The Sunday herald. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1866-1887, 1886-01-17

itself was always kept locked and the key In MY Dos
session, and that the window was protected by
My husband laid but few restrictions upon me-
but there was one point upon which he was rcso-
| me. No matter how Trustworthy the servants might
be, was never TO give them the Keys or even allow
arm belief was that at least three-four,ns Of the
burelaries that occur were planned either by the
seTyanis, or ~ associates and friends O theirs;
| tresome, when was busy preparing for dinner
party, and the housemad came 10 say that she
wanted moro spoons aud forks and other articesfo for
| the table. II would often have been great relief
| 70 me TO hand her the keys and say: 81 am very
ge wdt Is leqa abl yonrss But mover
The very day after my husband had spoken being
pouring wet, and the servants not having much to
rlateroom and get ont what silver required clean
ing, and let them have H. SO went up stairs, got
s ye ae nce Of i sa seo
cleaned, and looked over everything determined
to have u all done, and well done, In readiness for
our next dinnerparty. The articles which needed
polishing | put down on the moor, for there was
neither table nor chair In the ROOM nothing but the
press.
| "If you please, maaIn,' said a soft voice at my
elbow, "hercs letter the postman has Just brought
i was Eliza, | must say that for hali a minute
about, she had followed me In here. True, had
never told any Of the servants not TO come into that
ever, here Eliza was. and saw her gaze wander,
very naturally to the open press with its wc.fed
|
"0h. ma'am, what beautiful things." she said adj
mringy.
prond Of his silver, for most OF It has been long
| time in his family. ] want You aud Sarah TO clean
the plate to-day. VIII put what requires cleaning
outside the door, and you can come and fetch it.r
| Eliza went out wiih-1 could not help fancyinq
| just the slightest shade OF unwillinpncss In her
manner. and carefully locked the door after leay-
| were brought up stairs again brilliantly polished
and put them all away, feeling rather heroic for
- In nt.x
| Had 1t not been for my pledged word to my hus-
band, certainly should have done SO.
Two days afterwards, late In the afternoon, Eliza
came to me In my bedroom with glowing face
and handed me gentlemans card:
nRev. Wentworth Allardycc, 0akwoed vicarage. v
| "1fs my dear master-Iny dear late master, !
in London, and he called to see how was getting
on; and ne would IKE to speak to you, ina'am, If
went down to the drawlng-room willing enough.
who had been very Kind to her, and was really
glad to see any one who was Interested In so excel
lent servant.
The Clergyman was a handsome man OF about
thirty five, with dark, vlvacious eyes and peaaant
smile. He was got up In the most correct lyle of
tonless waistcoat round collar, cross suspended
to hls watch-chain and Nat felt hat.
"Mrs. Lester, believe, " he said, coming forward
most cOurteously 81 trust you will not think have
, taken liberty In calling to see domestic who
served me faithfully for three years. and in whom
shall always take a sincere interest,""
~ am very glad to sec you, Mr.. Alardyce,"
said
"And assure you 1t gives me great pleasure to
make the acquaintance OF lady OF whom have
heard so much. Eliza often writes to me, and il
eloquent in her praises OF you and her gratitude fol
"she is very good girl, said.
"She is a good glrl--a thoroughly good girl-con.
pleased at nv praise. "As an inmate OF nv honse.
hold she was admirable in every particular. l also
had the pleasure 81 preparing her for her conrma
not to lose sight OF her when she came to London
"She has often spoken of you to- me, Mr.. Allardycc
She often praises your beautiful gardens. and tho
pretty meadows near your vicarage. We poor Lon
i doners envy You your privileges
"Yet this Is delightful part OF London he said
, with glance out of the window.
"oh. yes, we like very well. Only the summer Il
coming on, and we naturally yearn for the country
! | The parks are poor substitute for it,
"My garden 10 beginning to look very pretty now.
You aud Dr. Lester must really run down to Oak
gather Strawberries for yourselves and taste eui
I country cream l can promise you these simple
pleasures at least, and game at tennis. should
like you to sec my roses"
"Thank you; you are very kind.
: us DR.. Lester at home? hope shall have tht
pleasure of making his ACQUAINTANCE before leave
al expect him in every minute. He said when hi
, went out that he should not be long"
81 understand he has a large practice
"very. And he is particularly busy Just now
"a most enviahle profession, his" remarked Mr.
. Allardyce gazing round the room as he spoke: "T'
can imagine few things more delightful to mar
/. whose heart is In his work."
4
! afternoon tea, and while she handed 1t round In hel
peculiarly deft and pleasant way Mr.. Allardyct
ssYour mistress says she is very fond of the country
Eliza, and some day she Is coming to Oakwood Il
eat strawberries and cream aud sit under the trees
sob, how nice, STRIP cried Eliza.
