
tainly very improper for the lad to cult
vate or retain such associations, and for
the girl to aspire 80 much above her sta
ton in life.
For time, it may we'll be believed, the
young folks were far separated by cir
cunstance. Robbie made brave effort
to yield his wishes in obedience to his
mothers desire. The widow Purcell, too,
keenly stung by the ungenerous impute.
tions contained in Lady Anna's letter,
was unnecessarily careful that her little
Mary should not unwittingly offend the
sight of resident of Tandauk Place.
Mary, however, well knowing that the
sentiments of mother and son were as
diverse as night and day, had little heart
to regret the happy chance that brought
her in contact with Robert, far away from
the watchful eyes of Lady Anna.
These chance meetings" became
quite frequent, toe, in the course of time
and Robbie, finding that be had the heart
felt sympathy of old John Byron, the
gamekeeper, began systematically to plan
in aid of the more certain recurrence of
those happy "chaLces which enabled
him to enjoy the society of her who pos.
sessed so large share of his youthful at
feetions.
He, therefore, made the old game
keeper the recipi, mt of his full confidence,
and requested no only his sympathy, but
his assistance as we'll. John, right we'll
pleased with the spirit of the lad, easily
overcame any delicate scruples which
might have troubled him, and entered at
once, heart and soul, into the plans of the
youthful heir of Tandauk.s
The good widow Purcell, though once
in good circumstances, during the life
time of her husband, had since then be-
& 4 ,,ba 20 nj
Point, reduced to grievous state of pow
erty. 1t required the united efforts of
herself aud little Mary to ward away
from their little household the pinching
hand of want.
The child, patient and industrious,
with few unnecessary wants, was able to
contribute in more ways than one to the
family's support. In the long winter
evenings she employed her skilful fiu-
gers in fine needle work, or in knitting
pretty little purses with cunning devices
Of fruits and flowers, wrought with col
ored beads, which she sold at the village
fairs and to the children of the wealthy
on gala days. Then in the summer time
she sought out on the hillsides and in the
valleys ripe fruits and berries, and choice
wild flowers, which, with the product of
their little kitchen garden, found ready
sale in the market of the neighboring
village.
At the head of little bay near the
western extremity of Sheppey Island,
where several springs combining formed
q sort of msrshy basin, there grew in
certain species of bulbous
water plant called spillets, which were
accounted by many persons great rari-
ty, and always brought good price in
the proper season.
Little Mary, for long time, was the
only person who knew of the locality
where these spillets were to be found,
and herself received the sole profit of
their sale. And even after the secret be-
came known, for she never sought to hide
it for her own advantage, no one had
quite the selfshness to seek to deprive
the little maiden of the traffic which she
had so long enjoyed.
Thus, for period Of several weeks, in
the early spring time, Mary made daily
visits TO the island for her supply of spill
let's. The first red pencilled suuoeams
danced not too soon upon the water to
fnd her on the shore, or already
rowing cheerily away across the
channel in her little boat, chris
tened Good Wiu" which had been
to her by Ne Job Carter,
kind Quaker friend living in the neigh
borhood Of the Point.
Thus was afforded favorable oppor-
tunity for those clandestise meetings
which Robbie, with the aid Of his con-
6dant, constantly sought to bring about
1t was easy enough accomplished, with
out doubt, yet with some risk to life and
limb. The lad usually spent an hour on
horseback, in the early morning, riding
over the estate, in company with John
Byron. The woodlands of Tandeuk
Place-the favorite region for these plea
sure xcursions-extended down TO the
brow of the cliff, which formed their
boundary, on that side, for the distance
of q mile and halt
The old gamekesper, then, having been
familiar for years with q secret, yet
somewhat dangerous path, down the face
of the rock, somewhere near the middle OF
the estate, reluctantly communicated this
knowledge to Robbie, st the urgent soli-