The Morning herald., 1876-12-22

so quickly from gayety to gloom! Their
eyes met, and each read in the face Of the
other sadness beyond words.
CHAPTER XIV.
TWO LETTERS.
Despard did not go back to the Grange
for some days. About week had passed
since the scenes narrated in the proceeding
chapter when one morning having finished
his breakfast, he went into his library and
sat down at the table to write. A litter OF
papers lay all around. The walls were
covered with shelves, filled with books
The table was piled high with ponderous
tones. Manuscripts were strewn around,
and books were scattered on the floor. Yet,
amidst all this disorder, some order was
apparent, for many of these books lay open
in certain places, and others were arranged
80 as to be within reach.
Several sheets of paper, covered with
writing, lay before him, headed, "The By
zantine Poets." The books were all in
Greek. 1t was the library of a hard-work.
ing student.
Very different was the Despard of the
library from the Despard who had visited
the Grange. A stern and thoughtful ex-
preston was read in his face, and his eyes
had an abstraction which would have done
credit to Mr.. Thornton himself,
Taking his seat at the table, he remained
for while leaning his head on his hand in
deep thought. Then he took up a pen and
drew piece of paper before him to try it.
He began to draw upon it the same figure
which he had marked with his cane on
Mrs. Thornton's carpet. He traced this
figure over and over, until at last the whole
sheet was covered.
Suddenly he flung down the pen, and
taking up the paper, leaned back in his
chair with melancholy face. "What a
poor, weak thing I am" he muttered at
last. and let the paper fall to the floor
He leaned his head on his hand, then re.
sumed his pen and began to make some idle
marks. At length he began to draw,
Under the fine and deIicate strokes of
his pen, which were as neat and as exqui
site as the most subtle touches Of an en-
craving, picture gradually rose to view.
It was a seaside rcene. The place was
Hobby Beach. In the distance was the
light -house; and on one side promon-
tory, which protected the harbor. Upon
the shore, looking out toward the sea, was
a beautiful girl, of about sixteen years of
age, whose features, as they grew beneath
his tender touches, were those of Mrs.
Thornton. Then beside her there gradually
rose another figure, a youth Of about eigh-
teen, with smooth face and clustering locks,
who looked exactly like what the Rev.
Courtenay Despard might have been some
seven or eight years before. His left arm
was around her waist, her arm was thrown
no till it touched hisshoulder, and his right
hand held hers. Her head leaned against
him, and both Of them, with subdued ex-
preston of perfect happiness, tinged
with certain pensive sadness, were Look
ing out upon the setting sun.
AS soon as he finished he looked at the
sketch, and then, with a sudden impulse,
tore it into thousand small fragments.
He drew the written manuscript before him
with a long and deep-drawn sigh, and
began writing with great rapidity upon the
subject of the Byzantine Poets He had
lust written the following words:
' "The Anacreontic hymns of John Dam
ascenus formed a marked contrast to"
when the sentence was interrupted by a
knock at the door. "Come in p 1t was the
servant with letters trom the post-oftice.
Despard put down his pen gravely, and the
man laid two letters on the table. He
waited till the servant had departed, then
seizipe one of them, small one, addressed
in lady's hand, he pressed it vehemently
to his lips and tore it open.
1t was as follows:
"DEAR Mr.. DEsPARD,-I suppose l
may never expect to see you again, Yet
must see you, for yesterday | received a
very long letter from Paolo of so singular a
character that you will hive to explain it to
me. / shall expect you this afternoon,
and till then, l remain.
"Yours sincerely,
TERESA THORNTON.
"Taornton Grange, Friday"
Despard read this letter score of times,
and placed it reverently in an inner drawer
of his desk. He then opened the other,
and read as follows
"HA1rAx, Nova SCOTIA, Jan. l2, lS47.
"MY DEAR CoURTENAY,-I was very
clad to hear of your appointment as Rector
Of Hobby your old home, and hope that by |
this time you are fully established in the
old Rectory, where you spent so many
years. was there often enough in poor
old Carson's days to know that it was
fine old place.
[ro BE Continued