Waterbury evening Democrat., 1892-01-09

BY SARAH DoUDNEY.

When the lawyers letter came to him early in the spring he held up his head and talked loftily of his little property down in Eastmeon. Mrs. Chase was sur prised and treated him with slight in- crease of respect. He decided that he would go and look at ''thc property" himself. In truth he needed change of 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 rould afford to revive old memories. The sight of familiar scenes and the scent of the fields would be pleasant to a jatlcd man. Tho wear and tear of an eager life had told upon him of late. He had consulted doctor and had been ,cravrly cautioned against worry and ovcrwurll; but this is worrying and ovcrworking age, and he did not sup pose that he was feeling any worse than most of the men he met every day.
 Loves keen eye would have detected serious symptoms, but love did not cross Michacrs path nowadays Once or twice Edward Battcrsby had care lcssly remarked that he was ''lool1ing Scedy," but no one entreated him to take care of himself, nor saw that he was often unfit for the commonest duties. He had never realized his own dclicacv of constitution never once suspected that his fragile body could not meet the demands made upon it by a strong impcrious 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 EaStmcon.
 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 reproachcs on his head, but Olives champions were si- lont. Nor had Olive even dcigncd to write an answcr to his cruel letter; he had received Q packet containing the trifling presents that he had given her, and that was all.
 He decided that he would not stay in m inn if he could find other accommo- dation. There were two inns in East neon, one new SlllNl IllC olllCI OlNl VI the new one he know little, and the old one was kept by Aaron Fcnlake's fath- CT and was far too humble an abode for | Mir. Chase. Moreover, he did not want to have any talk with old Fcnlalle about his son.
 And then he remembered the Bel thorpes, father and son, who lived in the old courthouse. They were we'll l I TD.1Al l.,,- l noticed Michacl's clcverncss and taken liking to him in the past days. Young Bclthorpc 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 re- ply. It was Bclthorpc's cousin who wanted to buy Chasc'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- tcrs and hearty welcome.
 The history of Eastmcon is a lost his tory. Tho antiquary comes to visit the church, which contains the quaintcst of fonts (uncqualcd even by the one in Winchester cathcdraD, and seldom l leaves IlC pltlCC NllIlOub Day lll1 al NlSlU to the old courthouse and inspecting all it's chambers. Many of these rooms arc falling into decay; many arc never used at all, but everywhere there arc distinct traces of monastic building. Michael remembered t'e place very well. He had never been romantic, but he had wondered sometimes whether any tragedies had ever been enacted l those old arches, springing from crowned and mitrcd heads. It was a surprise to him to find that the house had changed but little since his boy hood.
 The farmer and his wife received him cordially. It 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 wcaricd him, and even the five | milo 1rivn from ppt0rSfiO1d SnpnC1 tC