Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1885-08-21

| Loness, who were pursuing their calling in
what after the fashion of country inns, was
combination of bar and parlor The Red
Lion, an affable, condescending animal, and,
like all noble animals, willing to relinquish
toll for more congenial pursuits, seeing that
his visitor was ready to talk, sat down in
round backed chair near the fire and left the
Lioness to attend to the bottle and jug de-
partment, which, as the hour was just past
uoon, was in full swing of activity.
Hervey asked variety of questions about
the neighborhood. He might really have
Teen gentleman of fortune anxious to buy
place and so properly particular as to
what society might be round about. He OBJ
tanned much valuable and interesting infor
nation about the families Of position" as
they appeared to the eyes Of the Red Lion.
He learned who lived in the big white house
at the edge of the common, who in the house
at the top of the hill, who in the house at the
bottom. He was gradually leading up to
the questions he wanted to ask, when the
sound of carriage wheels was heard, and the
Lion after glancing over the wire window.
blind laid down his pipe and went to the
door, Hervey also glanced out of window
and saw two tall gentlemen, who occupied
bIe DOA-SCouo VI q Ao1 80 Wo6OIOocOs %AOJ
were talking gravely and sadly to the Lion,
who, whilst he listened with due respect,
| looked somewhat crestfallen and i'll at ease
ssWhat's the matter now, Joe?' asked the
| Lioness, rather anxiously, as her spouse re-
| turned.
''Say the last cask O beer ran out two
| DAYS before it's time, so couldn't have been
full. They look after trifles, they do"
ssOh, nonsense" said the Lioness, tossing
| her head. ''Some one must have got at it.
| Their servants are no better than Others"
'sWho are they?' asked Hervey.
| 1.-THE Mr.. Talberts of Lakewood House,"
| replied the landlady with that smile on her
| face which seemed to come involuntarily on
| the faces of many people when they men,
| toned or heard the name of our gentle Hor-
ace and Herbert.
| Her-yey went hastily to the window and
| looked after the wagonette, which, however,
| was by now out of sight.
erich men, I supposed" he said, reseating
| himself.
''They're rich enough; but oh, that partic-
| ular!'' said the Lioness, with another toss of
| her head. The accusation of short measure
| ranked in her breast.
'tClose-fstedg' asked Hervey.
.'Well yes, they're close" said the Lion.
'sThat is, they like to get shilling's worth
| for shilling"
| "We all like that. Let me have it now.
| Two brandies-one for you and one for me- y
The Lion laughed and filed the glasses.
| Hervey adroitly piled him with questions
| about the Talberts, and soon learnt almost
as much as we know. He laughed with the
landlord at their amiable peculiarities. It
! was well our friends did not hear the Red
Lion, or Hazelwood House might have gone
elsewhere for its beer.
sThey are funny gents" said the Lion.
'sYou'd never believe; but day or two
ago was walking along the road. 1t was
drizzling with rain. The Mr.. Talberts they
passed me, driving. ALI of a sudden they
pull up at the hedge round their paddock
Mr. Herbert he jumps down; he takes the
whip and with the handle begins polzine
furiously in the hedge. I ran up thinking
something was the matter. Law no! not it
He was a poking at bit of white paper
which had blown in there. Poke and poke
he did till he got it out-and Mr.. Horace
the while holding the horses and sitting ane
looking on as if it meant life or death getting
out that paper. Rum thing to be so particu
lar, amt it,"
Hervey protested himself much amused
and continued his questions. He heard al
about Miss Clauson, the niece who had beer
staying at Oakbury for so long. He ever
learned the name of every member of thu
Hazlewood House establishment, from tina
Of the oldest retainer, Whitaker, to that O.
the latest arrival, Mrs. Miller the nurse. HI
heard, of course, the whole history, with ad
ditions, of the mysteriously-se boy. Ant
when he was told this, in spite of his self
control, a look of utter amazement spreat
over his face. He rose, and babe the Ret
Lion good day. The story he had heare
must have engrossed his mind to an UMPIRE
cedented extent, for he actually forgot t.
finish his brandy and water, flatterins
tribute to the landlords power Of interesting
a listener
After leaving the inn Hervey took the frs
turning out of the main road 1t was
little by-way leading to nowhere in particu
lar. Here, as no onlookers were about, b.
gave vent to delight by sundry actions com
mon to most men as soon as they find them
selves alone after having received the hes
possible news He smacked his thigh; b
rubbed his hands together; he seemed to hui
himself in his joy. He laughed aloud, bu
there was a cruel ring in his laugh, and Their
was cruel look on his laughing mouth. Hi
eyes frightened with the blended lights Of
malice and anticipated triumph.
"What luckl' he CALCULATED. "What luck
see it all from the very beginning Con
found it! it was clever stroke By c.
I've got her now! I've got her nowl''
He Gained himself, returned to the mali
road and inquired the way to Hazlewoot
House. He stood for some time in front O
the entrance gates, but finding that only tn
chimneys of the house could be seen from
this point he walked round until he could ge
better idea Of the building. "It all mean
money! Pots of money!" he said, with glee
After this he returned to the gates, and i
seemed as if he meant to favor our friend
with call. However, if So he changed hi
mind.
"No," he said turning away. ''There's
new element in the case which must be con
sidered. No need to be in a hurry. I'll e
back home and think it all out over pipe.
So he faced about and, in thoughtful
way, sauntered down the lane, or road, who's
mission in this world is to give access to Ha
zlewood House and two or three other equally
desirable residences.
1t was glorious winters day. The SUI
was shining brightly; so brightly that on the
bare twigs of the hedges the boar frost Of
the night had resolved itself into crysta
drops which shone like jewels, and then, as il
alarmed at their Protean nature, trembled
and fell Although silvery haze hung round
Ine horizon tnere was no log. Inc air was
sharp and crisp but not damp. The wind il
cold was quiet. It was a day of a thousand
a day, in fact, on which, if she knows her
business, a woman who has charge of child
takes it out for a good long walk
Mrs. Miller knew her business so it was
quite in order that as Maurice Hervey was
walking down the lane the nurse and the boy,
on their way home to early dinner, should
be walking up Hervey, whilst deep in his
meditations, heard a voice, and looking UP
saw the dark clad woman and the golden
haired child within few PAGES of him. He
stopped short and looked at them.
Hervey to-day presented an appearance SC
different from that Of the Gagged creature seen
by Mrs. Miller at Portland that she would
probably have passed him without recogni
ton. He was now fashionably dressed and
had it suited his purpose, might have brushed