The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1877-07-15
CHAPTER I,
Gerrase Sachererill.

| pStaee cuchccertNs
During the first days OF the month of ooto.
Der, 1873. horseman was pursuine his ~~v
through the undnlatipg and welt timbsreS
country south-westward of the little town Of
| lowering over the Clee and Abberiey hiiIs snd
the autumnal air was growing chilly. The
dsy had been unusually lovely for the time of
ans se Sr aha she rae along the picturesque
which the bright and golden tints enlfyened
1ne prospect, had been intensely enjoyable.
t tne scared leaves OF the numerous elms, CON-
trasting With the oak woods still retainine
their full verdure, enhanced the charm of the
scene. Cor equestrian, who had scarcely
reached the prime of life. was tell and de-
! and features of refined and delioste cast. he
wore the SLOUGH hat aud doublet, o short cloak
hanging over his left arm. aud spurred boots
reaching above bis knees, famiIiarized 10 d
in the pictures Of Vandyks. From the tanks
OF MS Iennet were Suspended the saddle-baRs
oonsa amin bis travelling equpage: His steed
was Tired, and he advanced slowly, pauaine,
whenever he came to by-roads, In the hopes ~
deserving some peasant to in form him of ne
route. Unfortunately, these sources of fnfor-
nation were few and far between. He bn1
gone on for several miles without seeing a eos.
tage, or meeting with o rustic, and within fhis
space there bad been many 6iverginR paths
without any clue for his guild CO. "a ving the
direction OF the setting sun. Besidea a. ~
advanced, the lanes deepened sad the vToo3s
tnickened, 40 that there was the lsss chance Of
obtaining any distant prospect which wonid
enable him to judge of his whereabouts. ThS
evening was closing in apAce and he began to
t 70 the chances of being compelled TO
bi Eouac in some croft wherein his horse coS.iS
at best regals itself on the long damn orssS
bat where chilly and suppsriess lair Would
DC the only cheer IN store for it's hungry rider.
The beast WAS evidently tagging after it, Ions
match. for he had ridden that d Az from TejcS
held only pausing st a wayside hostelry near
birmingham to recruit during bis journey. Re
rownshepd, bis matsrnal uncle. a inssIcanS
sbe peace, who dwell at Etmley Lovet. and
vas pursuing, as beat he could the road which
lnd been described to him by hose of Ivh",s,
10 had made enquiries as he passed thrornh
ne town OF Bromsgrove. He now began 10
eel that he bad mIscalcuatsd the powers Of
rs ne nag as.d regretted that he bad not taken
~ Mo quarters for the night with mine hoat
u The swan In that place. While thus mus.
pg on his prospects, he found himself At aoma
iote CROSS roads hnt this time, to his relief,
o heard some sounds proceeding FROM a pad.
OCH "nich awakened hopes of finding come
ne to direct his coures. A cowherd was ao-
BIS kline, 10 dive them TO q neigh.
oIing homestead. Ascending a steep path
ut OF the roadway, our cavalier found hin1eeIf
short distance from the peasant, whom he
"Halloi my friend" he said. Hoan voU
pint me- ont the road to Finley, where 10 Syt,s
ownshend dwellsi MethinksI have lost nv
@ S. a6oDS these lanes, and stand good chance
Like enough" returned the rustIc, "for IL
haid matter at the best of times to track
'u s way along these lanes; l know enough
squire ToTnsbeDd in tbess paEts Is Sc
me eight or ten miles, wesu, from here to
mley Lovet. This DO on Cooksey Manor
IatFe Wintous's land; bat ifye foiiow yondeT
ne TO the right, 1t will take you to the vii.
GO OF Chaddesley, where they will tell Won
Q road TO Efmiey, and there be an ale house
acre 70 can spend the night. Or, IL your
'rship be minded to wait, Le driving these
asia TO our homestead, where my mister will
able to point you the best way whether We
{ to 60"
Encouraged by this last suggestion, GerVass
cbeverilI (fOr such was the name of our young
'atieI1 thought he could do no better than
ry until the peasant had collected mis- cowg
zen he followed him leisurely through sons
adowB to the farmhouse whittier he wa
and The homestead in question was one
those half-timb ered structures then aiu1oat
Iversal in that part of the country,
The masters wife," quoth the rustic as
y approached the dwelling, "be at death's
~ Ween, and master will not be able 10 20
h ye himself; but If he will tell me the
q, maybe can put ye in the way"
1 am Rrieved came to disturb your mas
II bis wife 10 in such peril as yoa sRy,UTe-
led Sacheverill. 81 had done better 70 fol-
the lane you showed me, and made for
lddesley for the night"
hey had now reached the fold-yard Of the
u, when Gervase perceived two men stand
beneath the porch ia anxious oonfabpIs-
J. The one ives hobited In amoek fFook
We the other wore the dress Of 8 yooran
Of Oneh sonbTe OoIoEB 40 might have hsllss
doctor IN medicine.