The Portland daily press., 1872-10-05
The Hancock Secret.
A STORY OF ENGLISH HIGH LIFE.

She was a mystery to her fellow traveller;
in the third class cars. She was evidently &C
customed to the first, by the instructive move
ment she made for the strap by the windows
she was as evidently unaccustomed to hard
work, by the whteness and smallness of her
hand; for she drew off he glove inadvertent-
ly-a light, kid glove, soiled certainly, but OF
perfect cut and quality-and showed her small,
fair hand, with marks round her fingers as il
they had the habit of rings. She wore large
waterproof cloak, to the effectual conceal
ment of her dress, which, however, cracked
and rustled underneath like silk; and she had
the unmistakable air of high-bred lady; and
though her face was so concealed by thick
Shetland veil there was no telling what her
features were like, yet she was certainly
young, and everything about her seemed to
pre-suppose beauty. Altogether she was an
anomaly; her whole manner and style differing
so strangely from the place in which she
found herself, and from the companions con-
sequent.
Presently the train slackened, then stopped
at Three Danes station, and the anomaly was
observed to shrink farther back in her corner
and to hold her head bent little down. On
the platform was footman in green and gold
the Hancock livery-standing a step or two
behind tall, handsome-looking man, both
scanning the train as it passed. Outside the
SOdOiOh w a. dSaLliASC WIN pAu VI Ddyb, UuS
like of which are not often seena
"There's Hancock's bays" said rough
farmer lad, seated opposite to the anomaly.
"Belike my lady's coming down." returned
his father, to whom he had spoken. 81 see
her go up yesterday"
As he said this, the footman running along
the line turned his eyes into the carriage, and
nodded supercilliously to Hodge; and Hodge
and his son pulled their forelocks and said
"Good morning, sir" quite respectfully.
If the anomaly had not worn so thick vel
Hodge would have seen her smile.
"My lady dosen't seem to have come, Sir
john" then said the gorgeous creature in
livery, touching his hat; and his master an
swered quietly, $50 it seems; come to meet
the next train," as if he did not care much
about the matter. But in his own heart he
was Tuning savagely; blaming her for not
telegraphing if she had been prevented com
ing; blaming her for stupidity, carelessness
Indifference, and all manner of evil things,
as men do when they are angry, and before
they can vent their wrath on the offending
head. e.rFr .al-.aa. -
Meanwhile the train went on. At the next
station it dropped Hodge and his son, and
about five miles further it stopped at an in
significant little station, where only thirdclasi
trains did stop; and the anomaly alighted,
and made her way across some fields to a
small cottage set at the entrance to a by-lane,
pretty little place, with rustic porch cover
full II odashoned o%eTs rte an saEa
pushed open the wicket-gate, and went up
the paved walk and through the porch into
the inner room, where an elderly woman sat
watching sick child. .1-..-..z
"Well, Goody, and how is he to-day?" she
asked, below her breath.
"Ah my lady, thought you would come.
DC had L. ~ l. L
I've looked for his last every minute, as you
might say"
"Poor little felloww said the lady, tender
ly. "Ah! he is ill, poor darlingp' and tears
were in her eyes as she sat down by the bed
side and softly touched the wasted, feverish
hand,
1.-The doctor says as how he cannot last the
night through if some change don't take place
soon to-day" said the old woman. "You
feel sure, my lady, don't you, as how have
done my best?" she added anxionsly.
'Your best, Goody! of conrse do Have
we not trusted you? and don't know you,
dear old soul?" The lady spoke with tender
afectionateness rs she laid her hand on the
old woman's shoulder.
s'And Miss Annabella, do she feel satisfied
in her mind?'
The pale face into which the woman was
looking so anxiously flushed 81 am sure
she does" she answered snake your mind
easy on that; my sister is as well content with
you as l, And now l must go. You will
write and let us know how he goes on. If
he does not live it will not be for want of care
we must accept what ensues patiently. You
VIII want money, in any case, and have
brought some. And now, Good-by, Goody
God bless thee, little one," she added, stoop-
ing down and kissing the child's unconscious
face; and with strange feeling of mingled
pity and relief flor she saw the boy could not
live), human passion and the relaxing of a
heavy social burden warning together in her
mind, she passed out of the cottage and took
her way back across the fields to the little
station again, just in time for the up-train,
This time she entered a first-class carriage.
She got in, enveloped in her waterproof, and
masked in her Shetland veil, still an anomaly.
AT Three Lanes she got out radiant in silk
attire, and with an uncovered face, confess
eddy Lady Hancock. She was greeted with
respectful bows and hat-touchings, by the
station-master and the porters.c 'iiT:>'
Sir John was here by the last down-train,
looking for you, my lady," said the station
MASTER
II am SO sorry! I fell asleep by the way,
and so missed the station" said my lady sim
ply, looking divinely lovely as she lowered her
eyes and blushed.
For my lady was not great adept at telling
stories, and generally managed to be betrayed
by her bushes.
Inc statlon-inaster stared, but said nothing
He and the footman, and Sir John, too. for
that matter, had looked into every first-class
carriage carefully, and had seen no Lady
Hancock awake or asleep; but my little lady's
little games were not his affairs, so he made
half-military salute, and looked as if he be-
heved her. Presently the hall carriage dashed
up.
you need not say thai made this mis-.
take" said Lady Hancock, hurriedly. "Sir
John Is nervous about my travelling alorie.
and he would notlke it if he thought c6lfid
make such blunder. I will 20 across the
line, and will you keep the servant here until
the London train has come imp
1t cost the lady something to weave up this
little network OF falsehood and pretences. but
more was at stake than the mere verbal truth
OF the moment; and if she was falsifying
facts, it was hot TO do harm to any one b11ff
to do good, and to shield the suffering. With
which spocious reasoning she stroYa to COZ ,'r''
tent her SOUL and succeeded but il, --
When the train stopped, she sir
tne little waiting room, and
platform close to an open nod ont
tootman came hustlr> s,o IL on NJ tb
"Lor. nv carriage, just as he
been in q across; and just, to-
ar LED.
ladyp' said the maid, 1T hav
f.. ever such way about you! locke
ii looked till the trgin began to move. and
never see your ladysAat ALL am glad 20
came all safe!' d
81 do not think your eyes can be very goo,
Vince" was the lady's quiet rejoinder: an
the station-master was more than ever pu
zled at the why and wherefore OF Lady Ha
cocks intricate maneuvers.
Then the carriage rolled away, and Il
pretty, sweet-mannered, easy-tempered la,
left her character behind her-at least, wi
one man.
She found her husband decidedly cross a
sulky when she gothome. He was not We
well disciplined person, and he hated to
disappointed. And she found, moreover, b
sister-in-law, Miss Annabella, in her oN
room with nervous headache. The ms
said she had had an historical attack to-ds
and that the doctor had been in the hou
left. Sow "A'-
"Well, so you have condescended to COZ
home at lastV' said Sir John, disagreeab
as his pretty wife came into the room viii
face full OF the most penitent. coaIino
licious smiles imaginable. s'
~ go John, l am SO sorry!" but the T, .x+c