The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-07-12
MISS GAY.
ny MARCUS FALL.

One Of the quieiest places in the London
suburbs Is Manvillc square, Chaplain. II
lies al the core Of network Of shady lanes
and seouestered roads, where the thrush
and blackbird sing In the quiet evening
The place il gathered into peaceful calm
and TO find yourself In Manvile square,
sfter the dust and turmoil OF the city, y
as great a change as for the citizen OF
sleepy cathedral town to ind himself on
rrairie with the feeling OF ineXhaustio'e
retief always arising from The absence OF
walls. But in ManviIle square you nnd no
solitude. Lightly swung broughams ano
sandsnx and yictorias brush over the
sr,co,b roadway now and then; you can on
No dine day put your head out OF front
window without hearing the laughter OF
rosy.cheeked children and the patter oil
tiny feet. Here tho sunlight seemed always
90 come early and stay late. summer ioved
the MACE. and fingered longer here than
even at Kew. The square bad no preten'
siops 10 sp,endor, or wealth, or fashion, or
distinction. The houses were modern,
uel,.built. wholesome, and roomy. The
grass and shrubs in the enclosure were
kent neatly and efficiently, but there was no
such prudery In the gardening as forbsde
cricket TO four-y ear-old boys or the laugh
ING scamper OF children through the trees.
The reni Of the place were peace and pros
perous plenty and courteous services. No
sngry word ever invaded that Temple OF
London. No dun ever cast shadow on It's
clean fiagway or wholesome grass.
The houses all belonged 10 one landlord
who was a rich man and owned property
in several other parts OF London. lie hao
made one rule over all bis h0Hse-property'
and that was 10 take ten per cent. year
. les for bis houses than he could easily GET
and 10 be much more particular as 10 the
people be accepted as tenants than most
landlords. IL was not enough TO satisfy
him that the tenant was solvent and re-
spectacle; he would also be convinced the
applicant for house OF his was free from
ANYTHING which could make him disagreed
bic neigbbor. Those who took houses
were 10 be clearly informed one OF the
advantages OF the place was that there were
10 be no dodgers in Manyile square.
When DR.. stephen Brooks took bis house
he read the clause with satisfaction. When
a man paid hundred and thirty pounds a
wear for house in the suburbs he expected
not 10 have dodgers next door. Mrs. Brooks
was delighted ut the stringency OF this pro-
yiso. They had had a hard fight in the
world. They were childless. Neither was
now young, and little responsibility be-
comes very acceptable in the middle life Of
woman, when youth and young matron-
hood have been spent in narrow ways.
For ten years DR.. Brooks and his wife
lived q quiet. easy life in the square; and
then, when he was sixty and she ffty-tiye,
DE died. He bad saved little money-not
much. When all debts and expenses had
been paid there was no more than fifteen
hundred pounds for the widow. Her
friends recommended her TO give up this
house at once. sell of what furniture she
would not absolutely need, and take small
house out farther She wrote TO the land
lord, and he replied, saying he would be
most happy TO do anything he could for Der.
He recommended her 10 do nothing for
day or two, until he had called. Between
the dispatch of that letter and the visit to
Hrs. Brooks the landlord was observed TO
call at every house in the square. When bc
saw the widow he was extremely polite and
eOnsideraie. He hoped she would not con-
slider ii impairment on his part II he alluded
10 her affairs. He could not help bearing
people speaking OF her, for she and her
husband had been the most popular people
in the square. Among things he heard, the
cause OF her wishing TO give up the house
was that her circumstances had naturally
been reduced by her husbands death. lie
had yentured to come with suggestion,
which. IL she did not feel disposed to adopt,
she would, he felt sure, take as we'll meant.
All the people in the square were most
anxious she should not leave IT, and would
do everything in their power to help her.
He too should be 10th to lose an old and
valued resident. Now, what he came pre-
pared TO do was TO cancel the sub-ctting
clause OF her lease.
Thus it arose in the year 1879, in one
house in Manville square, lodgings could be
secured, and that Edwin Cotburst lived as
a iodger with Mrs Brooks. He occupied
room at the top OF The house, looking into
the square. He went into the city every
day Immediately after breakfast, and was
not home till near 6 in the evening. He
was quiet and uDassumlng, spoke IN soft
low voice, and never was 50 pleased as when
ne could steal in and out unpercelved. lie
had no companions or friends. lie lived
altogether to himself. No one ever called
npon him. He always csme home straight
from his business and went to his room.
AT O'Clock he came down and ate some
supper, mostly in silence. Mrs. Brooks
had great liking for the young man, and
often said she wished he would have some
Of his friends with him on Sunday. But he
always made the same answer" Thank YOU,
Mrs. Brooks. 1t is very good OF you to
think Of it. But there is no one j care to
ask just now"
Tie had "a taste for entomology and read
ing. and he spent all his Sundays and bis
evenings over his books or his cases OF
specimens. Toward The end OF May Mrs.
Brooks thought he was looking very Ill.,,
and attributed this TO bis want OF variety in
N.G~ IL 4, 10
about meals. Often at supper it slipped
from HIM that he had eaten nothing since
breakfast that morning. Mrs. Brooks
made up her mind she would see he ate his
supper at all events; so toward the end OF
May she was always In the dining-rOom
when that meal was served for him.
Early 10 june, while be was 10 the dining.
room, Mrs. Brooks pulled a letter out OF
her pocket and said: MIR. Coltburst,
got a letter from lady this morning. She
has been recommended to come here by a
lady who stopped hereby a lady who was
with me for few months last yesr. ]
want 10 answer the letter at once, and
cannot read part OF the letter or the sigma
iuIe. VIII you be so kind as 10 try if you
can make it Ont?"
"Certainy. Let me see it,"
He took it, and after looking at it while,
read out
"Desr Madam,-My friend, Mrs. Ship
stone, tells Inc l should be lucky II you
allow me to come and stay with you for a
fortnight or three weeks business takes
Ine TO London. My niece accompanies me.
We shall need two bedrooms, opening into
one another, and private sitting-room.
We come up TO see doctor. You need not
be alarmed. The complaint is neither in
fictitious nor dangerous. An early reply
will obiige,