Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-01-17
THE WHITEHALL PIT.

a line old country house among the EssAx hills
party OF tour persons, one OF whom was de-
failing an experience that hal beflllsn hin
mat day, while the Others we're sttenttyeiy lis
teniug.
The host, an aged gentlemen. sat opposite the
relater. Ga his right hand, silent and notion
less, was Godfrey Nassau, the young rector of
the parish. and on his LETT was his daughter,
with her pretty head resting upon her hand and
with her face, softly illumiu sted by the falling
teller.
This story-teIer was a handsome aud power
fully built man Of thirty or there about, and he
addressed what he said solely to his piS d-rS and
TO the girl, seemingly ign3rng the presence OF
the rector. His voice was strong aud symps-
thetic, and he modulated il srttully. II appear
ell from what he said that he had tn at day,
while in search for subjects for sketching, come
suddenly and without warning upon terrible,
immense and dangerous pit, a deserted MARBLE
quarry, the edges of which were secreted by a
fringe of underbrush.
This, the host had explained, was the White
Hill Pit.
The narrator went on aud described the place,
yivisly setting forth its sinister features. and
dwelling at great lenthg upon the horrors offall-
ing into il.
At this point, the sensitive girl moved little,
and the two young men perceived even the
faint light, that she had become pale. Nassau
hesitated to interfere.
The other, battered at the effect he had pro-
duced. heartlessly went on, and with subtitle
skill enlarged upon the agOnes of a downward
flight through the air, and dwelt with painful
minute ness upon the fnal shock, and the &C
companyiug dIsmem berment of the body.
Miss Alice, heavy-eyed, paliid and trembling
from head TO foot, here fell forward in a faint,
in the mid Of great confusion.
She was Immediately carried from the room
with the aid OF servants, and after a short Alb
sence. the host hastily returned to assure his
guests that they need feel no Apprehension in
regard to her.
lie found them in the midst of hst dis
pute. He listened for moment in astonish-
ment.
/ Said Nassau in a half-suppressed, but still
penetrating voice:
am certain that that was a deliberate and
calculated attempt on your part to produce an
effect. 1t was not at all necessary to the proper
description OF that terrible spot that you should
couple shocking personal experiences with 1T.
Tou were wanton and cruel!'
81 do not admit that you are Judge"
"Possibly, then, you do not admit that we
at seems to me that you are showing a
temper in this matter that does not become a
rector"
at is as much the duty of a rector, sir. to de-
clare his antipathy TO an i'll as it is to show his
love for a virtue, and when the crime that he
discovers has been a covert one, he is bound to
let it be known that he has not been blind
NASSAU! Nassau! Sir" The host here has
tened forward. NASSAU, | am surprsed-I-
this is a sudden outbreak, l."
at had a sudden provoc alton, SRI"
"But you are too hasty. You jump at con-
ciusicns Now, did not see anything of the
fault you mention. You must remember that
Willis there, is giant in physique, and that he
has naturally the feelings of giant. His mind
is active and vigorous, and his ina ,ination
paints in stronger colors. You, who are slight
perhaps, mOrbidly, alive to shades of meaning
from him do not exist As tor Alice, do NOT
doubt that she was tired, or nervous and"
"But, even-"eagerly interposed Nassau.
"Stop!" interrupted the other. "Aiow me.
for a moment, beg of you. I wanted to saw
that if she yields 50 readily to such mild attacks
upon her fancy, think it is high time tina she
and all the household were infused with some
strong and hearty sensations. Perhaps, we VIII
need the influence of an active and animated
spirit, and, il | am not greatly mistaken Mr..
Willis is TO prove our reformer. l am sure,
Nassau, that you will, after a little cool thought
agree with me. Perhaps you are somewhat
overstrung yourself. You know that your la
bors have been severe, of late-perhaps you are a
little sensitive, who knows?''
There was moments silence. The three men
stood motionless in ths gathering gloom, and
were hardly observable to each other.
"Come, Nassau said the host, finally, in a
gently urgent tone-"come, let me make your
peace; permit me to express your goodwill for
my guest-may nOt?"
Perhaps there was something mandatory,in
the request, still Nassau did not permit himself
to hesitate. He replied:
HCertainly, If you will be so kind"
Each made rigid and formal bow, and
then, after the silence of another instant, the
host essayed new and more cheerful vein
talk.
He was but partially successful, however, for
the adverse temper of the moment was TOO
strong to be thus easily changed. Both Nassau
and Willis made forma, attempts at courtesy
but these each and al lacked the saving grace
OF truth, and so they chilled upon the air, like
winter breaths.
In an hour the rector took his departure.
He walked down over the lawns now aud then
ookins at the lighted upper windows OF the old
house.
He leaped over the palings, and stepping into
the moonlit road, walked slowly on toward his
distant home, with his head bent upon his
breast and his hands cla.ped behind him.
He was passing his case and its circumstances
N review.
Come" said he to himself "let US admit
tiny path is becoming a hard and thorny one.
can 10 longer refuse to be convinced OF that.
Willisis my rival. Alice has grown strangely
cold to me. The fathers eyes are filled with
virtues of the new hero, and the old one is being
pushed aside. That is the sum Of it. 1t is
powerful, athletic, spirited man, he is fun of
life and energy. He sings, he rides, be rows, he
laughs aloud, he recites, he fills the house with
His old heart is delighted-and it is natural that
1t should be; yes-it is natural. But Alice
Alice can surely nd little to love in all this. 1t
is impossible that her tender spirit can be cheer
ed or 500 thed by such virtues. Yet she is grad
uslly drawing away from me, she avoids me, she
gives me short answers, she does not smile when
come, or try to detain me when 20. All,
did not think | should be SO unhappy! Still,
how impossible this Isl 1t cannot be! He is
cruel, selfish, heartless. Nothing true and
iastlng can bridge the gulf between them. They
are too dIssimilar to love each other. l am sure
OF that! But let me be calm, Let me Judge
fairly and justly between us-let me examine
our separate dispositions, and assure myself
that am not in the wrong. 1t seems hard that
he, so much of stranger, should rush in and
tear asunder onr sweet companionship with 80
rude hand, and assume by force what | had
earned by long waiting! But patience, pa
thence. Let me study how L can undeceive
hem, and warn them Of the impending danger
Let me think and plan what can do to restore
the old order OF things that loved-alas, per-
haps, too WELL"
Conmuning thus with himself, the rector, |
kept on his way, revolving his troubles in his |
mind, and gradually bringing out of kthe chaos |
a well-defned ana necessary purpose.
During the few days that succeeded this, VIII
lis urged his new born claim to Miss Alice's ia
vor with great persistence, and Nassau, stand
ing partially aside, felt the current turn more |
and more strongly against himself.
Finally, urged by his ever-increasng pain |
and anxiety, he one after noon sought out his |
rival, whom he found ct the edge OF q wood up !
on hill side, where he was occupied In sketch
ing the broad and glowing interval
He was smoking, and was entirely at ease in |
his loose garments, while Nassau, in circum- |
spect black, stood formerly erect, at short |
speaking distance.
81 had hoped" said the latter, coldlv, after
aiyiv Forv 40