The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1893-12-23

1all was closed, anu ne WeHG AWAY, h"oouy
knew whittier.
at will be a bad job for somebody if the
Squire finds those runaways," the people
of Lundley said to each other in whisper.
~ have heard it said by those who were
old when | was young, remarked Absalom
Enderby, ;'that some of the Guestwicks
were terrible to beat when duels were
fought, and I never heard of any among
them who was served quite as had as the
Squire.
Il wouldn't be in somebody's shoes for
a triAe,' was an expression which showed
what the prevailing opinion was about the
fate of Fossbrook should the infuriated
husband discover his hiding place.
In some of the newspapers there we're
occasional paragraphs which stated that
the couple who disappeared from quiet
retreat not thousand miles from Easttord |
had made their home across the Atlantic,
then it was statement to the effect that
certain deserted husband, whose estate
was within moderate distance from East
ford had also proceeded to America on an
interesting quest.
The Squire did 20 to America, but he
found no clue to the persons whom he was
anxious to discover. He returned to Eng
land, and arrived in Liverpool the day be
fore Christmas. 1t was eight months after
his peace was destroyed, and during that
short period he had changed more than
most men change in ten years. Christmas
had always been a happy time at Guest
wick Hall, and it was the season which
was associated in his mind with charity
and good will He knew that in Lundley
there would be disappointment and per-
haps destitution among the poor, and the
customary benefactions from the Hall
would be missed by those who had reckoned
upon them as regular holiday cheer. But
his heart had been hardened by what he
had passed through, and he resolved that
he would not so home again until the
! Christmas season was over.
He remained at the hotel, which was al
most deserted, and he felt like man who
was utterly friendless in the world.
"What a Christmas Eve he said bit
terly, "after the Christmas Ewes which |
can remember! And tomorrow will be
Christmas Day!
Then he gazed into the fire, and lOnged
for the time when Christmas would be
past. for he felt as if he hated everything
connected with it.
CHAPTER ".
Christmas Day was cold but not frosty,
the air was thick, and the ground was
black. 1t was Just the kind of day which
makes people glad to stay within doors.
The Squire tried to read, but he could not
fix his thoughts upon anything but the one
Grim subject He had trusted-trusted
with all his heart--and the result was base
and cruel deception. If his mind turned
to Rosy, his child, who was almost alone
in the. desolate Hall, he found nothing to
cheer or comfort him. He had never spent
such Il miserable day, and was ready to
hope that he would not live to see another
Christmas. The dim light failed at last
and he knew that it was night, but he paid
no heed to the hours; his thoughts were
far away, and he could not feel sorry that
the weather was so wretched. But al
length he was unable to endure the hote
any longer, so he put on his thick overcoat
and went out into the streets. He turned
his footsteps towards the river, and seemed
, almost the only person in that part of the
, town. There was church lighted up
and he could hear the strains of music
He knew what the people were singing
, though the words were not distinct, ye
! the tune was very familiar, and his memory
supplied all that was lacking. Only thu
;. previous Christmas that hymn was sung IL
q Iundley Church. But for that recollec
ton he might possibly have entered tht
!, sacred ediice; but fierce passions entered
r his soul, and he hurried on. He reached
the landing-stage at last, and paced back
. ward and forward there. A mist had set
, tied upon the water, and the fog-horns ol
!, the ferry steamers kept up their unearthl.
: sound. There were some chairs under on
of the sheds. and the Squire sat down ant
gazed upon the dreary scene. Dim lights
g moving slowly, showed where the boat
: were working their way from side to side
= = The dull plash of the water could be heard
" washing against the pontoons which SUP
. ported the stage People who arrived b
! the boats hurried away at once, and tn
: : stage became nearly deserted after tlm'
: The Squire noticed. wretched-lookin
: : woman, with shabby shawl held tight
= about her lean body, and he knew th'
= - she intended to beg from him.
e "She may save herself the trouble, h
e muttered.
. . The woman seemed undecided, an
j ! passed the shed several times. At lengt
y She approached him, and said
.'For the love of God, help poor woma
n who is starving. l have not tasted foe
= = this day, and have not farthinS in tn
u world.
"a What made the Squire start and seli
Ell the poor forlorn creature by the shoulde
as if he would crush her in his grasp?
I'd He recognized the voice of Alice Rayne
3 his wife's maid.
N Alice was terrified when she discovere
es that Squire Guestwick was the man fro
as whom She had sought assistance. If !
N had not held her securely, she would hay
rushed away and flung herself into Il
as sullen waters which made the stage thrc
a with their unceasing movement.
at "Where is youp mistress ?" the squil
as asked, rising to his feet
d. Alice was spellbound and could not speal
n eff YOU do not tell me, he hissed,
will throw you into the sea.
at "My dear mistress, Alice sobbed, whe
W she had recovered her powers of speec
t, 'swhy did I ever leave her?
IN "Where did you leave her?
n "At the Hall" replied Alice, vii
e. amazement. She began to suspect tn
ng the Squire was mad.
a The story she had to tell was long al
ad painful, and the Squire listened like ma
W entranced. That every word was true
m. never doubted for moment, and thoug
in he heard and understood everything viii.
n. Alice said, yet his thoughts seemed to
al L:. 20 and fro and he was MI the tin