The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1892-03-19
The IRIsH STANDARDS: SATURDAY, MARCH19

When the lawyers letter came to hin
early in the spring he held up his heae
and talked loftily of his little property
down in Eastmeon. Mrs. Chase was sur
prised and treated him with a slight IN
crease of respect. He decided that ne
would go and look at 1.-The property
himself. In truth he needed change o.
air and scene, and the thought OF re
turning to the old village thrilled him
with painful kind of pleasure. Only
a little while ago he had hated to hear
the place mentioned, but now that his
ambitious desires had been granted he
could afford to revive old memories.
The sight of familiar scenes and the
scent of the fields would be pleasant tc
a faded man. The wear and tear OF an
eager life had told upon him of late.
He had consulted doctor and had been
grayely cautioned against worry and
overwork; but this is & worrying and
overworking age, and he did not sup
pose that he was feeling any worse
thar most of the men he met every day.
Loves keen eye would have detected
serious symptoms, but love did not
cross Michaels path nowadays. Once
or twice Edward Battersby had care
lesslv remarked that he was Hooking
seedy,'' but no one entreated him to
take care of himself, nor saw that he
was often unfit for the comnonest
duties. He had never realized his own
delicacy Of constitution never once
suspected that his fragile body could
not meet the demands made upon it by
strong imperious will
Even after the doctor had spoken he
steadily put his ailments out OF his
mind. Surely they were not worth
many thoughts. A breath of country
air and walk in the fields would set
him up completely. He. resolved to
spend at least two or three days at
Eastmecn.
He had not heard Of Aaron's return
to the village. He had thought it prob
able that Aaron or Samuel Wake would
have come to heap reproaches on his
head, but Olives champions were 81
lent. Nor had Olive even deigned to
write an answer TO his cruel letter; he
had received packet containing the
trifling presents that he had given her,
and that was all.
He decided that he would not stay in
an inn if he could find other accommo-
dation. There were two inns in East
NEON, one new and the other old. Of
the new one he knew little. and the old
one was kept by Aaron Fen]ake's faith
er and was far too hum Die an abode for
Mr.. Chase. Moreover, he did not want
to have any talk with old Fenlake
about his son.
And then he remembered the Bel
thorpes, father and son, who lived in
the old courthouse. They were we'll
TODD farmers, and young Belthorpe had
noticed Michael's cleverness and taken
a liking to him in the past days. Young
Belthorpe had married and was master
Of the old house now. Michael thought
that he would write and ask if he
might be his guest.
He wrote, and speedily received a re-
ply 1t was Belthorpe's cousin who
wanted to bny Chase's old cottage and
garden. and the farmer was willing
enough TO renew his acquaintance with
man who had risen in the world.
Michael was sure of comfortable quar-
te1rs and (; hearty welcome.
The history of Eastmeon is lost his
tory. The antiquary comes to visit the
church. which contains the quaintest Of
fonts (unequaled even by the one in
Winchester cathedral, and seldom
leaves the place without paying a visit
to the old courthouse and inspecting
all it's chambers. Many of these rooms
are falling into decay; many are never
used at all, but everywhere there are
distinct traces OF monastic building.
Michael remem bered the place very
we'll He had never been romantic, but
he had wondered sometimes whether
any tragedies had ever been enacted
within those massive walls, and under
those old arches, springing from
crowned and mitred heads. 1t was a.
surprise to him to find that the house
had changed bat little since his boy
hood.
The farmer and his wife received him
cordially. 1t was still early in the
evening when he arrived, and the old
rooms were cheerful with sunshine.
But he was tired, the short railway jour
ney had wearied him, and even the FIVE
mile drive from Petersfeld seemed to
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