The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1877-08-26
GERVA Sc
S&adeEMeVeReilI4 a
An Episode OF the i7th Century.
THEODORE HOWARD GALToN
GERVAS Sc
Continued.
CHAPTER XII.
Rogers Preposet,

That Clara Finch should have consented 10
q tefe-G tete interview with Edward Rogers
| at Rushock, will surprise the reader scarcely
less than it did Gervase Saoheverill when
| Lady Yate informed him of 10. There were
nevertheless motives for her seeming change
| which almost justified the step in her own
| eyes, il not in those of our hero RogeE'a
fGther who dwelt at Bewdley, had lived . ain
| cere Catholic to the end, and had been In the
| confidence of all the principal Catholic fAmi-
lies of the eighborhood Such were the heavy
fines and exsotions to which they were con-
| stsntly subject under the persecuting stAtutea
| in force against them, that they were almost
invariably driven into mort tgAg n their estates
aud were constantly forced to contract largo
| loans, often without any prospect Of clearing
| them off. Francis Finch had succeeded to 3
| fair acreage Dispersed over several parishes,
| and in his early life had entered vigorously
INTO the great political contest, during which
Papists and PrelatistH had for the inoment
drop pped their differences to mite Against the
| common foe. All the cavaliers had suffered Tor
great extent, but none severely as the
Catholics who, in addition to Parliamentary
sequestrations, continued, after the Restora-
tion, to be ground down by oruel fues and i'm
posts, solely account of their recusAncy.
Mr.. Rogers had been called to assist him ont Of
pecunisry difficulties, which would otherwise
have reduced him 20 beggary; and by certain
loans secured upon O mort gsRe of his best lapda
had propped up his affairs for the time, 30 that
by cautious mBnsgs ment and great economy
he might hope to tds over lis dIf fficulties until
the longed for moment should arrive when Ca
thoiics might be suffered to practise their reIi-
gion the same terms as more favored
English cit!zens-a contamination which they
bad been VHinly anticipating ever sIuce the
Restoration of the Stuarts, and which was
then to all appearance deferred unti the Duke
of York should neornt the throne. Charles III.
had often bid far to remedy their grievances.
and 1t vAs well known that he rad made q
secret treaty with Lewis XIV. HttpulAtiug that
be would pnbicly profess himssf IL Catholic
at such tine rs hEonld appear to him expe.
dlLnt but the tIGiDgs of Ills bGoiheI's cub
mssron TO the Church, about eight nine
years before the period to which our narrative
refers, had opened ont future prospects of
relief Ench as had never been dream-d of (savo
by few mIsguided entbnsiasts) since the ex-
eCr ton Of Mary Stuart
The death of old kOgers had charced moat
since IL had taken place shortly
before the famous conspiracy of Titus Oates
and his accomPiIces to stamp on the Catholic
religion from the country. Mr.. Finch had
known bis SUns - rather wild aud idle youths,
suPposed TO be but loosely trained a the max-
ims aud duties of their religion. Tho ono had
some time before almost: openly apostAtiEed.
and the other, Edward. while declaring to
Catholics his intention to remain staunch to
the Church of his fathers, had been accustomed
TO court the society of ProtestAnts and, in theAe
presence, to make light of his profession. Soon
after the old mans deoesse. Ed ward had look
I'd carefully into his sffairs aud bad visited the
various creditors of his late father with yi0W
20 the settlement of their lor r standing se-
'onnts. He knew that his father had dealt
with extreme lepiency and long. suf fferipR to-
ward the mortRaReTs on whose estates his own
money and that Of his numerous clients had
been invested aud, where any old Catholic
friend had found it difficult to make regular
pay ments OF interest, bad frequently substitu-
led bis own for = clients capital, in order that
.he loss might rather fall upon himself than
lpon some one less q BILE to bear the deprivation
With equHuimisy. His SOD, however, msy be
excused for not feslinR quite the same tender
,ess towards inSolvents, Of whom he had no
PERSONAL knowledge and whose claims upon
l;s compassion were consequently far less OBJ
IiouB. Among the arrears which met his eye
here were none more conspicuous for their
amount than those due for interest on the
2ushock and Ksmpsey loans and, as his conf
ientisl clerk suggested, he could not further
lis own interests more effeotuAffy than by
oTeclosiDg those mortgages, and at least re-
.lizlng such portions of those estates as weTe
u fee simple, securing his life interest in the
emainder He had known Mr. Finch person
.lly, and had received acts of kindness at his
Rnds. This he would possibly not have deemed
worthy OF consideration where serious busi-
ess was At stake; but he afro reflected that
ir. Finch'H credit as a worthy cavalier stood
Ugh among WorcssterShiTe Catholics, and
hat Apy pTeciptate act Of this kind might
amags his own pTOsPects. He resolved to
Isit the 90 uirs in order that, having spied ont
he ak edness of the land he might make such
vertuIes or proposals. As the csR0 might de-
lard. He had heard Of Miss Finohs beauty,
lthouRh be had not seen her since sho
merged from childhood, bpt tho fest Of there
,eine suOb peEsouage entered into his ealea-
sti0ns when be eoneaNRlatad nsRotiaaicn,
I5a a f1narrra1 a 2p5fn ~ : noaaf fftu fhaf