Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1890-05-30
WAVERLAND.
A Tale OF Our Coming Landlords.
BY SARAH MABIE BRIGHAM
CHAPTER v.-CoNTINUED.
Copyrighted, 1886.

CHAPTER N.-CONTINUED.
When reached my room could not
sleep The timbers of the stable were yet
burning, and cast weird light into my
window. fancied could see the black
ened forms of all the horses and cattle on
the place, as they probably lay roasting in
their stalls. Then remembered by whose
aid we had been saved from a terrible
death. So complete had been the arrange
ments of the mob, that not door or win
dow had been left unguarded. The order
was given to fire on any one who should
attempt to escape That was the reason of
the shot that came whizzfng past my head
as / opened the window.
Almost unconsciously to myself, Miss
Everett had become very dear to me. Her
quiet ways and pleasant face had not only
brought sunshine into the house, but into
my heart as well. 1 felt glad that to her
we were indebted. But what would be
the result of this nights work? was an oft
returning thought. Would Lord Waiver
land listen TO reason and humble himself
enough TO make terms with his outraged
tenants' or would his proud heart bring
further calamities on his family?
With the first sign of day went out to
look at the ruins the fire had made. The
ing pile. But was gladly surprised to see
the horses coming one after another for
their morning feed. l found that every
living thing had been removed before the
fire was kindled. So, l thought, they
show more kindness to the beasts than to
man. But do not believe that they would
have burned the house. They only thought
TO brighten Lord Waverland into comply
ing with their requests. When the break
fast bell sounded 1 went to the dining
room, but it was empty. 1 thought Lord
Waverland and his friends were making
up for their lost sleep. When an hour
passed and no enc appeared a search was
instituted. 1t was soon discovered that
they all had left in the night. A maid
from Lord Waverland's room brought me
note, saying:
II found this under Lord Waverland's
pillow"
opened the note and read:
LLOYD, you may deal with the brutal
tenants as you think best. l shall never
set foot in this house again if l escape
alive. i shall return to Paris, where life
is more agreeable, where | can live with
out the fear of being mobbed or burned
alive. SIR EDWARD WAvERLAND."
This, then, was the way he cho7 20 pro
tect himself. When the tenants began to
gather, calling for Lord Waverland, and
found that he had left, they were very an
cry One man who seemed TO be their
leader said.
THAT is just the way with the English
from the highest down. you cannot trust
their promisesp'
81 will listen to your requests" / said,
as they began to murmur their complaints.
"Youi what right have you to arrange
things? When my lord returns he will
blame us for making terms with you,"
said the leader.
When he said that took the note had
received from my pocket book, saying.
Here is my authority" and 1 read it to
them. That was sufficient evidence and
they were willing to make new contracts
with me.
"Now, what are your grievances" j
asked.
1--WE want our rent lowered to the Grit
fifth valuation chat being the rate the
Land League had adopted) said the
speaker.
well, If you will come with me 1 will
do the best can for YOU" L said, leading
the way TO the library where had a map
of the estate and book containing the
TenC Toll ana the accounts OF the tenants.
The first thing l did was to lower the rent
% the Griffith valuation and then from the
rent roll l made settlement with each
tenant to the new rate. Then as fast as
possible reinstated those who had been
evicted, or provided for them in some
other way. From that time l began In
earnest TO work for the welfare of my peo-
pie and to save my inheritance"
On going to the drawing-room c Re morn
ing found Miss Everett there, watching
the sunrise on the lake and among the
grand old mountains
"Well, little girl" said, as came to
her You seem charmed" .t
eyes, Sir Lloyd, this is charming view.
/ have watched the sunrise from here for
the last six months, and every morning it
presents different picture. Just now, see
the grand old mountains are shaded by
heecy cloud. But look, there comes
streak of sunlight like rainbow on its
brow. And there in the distance is the
O'Sullivan cascade. We can see its dane
ing waters like silver thread sparklingin
the sunlight, but we cannot hear its deaf
ening roar as it rushes from crag to crag
in reckless hastei''
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