The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-09-13
.Ss$aSM(('TMK!f
81 HE sharp tingle of
W.T. the telegraph bell
/h warned the station
III FL master at Brackneli
Z tn Park that the $50
" I'll train had left its
-SML last hating place,
and he fastened


-SMk IT last hating place,
~ and he FASTENED
across the line, followed by his staff of
two porters, 10 the arrival platform, which
was opposite the little ivy-grown station.
Bracknell Park is one of those resi-
DENTAL" properties which have developed
OF late years in the neighborhood Of Lon
don. where what was once a stately, we'll
timbered domain, owned in its entirety
by some merchant prince or we'll
born squire is now chopped up
into plots, large and small, and strewn
with mansions, villas and cottages suited
to various incomes. Bracknell is favored
both by the undulations of its well tim
bered ground, and a station ali to itself
some forty-fve minutes from Waterloo.
Adjoining it is village of the same name,
which, since the building of the aforesaid
villas and mansions, has considerably en-
larged its borders and increased its i'm
portance by the development Of its trade
and the establishment OF post and tele-
graph Office.
A few minutes later and the train came
in. with a scream from the whistle and
loud grinding of the brakes. Several
passengers alighted, all men, probably city
men, most of whom carried offerings for
the domestic shrine, i. e, the kitchen.
small fat baskets cunningry secured with
q wooden skewer, and humpy brown
paper bags, suggestive Of the tshmonger
and the fruiterer. Among them were two
OF a different stamp, one tall, spare sol
dierly-looking man Of perhaps 30 or more,
either swarthy by nature or much sun
burnt, with nearly black hair and mus
taches. He had distinguished air, but
his face was plain, and at the moment he
appears far from attractive. 1t wore a
harsh, fierce expression, while his large
eyes looked eager and strained.
AS he paused 10 let the train clear away.
he was Joined by the other, middle-aged
man who had alighted from q third-cla
carriage, an exceedingly tall, loosely built
individual who walked in a weak, sham
bling fashion. His face was rugged and
gaunt, lighted by pair Of dreamy eyes,
and surmounted by a shock of wild red
hair. In spite of these peculiarities, he
looked eminentiy respectable. He touched
his hat, as he joined the gentleman first
described, and was greeted by quick
"Hal How goes it, MacDouga!?"
Welt / thank you, Captain Carew |!
You've been a stranger IN these parts
lately"
"Ayi / haven't been down for some
time" returned Carew, as they crossed TO
the other side, giving brief good-morrow
to the station master as they passed him.
az hope Mr.. Hastings is getting better,
sir" began MacDougal, as they walked up
the road which led through the park.
"Im afraid not. hear he is in a bad
way"
$50 believe, sir. Her ladyship went
up to see him one day last week, but she
wasn't let to have speech of him, and he
seemed so bright and well when he was
down here last spring."
"Well. he is deuced queer now" re-
turned Carew, land how is it, McaDougal,
that you have rope enough TO wander so
far from the postoffice?"
''Oh, had business with the postmaster
at Nutfield. He is over me, you know
Ny son is quite able to work the telegraph
now when / am away. | am training
him, you see; it's the best thing can do
for my poor motherless boy"
"And your daughter You have a
daughter"
"Ayl thanks TO Lady Hastings and Miss
Ruth l still have a daughter" replied
MacDougal with solemnity. "There care
and kindness kept her in life. Lady Hast
ings has paid the debt she thinks was due
to my father for saving the general at
Mooltaw in full"
"Glad to hear il. said Carew, absentlv
They walked on a few PAGES. and then Mac
Dougal said: IN wish you good evening
Captain Carew, there's a short cut to my
place across the fields here"
"Ahl good day To you" returned Carew
with friendly nod. and they parted.
Carew swung on at sharp pace alonl
the road which led up gentle incline, be-
tween detached houses more or less orna
mental, with gardens and spreading trees
till he reached an open space ST the top
where, facing fine avenue of huge oil,
elms arChing over like a cathedral aisle
stood pretty old house, TO which ad
ditions had been fudiciouslY made.
was set in delightful surroundings, velve
like lawns big forest trees abundant ever
green's, fragrant flower beds; and locke,
out from the eminence on which it stood
over a wide stretch of wooded landscape
now bathed in the rich light of a deiiciou
September day.
Are the ladies at home ?" asked Carew
when the door was opened by gray
gray-haired man ont of livery.
MY lady has not come in yet, but Mis-
Hastings is at home, sir. "
"Awfully unluCky in one way NUT
tered Carew as he followed the butler 4
the room generally used in the morning b,
Lady Hastings and her daughter--a cool
shady apartment, with a bay windov
overlooking the garden, and COmfurtabl
hooks 10 read or think in, beautI,ed Will
flowers and ferns and sweet with the per
hime of the conservatory, door int
which stood open.
The room " as untenauted. hut the SCUM,
OF piano and fresh. pleasant voice sing
ing Robin Adair' indicated that tn
daughter OF the house was not far of
al viii tell Miss Hastings, SIR" said tn
servant. and Carew was left 70 look abou
him. which he did with somber eyes-eye
that ached a. they gazed nj the books an,
writing materials and needle WORK scat
tered about, and suggestive of quiet. wei
employed. happy lives. How diticren
from his own stormy, troubled existence
He walked 10 the window and stool
there pulling his long mustaChes. an,
gazing At the door into the CONSERVATION,
through which tall young lady cam
swiftly ." him. An exceeding fair girl
pale and delicate looking. with light hronz
hair, bat saved from coIorleSsuesS hy yer,
deep hiue-grev eyes, and dark eyelashe
and broSs. There was a soft Composur
In her air and carriage that made Itself Tel
at first sight; 4 quiet statelineSs which
gave Importance 10 her slight. suuple f-
urc and simple costume OF black and whit
muslin With black Sash-lhe shgh
mourning still worn for her late father.
why, Vail | thought YOU were neyc
coming again" She pat her hand int
his with 4 smile As she spoke.
Val, she repeated. looking steadjl
tsto his eyes which rested upon her VIII
Q curious hungry look. What Is IN