The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-06-07

with the usual freight Of passengers
colonies retiring in the prime of life. forced
to inactivity by the new law which robs
the army of some of its best men, officers
invalided home: mothers taking their
children back TO England, others off for q
few months leave, and the Fifty-hrst
regiment returning after fifteen years
IN India. All was noise and excitement
on board, and the inevitable hustle which
prevails until each one has shaken down
into his or her place. Among the
sreerage passengers might have been
seen black man, who kept aloof from
those around him, making friends with no
one, but always quietly on the alert. He
came and went as he pleased. He was
thought to be some ones servant, and he
encouraged the idea. Sometimes in the
evening, when all was quiet, and the first
class passengers were at dinner, he would
steal stealthily on deck, and, hiding behind
one of the thick coils of rope, remain
there. listening 10 all that went on far
into the night, until the last straggler had
retired to rest. Then he TOO would pass
quietly TO his quarters. He seemed harm
less enough, but he was powerfully-built
man, and few would have cared to inter-
fere with him or rouse the sleeping lion.
Darlington Manor, from which the small
village near took its name of Darlington.
HdS q LOVELY Ol0 lOQcG WHICH Dt4OfaSsC0
for centuries to the Hiltons. one of the
most ancient families in the county of
Cork. 1t was situated on hill surrounded
on three sides by strawberries, and APP
preached on the fourth by a long drive,
which wound down the hill for some dis
lance through a lovely park, and termin-
ated in an old UNCOVERED archway and
large iron gates, which always during the
daytime stood Hospitality open. The house
ffaalf had hapn added n n ffnnPq
and looked what it was-not overpow-
eringly magnificent or even imposing,
but a thoroughly charming and COM
Portable home. The entrance hall was
perhaps the most beautiful part of it, hav-
ing several very handsome old carved oak
pillars, which supported an arched roof
and the broad, shelving staircase was also
of oak. 1t was a large house, with wind
ing passages and long corridors with
rooms on either side, but throughout 1t all
there was feeling of homely comfort and
cheerfulness which many smaller house
often lacks. The furniture was cosy and
suited to the rooms; nor had the occu-
pants joined in the high art craze. Draper
les arranged in every possible or impossi-
bic corner were, as yet, unknown IN Bar
rington.
The family party was q small one, con-
sisting of Colonel Hilton. already intro
duced, and who had a few days since ar
rived from India; his wife, Mrs. Hilton !;
Nellie, their only daughter, and Clare
Featherstone, young girl, and Nellie's
greatest friend, who had been spending a
few weeks with her. These two were in
separable companions, though very differ
ent in character, for Glare was ali energy
and decision, and Nellie owned that sweet,
yielding disposition preferred by so many.
In the meanwhile how hard it Jared
with Bhola2 When the colonel landed at
Queenstown, he, too, left the vessel, and
by few judicious inquiries learned that
the village of Darlington was about twelve
miles distant. He was in no great hurry,
and the next few days were spent IN ar
ranging his plan of action as far as was
possible without beng actually on the
spot. He made up his mind to walk the
distance, as then his arrival would be
less noticeable than If he went by train,
and his small store of savings was nearly
exhausted, so it beloved him TO be care
full.
II was a gloomy, dark evening when he
reached the park gates, having passed
through the village street without meeting
anyone. 4 more favorable time he could
not have wished far, and as he reconnoi-
tered the grounds, and noticed the many
advantages and places of concealment,
his hopes rose high as he saw before him
the VISION OF vengeance satisfied. VI the
risk to himself he thought nothing. Risk
was natural to him, as he trusted to his
native quickness to extricate himself from
any awkward position. He had brought
with him provisions enough to last week,
and early morning and late evening saw
him providing about and acquainting him.
self with the habits of the household. Nell
lie and Clare little knew that in their daily
rambles their steps were logged, and eyes
full of hatred cleaned at them from the
surrounding bushes.
1t was All Hallow's Zen. The house
hold had retired TO rest, but the two girls
were still talking over the library fire, re-
lating all the most blood-curdling ghost
stories they had ever heard of or read ;
now and then looking fearfully over their
shoulders into the shadowy corners of the
room, IS if they half expected to see some
ghostly visitant emerge, until at last,
when II o'clock struck and they arose TO
light their candles, Nellie declared she
was far too nervous TO be left alone, and
that Clare must sleep with her. Clare
laughingly assented. Though protesting
that she herself was not at all frightened,
she felt secret satisfaction in the thought
that, after all, she would not be left alone
in her large and somewhat eerie room.
where the wind roared so loudly in the
chimney, and the old faded arras shook in
the dim freight. As So entered her room
TO fetch a few things preparatory to re-