= VI think she would admire the roses. You re-
. member that large bush in the middle of the lawn
= The frost killed rhat In the winter"
!. "Did 1t, sir? OH am so sorry!"
"And poor old Nat Welsh, my gardener, is dead
OH and Mrs. Alardyce told me not to forget to tel
v-cr %
! There are hundred and-yes, a hundred ant
twenty children in 1t now. hope You keep up YOU
read your Bible as you used TO do at Oakwood?"
At that moment heard my husbands latch-kel
: In the door, and stepped out into the hall.
"Mr. Allardyce is here, and is anxious to you.
said, as he came In, and added, soto p0ce, she II
such nice man! Do come and speak to him."
Charlie followed me into the drawing-room, where
Mr. Allardyce gracefully came forward, while Eliza
removed the tea things. Andthen ensued delight
fu chat OF about an hours duration. TO give eyer
an outline of the conversation would take too long
= but remember that we touched upon great mum
much both in England and on the Continent, ant
n he related SOME very amusing experiences for Ou
entertainment. could see Charlie was delighted
with him.
"Are you making long stay In town, Mr.. Altar
dyce ?" he asked, as the hall-cock struck six.
mo; my time Is not my own, and must return
1--WE should be most happy to offer yon bed
yE Wo yst Kha n1
I nervous In my absence, and magines burglars ant
, all sorts OF horrors"
"But you will stay and dine with us? Our hour Il
, SIX"
'Thank you; should like to do so very mnch II
can manage not to miss the half-past nine oclocl
. train at Waterloo, which said should return by.
81 can promise that. will send You in m,
, brougham, said my husband. And then Eliza cam
to say that dinner was on the table, and went int
the dining ROOM"
The meal was a charming one, for our guest ex
, erted himself to he agreeable. We were boil
! charmed with him.
"You will excuse my remarking what very fin
Dr. Lester d Mr. Aardyce When VII yo we Wer
sitting al modest dessert. ~ Halter myself tina
! am connossenr In old silver, and never saw
more splendid designs
81 confess / am rather proud OF theni,' said m,
husband. highly gratifed, as he always was whei
examine them?"
!; Our visitor rose with graceful how and smile t.
me, and went to the 6idebOard, where ne handle,
the cup with evident appreciation.
slow massive they are, and how beautifully or
= namented! suppose they are Jacobean?"
'The date OF the tankard ia 1851; tho cups ar
Ave years Older" said my husband, who was learne
In Hal-marks, and knew the date of every piece o
plate we possessed It may not be generally know
r the precise date OF any piece OF Hal-marked silve
i may be ascertained.l
/ "very fine indeed,' said Mr.. Allardyce. "EveI
my neighbOr, Lord Ftzgeorge, has nothing better
I What massive salver! Your coat of arms in tn
"Yes. All these things belonged to my grand
father Since you 30 much appreciate sp0h things
Mr.. Allardyce,' said my husband, In state OF hig
Q specimens possess. l have Queen Anne tea-ser
vlce--genune Queen Anne, dated l7l2-whlch ha
y been admired very much. We do not keep IL II
|. everyday use, and indeed We never leave NOR
silver out than Ia absolutely necessary on accoun
0 Of thieves. Will show you my plate-rOom and wha
. have there But won't y0li take another glass 0
/, vince"
"NO, thank YOU" said Mr.. Allardyce, eagerly. ''
should 30 much prefer TO see your plate. | hay
, quite passion for old silver.
@ edith. dear, yon have tho Keys" said my hus
r band; III you win go and unlock the door W
) Will follow you"
a II was still broad daylight, being June. wen
i mp stairs and unlocked the DOORS and then the NV
a | gentlemen came In. Orr visitor was delighted n
n ono thing after another was brought out. Chari,
: had never had such an apprecative critic before
n IA most beautiful and valuable collection" sal
the Clergyman, after he had examined everythin,
II ''But do you think 1t safe to keep such plate IN a
i ordinary dwelling house?"
: "oh, perfectly" said my husband. "You see IN
Q bars on the window; and the doors always keI
locked. Besides, any one who incautiOusly toucle
the press must ring the press must ring this bell
he added, showing where 1t was and how to avoi
y ringing 1t.
e a suppose you have locks of complicated col
structOn?n
II ''Yery. Where are your keys, Edith? See, Nj
II Allardyce. This is the key for the inner door, nm
: that for the outer. You perceive they of yer
peculiar make and they are never allowed out OF m
Q wifes possession
d knock at the door, and my husband opened 1t a
inah or ftyn IN ha tufar nv tha hnta nj.