Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-07-22
THE EVENING STAR.
The Last Move in the Game.
AN ORIGINAL TALE.

The Last Move in the Game.
AN ORIGINAL TALE.
The old servants at Falcon6err Hall the seat
VI Lolu Falconoerg, near the New Forest, in
/ hampshire. England, had been dying of rapidly
Win what Or. Erdale called a MALIGNANT fever;
| but Joe Mattocks. the sexton. and Mary Merril,
| blind and aged nurse, and Dick Varley. law
| yers clerk. believed they had been poisoned
Wlth Dr. Erdales knowledge for the purpose
were acquainted. Lord Falconberg han two
cLildren-his son. Lord Walter. student at
| oxford. and daughter Alice both OF whom
were great favorites with their dead mothers
brother, Ned Buckhurst, who lived al the
Grange. a few miles from Falconberg Hall.
ROAD OF the New Forest. known as the
n DeHms zap, which ran past wayside inn
az night, on account Of its abrupt termination
on on the eoge OF an Old and deep quarry. 1t was
me P business OF siias Carmen the landlord OF
me other blue, were kept burning at a little
distance from the edge of the precipice. every
night nom sunset to sunrise.
one day couple or disguised strangers
topped at the Raven, and imperiouSly de-
manded dinner of the landlord. who was at first
ihchned 10 resent their harshnesS, but after a
Ie" Whispered words from one OF them the
manner oil the landlord suddenly changed to
JbsequiousDeSs.
Dinner. gentlemen" he said. Certainly.
The best the house can supply PERHAPS YOU
would prefer private room?r
certainly, answered the younger traveller
AZ ,h biS PITY gil" he added, attempting to
TAKE tle haAd or Ethel Carmen, the landlords
heautiful daughter, who slrank tfmidly back.
shall wait upon us
MY daughter does not wait upon strangers"
observed EtEel's mother dryly. and SiiiaS CON
Quoted his guests TO the little parlo,. where a
cheefful fire was blazing. 4 whispered con-
sersation took place, which lasted for some
"Do not leave Ethel till return" said Mrs
carmen 10 the Old blind nurse. Mary Merrill
VINO mad come in with her grandson bright
BOY named Ralph. Il must hasten to The
Kitchen and prepare dinner for these travel
their horses" 10
g Are they strangers ?" asked her visitor.
inc landlady regarded her earnestly.
10 me, at least" She replied. al cannot
answer for my husband"
-" 40 not like these men," observed Ethel
as soon as her mother had withdrawn. "Wnat
can bring them here?"
EVIL Evil to the house of Falconberg,"
groaned the blind woman. THE storm has
been gathering for years. The clouds are black
and heavy. They will burst soon. | have
known ft-felt 1t for years-seen 1t In nv
dreams dream ior When sleep the blessed light re-
EVIL y repeated the astonished girl. "What
eval oo can u, possibly threaten those 50 highly
1.-The lightning strikes the stately oak and
leaves the humble shrub unscathed, Continued
the speaker. ''You must watch over them
over the NOBLE maiden whose generous regard
gloomy
path; over her thoughtlesS brother, who has
listened to the beattngs OF his heart. | fear,
Ialher than the suggestion OF reason. You
must watch these men,
81 WILL" faltered Ethel blushtng and turn
Ing pale by turns, as If she comprehended the
aIluslon; for she secretly loved the young Lord
Walter.
"The hawk shall not replace the falcon in
Its nest" added the blind nurse emphatically.
although 1t has been Matched there"
The mistress OF the Raven now made her ap-
20 1y1s3 f11a-
her departure, accompanied by her grandson.
THANK Heaven" thought the girl, "Lord
Walter is far away with his tutor. II any dan
ger threatens 1t cannot fall upon him. Angels
Will watch over the Lady AHce.'
Inc pest dinner the house could furnish was
Quickly served in the little parlor Stlias himself
conversation they took their leave to the Intense
satisfaction Of Ethel, who felt as ii weight
had been removed from her heart
By this time night, which lends its aid to
every evil, began to spread her dark mantle.
vailing the twilight world. The landlord OF
t Uni. raven appeared uneasy and on the watch,
II he expected some one. His daughter regarded
these movements with intense anxiety: her
heart was alarmed. The warnings OF the blind
woman had terrified her, and again and again
she mentally thanked Heaven that Lord Waiter
was absent.
A light chaise drew up in front of the house.
and TWO travellers. after exchanging a few
WORDS with SillaS, alfghted and entered the
Kitchen. They were the young Lord Walter and
the Reverend Dr. Barnard, bis tutor, but both
so well wrapped up that neither Ethel nor her
Inother could recognize them. AS the last wrap
per Tell from the person OF the younger the anX-
lous girl started; her worst apprehensions
see med realized; the object OF her secret pre-
occupation stood before her
lord Walter!" she faltered
Even so, Ethel" replied the young man
sadly. You appear more surprised than pleased
10 see me ,. -, Ny poor father! Have you heard?
,o I've se repeated tie girl. "Has Lord Falcon
Dying" exclaimed the young man. with p
burst of natural grief. Dying. EtneL Hurd the
faithful steward wrote me word not to lose an
hour II wished TO see him again"
HIS nearer loo ked tnunderSruck
BY order OF Ter father. in words too Inn oara-
tive TO be disregarded, Ethel retired to the
Kitchen with her mother to prepare the repasr
10r the newcomers. She would have given
Alice upon his guard.
"Strange, Doctor observed his pupil. when
they found themselves alone. THAT Ethel should
not have heard OF my fathers Illness. IL must
have been very sudden
..Fever!', said the tutor, with shudder
Meanwhile blacksmith from the nearest
broken springs OF his lor0ships carriage,
Ethel was on thOrns; vague presentiment of
Impending danger overwhelmed her. but with
out paralyZ1ng her courage or presence of mind.
Whilst in this state OF suspense excited alter
nately Dy nope and fear, she recognized the
voice OF Frank Oatlands, directing the men who
dCCoNupduIeU Ills IdtHerS team 10 unyOke the
horses aRd give them feed. He had been
drawing WOOD In the forest.
saved" she murmured saved"
The next instant she darted from the house
and stood by his side.
Frank Oatlands was magnificent specimen
or the Anglo-SaXon race, and an almost BROTH
erly attachment existed between himself and
the heir OF the Falconbergs
THANK Heaven you are here, Frank ~ said
the agitated girl, graSplng his arm with bold
ness that surprised him, for the conduct OF
Ethel was marked by great reserve Lord
Walter has arrived! They have written to
him that bis father is dying! Why should they
lure him to Walburg by a lie? Some terrible
danger threatens him, but you Will not leave him
l am certain that you Will not, for his own for
his dear sisters, for all our SakeS''
The clear, blue veins In the temples of the
young farmer became distended with indlgna-
tion at the mere thought OF foul play TO one So
dear to him. Under any other circumstances
he might have bluShed at the Illusion to Lady
Alice, for we doubt II his 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 carried With quiet resolution.
"Where is Walter?" he asked.
"1n the little parlor, with his tutor The car
rage has broken down." whispered Ethel,
has been done purposely, fear"
Frank OatlandS walked to the vehicle and
examined the broken springs carefully. His
brow became knit and his eyes looked troubled
Without uttering word, he walked resolutely