The Somerset reporter., 1885-05-06
Selected.
SIR JAMES LAURENNIc'S
WARNING.
A Story In IfO0 Chapters.
(Concluded)
CHAPTER IL.
(Concluded.)
CHAPTER IL.

A distinguished guest was staying at
Laofenne place-Lord Alton Somers-a
man after his hosts own heart, also an as
| piTant for his daughters hand, and the Two
| gentlemen were pas Ing the afternoon in
visiting the remoter parts of the estate,
which Lord Somers had moi before seen.
| There was to be grand dinner party
this evening, in honor of his lordship's ar
rival, and Sir James Laurenne had issued
orders for the preparation of an almost re-
gal banquet.
81 want to see if we can astonish Alton
for once" he said to Margaret-fol Lord
| Somers belonged to the fashionable nil dd-
| mirdri school, and was never dstonishcd.
| Margaret who was painfully aware of the
| honor his lordship meant to confer on her,
| and avoided him as much as possible, had
| gone out alone soon after luncheon 10 see
one or two poor people.
1t was sultry July afternoon. The
leaves hung motiorless, the flowers
dropped, the water looked wan and grey.
There was strange silence everywhere, as
of nature were listening and waiting for
something she knew not what.
Sir James Liurcnne felt the Influence of
the weather IN an unusual degree. He
would not have owned to it for the world,
but he felt i'll and depressed.
For two or three nights he had not slept
well; fantastic DIRE ans had disturbed his
rest; Deither had his appitiie been quite as
good AS usual. His limbs were strang, ly
heavy, and seemed to require dragging
along, as he walked by the side of his
young guest.
II must show you the Dali" he said TO
Lord Somers, "these cottages about which
am so necessarily dunned-you remem
ber?'
Vac mar T,.lln h 1uS
bore was he not?l}nt you should not give
such men he iring. l never do. iaik-
ina's their profession, you know"
81 shall not agaiC. l am sure my colt
gers have all heart can wish, yet tn ~ :
forever complaining"
"Tbey want putting down, sir, aud kee.'-
ing down! To what do we owe such emo
mites as our modern strikes To our own
neglect of keeping the rascals down! The
nation is being ruined, sir, by grumbling
On the one hand, ana weakness on the 9TH
err
'Half of their discomfort and rebellion
is due to these parsons," grumbled Sir
james, iu whose mind the words OF Will
fred Staines still ranked; "thcy go about
Representing their wrongs to them until the
ignorant idiots believe their masters are all
lyrants, and they themselves are all mar
tyrs. Ugh! I'm sick of It,"
In the Dell the air was dreadfully OPP
pressive. The spongy ground gave way in
some places beneath the foot, in others
great hard cracks were yawnlug; and trota
the cracks arose very unwholesome odor.
"Pon my word, it isn't too sweet here
exclalmet Lord Somers elevating his ar Is,
tocratic nose, and picking his steps ginger
ly along the uneven path.
"No-o," gasped Sir James, turning
rather pale. But see, Alton. my boy, you
are something of an artist, what do you
think of the cottages? Pretty, eh?'
Every, very picturesque. must make
sketch before | leave"
The two gentlemen had paused in front
of SAUNDERS, cottage, and as they stood 81.
lent moment, clearly and distinctly the
tones of soft voice, reading aloud, came
to them through the open door
"And ii came 10 pass that the Jeggar died,
and ,ods Carried by the angels INTO Abrd-
hams bosom: the rich man also died and
,Uds buried"
"That is Miss Llurenne's voice." ex-
claimed Lord SOmers, aghast. at is
enough to kill her TO be in such place p
Sir james had listened to the words that
fell so softly, yet SO clearly, on his ear, like
one In a trance, but when his companion
spoke he shook off the feeling and hurried
into the cottage.
"Margaret!" he almost shouted, ''come
out, come out at once. You will get your
death In this awful atmosphere"
aye, Squire" said another voice, and
man mere like skeleton than human be
ing, rose up from the shadowy conner
where he had been crouching, land whose
fuult is il that it is SIGH an atmos pheie?
Nay, I'm dying and she's dyins!' pointing
to the bed where his wife lay white aud
corpse-like, her eyes bright with hectic fe-
vr, $50 we're not to be frightened by yer
crab looks no more. I've got my death
ERE, and SOS she, an you've done it. I've
felt plenty of torment, | reckon, an you'll
ieel 1t 100, in spite OF yer grander, and get
nver drop of water TO cool yer tongue!
There, wife, hush my lass, I've said my
say, and I've DONE" and kneeliug by the
miserable bed, the man hid his face on his
wie's thin hand, and broke into hysterical
tears.
"Com. away, Margaret" said Sir james,
grasping his daughters arm and forcing
her from the room. 'I-l'il Sc to this al
t.r-put You must come home how" Lord
Somers stayed minute to lay sovereign
on the bed
"Tnere, my man. he said, not unkindy
''get your wife some good food, and cheer
up, CHI, er up!"
But Jim Saunders did not raise his head,
only The dying woman SAID, "Inapk you,
family.
Lord Somers beat has'y retreat. He
had horror of sickness and poverty-be-
sides the atmosphere of the cottage was
TOO sickeniug 10 be endured by refined
senses.
The great dining room at Laurenne place
was brilliantly illuminated for the feast
the long table with its array OF luscious
fruits, its piles of exotics, its gold plate
and sparkling glass-filled with richly
dressed and smiling guests.
The room was furnished according to
the canons Of modern art anu luxury,
therefore all things were in harmony with
the date and style of architecture. There
were magnificent carved oak cabinets, and
sideboards to match, where an army Of
footmen mounted guard. Each OF the
chairs was an antique gem. The bronze
sconccs, were countless wax tapers shed
soft lustre, had been In the family couple