Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1890-02-27

] rOI u iump was pStheI from Inc carriage anu
waved three times up and down by way of a
farewell. And then they were gone indeed,
having looked their last ON the kind roof of
Durrisdeer, their faces toward a barbarous
country
never knew before the greatness of that
vault of night in which we two poor serving
men, the one old and the one elderly stood
for the first time deserted; had never felt
before my own dependency upon the counte-
nance of others. The sense of isolation burn
ed in my bowels like fire. 1t seemed that
we who remained at horue were the true ex-
lies; and that Durrisdeer, and Solwayside.
and all that made my country native, its air
good to me, and its language welcome, had
gone forth and was far over the sea with my
old masters.
The remainder of that night paced to and
fro on the smooth highway, rejecting on the
future and the past. My thoughts, which at
first dwelt tenderly on those who were just
gone, took a more manly temper as consid-
cred what remained for me to do. Day came
upon the inland mountain tops, and the fowls
began to cry and the smoke of homesteads to
arise in the brown bosom of the moors be-
fore turned my face homeward and went
down the path to where the roof of Durris.
deer shone in the morning by the sea.
At the customary hour l had the master
called, and awaited his coming in the hall
with quiet mind. He looked about him at
the empty room and the three covers set.
"We are a small party" said he. "How
comes that?"
This is the party to which we must grow
accustomed" replied.
He looked at me with sudden sharpness.
what is all this?" said he
"You and and your friend, Mr. Dass, are
now all the company" l replied "My lord,
my lady and the children are gone upon a
voyage"
upon my word !" said he. "Can this be
possible7 have indeed futtered your Vols
clans in Coriolil But this is no reason why our
breakfast should go cold. Sit down, Mr..
Mackellar, if you please"-taking, as he spoke,
the head of the table, which 1 had designed
to occupy myself-"and, as we eat, you can
give me the details of this evasion"
could see he was more affected than his
language carried, and determined to equal
MIN in GOODNESS. 81 was about to ask you to
take the head of the table," said l; ''for
though l am now thrust into the position of
your host, l could never forget that you
were, after all, a member of the family"
For awhile he played the part of enter
tainer, giving directions to Macconochie,
who received them with an evil grace, and
attending specially upon Secundra. "And
where has my good family withdrawn tor
he asked, carelessly.
'Ah, Mr.. Bally, that is another point!'
said l. II have no orders to communicate
their destination"
ITO me, he corrected.
''To any one," said l.
"It is the less pointed" said the master
NcaSt 6a hor, hrotbor &c
he continues And l. dear Mr. Mackellarg
"You will have bed and board, Mr.. Bally,'
said l. 81 am permitted to give you the run
of the cellar, which is pretty reasonably
stocked. You have only to keep well with
me, which is no very difficult matter, and
you shall want neither for wine nor a saddle
horse"
He made an excuse to send Macconochie
from the room
"And for money!" he inquired "Have
to keep well with my good friend Mackellal
for my pocket money alsoi This is pleas
ing return to the principles of boyhood."
"There was no allowance made" said
"but will take it on myself to see you art
supplied in moderation"
''In moderation?' he repeated. Sand vol
will take it on yourselfg' He drew himself
up and looked about the hall at the darl
lo"o VI pOl VI cllCS. LII Uuc uduo VI lily ILL
cestors thank you," says he; and then, with
return to irony: ''But there must certainly
be an allowance for Secundra Dass?" he said
sit is not possible they have omitted that"
81 will make note of it and ask instruc
tions when write," said I.
And he, with a sudden change of manner
and leaning forward with an elbow on the
table: "Do you think this entirely wise?"
II execute my orders, Mr.. Bally," said 1.
PROFOUNDLY modest" said the master
perhaps not equally ingenious. You tolc
me yesterday my power was fallen with my
fathers death How comes it, then, that 6
peer of the realm fees under cloud of night
out of house in which his fathers have stooc
several sieges? that he conceals his address
which must be matter of concern to hi.
gracious majesty and to the whole republic
and that he should leave me in possession, anc
under the paternal charge of his invaluable
Mackellar2 This smacks to me of very con
siderable and genuine apprehension"
sought to interrupt him with some not
very truthful denegation; but he waved me
down and pursued his speech.
81 say it smacks of it," he said, but l will
go beyond that, for think the apprehension
grounded. came to this house with some
reluctancy. In view of the manner of my
laSO epai Jul uOuHlIS, OuJ Necessity COulC
have induced me to return. Money, how
ever, is that which l must have. You will
not give with good grace; well, l have the
power to force it from you. Inside of 6
week, without leaving Durrisdeer, will find
out where these fools are fled to. will fol
low; and, when have run my quarry down
I will drive a wedge into that family thai
shall once more burst it into shivers shall
see then whether my Lord Durrisdeer' (saiC
with indescribable scorn and rage) Evil
choose to buy my absence; and you will al
see whether, by that time, I decide for prof
or revenge"
was amazed to hear the man so OPEN The
truth is, he was consumed with anger at my
lords successful flight, felt himself to figure
as dupe, and was in no humor to weigh
language.
"Do you consider this entirely WISER said 1
copying his words.
''These twenty years l have lived by my
poor wisdom" he answered, with smile tina
seemed almost foolish in its vanity.
And come out beggar in the end, !" said l