The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1897-04-04

young woman who was standing at the
door of the lodge looked inquisitively at
| him, he went by her with a bold front
though full of inward trepidation.
All unframed as he was to the beau
ty of landscape, even he could not fail
to be struck by the fair undulatins
park, which seemed to stretch far and
wide, with glades and dells and richly
wooded slopes. Majestic oaks and elms
and sycamores formed a massive back
ground to the copper beeches. which
contrasted with dark yew trees. from
whose boughs the clamboring. feathery
clematis fell in mist-like showers Here
and there a tulip tree with golden
blossoms stood out alone on a bank of
soft green turf, or a cluster of Scotch
frs crowned the ridge of a more dis
tant knoll, while a broad avenue of
lime trees led up to the hall itself.
III
1t was a spacious Georgian mansion
with great pillared portico, under
which Oliver Bevis paused with a
swelling heart, almost holding his
breath with awe at the grandeur of the
ancestral home which he had come to
claim. He was somewhat surprised to
find that the place was inhabited, and
when he rang the bell, which startled
him with a great peal a footman in
livery came to the door. The man
looked at him from tip to toe with
scarcely yelled contempt, and was ev-
identity going to send him round to the
back door, when Oliver recovered his
presence of mind, and asked in loud
self-asserting tone
who be liven here now?"
Somewhat impressed against this will
by the bearing of this queer little fig
ure, the servant replied
Colonel Ashton. Do you wish to see
him? What name shall 1 say?"
Mr. Oliver Bevis," was the reply.
AS in a dream, he found himself ush-
cred into a great hall hung with tap
estry, and where marble tables and
busts and strange objects and carved
seats stood about; then on through an
other still more sumptuous room, with
pictures and works of art and spindle
legged furniture, until he found himself
in a stately library whose walls were
lined with rows and rows of books
he became dimly conscious that his
own name rang out through the still
air, and looking up, he saw that a tall
man with gray hair had risen to meet
him.
ITO what do I owe the pleasure of
this visit, Mr.. Bevis?" asked a full deep
voice in courteous accents. Your
name is that of the old family who
lived here" he added, after an awk-
ward silence.
An zot ties. you be just about right
there replied Oliver, with renewed
courage. go fur as they lawyer chaps
can make out, I nun be the next o
kin as be axed vor on t papers; an 20
1 be coined vor to zee the place, if
you be agre'ble, zir," he replied.
Colonel Ashton drew a long breath of
surprise before he answered.
by all means. Allow me to intro
duce my daughter Irene, as 1 am rath-
er an invalid myself" he said, turning
towards the great bay window of
stained glass.
For the first time the cobbler was
aware of the presence of a young girl
vision of fresh and dainty charm to
his wondering eyes-who came forward
as her father spoke, and held out her
hand
II think we ought to explain to you,
Mr.. Bevis, that we have only taken the
place for the autumn, and have no real
connection with Legion Hall or its late
owner. Would you like me to show
you the house?" she asked in q. bright,
pleasant manner, while she looked with
undisguised interest and curiosity at
this new specimen of a claimant"
1t was like a scene out of a romance
she thought, for the man seemed ter
ribly in earnest, and did not look clever
enough for an impostor; and as she
left the room a glance of sympathy
passed between her and her father.
Oliver Bevis felt quite unaccountably
shy and awkward, as he followed his
fair guide in silence, watching every
movement, listening to every word, and
mentally comparing this grand young
lady with his Lyddy at home. She led
him through the other reception rooms,
which almost took away his breath
with their spacious magnificence, but
they paused awhile in the picture gal
lery, full of family portraits, which had
the greatest interest for him. 1t was
bewildering indeed to the village rustic
to grasp the idea that he claimed all
these as his kin, and he listened with
something like awe to Irene's stories of
these distinguished folks, with whom
she seemed on the most intimate terms.
The arched doorway opened out into
the terraced garden of the Hall, and as
they walked side by side between the
broad flower beds, gay with asters, and
Glove pinks, and many-colored scabious,
and tall hollyhOcks, and many another
old-faShioned favorite, Oliver felt his
nervousness melt away by degrees, and
he was lured on to tell all about him
self, and his home and his wife, and
Lyddy. Miss Ashton seemed to take
special interest in this daughter of his,
in an outburst of confidence-sure of
his hearers approval-he told how he
meant to make an end of Lyddy's en-
gagement to Tom Yates, the carpen-
ter But here a surprise awaited him.
"Oh, Mr.. Bevis, surely you would
never do that" she exclaimed with
sudden earnestness. IF your daughter
is promised in marriage to this young
man, and they love each other, you
would not be SO cruel as to break your
word and ruin their life's happiness?'
La, bless zee, miss.'' he cried in dis
may. when 1 be the measter o. thik
fine place an all, Go zee mean to tell I
as my lass mid 70 we'll be wife to a
journeyman carpenter? Why, us
couldn't have they to bde here an
meet all they big vo'ks about He i'd
den not to gay bad chap, be Tom, but
la. he be 20 homely an rough-loike."
The girl bit her lip to avoid smiling