Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1894-09-07
CHAPTER XVII.
A DELICATE SITUATION.

Nathan Metcalf. He sent him MIR. Sweet
lands letter, however, accompanied by
neat note of his own, stating that he was
unexpectedly recalled 10 New York, but
th It he should soon return, and woul do
himself the honor of paying his resi- ects
at the earliest opportunity.
He then asiened to the city, after CIV
ing out that he should take up his resi-
dence at the farm, as soon as the house
could be made habitable; and on reaching
New York, sent up an architect and
whole army of workmen 10 make the
necessary alterations and repairs.
At length their work was completed and
Leland was informed that his country
house was ready for his occup 'tion.
He decided to take pos session imme-
diate Y, and on the very day that Cora
Elliston had the talk with Oscar Slyme,
started for Roxbury
He reached the village in safety, and
found Seth Gridley, the man who had
charge of the farm, in waiting at the sta
tion, with very decent country turnout.
Leland at once took his seat in the car
riage. Seth followed, and the horses
heads were turned toward the center
Passing through the village they struck
long and solemn avenue, shaded by
elms, interlacug their thick branches,
and lea ling directly to the Sedlev irm.
Presently they reached the house. The
front door was open. Leland entere |,
and received hearty welcome from Mis-.
Seth Gridley, the housekeeper.
Seth then showed him to his own cham
Ter, and when he declared himself ready,
conducted HIM to the dlning-room.
Mrs. Gridley had passed half the pre-
vious night in 81 IugLtering various dwell
els in the poult y yard, and the results
of the massacre now successfully ap-
peared swimming in butter. The young
man mana ed 10 get thu ou8h the me i at
last. however and even found himself in
good sp rits after it.
He sought for Seth found him in the
great kitchen assisting his wife, ami
strove to CLEAN from him some informa-
tion OF the Metcalfs. But the farmer,
like every genuine Yankee, held 1t as
tenet of faith that he who gave plain
answer to any question was dlshonored
man.
With all possible respect he let tho
Young gentleman understand plainly that
be was not to be deceived by his affected
ignorance into any belief that Warren
Lei md did not know great deal better
than be who and what Nathan Metcalf
was, where be lived, and what he dill;
that Warren Leland was his employ er, and
as such was entitled to his respect; but
tn It be was New orker, and-as Nathan
Netcalf slid-all New orkers were friv-
olous testers.
Leland, who had taken an oath neyerto
get angry, kept it now, drew from cigar
q fresh supply of patience, picked up his
hat and left the room.
For a few moments he leaned over the
balustrade of the veranda and looked
around.
The night, clear and beautiful, enyel-
oped in its shadowy veil the vide
stretching fields, and solemn stiffness,
stranee to New Workers. ears, reigned
around him, broken only at intervals by
the distant bay of hound, rising sud
denly, and anon dying into Teace again.
His eyes be omiDg used to the darkness,
Leland descended the veranda steps and
p ,ssed into the broad avenue, which was
darker and moro solemn tn n cathe-
dral aisle at midnight and thence into
another road into which it d him by
| chance.
Strictly, speak ng Gland had never.
until now, been out of the city, for wher-
ever he had previously gone, he had car
lied its hustle, worldly and artificial life,
p'ay, and the races with him; and the
Watering places and the seaside had never
shown m true country life.
1t gave him sensation for the first
| time, bu, the sensation was not an agree
able one.
As be adv, need up this silent road,
without residences, without lights, 1t
SCENE to him he was wandering among
/ IL
Th part of New England recalled to him
The worst cultivated pats of Germany.
1t wore a rustic and savage character, viii
it's dense sh1ubbery tuftod grass, dark
valleys and rough loads.
Wandering on 10 an eminence, his eyes
swept but fresh horizon of apple trees
and VIII, at fields, and he WAS about to turn
back when strange sound suddenly
arrested his stops. 1t was concert or
voice and instruments, which In this lost
solitude seemed to him only dream. or
q miracl,.
The music was good-even excellent.
He recognized Prelude of Ba h, ARA G.
ed 10y Gunod. He could not have been
more astonished if he had suddenly seen
the Grand Opera House set down in front
of h IN.
Filled with curiosity and led by the
melody b. heard, he descended utiously
the little hill, like king IS son in sear'h
of the enchanted princess. Tie pal &c
be found in tie middle OF the path, ii
the shape of the back wall of n dive ling.
which fronted on another load. One of
the upper windows Oh this side, however,
was open; fright light ST. canned from
it, end thence he doubted not the sweet
sounds came.
With the accompaniment of the piano
and stringel instruments rose fresh,
flexible womnl's voice, chanting the mys-
tlc Words of tue onng master with such
expression and power rs would have given
even him delight Leland, himself
musician, was capable of appreci ting
the mas terly execution o. the piece, and
was so much struck by it he felt an ire
81 tible desire to see the performers, es-
leciill the singer
With this imp llse he climbed the little
hedge bordering the road placed him self
90 the tcp, and found himself several
feet above the level of the li-htcd VIM
dow He did not hes tate to use his skill
as a gymnrst. acquired st Ynle, to raise
himself to cne of the branches OF an old
OAK stretching &C oSs the lawn; but dur
ing the ascent he could not Disguise from
himself that his was sc.rcey di nitied
position for the future member of Con-
gress from the di let.
He almost laugh aloud at the idea Of
being surprised in this position by the
terrible Metcaif, or his daughter.
He established himself on a large, leafy
branch, directly u front OF the open win
dow, md not standing that he was ut
a respectful 4 stance, ks glance could
readily penet ata into the chant er where
the concert was taking place.
ia.