The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-04-26
THE WHITE COACH.

town. about seven miles of, at the head of the
bay. This road terminates abruptly about
hundred wards from the entrance gate OF
Denby. There was no reason for carrying II
further. "a the inhabitants of the scattered
farms and cottages on the lower skirts OF the
promontory were quite content 10 drive their
carts over the level turf That cost them no
rates, and on the contrary, supported their
A somewhat fat and shallow sheet Of water,
whose firm sandy edge was much nppreci-
nted "a q roadway at low time, lay between
DENLY and dry land on the north. A curious
Misunderstanding pile, somewhat like the re-
mains of a Greek temple was visible In clear
weather on the opposite shore.
| had hoped 20 pay il q visit OF inspection
during my stay at Denby. but something AL
ways occurred 10 prevent my carrying out my
project
tanning rather a large party for the last fort
night. including the officers of gupboat
which steamed away with our friends that
afternoon, and Lady Denbys brother, Charlie
Willet, generally called The Halter on aG-
den OF TO catch the evening express from
Churchtown Just half an hour later.
must candidly confess that ] missed him
more than all the others put together, and
sympathzed completely with my kind host
and hostess. who seemed little sad at parting
with all their friends. They were rather old
fashioned people, who had never IN their
lives speeded parting guest with Thank
goodness he's gone flung like n missile after
the portmanteau at the back OF the dog-caIt.
We had finished dinner and were sitting on
the pOrticO steps enjoying the last rays OF
sunshine on the rapidly darkening mountain
peaks across Scaur bay, and ,ldminng the
wonderful violet tint OF the waters beneath
them, when the sound of wheels caught my
ear Dear me-" l exclaimed in anazement.
10 a, hp COMING TO call
here at this unearthly hour! The country
carts never 60 at that pace"
You only hear the Barnacle Geese feeding
at the foot OF the mountains opposite they
produce a curious sound that strangers often
mistake for the rolling OF carriage" re-
turned Lady DENLY, looking, l thought. a
little pale in the rapidly gathering twilight.
had no reason for suppOsing that her
emotion was occasioned by the approaching
sound so asked if she felt cold, and would
like me TO fetch her a shawl. But she did not
appear TO hear. then turned to Sir John,
SDoes it not seem to you that the sound
comes from the Churchtown road, away en-
The left instead of across the water' Perhaps
the Barnaces are having apicnic on our side
this evening for little change, and"
you should not give way 70 ridiculous
fancies" exclaimed my hostess. sharply and
abruptly-not to say rudely-with the ar OF
person anxious TO discredit on unpleasant fact
Gt any SncrlIct Oh COuIltNN. l1fI NuOio iuhn-
ner was disturbed. futtered and terrified
she was so utterly unlike her own genial self
that | stared Mt her for q moment in the
silence of blank amazement, and then 1t
struck me that could easily set the matter
at rest by walking round the sharp curve
which lay between the avenue and the front
Of the house, and looking along the bleak
exposed Churchtown road. where | should
Immediately see if there were anything
coming.
Lady DENLY, guessing my intention, laid
her little cold hand on my arm and said i'm
peratiyely: "Sit still"
Poor Sir John seemed almost spellbound
he looked at his wife with deep anxiety and
tocitude, then with a movement that de-
noted he was pulling himself together, both
mentally and physically. he rose and put his
arm around her. urging her 70 go at once into
the house.
All this while the strange sound. from what
ever cause il proceeded, kept approaching
nearer and near Lady DENLY was either alb
toutely incapable of movement or else She
was equally unwilling to obey her husband or
believe her own ears. He. like myself. sank
Into silence and listened intently. She alone.
though so powerfully affected, seemed disn-
tlincd TO yield TO the prevalent rush of expec-
tation. She fought against II like strong
minded subject against tho influence of mes
nerism. or an unwilling patient against chic
y-almost desperately.
On and on came the laundering OF car
rage rolling and swaylng. at terrific pace.
We could hear the thud. thud of many horse
boots. the clink of chains at the poles. / al
most fancied the creaking of harness was
audible
was consumed with curiosity, longing TO
60 and reconnoitre, but obliged by common
polteness TO sit still, staring straight at the
grass plat in front of income of those we'll
kept islands of green with drive circlng
round il, that one still sees occasionally in
front of country houses, proudly conscious of
aower gardens completely out of sight of the
windows.
1--WE are all giving way to most"
Lady DENLY never completed her sentence.
but leaned heavily against her husbands arm
Tor support.
Straight in front Of us flashed great white
roach indescribably quaint and ancient-but
snowy-whte to its miuutest equipment
IL was horsed by six somewhat showy-look-
ing blacks, all standing sixteen hands high
ftraght-necked, carrying their heads like
hunters. not like funeral horses. They stop
ped all together-as simultaneously as q well
drilled regiment of cavalry dlsmOunts-and
two strange figures descended from the coach
and flung upon the door. as though expecting
rs to enter, since the vehicle had pulled up
slose to the steps on which we were seated.
Both the men and their garments looked as
U their original substance had been much
diminished and worn away by the rust of age:
Iheir strange terra cotta-colured figures We're
thrown into strong relief as they stood for a
econd ON either side of the white door of the
soach.
One carried an immense curled horn, such
- may still be seen cOnsecrated 10 Diana in
pme old French chateau-the other bore q
tomely, but strange, 0urden-a huge pair Of
Smiths bellows
They had descended as silently as two dead
caves (Which they strongly resembled in
General tone) might have tioated down from
tome lofty tree, and the same curious hush
prevailed as they closed the door aud re-
nrned 70 their places.
SO ghostly and unreal seemed the whole
paraphernalia that | expected to see the
toach iioat over the grass plat like passing
mist, and vanish among the dissolving clouds
sunset. IL was almost with a shock of sur
Prise that watched il driven slowly round
Me gravel sweep-and again heard the ordi-
sary sounds Of n vehicle in motion
As 1t left the door poor Lady DENLY
lhrieked wildly: Charlie Is dead-f know il.
This is warming"
Nonsense. my dear, When poor Will died
fou saw black cOach-don't you remembers
~tnrned Sir John, speaking very loud to try
md secure her attention.
Charlie Is as safe in a railway carriage
, bis gray cob is in the horse-box OF the 7:05
rain.
Depend upon it. this ia some trick of Mas
er Peters just let me go. and I'll soon make
IN end Of their fooling"
'0h. no. no." cried his wife. clingng 10 him
% desperately that unless he used force he
lad no chance Of moving.
Master Pe<erf" thought, rapidly veish-