The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1882-12-09
Select STORY.
From Cham6ers's Journal.
The Enfield Court Robbery.

CHAPTER 1.
"When are you going to return Lady
Dasent's visit, Aunt Frances?" asked my
niece Amy one lovely morning in August
at is quite fortnig ght since she called"
'In a day or So" l replied, knowing the
duty must be performed, particularly as
Lady Dasent had, since she called, sent us
an invitation to ball which was about to
take place at Enfield Court. In my inmost
heart [ should have been pleased had Lady
Dasent's visit never been paid We had
lived in seclusion for so long that l almost
dreaded any interruption to the even tenor
of our quiet existence. But Amy was
eighteen, and just at the age to appreciate
a little gayety, and I felt it my duty to set
my own feelings aside and allow her to en-
Joy the present to the utmost
We lived just on the outskirts of one Of
the principal southern provincial towns, In
a little paradise which some one had aptly
designated the "Wren's Nest" Thought
it perfect, and would not have exchanged
the peaceful beauty for Enfield itself, which
was considered one of the finest places IN
the county.
Owing to Lord Dasents very delicate
health the family had been absent for some
years, but directly they returned Lady Da-
SAINT had called on us. The Court was
barely mile distant by road, and we were
really their nearest neighbors, 1t behoov-
ed me- therefore, for Amy's sake, to make
an effort and return her visit
"What do you think of our going to
Enfield this afternoon, Amy?'' | said pres
emily.
Il think it would be delightful she
replied "Shall we walk or drive ?"
"Drive, decidedly" rejoined. The day
was lovely and l inwardly hoped that Lady
Dasent might be enjoying its beauties her
self, and that we might thus continue our
drive, having done our duty by leaving
cards only. Butmy hopes were disappoint-
ed. Lady Dasent was at home, and we
were ushered with due ceremony into her
beautiful drawing-room, where we found
her most graciously inclined toward us
both.
Her daughters were playing lawn-tennis
she told us. Would we like to join them
on the terrace? Very gladly would l have
declined, but glance toward Amy decided
me otherwise. Very probably my diminu:
tive groom and ponies would be entertained
Hospitality during our detention, and !
could fancy, after the splendors of Enfield
that Joseph would return home signally
dissatisfied with the humble ways at the
Wren's Nest.
Accompanying Lady Dasent, we found
ourselves in the midst of quite large party
of young people, some playing tennis, but
the greater number merely looking on
Amy was swept from my side Immediately,
but my anxious eyes followed her, and with
pleasure [ observed the cordiality with
which the Misses Dasent welcomed her.
By and by 1 saw her standing under a
lime tree at some little distance from where
I was seated. She was dressed in white;
and as she stood in the half-shade, half
sunshine, there was look of ethereal beau
ty about her. ...-
GLOW very pretty your niece is, Miss
Courtenay," Lady Dasent observed.
eyes; L think she is rather pretty"
replied.
Some one else thought so too. Just as
Lady Dasent spoke, saw gentleman in
troduced to Amy; and while we remained,
he determinedly maintained close prox-
unity to her side He was young, good
looking, and evidently bent upon making
himself very agreeable to my niece.
Hitherto Amy had lived life of COM
plete retirement. l had guarded her with
jealous care from all contact with any
outward influences that might prejudice the
future of my darling. She had been con-
signed to my care by her mother on her
death-bed, when an infant of few months
old; and accepted the charge, vowing to
be faithful to the utmost of my ability.
[ had loved her mother; but had adored
her father-my youngest brother-who had
gone out to India with the fairest prospects
and come home, after being there for only
few years, to die. Out of large family
was the only one left who could possibly
have undertaken the absolute charge OF
Amy.
AHu nClO was L, HlOn my JOuCu Adl OC-
hind me, an unloved old maid, until the
child came to me, and in the clasp of hel
little chubby arms / seemed to grow young
again myself. My sorrows became dim in
the distance as my charge grew; every day
and hour adding to my devotion to her
and, thank God to her love and affection
for me- We were not rich, but we had
enough; and / was enabled to have gov
erness for Amy, so that not even for part
of her education had she to leave me-
Sometimes I wished she had some compan-
ions of her own age; but when mentioned
it she always rejected the idea of such a
necessity. She was perfectly happy. What
more did I want? Nothing, except to In
sure her continuing to be happy all the
days of her life.
Lady Dasent's desire to cultivate our ac-
quaintance presented at least one advan-
tage for Amy; the Misses Dasent were about
her own age, and, judging by outward APP
pearances, nice lady-like girls, who seemed
anxious to be friendly with her. Still, ]
shrank from giving announcement to the