Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-01-06


ored and full OF years, but much troubled
in her mind, toward the last, by premo-
nihou that in one shape or other some
mischance would befall her "young
lord" as il pleased her to call him, when
she was gone and could no longer watch
over him with her failing sight and guard
him with her palsied hands. 1t was OBJ
served that for some time after the death
OF Deborah Lady Halliweu wore q
brighter look and trod with q lighter step
than she had been wont. But the fes-
tiyities in connection with the coming of
age Of the elder son we're fsted not to
take place, for the old. faithful-serving
woman was followed to the grave in the
same year. and, within a month OF bis
sons majority. by her old master, Sir
Hugh, who died in consequence OF an
accident IN the hunting field, ard Sir
Reginald reigned in his stead.
Sir Hugh was deeply regretted by all
who knew him, for he WAS careless,
eood-natured soul, with a ready hand
and open purse, who, if he accomplished
no great actions, committed no mean
ones Nobody but be himself knew
whether he bad been disappointed in his
second marriage or if his wife undoubt-
ed beauty had compensated for her cold
and naughty disposition. On his death
bed his glazing eye sought hers, and bis
stiiiening fingers closed over hers as he
tried feebly TO lay them in the hand Of
his elder son, while bis younger knelt in
an abandonment of grief beside bin.
seutly, with last effort. he raised
bis head from the pillow, aud gazing on
the two he loved best, exclaimed ::
Isabella ReginGld-my son! Your
mother !" as though he would commit
each to tie others charge, and then fell
back and died.
This at any rate was tho meaning the
new Baronet attached to the action, and
the courtesy and consideration with
which he considered il his duty to treat
the widowed Lady HalliweIl was the
subject Of admirinR comment to oil who
cane in contact with them.
A year passed, during which time, and
every day at certain hour, Lady lsa.
bella retired to her oratory-which had
been fitted up for her according to her
traditions soon after her first arrival-to
pray. At least. as she invariably gave
orders that on no account was she TO be
disturbed, such was considered to be her
pious occupation; though, strange to
say, she often emerged from her retire
ment with q balled look upon her face,
as though her prayers had gwen her but
little of satisfaction or relief
But at last one day, when the first
year e morning for Sir Hugh was over
and completed, she appeared, after g
longer absence than usual, with n flash
ing eye and heightened color, and an air
Of hardly concealed triumph about her
which caused her son Anthony to ex-
claim with fIial pride and affection:
"Why, mother, how handsome you
are to-day But how is this? Your
gowns covered with dust, and there IS
actually cohwcb on your sleeve.
And indeed her black velvet robo was
sadly smirched and so!lcd.
"Ab, yes, true! But what OF that "
she replied. pushing him hastily from
her. with a confused look. "Listen,
both Of YOU. [ have been looking
through the old armories in the tapestry
chamber and examining their treasures
Of lace and brocade, such as were worn
by your worthy ancestors, and l have
had wonderful thought come to me w.
the turning OF her sentences when eX-
cited by any cause still occasionally be-
trayed her foreign blool-"wh IS
that we give q ball. ball OF fancy dress,
a masked ball, in honor of'-here sue
paused, and her thin nostrils quiy-
cred as they did only when she
was strongly moved" Sir Reginald
here. A birthday ball, she continued f;
"for We have done nothing yet to cello
brate his accession. Let 1t be given on
the night of his birthday-tCw-lolr's
eve-aud let him come of nge over
again, and you and I. my son, ~ aui She
laughed softly, will pay our court 70
him to the Master OF Madden with q
graceful sweeping courtesy and side
long glance OF half concealed mockery.
Ind do you and he both array your
selves brayely in the costumes which l
have found for you. belonging to
some Of those good gentlemen
whose portraits hang in the gallery
above. As for ne, she continued with
q gesture Of resignation, "as the widow
OF him who has gone before-may his
soul rest in peace-I shall be but a
looker-on at your festivities. Only let
mo-" and she smiled a bewildering
smile, half of command, half Of entreaty,
and such as the heart of no man conld
have resisted, still less the youth who
felt the charm of the unaccustomed
sweetness of her demeanor penetrate to
his very soul, "arrange and select your
costumes, aud feast my eyes on your
finery, and watch the gay doings from
q distance, and it will content me"
Who could have refused such a re-
quest, and from such lips? Not q gay,
light-hearted young fellow, who, though
sincerely grieved, and, as he thought at
the time, well nigh heartbroken at the
loss OF an aflectionate and lndulgent
father, yet found the year Of mourning
uncommonly long and wearisome, and
loDged to throw of at least some OF the
outward trappings Of his woe.
" know who will look like jay in
peacock's plumes." he answered with q
laugh "but you, Anthony, " laying his
arm affectionately on his brothers Shout
der, "you, with your black eyes and
hair, will make a noble Sir Wilfred or
Sir Marmaduke or whoever you under
take to personate for the time being.
Lady Hallwell drew her breath hard.
as she knew that her end was gained ;
then, looking at the two, as they stood
together in the amity and good fellow
ship, a spasm passed over her features,
and pressing one hand to her side, she
murmurtd to herself:
81 must not repent-not now, 1t IS too
late. l must needs go on for bis sake
for Anthony 4"
If on this day the unseen watcher
could again have followed Lady Isabella
to the door OF tho "Closed Room, "
when she was supposed to be telling her
beads and uttenng feryent Gave Ma
rias " and "Pater Nosters before the
carved ivory crucifx in her private ora
tory. what would he have beheld on this
occasion? The same noble lady again
kneeling in the dust of tie past, and this
time before an open chest! But il
would have been necessary 10 have drawn