The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1880-07-31
Lady Blanche's Leap"

'.Now, remember, my daughter" said
my father, as he carefully tucked mo into
the corner Of the close travelling carriage
remember my caution. 1t is all very
well for you to preach against intcmper-
ance and dissipation in the proper place,
and to the proper person; but the Change
and its owner are neither. The old home
8 cad is quiet, steady building, and your
uncle long ago sorely repented himself of
the evils you are SO fond OF crusadirg
against. Poor Walter Is not what he was
. as a young man. In one day ho passed
from the careless life Of man of the
world into the true, humble Christian he
Is now. So be careful, daughter, that hap
hazard tongue of yours does not, uniliten-
tonalfy, wound him."
And then the carriage started away to-
ward what was to me. new and undiscov-
cred country" even though it was but
thirty miles distant from the q',iet conn-
try town in which all my young llfr had
been spent.
1t was sudden thing, this visit was
about to make; for years 1t had been
brought up at certain intervals, discussed,
and then laid aside.
And now, at last, could scarcely rea-
lie that I was actually on my way to the
much-talked-of 'Grange," the lonely resi-
dcnce of my fathers only brother, Lord
Walter Shafton.
The latter, himself, was no stranger 10
me, for of late years-since, as my father
said, he had repented of the wild life
he had hitherto led--his visits at our lit
tie parsonage had been Of frequent occur
renoe.
He was tall, finc-looking man, of some
fifty years of age, but 30 bent and SORROW
full, ,<his head and beard 30 white, that one
ignorant of the truth would have supposed
him to be, at least, ten years older.
That there was a sad story connected
with my uncle's sudden change of charac-
ter-some terrible gulf which had 80 aged
him beyond his years-I had always sus-
pected; but, as my kind father seemed to
shrink from the subject wheneverI ven
tured to hint my curiosity, never ques-
toned him.
My anxiety to penetrate the mystery.
however, rather Augmented than decreased,
from the check thus put upon IL; and
l resolved that, before left the Grange,
would find some means Of gratifying my
curiosity.
Fortune, tickle dame though she is, In
this instance, at least, proved herself my
friend, and in q few days after my arrival,
rare opportunity to attain my object was
unexpectedly laid before mo, without any
effort Of my own.
Among my uncle's numerous servants
was one who had lived in the family for
many years during my grandfathers life-
time In fact-and to this faithful old fol-
lower Lord Shafton confidcd my safety
during the long rides 80 delighted in, he
himself being generally unable to bear the
Al >e II
try. One bright morning, however, l
enjoy quiet ride with mo, Lut fearing
that he might wish to return before was
ready, he told old Robert to follow closely
after us."
It was, as I have said glorious day,
and the exhilerating air and motion seemed
to act upon my uncle's gloom like charm.
He talked, even laughed, as we rambled
along road had not yet explored; and.
In fact, had never before seen hun In such
spirits.
The one dark shadow of his life, what
ever 1t might be, seemed, for the time,
forgotten, and gave myself up. with de-
light to study my loved relative In his new
character.
sLook, uncle Walterl"I cried, sudden
", refining In my horse. "What a bcauti.
full, shady little road that Is to the right!
Come, let's follow III"
He made no reply, and glanced round
at him.
TO my surprise, every trnce of his late
sheerfulness was gone, and, instead, a
dark, deep shadow had spread over hif
face--darker and moro sorrowful than
had ever seen 1t before.
~ am tired, " he said, with the thick,
slow utterance of one who struggles tc
control some great emotion. II am tired
Go on. II you like. Robert will accompany
you"