Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1878-02-01

Mtio loN nthi L lbph my ithNNs Wy iipnA III
sisted on saddling my horse, and went some
distance with me, directing me on my way.
At n turn in the road we parted.
My first proceeding after reaching my
friend B-'s was to ask him if he knew any
thing of Mr.. Manthorpe Of the region. l
had spoken of my visit His reply was that
Mr. NIauthorpe had come to live in the coun-
try some years before, but no one knew any
thing of him, as he was a person Of the ut
most reserve, never appearing in public cx-
cept to attend the small mountain church
near, which he and his wife and daughter did
on horseback. After church he invariably
returned home at once, scarcely speaking to
any one.
'He is a man of good character. / sup
pose?'
"Of excellent character. lie is much be-
loved by the poor people around. He assists
them when they are in trouble, and his contri-
buttons to charitable objects are munfcent,
considering his apparent poverty. The man
is n mystery, but his character is irreproacha-
bic and he is devoutly pious. Beyond this
can tell you nothing. As I said he is mys-
ttrv."
This accoI mt of my late host piqucd my GU
iiosity strangely, and three days afterwards
was back Mt the small house in the mountains.
The family received me with the same cor
diality and courtesy; my visit was repeated
some days afterwards, and slowly my hosts
reserve seemed to thaw we We're becoming
friends. There was something singularly at
tractve about Manthorpe. lie remained
mystery, but the mystery was an additional
enticement. | soon discovered that he was a
man of vigorous intellect, trained by the
broadcst culture his views of men. books,
and human life We're profound and subtitle
but what impressed me about him was an
even, childlike simplicity in all connected
with moral or religious questions. In an age
which doubts everything, he seemed TO doubt
nothing where his faith was concerned. and if
he had not been an elegant bellies lettres
scholar | should have fancicd him exclusive
ly devoted to theological studies. As a hus-
band and a father he was model. The ex-
preston of his face rs he looked at his wife,
or took his child upon his knee. was beautiful
to see.
pass from this account of the happy fam
| ily to the events which followed. The time
came for my return to the city, and | knew
no more of Manthorpe's past life than at first.
An intimate friendship had grown up between
u.s. but he had never made the least allusion
to himself and the mystery connected with
him remained unfathomabie. Upon other
topics he spoke with perfect unreserye as to
his private affairs he preserved profound 81
| lencr.
spent one of my last days at the small
house. and took leave of the falnily-Nlrs.
Manthorpe. Annie the little maiden, the baby,
and Charles the young man, who was Man
thurpc's ncphew-with real regret, for one
and all had become endeared to me As was
nearly his inevitable habit. Manthorpe walked,
with his long mountaineer stride, by the side
of my horse, until we reached the top of the
hill above the cottage.
This is not our last greeting in the full
sense I hope" I said, grasping his hand.
IL hope not you will be back some day"
Il don't know To-day is ours whose is
tomorrow But if | come back, Manthorpe,
| promise myself one thing"
What is that"
ITO find out, if only for the qualification of
an idle curiosity something more about you
than have found ont heretofore"
| Manthorpe passed his hand over his heavy
beard, a movement habitual with him u his
thoughtful moments, and said
Perhaps you may
And so We parted.
| was back in the city buried again in bust
ness, but necessarily the recollection Of Man
thorpe came to my mind. The mystery of
| the mans past life was an ever recurring pu1-
zle. Who was he; What had been his orr
| gin? What had brough him, n man of edu-
cation and evidently of high social position.
| to this remote retreat where he had buried
himself going near nobody, and remaining
obstinately silent in everything relating TO
| himself?
Was there anything dscreditable in that
| past life which lie concealed so systematical-
| ly? l could not believe it. And yet why
should he make such mystery of it.; Hon
est people have no concealments. and yet,
here was systematic rcticence. What did it
all mean:
These questions puzzled me for year near
ly Then l found myself back at my friend :
house in the mountains, to spend the autumn,
and on the day after my arrival set ont on
horseback TO visit Manthropc. l remember
that the morning was exquisite, and the land
scape wrapped in a light haze. The woods
were burning away in gold and crimson. The
mountains We're like blue waves The whole
world was still and looking thoughtfully at
the enchanting prospect, / remember think
how impossible it seemed that anything like
sorrow, suffering, or harsh passion could in
trude upon such peaceful scene
! reached Manthorpe's house, and, dis
mounting, walked through the narrow gate.
Nothing about the place was changed, but
had observed at little distance, Il light spring
wagon, with a single horse, which seemed-as
AIanthorpe had no ychicle-to indicate visit
or or visitors. As | reached the porch,
ntitfu voices Ill lLt lOOll On lllt IlBLl, 30 lh-
miliar to me and, with the freedom of an old
friend, opened the front door, then the door
of the room, and entered. In a chair, on
one side of the fireplace, sat a heavily built,
low -browed, black bearded man of about fifty,
with most villainous expression of face,
passing his hands slowly up and down n huge
knotted stick In the armchair opposite, sa;
Manthorpe. There was no change in his ap
pearance, except that he was somewhat pale
and from the compression of his lips, his
teeth seemed to be set together beneath. Hi
old air of calmness remained unchanged. A,
soon as he saw me, he rose and came to me
holding out his hand.
Il am very glad to see you - he said. in hit
grave, calm voice.
And TO see you again, my dear friend
Your expectation was correct. | am back
you see. All are well with you Z"
Quite we'll Mrs. Manthorpe and all hav,
gone to spend the day with poor family il
the mountain fortunately"
He uttered the last word quietly, but. il
spite of his self-control, a sort of spasm pass
ed over his face. looked at him in som,
surprise, and said
why tortuRdteiy|
AIanthorpe uttereda a weary sigh | had nev
err before heard such n sound from his lips
He slightly turned his head toward the low
browed man, and said
DO You know this persons erand -
Ellis errand 2"
He has come to arrest me-"
''To arrest you'
Il am an escaped convict, said Manthorpe
quietly.
looked at him, thinking, l remember, tina
he must have suddenly become insane. Man
thorpe a cOnrict this creature about to an
rest him l could find no words to utter
only looked at him in stupid silence
Il see you are surprised, friend" he said
in the same quiet tone 'but, do you remen
ber your own words last year, that you hope
, some day to discover something more GJOu
me? Well that time has come. You hay
looked upon me, up to this moment, as a gen
, tleman, nm honest man am P convict, es
capped from the hand of justice This perso
is police officer, and has come to arrest me.
] fell into a seat and groaned. The Who'll
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