New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-08-27


comfortable before nightfall. He had three
of the lightest and pleassntest rooms got
ready for his master-ss bedchamber, dress
| ing-closet and study; . suite of apartments
ON the first floor, fronting southwark, and
overlooking garden and park. The house
lay IN q valley, and to the left, yonder,
above the trees, Sir Jasper could just see
the white walls and rose-wreathed chimney
stack of Mr.. Dorillon's cottage. 1t was q
small thing, but it pleased him.
CHAPTER M.-THE MIDSUMMER RENTS.
Sir Jasper sent for his land steward early
next morning, and frankly told him he was
pauper.
.You must get me the midsummer rents
without an hours delay" he said.
"Impossible!' cried Mr.. Dibber. 'The
| till pretty close upon NJ ichselmss."
And then he gave Q dozen good agricul-
tural reasons why the farmers should be &C
corded this much grace.
II don't care rush for their cattle, or
their pigs, or their cider, or their corn" re-
piled Sir Jasper. "F7e lost all my money
at faro. and l must have some more to 60
on with. l am going to Paris next week to
see the new King and Queen
BenOni was present at this conversation
and lent an attentive ear. Mr. Dlbber, the
steward, promised to do his best with the
tenants, early as it was in the quarter.
There were some wealthy farmers among
them, who would not mind paying prompt
~ to Obiige their landlord. He ventured to
promise his employer six or seven hundred
pounds in the oourse OF the following day,
IN hard cash.
When Mr.. Dibber had retired the young
baronet took up bis hat and cane and
strolled ont, dressed and 20 wdered as for
the mall, and breathing delicate 0dOrs of
Marechale and altar of roses, to survey his
domain. He had not seen it since he was q
schOOlboy, with q strong inclination to steal
his own apples. Sebastian accompanied his
master, full of lite and gaiety; rushing off
to pursue imaginary game, rolling on the
dewy grass; reveling in the freshness and
beauty of the country, the width and liberty
whereof must have been great relief to his
canine mind after the elegant restraint at
St. James. Everything about the manor
house wore the same grim, deserted look
empty stables, empty dog kennels, coach
houses in which ancient vehicles were
slowly rotting, prey to time and moths-
everywhere the gloom of the grave. No
wonder that Sir Jasper turned his back
down the avenue to find little more bright
ness and dOmesticity at Mr.. DOrillOn's cot
tsge; Sebastian rushing about the park like
Q deme nted dog, chasing the silvery tailed
rabbits, and sending the red-brown equir-
rels flying up the beach trees. Sir Jasper
introduced himself to the old scholar, who
received him graciously, but without q
shade of sabservience or sycophancy.
f.h Yop ere re like my generous ,Sus friend your
slowly upon his dreamy mind that this
arrival of the master of Lydford might be
bis own notice to quit. It would be like
tearing up an old tree to root him from the
soil. But who could tell what ideas q
young gentleman Of fashion might have.
"You are, perchance. contemplating al
terstions and improvements at the manor"
he said in his gentle voice, land you may
require this cottage for some other purpose
than the shelter of old ageP'
Whereupon Sir Jasper protested with
eagerness that the cottage was entirely at
Mr.. DorillOn's service, and should always
remain go. Nay. he in q manner laid the
whole domain 1T his old friends feet, de-
clsring that he was proud and happy to
have SO accomplished gentleman resident
on his estate.
"But 1 am afraid you are without proper
service in this BGtian district" said Sir
Jasper. II was inexpressibly shocked to
see Miss D0rillon open the gate yesterday
evening"
"The lad who ordinarily attends to that
duty-which, in sOOth, but rarely calls for
his attention-had gone home to his supper"
explained the scholar; but my daughter is
not proud. She has received the education
of gentlewOman; but she knows that when
am gone she may have TO accept depend
emit position"
Miss DOrillon entered suddenly at this
and drew back, blushing rosy REQ
at the sight of the town gentleman, whom
her father made haste to present to her as
the son of his benefactOr. Sir Jasper's
kindly air soon set her at ease, and che was
ready to talk to MIN about her garden, and
the church, and the village, which, with
the neglected old park, comprised the only
Never had Sir Jasper seen so lovely crea-
ture; or go, at any rate, did he think as he
talked with Der. All his St. James beauties
with their satin sscques, and Gainsborough |
hats, and powder and perfumery, and |
stately courteseys and fippsnt smartness of |
before this country girl, with |
her innate distinction and her unconscious |
rustic graces. In word, Sir Jasper, after
half losing his heart three times over dur |
ing the London season last past, lost il al |
together to Phillis Dorillon in an hour.
He walked back to the manor house SLOW |
y, in walking dream, wondering how he /
should live till it would be decent to call at
Mr. DOrillOns cottage again. The rest of |
he day hung heavy on his hands. He
played with Sebastian, and explored the
tables, and examined the dusty old library,
where the wisdom Of the ages had suffered
from damp and mildew.
After dinner Sir Jasper contrived to pass
dr. Dorillon's cottage, on pretense Of going
INTO the village-with Sebastian ct his
FEELS, as usual-and finding the old gentle
nan trimming his roses, went NO further,
nut spent an hour in conversation, during
he latter part Of which Phillis was present.
1e went home in another dream, and sat
ate reading Romeo and Juliet, and think
og how true to nature was the poets pic
ure Of sweet, sudden love.
Next day he spent another hour at the
0ttage, where Sebastian had already made
imself q favOrite. The dog had taken it
ito his head to adore Mise DOrillOn from
he beginning of their acquaintance, and
he was delighted with him. He filled up
IL awkward gaps in the conversation, and
1as altogether the pleasantest company,
ven when he only sat staring amisbly,
18th his tongue out. and wagged his appro-
alton OF the company with his big tail, |
hich went flip-fOp on the beeswaxed floor
Mr.. DOrillon's bO0k-lined parlor.
Sir Jasper now began to have doubts az
, the wisdom of that intended departure |
y the continent which he had talked
bout. The weather would be insufferably
arm in Paris, and he could live little
niger without standing among q perspir-
g crowd to see the French King and
ueen dine in public on Sunday after
BON. Better delay his visit till the early
inter, perhaps, when there would be mas
lerades and festivities, such as the Kings {
y young brothers affected.
In the meanwhile Sir Jasper felt inclined
patch up his neglected old house, and en- I
y the pleasures of country life. A few t
lndreds judiciously spent would brighten
Q aspect of things wonderfully. A couple I
saddle horses in the stable, q pointer or I
70 and brace of settlers in the kennels, '
ID modest bachelor household in the SER
'nts' Offices-Benoni would soon put mat i
I'M l -