The Lake Charles echo. [volume] (Lake Charles, Parish of Calcasieu, La.) 1876-1898, 1879-08-02

were delighted at the addition to the
neighborhood, especially as the baronet
was unmarried, and not much over
thirty. But it was soon found Sir Lei
oester intended to keep no society. With
him came two ssrvants-.fhe old ste ward
and an elderly superior female domestic.
The other servants were engaged from
town to town, and only employed IN
those menial offices which never brought
them in contact with their master.
/ The visits that were made at the
Priory were never returned. Sir Lei-
/ cester led the life of recluse. For
months together he never quilted the
house; then he might be seen riding on
a superb horse about the country, with
the reckIessness of maniac, or, as my
wife had remarked, like the Earl King
himself. He never crossed q neighbours
threshold, and no strange foot crossed
his.
For my own part, imagined Sir
Leicester had committed some grave Sin
and was thus expiating it by remorse.
1t may be conceived, then, that felt
both curious and little anxious at the
thought of hearing the truth from the
dying mans lips.
On entering the Priory, ] expected to
be taken up stairs to the upper floor,
where knew were the bedrooms; but
instead, my conductor, crossing the
spacious hall, opened the library door,
and ushsrsd me into Sir Leicester's
presence, where stood surprised, mo-
tic Mess, contemplating the dying"
man.
Dressed as was his wont, looking as
usual, pale and sad, and careworn, the
baronet sat writing at the table, as
unlike dying man as any ] had ever
seen.
On hearing my name. he srose, and,
with q grateful expression, advancing
took my hand. He was q tall, well
made man, gentlemanly in the extreme,
and ] now saw was not only good locking
but remarkably handsome--while the
dark eyes, piercing at q distance, ]
pund were sad, soft, and gentle as q
womaus,
:" 1t is very good of You to come thus
speedily, MIR. Hartop," ne remarked. 81
thank you much"
My time is ever at the service of my
Sir Leicester" said, TAX
ing the seat he himself placed for me.
" an glad, hDwever, TO find that your
need is not so grave as was led by your
steward to believe.
He regarded me, as he laid back in his
chair opposite, with faint, transient
smile.
1t lis quite as grave, j can assure
youi" he answered. Morrison did not
j am dying, as he stated
In less than two hours j shall have
ceased to live"
81 started in amusement, while my !
wife's assertion seemed to gain confirms
tion. To me, Sir Leicester had seldom
looked better. ID
I" 1t is scarcely to q clergyman should
make the confession am shout to-" he
proceeded. "But the name you bear,
for all that is good and charitable, tells
me may trust to your secrecy. ] am
dying, MIR. Hartop, because j am pois
soned, the poison being seh.administered.
Yes, you behold one who has just taken
his own life"
"Hir leicester" / cried. leaping up,
" what are you ssying3 You are either
mocking me and my calling, or, if trne,
medical aid must be instantly obtained. !"
AS moved towards the door, he
caught my arm gently but firmly, and
foreed me back into my chair, while
with an earnestness almost painful he
exclaimed, SIT Is no mockeryl Ii lis
trne, and the most skillful doctor could
find no antidote for the Eastern drug i
have swallowed, which two honrs alter il
is taken generally produces q painless
death. If you Mr.. Hartop, feel any
compassion for me, don't let these two
hours be lost. have trusted in you
i beg You win not disappoint me, for
yon see before you the most wretched
man on earth"
81 can not comprehend--n began,
confnsedly. H
Listen to my story, and you will"
he eaid.