Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-07-22

carry Oh Monoay morning at dempsey hall, the
residence OF Horace Stout, esq.,, J. P. About
a. m. the sleeping household were reused by 9
terrific explosion, which shattered every pane
OF glass in the mansion and conservatories
Details are not yet at hand, but appearances
suggest, as we gather, that a large quantity Of
some explosive substance was laid or hurled
against the left wing. We shall make inquiries
immediately, and the results will be announced
In second edition." Mr.. Stout threw down
the paper.
"Violet Is late" he quavered. 'No wonder
poor girl! She's not had wink of sleep. I'll be
bound, like me. We are excessively grateful to
you, Capt. Holmby, for giving Us the comfor,
OF your protection. To spend the night patrol.
ing my grounds is very unlike the entertain.
ment hoped to offer when inviting you to
honor my roof with your presence"
Don't talk Of gratitude, Mr.. Stout. Patrol
ing the grounds is at least agreeable as biv-
ouacking on the roof'-Mr. Stout did not see
the jest-he went on, land to protect peaceful
citizens against the ruthless enemy Is a soldier
proper business, you know"
"Ah, but when 1 think how distracted We
were. my daughter. and every body when you
turned up, SO cool and cheerful, lust at the
right time. l feel we ought to make you some
acknowledgment, captain"
well. he laughed, ''if that's your daugh-
ter feeling, sir, you might suggest kiss
MIR. Stout looked rather surprised. but he an
| swered without hesitation: Certainly, il you
wish. I'm sure Violet will be-
GOOD heavens, Mr.. Stout! beg and insist
that you will not make such a-snch a mon
strous proposal" The door opened. "Under-
stand" he added hastily, that should leave
the house that momentr' very few hours
acquaintance had convinced him that Mr. Stout
was capable of anything if silly enough.
Capt. the Hon. Ralph Workington Holmby
had succeeded twelve months before to his
mothers small property, which adioned the
Dempsey Hall estate; being on active service
at the time as volunteer he had not seen it,
On returning to England he found the regiment
chartered at Preston, within easy reach of his
inheritance-for that reason probably the visit
was still delayed. Meanwhile funny letter ar
rived. The name of Horace Stout had been
familiar to the Holmbys for a generation
almost The individual who bore it, a brewer of
vast wealth, claimed kindred with their ancient
but poverty-strcken line, not without good
grounds il cousinship were still admitted after a
hundred years or SO. Upon the strength of
this he wrote letters Of congratulation and con-
dolence when any event occurred in the family.
received with fnextinguishable mirth. but
acknowledged with stiff politeness. When
Ralph's sister was married he even sent pres
ent Of great value. This was embarrassing. To
return it would be an insult.and Maud objected
strongly besides, but she, like all the proud
Holmbys, felt that to ask Mr. Stout to the we'd
length. begging to be informed when their
"kinsman's" daughter was about to marry. No
more did he say. devoutly hoping that the kins-
man had no daughter. Mr. Stout was satisfied.
He had been acknowledged at last Further,
perhaps, his modest ambition did not so.
Ralph, therefore, was not surprised by the
letter. 1t alluded again. in becoming terms,
to the loss which the family had suffered by
Lady Holmby's death-with his lordshlp Mr..
Stout had already condoled. He went on to
say that Ralph would probably be visiting his
estate Mt Ormstead soon. In that case he ven-
tured to solicit the honor OF entertaining his
distinguished young relative at Dempsey Hall,
where better accommodation would be found
and equal conveniences for examining the
property.
This was a delicate way Of putting the facts
Lady Holmby had not seen her barren acres for
many year-not since Mr.. Stout came to the
neighborhood. She could not afford to keep
up the antique mansion, little better than a
"Peel-house, which crowned n cliff overlook
ing the Solway. 1t was all to pieces now. As
for servants, there were only one ancient couple
their two daughters and a son-in-law. who
looked after the garden. No horses probably
no carriage fit for use. And Dempsey Hall
stood but five miles away.
Broachlng the subject at mess Ralph discov-
cred that Mr.. Stout was famous in those parts
He had one daughter, Violet-the name tickled
Ralph-"Violet Stout!' But young officers
VIM A'e" uei o-iu hnc" ooous hei no.A ioa'
tneir sense OF the fun-stili more, elderly ON
GERS. For her brotbers death lately left her
ne'ress 70 incsicuiaoie wealth. IN ianas, com and
beer Besides that violet Stout had been de-
ciared on all hands the loveliest girl present nj
Dali gwen by the regiment Just before ralph 6
arrival FROM the colonel downward every
man TOOK warm interest In her, Tor MIR. Stout
n"d asked them all 70 Visit MIN In the shooting
season.too Tar on, unfortunately. Much
amused faiph accepted the invitation, bu,
only to lunch on his way to Ormstead. And
In due time he arrived.
No carriage was waiting at the station, though
ne hao men'loned MS Tram. Inc handsome
gates stood wide. the lodge empty, as he drove
through. AT the house itself most surprising
scene appeared. Dempsey Hall If a fine mod
ern building, plain IN architecture. but OF great
Size, the central portion OF great height Every
WINDOW visible stood foriorn and empty, saving
rev where GLACIERS were busily at work. To-
ward the ieit wing even the stone muillons
nao been shattered. In TINS part evidently the
explosion had done its worst. The walls were
pltted as II by round shot. where ornaments or
FAULTY stones mad been torn out. The lead on
the ROOF stood rolled on end. the rain pipes
hung trailing down 1t was just the spectacle
Ralph had beheld after bombardment. He
was astounded. The driver pulled up involun-
tarily. My certie! he exclaimed, II thocht
Tam was leeing''
Dozens of people stood in groups upon the
terrace, men. women and children. farmers.
laborers. servants and police. They stared and
they chartered; moved from place to place call
ing and disputing at the top Of their voices.
Only the GLACIERS were working, and they