New Orleans Republican., 1875-11-21
NEW ORLEANS REPUBLICAN, SUNDAY NOVEMBER 2l 1876

ough bad lot take my word for it, and Pm
one as knows him well--too we'll, by q deal.
He WAS child in arms when first set eyes
on him. 1t wasn't such a lucky day for me
when first met the master, / can tell you"
There was the sound Of a fOOtstep. The
master appeared, advancing toward the en-
trance. Mark raised the lantern, not to aid
his master, but the better to see his face.
you're in one of your nasty tempers,"
said Mark. "It's no use Of your denying it,
for can see it with halt an eye. Your face
Is as white as ghosts, and you're shiver-
ing as though you had the ague. And
what's that upon your shoulder-not blood,
surely not see it isn't-its ink"
This was not pleasant speech, nor one
likely to have pacifying effect upon an
angry man.
The master stood glsrng at his servant as
though longing to spring at him.
Stand back" cried Mark. "None OF that.
Don't try to come that game. know you'd
like to kill me if you dared. But take care;
we're not alone. There's a witness here
Stand back, or it will be the worse for you"
With an effort the master controlled him
self
There's money for you,' he said, and he
flung at Mark handful of silver and cop
per coins Some of them struck on his face
rather severely.
You know what you deserve said Mark
up d IOu
deserve to be taken before the Judge sitting
there in court. You ought to be made an
example of, you ought Hanging's too good
for the likes of you. But the judge would
find some way of giving it you, daresay.
Justice would be done anyhOws. shouldn't
have to ask twice for it,"
Hold your tongue, can't youl" -
"Be civil, then. or take care don't drag
you before the Judge He'd see justice
done me, in double quick time. And
where would you be then, should like to
know"
l withdrew. Curious as l was in regard
to the two men, | did not care to be any
lohger witness and an auditor of their
angry discussion.
l retired to my own room, and having
lighted CANDLE was sitting at the table,
on which had enrolled map, drawn on a
large scale, of a portion of the neighboring
country through which our line was to pass
| was noting in pencil the direction of the
railway, with memoranda as to gradients,
etc.
The MASTER entered abruptly. Then,
as though recollecting himself, ne paused,
and stood for few moments with an ire
solute air near the door.
II beg your pardon" he said, I'm in.
truding upon you, know. But, you must
think all SO strange here, and, worse than
that, go shameful. l would explain matters
if could, but that can hardly be- For my.
self, it doesn't matter so much; Pm used to
1t But You must have been used to such
very different state of things. l really think
that you'd-that it would be we'll for YOU to
leave US. The Red House is no place for
you. And Mark ia such q scoundrel. You
heard him just now. l could have struck
him dead for his insOence; he deserved no
lees. No. l don't quite mean that. either.
But it wasihard TO bear, wasn't it"
why do you bear it Il Why don't you
get rid or hint He's your servant, isn't
he p
Well, yes. He's my servant, after a
ashton. But you don't know how hard it
would be to get rid of him. can't well
explain it, but it would be very difficult
So old servant, you see. detest him, but
| can't bring myself to turn him adrift."
He spoke with curiousiy evasive air.
Not but what it's too bad, a great deal
too bad. He grow worse and worse. He's
most abusive, he's rarely sober, Vand he
won't do stroke of work. l have to sup
port him whether like it or not, and
don't like it. But ! take care to earn as
little as can, for the more | earn the more
he wants. And he spends every farthing
on drink. So / only work now and then, by
fits and starts, as it were. earn enough to
keep body and soul together; only that.
But I've said enough about myself and that
wretch Mark. More than enough, you'll be
You're welcome here; stay as
long as you like for that matter. | don't
grudge you the shelter of this tumble down
old place; only, when all's said, the Red
House, in it's present state, is hardly a
place for you to be living at. What's thatl
A map of the county, It's on very large
scale"
Iexplained to him the object of the map
and my occupation in regard to it.
Il wonder whether Mervyn Court is
marked down on It'll"
Yes. l know it is, for / was there to-
iay. We're going to cut through the park.
What a shame! mean I'm very sorry to
near it. The poor old park"
1.-THE house is a ruin
"Yes. 1t was nearly burned down some
years ago."
You know it we'll ~
Very we'll. ought toll was born there.
1t belonged to my family for many long
year. But what am l sayingl That's yery
carry your line through the park! Well,
why not! What's the park to mel'
He had moved from the table, and was |
standing by the fire, leaning against the |
His face was in shadow; it |
v ore, l could see, subdued and even
oained expression. His voice was low and |
melancholy of tone, and he spoke in self
way |
whats the park to me now9" he re.
oeated. 1T was something once, but that's |
.ll over now. And the ceurthouse-it was |
thought to be fine place, q show place; |
people came from miles around to look at |
t. Well, it's a blackened ruin now; like nv |
ife-like my lite!" He was silent for few
Pm intruding.' he said presently. "I've
10 right, feel that, to trouble you in this |
way. Pray pardon me. When you 90 |
rom here it is probable that we shall not |
meet again. would only ask you to think |
rs we'll of me as you can. l mean, don't /
,ear too hardly upon me. Although ad. |
nit it, deserve my fate. Think me mad,
f you will. know my words must sound
7ery strange to you. Think me mad. Per-
md good-by."
He bowed his head, and without another
vord strobe from the room. l was left
lone to muse over the strangeness OF his
peech
CHAPTER V.
Mervyn Court had belonged to his family,
% he had admitted. l had noted it in the
ourse of the morning. OF the house itself
title enough remained; but there could be
10 question that Mervyn Court had been
,ery noble property. Who was this man,
hen! Was he the victim of delusioni
70, there had been nothing, as it seemed to
ne, Of craziness in his discourse, although
le had biddee me think him mad.
A loud knock at the door.
Come inn
Mark Voss entered unsteadily, for he was
ar from sober. He advanced in some
taste, as though fearing to fall if he walked
lowly, and stood half leaning upon the
able, and clutching the back of chair,
he better to support himself.
"The masters been here.v he said,
hickly. "Den't deny it, because 1 heard