The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1897-11-19

terbuck saw him turn In at the great
entrance gate below, and ride up the
drive; watched him hastily dismount.
send his horse trotting stableward with
a cut upon the loins, and saw him
vanish into the house.
"Oh." said C1utterbuck, with a flash
of inspiration. Mr.. Thoma Waring-
Mr.. Thomas Waring of whom I have
heard, but whom I have never seen
until yesterday"
Clutterbuck sat himself upon the
wall and looked down upon an open
space, whence the trees stood away in
front Of the square porch, where the
gravel sweep cut OFF the or
lawn. The sun struck dazzling upon
the rime which lay smooth upon the
gravel and feathered upon the turf,
and outlined the mouldings of the
porch, and cast a blot Of shadow with
in it, and without drew delicate tracery
of shadows upon the whiteness. Pre-
sently this solitary spot, so silent and
so brightly lighted, with the hoofmarks
leading up to the door, began to fasci-
nat Mr.. Clutterbuck. He sat for some
time, despite the freezing wind and the
pain which gnawed within him, wait
ing.
AT last the door opened, and the
young man whom Clutterbuck had es-
piCo III 81 uClCStooiC Oil dNtiNoAC Gill
out upon the steps. followed by the
all figure of Mr.. Thomas Waring. The
two men bowed to ZACH other, the
younger walked away down the drive,
the elder stood looking after him for
a moment, sidelong, with his head
bent, then turned and went into the
house, shutting the o behind him
with a heavy clang.
The young man came up the hill to-
ward Mr.. Clutterbuck, walking at a
great pace. AS he approached, Clut-
terbuck observed that his face was
troublcd and that he muttered to him.
self. He passed the gentleman seated
on the wall without p%erceiving him,
whereupon Clutterbuck rose and over
took the agitated young man by the
time they had reached the chaise.
Are o going toward Brighthelm-
stone, sir?" said C~lutterbuck. eff so,
permit M to offer you a seat in my
conveyance"
The other looked at him doubtfully
for a moment, then, with a word of
thanks he accepted the offer.
Clutterbuck, taking note of the
youths appearance and expression as
they seated themselves side by side in
the chise, saw a tall and 1.-THE person.
with pretty blue eyes, whose forehead
oAu hOoS uCoSCIuCo III lHC Sd1AlC 1ll1C
upon the full lips and long, rounded
chin, and whose air was at once self
conscious and aggressive.
Can you tell me, sir" inquired Mr..
Cl~utterbuck, IF squire Hartford who
used to live in the big house yonder,
be still alive?"
HE died some four years ago." re-
turned the youth.
"Aye?" said Clutterbuck. ."And who
has now the estate-his daughter
Menella?"
His daughter inherited the estate
yes" the other answered., with an
elaborate assumption OF ease. "She
married Mr.. Thomas Waring soon
after the old mans DEATH" he added.
Did she, indeed? Well, WE'LL" said
C~lutterbuck. Sir" he wen on, you
must not think me impertinent-but I
am very DESTROYS to hear some news of
Mrs. Warning, whom I knew as Menella
Harbord many years ago. Do you
chance to know her, may I ask?"
The youth at his side gazed steadily
at the white fields rising in front of
them, and the pink of his complexion
deepened.
YES" he answered, awkwardly, Il
happen to know Mrs. Waring."
Il trust she is we'll and happy" said
Clutterbuck.
II believe she is very we'll, sir"
Has she children?" asked Clutter
buck.
NO." returned the other. He SEEM
ed about to add something, but if he
were, he changed his mind. and was
silent.
They drove on without speaking,
until the speckled cluster of distant
houses and the film Of smoke darken-
ed upOn the shining sea and sky be-
yond the glistening shoulder Of the hill.
Sir" began Clutterbuck once more,
in the same Indifferent tone he had
used throughout, do you know If Mrs.
Waring be happy in her marriage?
Before you answer I must ask you
indulgence to listen to me for a mo-
ment while I explain to you my reason
for asking. I do not think it likely
o will repeat what 1 am going to
tell you.' he added.
II shall not repeat it, sir" said the
lad. staring at him uneasily, and Clut-
terbuck went on speaking before the
words were out of his companions
mouth.
II may tell you, sir, hat when a
very young man my affections were
deeply engaged with Mistress Menella
Hartford. Circumstances came between
us, and as it fell out the affair came to
nothing more han this, that now I am |
an old man I still retain a thread of
interest in her welfare. I should like
to think she was happily married"
The lad continued to stare intently at
his companion with a growing bewil- |
derment. His mouth was open, and he |
in his breathing.
Sir" went on C~lutterbuck, when J
I tell you further that, although, as |
you see, I am not very old in years, |
my course is run-for my physician |
informs me I have not five days to /
live-you may have the less delicacy |
in replying to my question:"
AS though spellbound, the young man |
stared and snored at Clutterbuck for |
some moments in silence.
whether or no." he said at last, !