The Worthington advance., 1878-12-05
THE OPEN VERDICT.

ever kind, if only for few weeks, when
ones avocations for the remainder OF the
wear confines one to busy brain-devour-
ing CITY like this mig ghty London OF ours,
and therefore it was with no slight degree
of anticipated enjoyment that accepted
an oft-repeated invitation to visit an old |
school-chum, DR.. Henry Gladdind, at the
village of Claystone, in one OF our north
ern counties.
- I Iarriycd, however, at an unfortunate
period, and found that what had pic
tured to myself as being happy, Jolly
country house, was at that time mouse
of mourning; Gladden's uncle and prede-
cessor, old Mr.. Williams, had died only
few hours before my arrival. l would
willingly have gone on my way; put TINS
my friend and his wife would not hear OF,
and everything was done to render my
visit as cheerful as circumstances would
! permit. I attended the funeral; and as
we turned to leave the churchyard, was
struck by an expression OF Gladden's,
which appeared to be uttered without
any knowledge OF it on his part. 1t was:
"Thc grave has closed over the last" l
felt greatly tempted to ask for an expla-
nation, but for obvious reasons checked
my curiosity.
A few mornings afterwards, while &C
companying my friend on his round of
visits, we came before an old. large red
brick house that stood close beside the
road, being separated from it merely by
hedge and small lawn.
"Why, what's this?" exclaimed Glad
den, as we saw number of workmen en-
gagged in erecting scaffolding, digging up
the lawn and otherwise demolishing the
place. "What are these men about?-
Hi! calling one Of the people, What is
it you arc doing here's"
Pulling down t'house for railway
was the laconic response.
''Then the final link is being broken"
mused my companion as we drove On.
My curiosity was again aroused, and
this time I resolved to satisfy it, so l
came to the point at once by thus address,
ing my friend, '.Hal, you are not gener-
ally given to ambiguous or unsatisfactory
sentences, and theyefore-it I am not
presuming too much-would you mind
telling me what you alluded in your last
remark, and the equally strange one ut
tered at your uncle's funeral2'
swell, Dick," he replied, "it is
strange story, and one perhaps, that does
= not reflect much credit upon my poor
uncle; but as the actors of this little
drama have passed away, and even the
very scene OF action will, in a few days,
be plowed up, may and will set your
mind at rest on the subject. You re-
member that after had walked the hos
\ pitals in town. came down here partially
! to study under my late uncle. But |
found later attraction than any I had
anticipated, in the person of my cousin
, Lucy, with whom soon fell over head
and ears in love. Hcr father was not
ayerse to it, and things were shortly in a
good train for our marriage. was to be
taken into partnership by my uncle when
that event took place; and tine day before
the deeds were signed, the old gentleman
called me into his room, and narrated the
following story which will tell you in
his own words.
i. "'Harry,' said my uncle, 'as you are to
=. be my son-in-law and partner, I think it
but ri ght you should become acquainted
with an adventure which befell me in my
younger days, and for my share in which
-justifable as then appeared to me-
have never ceased to reproach myself
At this time am speaking of, I was
studying medicine at Manchester, but
while on visit to a distant relative, a
DR.. Seyton, who occupied this very house
(-C you see Dick this is quite a family
practice" parenthesised Gladden)-I
was one night awakened by shake Of
the shoulder, and looking up, saw, by
~ the light Of the moon, which streamed
AaAin at my window, DR.. Seyton standing by
my bedside. Come, get up,' said he.
Il have been sent for; and, as Poor (his
assistanD was out last nj ght, III get you
to accompany me now While he de-
'scended to the surgery and stables, I
speedily donned my habiliments; and by
:, the time reached the front gate, the
doctor was seated in the gig waiting for
me. It was a most magnificent moon
light night.
'.Along the clear white road, as fast as
the horse could draw us, on we went {;
past Cottage, farm and mansion, past
@ pond and park and stream; beneath long
avenues Of trees that bordered the road
side and dropped over us, now yelling all
in shadow, now showing some stray
! .moonbeam that danced upon the quiver-
ing boughs to the soft cadence of the
Mi ght-breeze. Sharp and crisp rose the
echo of our horses tread and as we came
within sight of our destination, we heard
= the gallop OF another horse; and, as we
,n..sped past turning, saw horseman rid
ing up-as we imagined, the messenger
& who had been dispatched for the doctor,
and who has said he must return by way
''of Merlton. We stopped before Maze.
borouougb House, the residence of the
sfsEaon. Frederick Wellcster, presumptive
seheir to the title and estate of the Earl of
Naultdale. There was great commotion
in the Eouse; for its owner, who had been
ailing for some time past, had that night
been taken seriously ILL; and while the
, fdoctor ascended to the sick chamber and
>Cur horse and trap were put up, lit a
cigar and stood under the veranda, look
ing out upon the night and musing.
= Presently, one Of the domestics emerged
~ from the house and passed out into the
road, walking briskly on; and just as my
cigar was out, l heard DR.. Seyton's voice
.cipqhiring for me.
"Take this" said he, handing me a pa
,per, land ride home as fast as you can"
Get Poor to make it up; aud come back
with all the speed; it is life or death.
Here is one Of Mr.. Wellester's horses for
you" then perceived a groom stand
ling with one ready saddled at the gate,
aaion which I mounted and galloped off.
For upwards CT mile the road Law
- open and clear enough; but beyond that
elt,;was darkly shaded by copses aud plan
Atiols, through which the moons rays
found little space to shine. I had barely
penetrated dozen yards into this dark
apd lonely spot before received sum-
Itnons to "stand and deliver" Ny horse,
being very fresh, quite entered into his
riders feelings, and had not the least in
tention Of checking his speed, but con-
) tnued his journey; while behind came
Ohs who bade me 'stand," threatening to
put bullet in me if did not draw rein.
EIThis only made me urge nv animal ~