The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1879-07-16
SIR LEICESTER.

had just finished my next Sunday
sermon ~hen,my study door opening, my
wife entered.
"George," she said, "Jinks says he thinks
something is amiss up at the Priery for,
as he passed while ago, he saw the old
steward, who looH ed terribly scared"
"Why did he not ask the cause, my
DEAR" rejoined.
''He did; but he says the old man mere
ly shook his head, wrung his hands IN
the deepest distress and hurried away.
Digging my pen in my desk, to the
humiliation of its nib, reflected over
my wifes statement. Finally I said:
My love whatever it is, it is evident we
can do nothing. Sir Leicester Coming
ton is not a man with whom even clergy
man can interfere"
He is mad as march hare, that is Ger
tain,' remarked my wife.
My love-my love" expostulated.
"Well, George, 1 say mad. If we were
in the fifteenth century, I'd say he was
dealer in the black art.''
''As true as most such accusations of
the period"
''Perhaps, therefore, as we are in the
Nineteenth century, l protest, mad
James Morgan declares the other day he
came upon him lying among the ferns in
the 'ood, talking like maniac to some
thing he had in his hand. Then he
laughed, then he wept, then he wrlthed
on the grass IN agony, utterlng strange
words; then leaping up, united his horse
and rode off, like the Earl King him
SELF
Cali true, my dear. Certainly, the
poor gentleman has something on his
mind, but Of what nature-'
My observations were cut short by a
violent ring at the bell The next mo-
ment the servant, entering, announced
that the steward from the Priory wished
to see me Immediately. =
''Show him in here" said my wife
quietly.
IT my wife, desires to obtain any infor-
nation she was gratified; for, on the old
stewards entrance his appearance fully
confirmed JinHs' statement. He was pale
to a degree and his features depicted
suppressed but intense distress. Bowling
respectfully, he at once delivered his
message.
Sir Leicester is sorry to trouble you at
this hour, sir, he said, but he'll take it as
favor If you will come to him at once,
for he is dying.'
"Dylng" 1 cried, surprised; for only
that morning had seen him pass my
study window, locking as we'll as usual.
"Dy1ng" calculated my wife, in hor-
ror. "Oh, what can be done?"
"Only, if you please, If Mr.. Hartop
will see him.
"Certainly. Dear, dear mel" I ejac-
ulated. Come, my man, let us CO."
I believe my wife would, if possible,
have i"e ed to have accompanied us; but
she whispered to me to return as soon as
could.
AS we proceeded, l inquired of the
steward the nature of his masters sud
den malady.
''Sudden!'' he repeated. "Sir, it's been
of years duration. Now the end has
come. My dear master-you will hear
all, Mr.. Hartop, from him.
The old mans grief was so evident
that forbore to question him further,
and went on silence
the Elizabethan era. Five years previous
to this story it had been taken by Sir
Leicester Connington. The gentry we're
delighted at the addition to the neigh
borhood, especially as the baronet was
unmarried, and not much over thirty
But it was soon found Sir Leicester in
tended to keep no society. With him
came two yervants-the old steward and
an elderly SUI eriorfemale omest1c. The
other servants were engaged from town to
town and only employed in those mental
, offices which never brought them in con-
tact with their master.
The visits that were made at the PriOry
were never returned. Sir Leicester led
the life of a reciuse. For months togeth-
err he never quilted the house; then he
might be seen riding on a superb horse
about the country, with the recklessness
of a maniac, or, as my wife had remarked
like the Earl King himself. He never
crossed a neighbours threshold, and nc
strange foot crossed his.
For my own part, I imagined Sir Lei
cester had committed some grave sin and
was thus expiating it by remorse. It may
be conceived, then, that | felt both Gu
rious and a little anxious at the thought
of hearing the truth from the dying
mans lips.
On entering the Priory, L expected to
be taken up stairs to the upper floor,
where | knew were the bedrooms; but
instead, my conductor, crossing the spa
cious hall, opened the library door, and
ushered Inc into Sir Leicestcr's presence,
where I stood surprised, motionless, con-
tcmplatlng 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 arose, and,
with grateful expression, advancing, took
my hand. He was tall, we'll made man,