The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-02-01
copyright, 1897, by the Author.l

hating place, and he FASTENED across
the line, followed by his staff of two
porters, to the arrival platform, which
was opposite the little ivy grown sta
ton.
Bracs1nell Park is one Of those "resi-
dential'' properties which have devel-
oped of late years in the neighborhood
of London, where what was once state
ly, well timbered domain, owned in its
entirety by some merchant prince or
well born squire, is now chopped up in
to plots, large and small, ana strewn
with mansions, villas and cottages, suit
ed to various incomes. Brscknell is IA
vored both by the undulations of its
well timbered ground and a station, all
to itself, sone 45 minutes from Water
loo Adjoining it is a-village of the
same name, which, since the building
of the aforesaid villas and mansions,
has considerably enlarged its borders
and increased it's Importance by the de-
velopment of it's trade and the establish
ment of post and telegraph Office.
A few minutes later and the train
came in, with scream from the whis-
tie and loud grinding of the brakes.
Several passengers alighted, all men,
probably city men, most of whom car
ried offerings for the domestic shrine
i. e., the kitchen-small, flat baskets
cunningly secured with q wooden skew
er, and hurnpy brown paper bags, sug-
gestive Of the fishmonger and the fruit
erer Among them were two of a differ
ent stamp-one, tall, spare, soldierly
looking i~an of perhaps 80 or more,
either swarthy by nature or much sun
burned, with nearly black hair and
mustache He had a distinguished air,
but his face was plain, and at the no
rnept als.,e,apear,aa fe,. from attractive. 1t
wore harsh, fierce expression, while
his large, dark eyes looked eager and
strained.
AS he paused to let the train clear
away he was joined by the other, mid
die aged man who had alighted from a
third class carriage, an exceedingly tall,
loosely built individual, who walked in
a weak, stumbling fashion.
His face was rugged and gaunt, light
ed by pair of dreamy eyes and sur
mounted by shock of wild red hair. In
spite of these peculiarities he looked
eminently respectable. He touched his
hat as he joined the gentleman first de-
scribed and was greeted by quick
"Ha! How goes it, MacDougal?''
"Well, I thank you, Captain Carew.
You've heeu a stranger in these parts
lately"
"Aye I haven been down for some
time" returned Carew as they crossed
to the other side, giving a brief good
morrow to the station master as they
passed him.
ST hope Mr. Hastings is getting bet
ter, SIR began MacDougal as they
walked up the road which led through
the park.
'sI'm afraid not I hear he is in a bad
way"
$50 I believe, sir. Her ladyship went
up to see him one day last week, but
she wasn't let to have speech of him,
and he seemed SO bright and well when
he was down here last spring
''Well, he is deuced queer now, - re-
turned Carew. 'sAnd how is it, Mac
Dougal, that you have rope enough to
wander SO far from the postofice?''
"Oh, had business with the post
master at Nutfeld. He is over me, you
know. My son is quite able to work the
telegraph now when I am away. I am
training him, you see. It's the best
thing I can do for my poor, motherless
boy"
'sAnd your daughter? You have a
daughter?"
.TAh, thanks to Lady Hastings and
Miss Ruth, I still have @ daughter, y
replied MacDougal with solemnity.
'"Their care and kindness kept her in
life. Lady Hastings has paid the debt
she thinks was due to my father for
saving the general at Mooltaw in full. "
"Glad to hear it, - said Carew absent
ly. They walked on few PAGES, and
then MacDougal said: "I'll wish you
good evening, Captain Carew. There's
q short cut to my place across the fields
here.
."Ah, good day to your' returned
Carew, with friendly nod, and they
parted.
Carew swung on at a sharp pace along
the road, which led up gentle incline,
between detached houses more or less
ornamental with gardens and spread
ing trees, till he reached an open space
at the top, where facing fine avenue
of huge old elms, arching over like a
cathedral aisle, stood pretty, old
house, to which additions had been jul
diciously made. It was set in delightful
surroundings velvetlike lawns, big for
est trees, abundant evergreens and fra
grant flower beds and looked out from
the e,ninence on which it stood over a
| wide stretch of wooded landscape, now
bathed in the rich light of a delicious
September day.
"Are the ladies at homer" asked Ca
| rev when the door was opened by a
grave, gray haired man out of livery.
"My lady has not come in yet, but
Miss Hastings is at home, sir.
lawfully unlucky in one wayP' NUT