The Sunday herald. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1866-1887, 1885-03-22

Guestwycke was n fine old Tudor manor
house, lying high above the river, which
later on, after many windings, rushed
through Silvercombe on Its way seaward. II
was built Of red sandstone, and was smoth.
cred twice year in purple wistaria blossom.
But the flowers had faded and gone now like
everything cheerful about the place; the
windows were yelled as Hester drove up, the
silence seemed to speak audibly of the ca
lamity which had befallen. How many
happy hours Hester had spent there in the
oil times never to come again How many
warm welcome she had received in the dim
old hall which was the glory of the manor
housed Now she was drawn silently into an
embrace almost convusive in its fervor, and,
blinded with fast-fallipg tears, was led into
the darkened library.
The good child has come, John. Here
she Isl" Mrs. Guest took Testers hand in
hers and drew her TO the Preside where the
master Of the house sat in his great leathern
chair. He was older than his wife by many
years, but the storms Of life had failed to
ruff'e the serenity Of the fine old face; those
aristocratic, clear cut features were stamped
with the impress Of a noble mind.
Grief confers strange dignity. Hester felt
awed as though in royal presence as she
sat between her kind old friends. Hers were
the only tears that fell, for the fount Of sor-
rows soon runs dry in aged eyes. But the
sight of the girls sweet face saddened by
their grief-for the simple old couple never
guessed at her own share in it-seemed a
comfort to the poor parents in these first
days of their loss.
From childhood Hester Conway had been
frequent visitor at Guestwycke, and sweet,
sad memories lurked for her at every corner.
In nd tIao had, Nall hot al
led her old pony when he first taught her to
rids-upon the shining beaches Of the river
ripping below-dull now, and gray with the
gloom that was everywhere this dreary No.
vember. They had Aoated lazily through
summer afternoons on this very shady bank
they had fingered last autumn when he had
asked her to he his wife. What issues
though she knew it not-had depended upon
her answer
One word from her, and Talbot would
have stayed to be the comfort of his parents
and in good time to play his part in life as
master of Guestwycke, an honest country
squire like his father before him. And now
Hester felt that his death lay at her door |
She pictured him ,oiling, tired and athirst,
across the arid desert, thinking of her as he
rode YEARLY on. She pictured the three
days fighting face to face with death in that
terrible ravine amid the thunder of guns
from the heights above, amid thirst, and
WEAKNESS, and despair, till the merciful
messenger brought its almost welcome sum-
mons. Or did he fall early in the battle
and was that beloved head with its dark
curls trampled in desert dust by friend and
foe Oh, 1t was too horrible And 1t was
she who had goaded him away from his safe,
peaceable life at Guestwycke-goaded him to
his doom Should she ever dare confess as
much to the poor parents who mourned the
son of their old age? Hester felt almost
guilty in receiving their caresses. II they
had but known! She crept away into soli-
tude, whenever II was possible, to weep her
heart out in miserable selfreproach. She
had not thought it possible to endure
grief more bitter than she suffered during
those two days at Guestwycke, but her cup,
as it seemed, was not yet full.
II.
While the mourning parents ut Guest
wycks went heavily, aud Hester's sorrow
sought relief in tears, a strange piece of
gossip was convulsing the little world of
Silvercombe. The rector's William had it
from the 'ostler at the Red Dragon, who had
1t from the kitchen maid whose mother
chared for all the best families. who had It
from Mrs. Tracy's own maid, Maria, who
surely ought to know whether her mistress
were engaged or not! Aud engaged it ap-
peared she was-or rather had been, since
the poor gentleman was dead-to Capt. Tai
bot Guest, of Guestwycke. And that Maria
would swear to, for her mistress had told her
so with her own lipsl Aud were not mis-.
tress and maid both busy as bees stitching
away at the mourning, besides what was or
dered from Exeter for bettermost wearR
The breathless excitement among the PEG.
Pile of Tahiti when their King Pomare insti
tuted Christianity by cutting up and eating
the sacred turtle--ths sensations which
stirred the simple islanders of Hawaii as
Queen Kapiolani, descending to the brink of
the fiery crater, plucked handful of Pele's
consecrated berries-could not we'll have ex-
ceeded the commotion created in Silver
combe as this piece of news ran like q mag
netic current through Maria and her gossips,
and finally by way of the reator's William,
who served as conductor, TO the gentry of the
village.
Mrs. Tracy was a pretty young widow,
who in social life had lately proved herself
formidable rival to the Silvercombe girls of
less experience. She had established her
self some twelve months since in the best
apartments the primitive little place afforded,
and seemed in no haste to quit them, though
the wing to other climes. What share her
interest in Capt. Guest had in OBTAINING her
at Silvercombe was best known to herself,
but however well founded had been her
hopes of one day reigning at Guestwycke as
his wife, they we're now shattered forever.
But the fact of the conquest alone increased
her Importance immensely in Silvercombe
society. The charming young widow had, of
course, been credited with vague aspirations,
matrimonywards, but that she should have
aimed 30 high and brought down her bird.
Silvercombe could not recover its
establishment.
Public opinion had always hitherto des-
tined Hester Conway for the heir of Guest
wyoke, but now it underwent change.
People felt how impossible It was that Hester,
with all her sweet grace and gentle dignity,
should ever have aspired to rival Mrs.
Tracy's maturer, more astutely managed
charms.
The Hester who returned from Gusstwycks
at the end Of the week, pale and wan, with
dark rings encircling her beautiful fawn.like
eyes, pointed the contrast all the more
strongly. As usual the person most con-
cerned was the last to hear the news which
had been worn threadbare with discussion
during her two days absence. To her sis
s'so JUS P'ASS es'o aSSoA'VN ~ WAsh eo'oA 'h-
oredulity.
81 don't believe il 7" she said bluntly,
turning suddenly upon Dora with pale,
proud face.
"My dear Hester, she says so herself
Surely she ought to know. And, indeed,
now we come to think of it, they were
great deal together while you were away the
early part Of last winter, before he went
abroad"
cts uncommonly strange, but she has
actually put on mourning for him; 40 OF
course 1t must be true" supplemented Kath-
leen. " Poor Talbot You know We used
to tease You about him at one time, Hester;
indeed, all Silvercombe thought"
"Good night. You must tell me all the
news tomorrow; am too tired to talk to-
night. Please send me up a cup Of tea pres
emily; won't come down again."
Hester took up her wraps with her usual
quiet dignity, and, head erect, marched mp
stairs. II she were wounded none should
know. But she was not wounded. No such
false report should destroy her faith In Tai.
bot, her lover, alive OF dead The girls had
made mistake. II could not be true
Next morning Sunday she cassd herself
as It were In armor OF proof and went to
church. In her quiet corner, hidden from
81 n. .I.x.a