River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1881-02-17
AT RIYINGT0N HALL.

come OF some thousands year, on
the death Of a distant relation. Harry
and | were school and college friends;
and though Of late years, our paths in
life had widely diverged, the old affec-
ton never slumbered. We met rarely,
but we kept up a moro constant cor
respondence than is usual even among
brothers.
Our last meeting was ON the occasion
Of his marriage to a charming girl, to
whom he lad been long attached; soon
after which event he left the - Hus-
sars, and went to live in Wales, near
his wife's family, till the death of his
far-away cousin, old Luke Danvers, of
Rivington hail. put him in possession
Of fine estate and ample fortune.
Old Danvers died abroad, in some
German town, where he had led Il life
of absolute seclusion for several years
nearly forty, | think. Harry came
to London on business connected with
the succession, and spent most of his
time at my chambers in the temple.
His parting words to me were cordial
invitation to visit him at the old hail
as soon us he had made it habitable.
1t had been shut up since the late
owner, man Of eccentric habits, re-
tired somewhat suddenly abroad, and
would probably require to be put in
thorough repair before it could be
equal TO the modern IDEAS of luxury or
even comfort
After his first letter. full of enthusiast
tic descriptions fthe quaint beauty Of
the old hall and plans for its immediate
restoration, months passed without my
hearing anything of or from Harry
Danvers. Invent on my plOdding way
rs a struggling barrister, gaining inch
by inch Of the steep uphill path which
leads to ease and competency in the
profession | had chosen. But, busy as
| was, found time to wonder at Harry S
silence; and at length | wrote, having
unexpectedly, a week or two of leisure,
to propose passing my holiday with
him. | addressed my letter to Riving-
ton hall. and the post brought me an
answer in due course The tone of
Harry's letter struck me very painfully
1T was afieCtionate as ever, but there
was a deep melancholy pervading it,
which was scarcely to be accounted for
even by the news which it contained
that Mrs Danvers was even now scarce
ly recovered from long and serious
illness. 1t ended thus; shall be only
too happy to see You, old fellow, if you
can put up with Indifferent aCCOmmOda-
ton and dull company; and | hope
you Will come rs soon as You can, for
the moment Helen IS able to travel we
are going abroad The letter was dated
Woodfield, Riyington.' Ipacked up
at once, telegraphed to say | would be
with him on the morrow, and started
by the morning express.
The autumn day was drawing to a
close as l jumped out of the train at
the station, and found Harry waiting
for me. | was quite shocked by the
change in my friends appearance and
manner. Instead of greeting me with
his usual CHEEKY laugh, he came up as
if we were meeting at funeral, wrung
my hand with scarcely a word, and
only replied by the shortest sentences
to my inquiries about his wife's health
We drove about three miles out of
the town, past lodge with fine old iron
gates, and Il long park-wall, within
which, ut some distance, | could just
discern the gables and chimneys of a
large, handsome house.
That's it, he said, pointing with
his whip. We live at Woodfield,"
So | saw by your letter. But why
did you not carry out your plans for
the restoration OF the Hall?' / asked
&" Don'tspeak Of it," he said sharply.
- And while | think of it, Burnley, l
must beg you not to make any aliusion
to the Hall before Helen. 1t upsets
her completely
Why, what Is the matter with it? 1t
looks u very fine old place, and surely
YOU lived there for some timer
- Yes. we did, he answered gravely,
- and that is why we both wish to for
get that such q place exists. 1t is
killing Helen to remain here: and yet
the doctor SAYS she must not be moved
before the spring"
!" Has she been very ill?' | asked,
passing over the first of his speech,
though mentally resolved to get at
the truth somehow.
Very: rs nearly dead as possible with
nervous fever / doubt if you would
know her again, hurley. But here We
are"
While we were talking he had driven
on. down 4 steep lane to the left and
through little village nesting in a
hollow among woods and corntields,
and quite out of sight Of the hall and
its neighborhood. We stopped ut the
porch of a long, low house by the
roadside: groom took the reins from
my friend. and the servant who came
to the door ushered us through low
side-passage into Il cheerful room,
bright with fire and lamp-light, and
amply, though simply furnished. A
lady rose from IL sofa by the fire TO wei
come US.
could scarcely refrain from eX-
claiming aloud, so great and melancho-
~ was the change in Helen Danvers.
The fair Young smiling bride, whom |
had seen in the first blossom of happy
youth, had become pale, grave. nerv-
Gus woman. startled by the slightest
sound, with heavy eyes that filled with
tears without any apparent reason, and
bearing every mark of having received
a serious shock, both bodily and mem
tall She welcomed me with friendly
kindness; and rs we chatted round the
fire | could trace more resemblance TO
the Helen Danvers whom | had last
seen on her wedding morning. We
separated early for the night, and
Harry carried his wife upstairs, and re-
turned to me with hurried apology
for leaving me TO my solitary cigar, as
be said Helen was too nervous to be
LETS lone.
The next morning was bright and
frosty: and after breakfast, at which
meal Mrs. Danvers did not appear.
Harry proposed to me TO accompany
him to the house of friend, who had
invited us both to shoot. Our way lay
past the lodge gates of Rivington hall,
and hv daylight l could see that the
house was a very large and handsome
one, in the Tudor style, with terraces,
stone-mullioned oriel windows, and
quantity twisted chimneys The shut
tiers we're closed; the avenue, between
two rows Of ma. nificent old beeches,
was grass-grown, a,4u the lodge was
uninhahited; in short, the whole place
bore unmistakable signs of being LETT
70 so to ruin UNDECIDED.
could not resist observing to Harry
that it seemed pity to abandon so
fine a place His reply was rather
startling.
.eWould to heaven that not one ac-
cursed stone remained upon another!"
ne said. vehementiy. The entail pre-