Morning journal and courier., 1880-07-22

gers, '' observed EtheIS mother, dryly, and Silian conducted his guests to the little par Tor, where a cheerful fire was blazing. Awhis- pered conversation took place, which lasted for some time.
 'tDo not leave Ethel till I return,' said Mrs, Carmen to the old blind nurse, Mary Merrill, who had come in with her grandson, bright boy named Ralph. "I must hasten to the kitchen and prepare dinner for these travellers. Strangers seldom stop here, ex- cept to bait their horses"
 fare they strangers 2" asked her visitor
 The landIady regarded her earnestly.
 ''To me at least," she replied. 'I cannot answer for my husband
 1T do not like these men, '" observed Ethel as soon as her mother had withdrawn. ''What can bring them here ?"
 ssEvil Evil to the house of Falconberg,' groaned the blind woman. 'tThe storm has been gathering for years. The clouds are black and heavy They will burst soon I have known it-felt it for years-seen it in my dreams, for when I sleep the blessed light returns to me-"
 ''Evil l' repeated the astonished girl What evil can possibly threaten those so highly placed ?''
 ''The lightning strikes the stately oak and leaves the humble shrub unscathed.. : contin- ued the speaker. ''You must watch over them-over the noble maiden whose generous regard has cast gleams of sunshine on your RlOOu1y pdJH over Her CuOuRuGlGSS DfOGn6f. who has listened to the beatings of his heart, fear, rather than the suggestions of reason You must watch these men.'
 '1 will, /" faltered Ethel, b1ushing and turn ing pale by turns, as if she comprehended the allusion for she secretly loved the young Lord Walter.
 1.-The hawk shall not replace the falcon in in it's nest" added the blind nurse emphati- eally, although it has been matched there"
 The mistress of the Raven now made her appearance from the kitchen ,and the speaker took her departure, accompanied by her grandson.
 "Thank Heaven" :" thought the girl, ''Lord Walter is far away with his tutor. If any danger threatens, 1t cannot fall upon him. Angels will watch over the Lady Alice !''
 The best dinner the house could furnish was quickly served in the little parlor Silias himself waiting upon the guests. After a long private conversation they took their leave, to the intense satisfaction of Ethel, who felt as if a weight had been removed from her heart.
 By this time night, which lends it's aid to every evil, began to spread her dark mantle, yelling the twilight world. The landlord of the Raven appeared uneasy and on the watch going frequently to the door and looking out as if he expected some one. His daughter regarded these movements with intense anxi- ety her heart was alarmed. The warnings of the blind woman had terrified her, and again and again she mentally thanked Heaven that Lord Walter was absent.
 A light chaise drew up in front of the house. and two travellers, after exchanging a few words with Silias, alighted and entered the kitchen They were the young Lord Walter and the Reverend Dr. Barnard his tutor, but both well wrapped up that neith- CT Ethel nor her mother could recognize them As the last wrapper fell from the person of the younger the anxious girl started; her worst apprehensions seemed realized; the object of her secret pre-occupation stood be- fore her.
 "Lord Walter :" she faltered.
 ''Even so, Ethel, ) replied the young man, sadly. "You appear more surprised than pleased to see me.-My poor father Have you heard? Does he still live ?''
 'Live '" repeated the girl. Has Lord Fal- conberg been i'll ?''
 Dying" exclaimed the young man, with a burst of natural grief Dying Ethel Hurd, the faithful steward, wrote me word not to lose an hour if I wished to see him again.
 His nearer looked thunderstruck
 By order of her father, in words too inn perative to be disregarded, Ethel retired to the kitchen with her mother to prepare the repast for the newcomers. She would have given worlds to remain to put the brother of Lady Alice upon his guard.
 Strange doctor" observed his pupil, when they found themselves alone, 'that Ethel should not of heard have my fathers illness. It must have been very sudden.''
 ''Fever l'' said the tutor, with shudder.
 Meanwhile blacksmith from the nearest village was busily occupied in repairing the broken spring of his lordships carriage
 Ethel was on thorns a vague presentment of impending danger overwhelmed her, but without paralyzing her courage and presence of mind.
 While in this state of suspense, excited al ternately by hope and fear, she recognized the voice of Frank Oatlands, directing the men who accompanied his fathers team to unyoke the horses and give them feed He had been drawing wood in the forest. Saved! !'' she murmured ''saved." The next instant she darted from the house l and stood by his side.
 Frank Oatlands was a magnificent speci- men of the Anglo-Saxon race, and an almost | brotherly attachment existed between him. self and the heir of the Falconbergs ''Thank Heaven you are here, Frank !' said the agitated girl grasping his arm with a boldness which surprised him, for the con duct of Ethel was marked with great reserve. Lord Walter has arrived! They have writ ten to him that his father is dying Why should they lure him to Walburg by a lie !? Some terrible danger threatens him. You will not leave him. I am certain you will not, for his own, for his dear ] sisters for all our sakes" The clear, blue veins in the tempt of the young farmer became distended with indig. 1 nation at the mere thought of foul play to one so dear to him. Under any other cir 1 cumstances he might have blushed at the. al | fusion to Lady Alice, for we doubt if his 1 heart was quite free in that respect but now her brother claimed all his care, and his hand | closed over the heavy hunting whip he car ried with quiet resolution. 'EWhere is Walter ?" he asked 'tIn that little parlor, with his tutor. The 1 carriage has broken down. whispered Ethel pointing to the two men who were repairing 1t. ''It has been done purposely fear. Frank Oatlands walked to the vehicle and examined the broken springs carefully His brow became knit and his brows looked troubled. Without utering word he walked ! resolutely into the house. Where are you going?" demanded Silias Garnem, in surly tone, as the young man crossed the kitchen
 'tTo see my friend.'' His lordship is at dinner with his tutor. B observed the landlord, land cannot permit them to be intruded on" ''Ho ho Silias Garnemi Are you. too, in the plot ?"
 "What:plot ?'' faltered the man, turning pale.
 Cant tell yet,' answered Frank, eying him suspicialIy. But soou shall" Deter mined to find it out. You don't believe in Providence, perhaps. Now, do, and mark my words: if you have been led to tamper in any scheme against the noble house of Fal- conberg, it will come home to you" Silias Garnem uttered loud laugh, which grated harshly upon the ears of the speaker. It had not the true ring in it. Still he felt unwilling to believe anything very bad against the father of Ethel
 "'I plot against the house of Falconberg sparrow against the eagle ?r
 1.-The viper against the stag-hound might have been better sinile, master of the Raw en- Back, I say," added the young farmer, as the landlord advanced second time to impede his passing, unless you wish to feel the weight of my hunting whip"
 Silias rushed upon our hero, who threw him off with as much ease as young lion might have dashed A cur aside that had fas- tened upon his mare, and walked into the parlor of the Raven.
 silias scowled after him, mentally yowing revenge.
 Frank Walter F were the exclamations