The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1885-06-13
AN OCCULT SCIENCE.
Story of the Most Eventful Year
Of My Life.

TWAS dear old Aunt Judith who first
instigated me to attempt an account of one
year of my life, which, though it contained
more uncertainty, more thought and more
unhappiness than any other, is neverthe-
less that for which | have always been
most thankful, and to which l am fondest
of looking back.
was engaged to Ernest Crofts, and had
been so for six months. We were to be
married in the summer, by which time
Ernest assured my father that he would
have sufficient competency upon which to
marry. | then thought | was very fond of
him; probably in a way was. l admired
him; he was better-lookng, and had o.
more distinguished air than any one in the
village. Even young Walter Fardyce
who was articled to old Mr.. Welsh, fell
into the background on occasions when
Ernest came down for day or two: and
1t was not without pride that | noticed the
unmlStakable looks of admiration cast upon
him as he walked up the aisle of the church
on Sunday, and reflected that il was inst
to see me that he had torn himself away
from the many attractions of London, and
come to spend his Sunday in quiet Stoke
bourne. Ernest was "in the CITY," He
had to sit in an office great part of the
day; but he assured me that his work was
very different from what it had been. He
erly: held responsible and trusted post,
and had the management of considerable
sums of money.
That was about all that knew of him.
My father had made all necessary maui
ries when we were first engaged, and my
duty was not so much to inquire how he
obtained his income, as to study the way
IN which l was to manage it best.
There was considerable excitement in the
village that winter. Old DR.. Williams had
died at Christmas, and everybody was
naturally much exercised about his success
sor. We had heard vague rumors concern
ing DIR. Browne, who it was stated, had
made all necessary arrangements about the
purchase of the practice. 1t was quite GER
tain that stranger had been down to see
old Mrs. Williams, and Walter Fardyce
had put on very knowing and mysterious
look when questioned about him. From all
accounts DIR. Browne was a wonderful
man; had been abroad great deal. Some
said in India, others were sure it was Cali
fornia, and deaf old Miss Sedgewick, who
somehow or other always managed to hear
most things, assured me it was Egypt.
Walter Fardyce committed himself to the
statement that he was leaving a good prac-
tice in London, in order to obtain greater
leisure for his scientific studies than was
possible in the metropolis. | won.
dered at this, for, from all | had
heard from Ernest, it seemed to
10 me UnaG no place could be so desirable
for residence as London. In comparison
with it Stokebourne was mere desert.
L remember well the first time 1 spoke to
DIR. Browne. There was party at the
Welshes' and Earnest was present. He
had certainly made a great favor of it,
for he hat9d these "rustic festivities" as
he was pleased to call them, but supposed
it would he as well to accept sometimes.
Besides, had begged him to come.
| suppose the Stokebourne parties were
very dull; Ernest said so; but had never
been to any others, and felt that | was no
competent judge. There was a bagatelle
board in the hall Mt Mr.. Wesh's, and some
of the younger guests generally amused
themselves there. Ernest despised it, but
that was no wonder, for in London he was
in the habit of playing billiards. In the
drawing-room-four of the elders played
whist, and round game of cards was
organized at the large table. In addition
to this there was piano in the room, and
one after another, everybody with the
least pretensons TO musical ability, was
called upon to do his or her little utmost
for the entertainment Of the assembly.
never quite saw Why for nobody listened,
and with the exception of the whist
players, who undoubtedly hated the music,
everybody talked.
DIR. Browne arrive late. He had been
called out to a patient and detained longer
then he had expected to be, and there was
quite futter when he made his appear
ance. had just been singing, with Ernest
to turn over for me, and we were standing