The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1894-07-18

In speech was SLOW e1uu CeEiteia0c t1i1o
more apt at listening than in talking. |
weighed matters we'll before I made up
nv mind upon thcm but being made up
nothing could turn me from that mind
short of death itself, whether it were set
on good or evil, on folly or wisdom. In
those days also I had little religion, since
partly because of my fathers secret teach
ing and partly through the workings Of
nv own reason learned to doubt the doc
trines of the church as they used to be set
out.
On this sad day of which I write knew
that Lily, whom 1 loved, would be walk
ing alone beneath the great pollard oaks
in the park at buckingham hall Here,
in Grubswell, as the spot is called, grew,
indeed still grow, certain hawthorn trees
that are the earliest to blow of any in these
parts, and when we had met at the church
door on the Sunday Lily said that there
would be bloom upon them by the Wednes
day, and on that afternoon she should so
to cut it. It may well be that she spoke
thus with design, for love will breed cum
ming in the heart of the most guileless and
truthful maid Then and there I vowed
tc myself that also would be gathering
hawthorn bloom in this same place. and
on that Wednesday afternoon-yes, even
if must play truant and leave all the
sick of Bungay to natures nursing. More
over, was determined on one thing-that
| if could find Lily alone would delay no
longer, but tell her all that was in my
heart, no great secret indeed, for though
no word Of love had ever passed between
&1,N ~tc 1nY
thoughts.
Now, it chanced that on this afternoon
was hard put to it to escape to my tryst,
for my master, the physician, was ailing
and sent me to visit the sick for him,
carrying them their medicines. At the
last, however, between and 5 O'Clock, l
fed, asking no leave. Taking the Nor
| wich road, I ran for mile and more till /
| had passed the Manor House and the
church turn and drew near to Ditching'
ham park. Then dropped my pace to a
walk, for I did not wish to come before
Lily heated and disordered, but rather
looking my best, to which end 1 had put
on my Sunday garments. Now, as Went
down the little hill in the road that runs
past the park sew a man on horseback
who looked first at the bride path that at
this spot turns off to the right, then back
across the common lands toward the Vine
yard hills and the Waveney, and then
along the road, as though he did not know
which way to turn. was quick to notice
things, though at this moment my mind
was not at its swiftest, being set on other
matters and chiefly as to how should tell
my tale to Lily, and saw at once that
this man was not Of CUR country.
He was very tall and noble looking,
dressed in rich garments Of velvet adorned
by gold chain that hung about his neck,
and, as judged, about 40 years OF age
But it was his face which chiefly caught
my eye, for that moment there was some
thing terrible about it. It was long, thin
and deeply carved The eyes were large
and cleaned like gold in sunlight; the
mouth was small and well shaped, but it
wore devilish and cruel sneer; the fore
head lofty, indicating man Of mind, and
marked with slight scar. For the rest
the cavalier was dark and southern look
ing; his curling hair, like my own, was
black, and he wore a peaked chestnut col
ored beard
By the time that had finished these
observations my feet had brought me al
most to the str .nger's side, and fer the
first time he caught sight Of me. Instantly
his face changed, the sncer left it, and it
became kindly and pleasant looking. Lift
ing his bonnet with much courtesy, he
stammered something in broken English
of which all could catch was the word
Yarmouth. Then, perceiving that l did
not understand him, he cursed the Eng
lish tongue, and all those who spoke it.
aloud and in good Castilian.
''If the senor will graciously express his
wish in Spanish, % 1 said, speaking in that
language, lit may be in my power to hclp
him.
"What, you speak Spanish, young sir!"
he said, starting, ''and yet you are not
Spaniard, though by your face you well
might be- Caramba, but it is strange!"
and he eyed me curiously.
''It may he strange, sir, answered,
"but am in haste. Be pleased to ask
your question and let me CO."
'.Al," he said, perhaps can guess the
reason Of your hurry. I saw white robe
down by the strcamlet yonder," and he
nodded toward the park. Take the adj
S1C1 VI SIA oiltC1 SoOAiS5 oAA3 e"AA>@ w
careful. Make what sport you will with
such, but never believe. them and never
marry them-lest you should live to desire
to kill them!''
Here made as though 1would pass on,
but he spoke again:
Pardon my Words, they were well
meant, and perhaps you may come to learn
their truth. I will detain you no more.
Will you graciously direct me on my road
to Yarmouth, for am not sure of it, hav-
ing ridden by another way, and your Eng
lish country is so full of trees that q man
cannot see a nlile!"
walked dozen PAGES down the bride
path that joined the road at this place and
pointed out the way that he should go,
past buckingham church. AS I did so l
noticed that while spoke the stranger
was watching my face keenly, and it seem
ed to nc with an inward fear which he
strove to master and could not. When I
had finished, he raised his bonnet and
thanked me, saying:
''Will you be so gracious as to tell me
your name, young sir?"
What is my name to you?" answered
n