The herald and mail. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1873-188?, 1874-01-30

what our +" whip" had told me, and
was a good deal annoyed at the intell
gence. I didn't fear the result of a COZ
test, but found myself all of sudde
likely to be called upon for a conside
able sum of money, and / might loo
forward, for the next three months, to
constant sojourn at Penwalyn, enlivene
by incessant canvassing and entertain
ing all the country side. And I ha
hoped to have been able to slip away t
Italy, where the Ruddocks Il was aW
fully spooney on Hilda Ruddock then
were going for the winter.
Gimball was retired lawyer who ha,
made great fortune-with all kinds @
raseality I have no donbt-and settle,
down in Cadant, where he built hom
twice as big as any other in the country
As he was constantly giving dinner-par
ties and balls, and so on, he had becom
rather popular in the neighborhood
and he was always ready to head sub
scription, whether it was for chapel O.
church, or to replace Morris Pugh'
pig that had died of the measles. Sucl
fellow as this was no end of a nui
sance, always leading one into expense
and bothers. Then he was very active
as a magistrate, and as he didn't care
about shooting himself, not knowing
the stock of a gun Efrom the barrel, be
was always making capital by letting
off poachers; and generally bidding fol
the applause of the mob. But 1 never
suspected him OF such treachery as try.
ing to supplant me in my own county.
The best thing I could do, as ]
| 1,f 70 1a Ii
own den; it might be that all this was
ing myself for nothing at all. It's the
best policy to be plain and straightfor-
ward in these matters. Yes, I'd drive
over and see at cnce, and put it to him
plain and plump: care you going to
that people are telling about you?"
There was a little difficulty about
the conveyance at first. The carriage
horses were at grass, and I had no sad
die horse down here. The nag that was
dead lame, and I should have had to
send half dozen miles for post horses.
Evans skepta trap, knew, and asked him
to drive me over to::Bryncoed, MIR. Gin
balls place. He was quite overpowered
to get ready his train.
It was about six miles from Penwalyn
to Bryncoed, rather a bad road, but
Evans little pony scrambled up and
down the hills at capital pace. We
came, in about half an hour. to a gate
leading into the domain of Bryncoed !;
there was no lodge there, and, as Evans
was driving, jumped down to'open the
gate. I was about to swing it to when
Evans had driven through, but was
stopped by a hail from behind me.
"Hullo young man, hold hard T
The speaker was a young girl, mounted
on a handsome black horse, who had
just cantered up on the turf. Chow de
do, Evans ?" she went 90, nodding in a
| friendly way to my steward. "You've
got your boy home then, have you ?"
"Bless the young lady, mol Why,
this is Sir Richard, Miss Gimball p
But she had cantered away without lis
tening to an explanation. "What an
extraordinary thing, sir, to take you for
my son, sir 70
I had observed that she was very
pretty, piquante-looking girl, and won
| dered how it was that l had not made
her acquaintance before, till I remem-
bered that I had not been down for
more than few days at time for sew
eral years, during which period Miss
| Gimball had no doubt emerged from
the pupa state of short frocks and
frilled trousers.
It is a pretty place, that Bryncoed,
built On a green lawn sloping right
down to the brink of the charming estu-
| ary of the Tyv; bright-looking mod
ern house, with plenty of light and air
| about it. A little yacht was moored in
| the river, and couple of boats were
lying on the strand the cheerful tones
of piano echoed from French window
opening on the lawn. / heard the
sound of voices and laughter.
A very cheerful-looking servant open
ed the door and took my card. He
| looked more serious when he returned.
| Indeed, the whole house seemed all at
once to have assumed sadder aspect.
The sun disappeared behind q cloud,
the music ceased suddenly, the voices
and laughter-but I was blind to the
omen.
Masters very unwelI," said the
man "too i'll to see anybody, SIR"
"My business is very important" I
said. "Who is the mistress of the es-
tablishment % Whispered to Evans.
"Mrs. Pendergap, his sister, sir,
replied Evans.
"Take my card to Mrs. Pendergap,
and ask if I can see her."
was presently shown into drawing
room, whore Mrs. Pendergap joined me.
She was a very pleasant, brisk, little
brown woman, one of that jolly sort
who do all the talking themselves, and
yet don't bore you with their clatter.
She OWNED my purpose in a moment.
"About the election, isn't it Poor
Edward, my -brother--such a disap-
pointment Yes; it's no use making a
secret about it now. He fully intended
to oppose you. Now, poor fellow, his
thoughts are entirely weaned from
worldly matters" She passed her hand
kerchief lightly over her eyes.
"Desr me-" said, quite distressed
that I had intruded my affairs into this
sorrowful house; 81 had no idea. Is
there danger"
"Not Immediate o, no but these
attacks-so distressing. I daresay he'll
see you. I'll go and prepare him for
your visit"
By and by was ushered up into the
sick-room. It was shaded and darken-
ed, and could hardly see the tip of the
sick mans great hooked nose, his prom
inent dropping eye-lids. He was sur
rounded by battery of physic bottles.
His hand was outside the coverlet. and
he took nine in his and pressed it
feebly.
"Sorry to see you in this way" I
said. I really was little touched at
the sight of my enemy thus laid low.
Chow trivial" he whispered, Sin
such seasons of sickness do our little
differences of parties and sects appear
I'm glad to see you and shake you by
the hand. If I've ever said or done any
thing offensive to you, Walwyn, forgive
me-"
"Don't mention it," I replied ''by-
cones and so on. To tell you the truth,
[ heard that you intended to oppose me
for the county. I'm glad to find that
the rumor is false.
go Walwyn," he whispered, "do I