Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1881-02-12
VIII.

Early the next morning the good old
butler came to me, in great perturbation,
for word of advice.
"Do come, sir, and look at the mas
ter can't find it in my heart to wake
him."
1t was time to wake him, if we
were to go to London that day. L went
into the bedroom. Although was no
doctor, the restorative importance Of
that profound and quiet sleep impressed
itself on me SO strongly that / took the
responsibility of leaving him undis-
turbed. The event proved that I had
acted wisely. He slept until noon.
There was no return of the " torment of
the voice." as he called it, poor fellow.
We passed quiet day, excepting one
little interruption, which 1 am warned
not to pass over without word of re-
cord in this narrative.
We had returned from ride. Ro-
mayne had gone into the library to read;
and was just leaving the stables, after
look at some recent improvements,
when pony-chaise witha gentleman in
it drove up to the door. He asked po-
litely if he might be allowed to see the
house. There were some fine pictures
at yange, as well as many interesting
relics of antiquity; and the rooms were
shown, in Romaynes absence, to the very
few strangers who were adventurous
enough to cross the healthy desert that
surrounded the Abbey. On this occa-
sion the stranger was informed that Mr..
Romayne was at home. He at once
apologized-with an appearance of dis
appointment, however, which induced
me to step forward and speak to him.
Mr.. Romayne is not very we'll, /
said, "and I cannot venture to ask you
into the house. But you will be well
come, I am sure, to walk round the
grounds, and to look at the ruins of the
Abbey"
He thanked me and accepted the invi-
tation. I find no great difficulty in de-
scribing him, generally. He was ell
derly, fat and cheerful; buttoned up in
long black frocl l-coat, and presenting
that closely shayen face and that invet-
crate expression of watchful humility
about the eyes, which we all associate
with the reverend personality of
priest.
To my surprize, he seemed, in some
degree at least, to know his way about
the place. He made straight for the
dreary little lake which have al
ready mentioned, and stood looking at
it with an interest which was so incom-
prehensible to me, that own watched
him.
He assembled tho slope of the moor
land and entered the gate which led to
the grounds. All that the gardeners
had done to make the place attractive,
failed to claim his attention. He walked
past lawns, shrubs, and hower-beds, and
only stopped at an old stone fountain,
which Tradition declared to have been
1 one of the ornaments Of the garden in
e the time of the monks. Having care
fully examined this relic of antiquity,
! he took sheet of paper from his pocket,
. and consulted it attentively. 1t
might have been plan of the house and
! grounds, or it might not-I can only re-
port that he took the path which led
him by the shortest way to the ruined
$ Abbey church.
As he entered the roohess inclosure,
he reverently removed his hat. 1t was
impossible for me to follow him any
, further without risk of discovery. I sat
, down on one of the fallen stones wait
ing to see him again. 1t must have
been at least half an hour before he ap-
|, peared. He thanked me for my kind
, ness as composedly as if he had quite
expected to find me in the place that 1
occupied.
81 have been deeply interested in all
, that I have seen," he said. "May 7
venture to ask, what is perhaps an In
| discreet question on the part of a
stranger?"
I ventured on my side to ask what
, this question might be.
t "Mr. Romayne is indeed Fortunate"
he resumed, Gin the possession of this
beautiful place. He is young man,
, think !"
eyes"
) is he married |"
"No."
"Excuse my curiosity. The owner OF
Vange Abbey is an interesting person to
all good antiquaries like myself. Many
thanks again. Good day"
His pony-chaise took him away. His
last look rested-not on me-but on the
OIL Abbey.
i Lro DE ooNTINUED.l