The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1879-07-17
SIR LEICESTER.

had just finished my next Sunday
sermon ~hcn,my study door opening, my
wife entered.
George" she said, sinks says he thinks
something is amiss up at the Priery for,
as he passed while ago, he saw the old
steward, who look ed terribly scared"
"Why did no not ask the cause, my
dear" rejoined.
"Hc 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 wife's statement. Finally l said {:
s'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
ole is mad as march hare, that is Ger
tain," remarked my wife.
my lovc--my love- cxpostulatcd
"Well,Gcorge, say mad. II we were
in the fifteenth century, I'd say he was 4
dealer in the BLACK art"
''As true as most such accusations of
the period
"Pcrhaps, therefore, as We are IN the
nenctecnth century, l protest, mad
James Morgan declares the other day he
came upon him lying among the ferns in
the wood, talking like a maniac to some
thing he had in his hand. Then he
laughed, then he wcpt, then he wrlthcu
on the grass IN agony, uttcr,ng strange
wolds; then leaping up, united his horse
and rode off, like the Earl King him
self"
"All 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-
mcnt the servant, entering, announced
that the steward from the Priory wished
to sec me immediately.
"Show him in here" said my wife
quietly.
II my wife desires to obtain any intor-
nation she was gratilied; for, on the old
stewards entrance his appearance fully
confirmed Jinks' statement. He was pale
to degree and his features depicted
suppressed but intense distress. Blowing
respectfully, he at once delivered his
message.
Sir Leicester IS sorry to trouble you at
this hour, sir, he said, but he IL take it as
favor IT you will come to him at once,
for he is dying"
"Dylng" I cried, surprised; for only
that morning had seen him pass my
study window, locking as we'll us usual.
"Dy1ng" calculated my wife, in hor-
ror. "Oh, what can be donc?''
"Only, if you please, If Mr.. Hartop
will see him.
"Ccrtainly. Dear, dear mel" I cjac-
ulated. Come, my man, let us CO."
believe my wife would, if possible,
have H. cd to have accompanied us; but
she whispered to me to return as soon as
could.
As we proceeded, inquired of TIE
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 mastcr-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.
kenelm Priory was fine building OF
the Elizabcthan era. Five years previous
to this story it bad been taken by Sir
Leicester Connington. The gentry were
delighted at the addition to the neigh
borho"d, 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 ta servants-thc old steward and
an elderly su, erior female d ,mestlc. The
other servants were engaged from town to
town and only employed in ose 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 rcciuse. For months tureth-
er he never Quilted the house; then he
might be seen riding on superb horse
about the country, with the rccklessness
Of u maniac, or, as my wife had remarked
like the Earl King himself. He neve,
crossed a neighbours threshold, and nc
strange foot crossed his.
For my own part, imagined Sir Lei.
cester had committed some grave sin and
was thus expiating it 10y remorse. 1t may
be conceived, then, that l felt both Gu.
rious 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 spa
cious hall, opened the library door, and
ushered Inc into Sir Leiccstcr's presence,
where stood surprised, motionlcss, con-
tcmplatlng the "dying" man.
Dressed as was his wont, looking rs
usual, pale and sad, and careworn, the
baronet sat writing at the table, as unlike
dying man as any I had ever seen.
On hearing my name, he arose, and,
with grateful expression, advancing, took
my hand. He was tall, we'll made man
gentlemany in the extreme, and l now
saw was not only good looking but re-
markedly handsome-whilc the dark
eyes, piercing at distance, I found were
sad, soft and gentle as a woman's.
1T is very good of you to come thus
speedily, Mr.. Hartop," he remarked, ~
thank you much"
My time is ever at the service of NV
parish1oners, Sir Leicester said, tax
ing the seat he himself placed tor me.
II am glad, however, 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.
ut is quite as grave, can assure your
he ans ered. Morrison did not exaoee-
rate. am dying, as he stated. III less
than two hours shall have ceased ia
live"
II started in amazement, while m,
wife's assertion seemed to gain confirms
ton. To me, Sir Leicester had seldom
looked better.
1t is scarcely to clergyman I should
make confession I am about to-" h
proceeded. "But the name you bear, 70