The Grange advance. [volume] (Red Wing, Minn.) 1873-1877, 1875-01-19
SIR LEICESTER,

hao just nnlshed my next Sunday
sermon when my study door opening,
my wife entered.
'George," she said, sinks says he
thinks something is amiss up at the
Priory; fog, as he passed awhile ago,
he saw the old steward, who looked
terribly scarcd.''
"Why did he not ask the cause, my
DEAR l rejoined.'
''He did; but he says the old man
merely shook his head, wrung his
hands in the deepest distress, and hur-
ricd away
Digging my pen in my desk, to the
humiliation of its nib, reflected over
my wife's statement. Finally I said,
MY love, whatever it is, it is evident
we can do nothing. Sir Leicester Con.
nington is not man with whom even a
clergyman can interfere.'
"He is as mad as March hare, that
is certain remarked my wife.
"My love-my love - expostulated.
swell, George, l say mad. If we
were in the fifteenth century I'd say he
was dealer in the black art
Gas true as most such accusations Ct
the period
"Perhaps, therefore. as we are in the
nineteenth century, I protest mad.
James Morgan declares the other day
he came upon him lying among the
ferns in the wood, talking like ma.
MAC to something he had in his hand.
Then he laughed, then he wcpt, then
he writhed on the grass in agony, ut
tering strange words; then, leaping up,
united his horse and rode of. like the
Earl King HIMSELF
"All true, my dear. Certainly, the
poor gentleman has something on his
mind, but Of what nature
My observations were cut short by a
violent ring at the bell. The next mo-
ment the servant entering, announced
that the steward from the Priory wish
cd to see me Immediately,
"Show him in here, Mary" said my
wife quietly.
formation she was gratified; for, on the
old stewards entrance his appearance
fully confirmed Jinks' statement. He
was pale to degree, and his features
depicted suppressed but intense dis
tress. Bowling respectfully, he at once
delivered his message.
Sir Leicester is sorry to trouble you
at this hour, sir,'' he said, "bnt he'll
take it as favor if you'll come to him
at once, for he's dying.'
"Dying!' I cried. surprised, for that
morning1 had seen him pass my study
, window, looking as we'll as usual.
"Dying!' CALCULATED my wife, in
horror. 'Oh, what can be done =
"on'y, if you please, if Mr.. Hartop
| will see him.
"Certain}H. Dear, dear me - l ejac.
ulated, taking my hat. "Come, my
man; let us CO.,
believe my wife would, if possible,
have liked to have accompanied US !;
but she whispered to me to return as
| soon as [ could.
AS we proceeded, inquired Of the
! steward the nature of his master sud.
den malady.
| "sudden!" he repeated. ':Sir, it's
been Of years duration. Vow the end
has come. My dear mastcr-you will
hear all, MIR. Hartop, from him.
The old mans grief was so evident
| that l forbore to question him further,
and went on in silence.
Kenelm Priory was fine building of
the Elizabethan era. Five years pre-.
| vious to this story it had been taken by
Sir Leicester Connington. The gen
try we're delighted at the addition to
J the neighborhood, especially as the
Baronet was unmarried, and not much
over 80. But it was soon found Sir
Leicester intended to keep no society.
With him came two servants-the old
steward and an elderly superior female
domestic. The other servants were en-
gagged from the town, and only employ
ed in those mental Offices which never
brought them in contact with their
master.
The visits that were made at the
! Priory were never returned. Sir Lei
cester led the life of recluse. For
months together he never quilted his
house; then he might be seen riding on
superb horse about the country, with
the recklessness Of maniac. or, as nv
wife had remarked, like the Earl King
himself. lie never crossed neighbour S
threshold, and no strange foot crossed
! his.
For my own part I imagined Sir
leicester had committed some grave
sin, and was thus expatiating it by re-
morse. It may be conceived, then,
that I felt both curious and little
anxious at the thought of hearing the
truth from the dying mans lips.
On entering the Priory, I expected
to be taken up stairs to the upper floor,
where knew were the bedrooms: but
instead, my conductor, crossing the
spacious hall, opened the library door,
and ushered me into Sir Lieccster's
presence, where stood, surprised. mo.