The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1877-09-30

The Squire ordered ms steeds 10 DO sauulou'
and. mounting the old priest on quiet nag,
proceeded with him to Westwood, acoompa'
nied by two of his own servants and wilkins
the rest of the sheriff's men having previously
oomrade to yield them o share OF the antici-
pAted reward.
Before the justices at Westwood.
A certain rivalry had insensibiy grown mp
between Doras two most fervent admirers
who bad alternately succeeded in obtaining
her smiIes, but towa ards both OF whom Hhe IN
reality felt the most supreme indifference. 4,
the truth were known Gervass's sudden and
unexpected departure had been great bio"
to the lively coquette, but she strove to con.
ceal It from herself and fapoied she had dis
Ruised the slightest traces of disappointment
from all around her. Lady Pakington was,
nevertheless, too shrewd d an observer to be de-
ceived by the girls affected unconcern, and
read her thoughts plainly as If they had
been written in black and white. During the
evsnings diversions the dark eyed beauty had
sought to bury her secret modification in an
uuwonted effusion of hilarity, laughing and
talking in an excited strain. She danced and
hirted with Bromley, Vernon, and the rest
graoes presumed upon her favors, she gave him
some unexpected rebnff, or turned to his re-
spectve riv al If to show how little she valued
his regard.
"Thst girl is an arrant Hirt," said the grave
young Oxford divine to Dame Dorothy, AS he
sat by her side watching the games.
You are hard on her, my friend,' replled
her ladyship. "You men know little of our
sex and Judge us hsrshly. I'll tell you u
secret; she is only hiding her disappointment
at her cousins disdain."
followed her to her bower when she retired
for the night, he would have acknowledged
the truth OF Lady Pakingtons comment. As
soon rs her Maid had left the chamber, and she
ooud no longer give vent to her pent up feel
ings by the How of words, she sat down by the
embers Of the hearth and sobbed she scarce
knew why.
On the morrow Sir John hnd made arrange
mepts to entertain his guests with his fayorite
sport of falconry, and as the day was unusually
bright for the season, they looked forward
with pleasure to the then somewhat old
fashioned diversion. The falconer with bis
perch and hooded birds stood in front of the
principal porch of the mansion, while grooms
were leading about the coursers, awaiting the
coming of the bsronet and bis friends. Most
of the gentlemen were standing on the steps
and Sir John himself was only tarrying for
the ladies, to mount his steed. Dora had
effaoed all traces of her midnight regrets from
her brow, and locked as lovely as usual in her
riding attire. When she came into the saloon,
decked for the days amusement. Dame Doro-
thy congratulated the girl upon her looks, OBJ
serving jocosely:
"Oh, If that stupid cousin OF yours oonld
but have seen you so bright and oheerful de-
spite his absence, he might have thought
twice before he turned his back upon so fair q
prizel Those men never know when they
have cast away priceless treasure. have no
patience WIN nun lot pToleEEiuB spl6b
weuch to such pretty cousin"
She saw at once, however, that her words
had evoked the truth from Dora's eyes. The
maiden turned aside with an unmistakeable
expression of pain.
'sCome, come, my child" she continued
" there are better prizes for you than senti'
mental cousin. We women are too proud to
let them know We care for those VINO nave the
effrontery to slight u.s."
This recalled Dora 10 herself, and in an in
stsut ehe had concealed every trace of mo-
meptary weakness.
-"I don't know why you think he slghtel
me, dear Lady Dorothy" she returned. Il
like my cousin well enough, but there hath
never been more than n cousiuly fecton be
tween u.s." As she said this she turned with n
slight show of impatierce toward the door
which two of the other lady tqnstriains were
then entering.
eve must 20 down and see the start" quoth
her lRdyship to Master George Hickes and
others who were watching the gathering from
the orel window.
vine, "some visitors come inopportunely to see
Sir John doubtless, for they have not the dir
of neiRhbors bent on faconry."
Lady PakinRton approached the easement
and instantly cried "Why. Dora here is your
flasher come S.justicing, IN be bound; for he
is not deoked for sport. That old gentleman
beside him hath the air of q recusant or some-
thing of the kind"
A few minutes later n servant appeared aud
announced that Sir John was detained, aud
had adjourned the sport for an hour.
eth thy masteri Hath Master Townshend
brought Popish recusant" erqnired Dame
Dorothy.
some'at o. that, my lady" returned the do
mestio, "for they be down in the ball as if to
hold q trial on the gentleman that Master
Justice Townsheud hath brought along with
him"
"Your father must stay and dine with US,
Dora, but you will not be able to speak with
him until the business is over. Tell me,
Ralph, whether they be alone in the hall, or if
all the gentlemen are there as we'll 7"
"An the household pretty nigh be gathered
round them looking at this Papist priest, for
they say it is he as hath been Massiug round
these parts q many years and hath been ta'en
at last"
"Doubtless your cousin Gervase'a friend"
quoth her ladyship in arch whisper to Do
rA. Come down and let see the poor old
man ard hear'what he hath TO say"
The ladies, accompanied by Master George
Hickes, all adjourned down stairs to the hall,
which they found converted into q court of
justice. Behind raised table at the dsis sat
the Baronet, whose stately bearing we'll fitted
him for the Office of judge. We have already
described his hale and manly aspect. His
squiline nose and handsome features were set
of to advantage by his full-bottomed peru9ue,
A-l -g.s. N,A