Daily globe., 1879-07-13
SIR LEICESTER.

sermon Wlen,lny STUDY uOOr 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 looked terribly scared"
"Why did he not ask the cause, nv
DEAR" rejoined.
"He did but he says the old man mere
ly shook his head, wrung his hands in
the deepest distress and buried away.
Digging my pen in my desk, to the
annihilation Of its nib, I reflected over
my wife's statement. Finally I said
my love whatever it is, it is evident we
can do nothing. Sir Leicester Coming
ton is not man with whom even clergy
man can Interfere
'He is mad as march hare, that is GER
tain,' remarked my wife.
"My love-my lovem 1 expostulated.
"Well, George, I say mad. If we were
in the fifteenth century, I'd say he was a
dealer in the black art"
GAS true as most such accusations of
the period" ... ..
"Pcrhaps, therefore, as we are in the
neneteenth century, l protest, mad.
James Morgan declares the other day he
came upon him lying among the ferns in
the wood, talking like maniac to some
thing he had in his hand. Then he
laughed, then he wept, then he writhed
on the grass IN agony, uttering strange
words; then leaping up, united his horse
and rode off, like the Earl King him
self"
Gall 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.
If my wife desires to obtain any infor-
nation she was gratified; 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. Bowine
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"
"Dying" I cried, surprised; for only
that morning had seen him pass nv
study window, looking as we'll as usual.
"Dyingn' calculated my wife, in hor-
ror. "Oh, what can be done?"
."Only, if you please, If Mr.. Hartop
will see him."
"Certainly. Dear, dear me'' I ejac-
ulated. Come, my man, let us go''
believe my wife would, if possible,
have liked to have accompanied us; but
she whispered to me to return as soon as
/ could.
AS we proceeded, / 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.
Kenelm Priory was fine building of
the Ellzabethan era. Five years previous
to this story it had been taken by a Sir
Leicester Connington. The gentry were
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 servants-the old steward 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 con-
tact with their master.
The visits that were made at the Priory
were never returned. Sir Leicester led
the life of recluse. For months togeth.
er he never quilted the house; then he
might be seen riding on a superb horse
about the country, with the recklessness
OF maniac, or, as my wife had remarked
like the Earl King himself. He never
crossed neighbor's 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 by remorse. It m
be conceived, then, that I felt both Gu
rious and little anxious at the though
of hearing the truth from the dyin
mans lips.
On entering the Priory, 1 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 me into Sir Leicester's presence.
where I stood surprised, motionless, con-
templating the ''dying" man. aI
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 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 I now
saw was not only good looking but re-
markably handsome-while the dark
eyes, piercing at distance, found were
sad, soft and gentle as woman's.
1T is very good of you to come thus
speedily, MIR. Hartop," he remarked, II
thank you much."
"My time is ever at the service of nv
parishioners, Sir Leicester" said, tax
ing the seat he himself placed tor me.
IL 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 a faint, transient
smile.
1T is quite as grave, can assure you'll p
he answered. Morrison did not exagge-