Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1890-09-11
CHAPTER XVI.
A DELICATE SITUATION.

Nathan MetCalI. he sent him ALr. Sweet
lands letter, however, accompanied by 8
neat note of his own, stating that he was
unexpectedly recalled to New York, but
that he should soon return, and would do
himself the honor of paying his respects
at the earliest opportunity.
He then fastened to the city, after Civ
ing out that he should take up his resi-
dence at the farm, as soon az the house
could be made habitable: and on reaching
New York, sent up an architect and a
whole army OF Workmen 10 make the
necessary alterations and repairs.
At length their work was completed and
Leland was informed that his country
house was ready for his occupation.
He decided to take possession imme-
diate'y, and on the very day that Cora
Elliston had the talk with Oscar Slyme,
started for Roxbury
He reached the village in safety, and
found Seth Gridley, the man who had
charge of the farm, IN waiting at the sta
ton, with a very decent country turnout.
Leland at once took his seat in the car
rage. Seth followed, and the horses
heads were turned toward the center.
Passing through the village they struck
a long and solemn avenue, shaded by
elms, interlacing their thick branches,
and leading directly to the Sedley farm.
Presently they reached the house. The
front door was open. Leland entered,
b
Seth Gridley, the housekeeper.
Seth then showed him TO his own cham
Der, and when he declared himself ready,
conducted him to the dining-rOom.
Mrs. GridIey had passed half the pre-
viOus night in slaughtsring various dwell
ers in the poultry yard, and the results
Of the massacre now successfully ap-
peared swimming in butter. The young
man managed to get through the meal at
last, however, and even found himself in
good spirits after it.
He sought for Seth, found him in the
great kitchen assisting his wife, and
strove to CLEAN from him some informa-
ton of the MetcaIfs. But the farmer,
like every genuine Yankee, held it as
tenet of faith that he who gave a plain
answer to any question was dlshOnOred
man.
With all possible respect he let the
young gentleman understand plainly that
he was not to be deceived by his affected
Ignorance into any belief that Warren
Leland did not know q great deal better
than he who and what Nathan Metcalf
was, where he lived, and what he did;
that Warren Leland was his employer, and
as such was entitled to his respect; but
that he was n envy Orker, and-as Nathan
Metcalf said-all Newly Orkers were friv-
olOus testers.
Leland, who had taken an oath never to
get angry, kept it now, drew from a cigar
a fresh supply of patience, picked up his
hat and left the room.
For few moments he leaned over the
balustrade of the veranda and looked
around.
The night, clear and beautiful, envel-
Oped in its shadowy veil the wide
stretching fields, and solemn stiffness,
strange to a New Workers. ears, reigned
around him, broken only at intervals by
the distant bay of a hound, rising sud
H. = IL
his eyes becoming used to the darkness,
Leland descended the Veranda steps and
passed into the broad avenue, which was
darker and more solemn than a cathe-
dral aisle at midnight, and thence into
another road into which it led him by
chance.
Strictly, speaking Leland had never.
until now, been out of the city, for wher-
ever he had previously gone, he had car
ried its hustle, worldly and artificial life
play, and the races with him; and the
watering places and the seaside had never
shown him true country life.
1t gave him a sensation for the first
time, but the sensation was not an agree
able one.
AS he advanced up this silent road,
without residences, without lights, it
seemed to him he was wandering among
the desOlate sites of some lunar region.
This part of New England recalled to him
the worst cultivated parts of Germany.
1t wore a rustic and savage character, with
its dense shrubbery tufted grass, dark
valleys and rough roads.
Wandering on TO an eminence, his eyes
swept but fresh horizon of apple trees
and wheat fields, and he was about to turn
back when a strange sound suddenly
arrested his steps It was a concert of
voice and instruments, which in this lost
solitude seemed to him only a dream, or
a miracle.
The music was good-even excellent.
He recognized Prelude of Bach, arrang-
ed by GunOd. He could not have been
more astOnished if he had suddenly seen
the Grand Opera House set down in front
of him.
Filled with curiosity and led by the
melody he heard. ne descended cautiously
the little hill, like kings son in search
OF the enchanted princess. The palace
he found In the middle Of the path, in
the shape of the back wall of dwelling,
which Ironted on another road. One OF
the upper windows on this side, however,
was open; bright light streamed from
it, and thence he doubted not the sweet
sounds came.
With the accompaniment Of the piano
and stringed instruments rose q fresh,
flexible wOman's voice, chanting the mys-
tic words OF the young master with such
expression and power a would have given
even him delight. Leland, himself a
musician, was capable of approaching
the mastery execution of the piece, and
was so much struck by it he felt an ire
sistible desire to see the performers, es- \
pecially the singer.
With this impulse he climbed the little
hedge bordering the road, placed himself
on the top, and found himself several
feet above the level of the lighted win
dow. He did not hesitate to use his skill
as a gymnast. acquired at Yale, to raise
himself to one of the branches of an old
oak stretching across the lawn; but dur
ing the ascent he could not disguise from
himself that his was scarcely a dignifed
position for the future member Of Con-
gress from the district
BE almost laughed aloud at the idea Of
being surprised In this position by the
terrible Metcalf, or his daughter.
He established himself on a large, leafy
branch, directly in front of the open win