Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1884-01-01

realized how lar south ne was. lie hsd
thought Nunham Priors, with its noble
park, its orchards, and flower gardens,
beautiful, and now here was the crown OF
sll-the sea. Scanning his face, she spoke
in satisfied tone 81 knew you would
love it-just as l do, who have stood here
nearly every day of nay life And to think
there are people who come here and never
look at it!
"You despise them thoroughly, don't
you?" said Wyndham, teasingly.
"With my whole soul" she replied Sc
riously.
After this they were better friends than
ever. Soon other visitors were added to
the household, and youth and gayety ruled
the day. Wyndham was content, he knew
not why, nor did he pause to ask the rea-
son.
One evening he was walking leisurely on
the village road, when an old man greeted
him kindly, and asked if he were going to
see their church. Wyndham replied warm.
", 81 have admired its situation on that
rock, near the sea, hundred times is
there anything of special interest in the
interior ?"
"Oh, the organ has wonderful tone
Mr.. Bothwell's grandfather had it brought
from Italy one hundred and fifty years ago.
No stranger ever neglects to hear it"
care you the organist p asked Wynd-
ham.
"Oh, no our schoolmaster is the organ
ist. Poor fellow he has been sick for a
few days, and worries himself thinking
that there will be poor playing for services
tomorrow.
"How could 1 get in % said Wyndham.
81 used to play, although I am not in prac-
tice now"
The old man stopped at small house,
while Wyndham walked up the steep path
to the chapel; presently the other returned
with the keys. They assembled to the gal.
lery, and soon the calm, sunny Stiffness
was flooded with tones of pure sweetness.
As he played, old memories of his long.
forgotten child hood came over him, and
all unconsciously his fingers found the air
of his mothers favorite hymn; it seemed
not at all strange when woman's clear So
prano took up the solemn strain and sent
it echoing through the stiffness. He could
not bear to pause then; it was surely a
voice from heaven so he repeated the &C.
compartment three times before he was
fully aware of it.
As the last chord was struck young
voice said, sob, Mr.. Walker, never heard
you play so well before l am glad that
you are better; now we shall have some
music tomorrow.
Wyndham rose and looked over the rail-
ing. 1t was Esther, with the sunset in her
bright hair, all turned to gold. She had
with her little village girl, upon whose
head her hand rested lightly, as she looked
up, wondering why Mr.. Walker did not
answer.
Thanks for the compliment, intended
for Mr.. Walker, Miss Esther"
Delighted. she cried "Mr. Wyndham
Is it really you? Would you play for US
tomorrow"
"Most willingly, if you think 1 can
"Do let us try that song again " she
said anxiously.
What made them SO happy, and brought
heaven so near to them, they both won.
dered. When the song was finished they
knew not why they sighed
AS they came out of the church into the
twilight Esther said musingly, Chow
strange that you should play that song,
which always sing to Mr.. Walker on Sat
urdays when we practice it is my favor
tie one.
Wyndham was disturbed at the name,
and turning abruptly said, " Would you
introduce me to Mr.. Walker, Miss E.
Their ?"
"Wby, of course, if you wish it" she
answered, wondering at his strange man.
ner.
In silence they walked along the village
street till they came to the schoolmaster'
Wyndham could not explain his relief
when he saw the singularly benevolent
face and snow-white hair of the man,
whose name annoyed him so. Mr.. Walker
was delighted to see Miss Esther, and
more than pleased to know that his be.
loved organ would not be silent on the
morrow. The moon had risen before they
took their leave. Inspired by the beauty
of the evening and a strange new feeling,
Wyndham talked his best and entertained
his companion with stories OF his life wan
behring's. Esther wondered why the home.
ward journey was 90 short,
At supper all were gayer even than usual,
and that evening, when they fi0at2d down
the long harbor to the dreamy music of the
waltz, both felt that life bad little left fol
them to desire. Esther was to go sailingwith
Wyndham in the morning, aud as they
babe each other good night, he reminded
her OF his promise. Passing out into the
garden, he lit his cigar and was alone with
mis- thoughts he seemed to wake sudden,
ly he saw where he stood. Bound IRE.
vocably to another, he loved gentle Esther
with all the passion of his soul Amid the
whirl of maddening thoughts, one only was
clear "She is the realization of my ideal
love her l love her He grasped
frantically at the pocket of his coat, where.
in lay the letter to the unknown bride,
Why could he not destroy it? No one
would ever know, nor a single person be
made unhappy by its loss But no A mar
must keep his word Then he saw be-
fore him again that vision of his life with
out Esther the letter seemed to burn his
very flesh. must wait a year before ]
see Mademoiselle Danvers that is my
promise; but, no l cannot. l know what
! l will do "
In the morning he told Mr.. Boutwell,
that he must depart on urgent business
As the old man looked into his face, he
saw that it would be useless to remon
strate; he let him go, first making hin
promise speedy return. As the carriage
was waiting, Esther stepped to his side g
| moment, and looking trustingly up at him
said You will return, Llewellyn " He
bent toward her look full Of passionate
sadness and answered sclemnly Living
or dead, free or otherwise, will return
Then he was gone.
For Esthers sake he could not wait 6
year. He would write to this unknown
| Mile Danvers, and ask her for his free
dom. His reason suggested to him hun
| bred plausible arguments as to the probable
success of his venture. On arriving in Pari.
he went to Mons, Danver's lawyer, witt
whom he had already exchanged letters.
The lawyer knew nothing of the French
mans wife and daughter, except that they
were living under an assumed name
Wyn9ham had some difficulty in maxim.
him understand that he ws5 forbidden by
the request of the dying man to inquire fol
the address of the ladies, but would like II
send them a letter of Importance. A FRIEND
OF Danvers, who lived in the village, coulC
procure the address, the lawyer said, snC
he would send any letter. Bat he wen
on to Florence before he wrote the letter
| II ran {:
Matemoiselle Danvers In a measure, VIII
| write to you, guilty Of your fathers death
would do anything that he desired OF me. Ill
asked me only for my freedom, which | gave, hold
| ing il Slight atonement for life. promised hin
| that | would make his only daughter ny wife