Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1898-09-10
BY SPECIAL WIRE.
BY Mrs. ALEXANDER.
Copyright. 1897. by the Author.l


ton
Bracknell Park is one of those ''resi-
Dental" properties which have devel-
oped of late years in the neighborhood
of London, where what was once a state
", 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, and strewn
with mansions, villas and cottages, suit
ed to various incomes Bracknell is IA
vored both by the undulations of its
well timbered ground and a station, all
to itself. some 40 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 its importance by the de-
velopment of its trade and the establish
ment of a post and telegraph Office.
A few minutes later and the train
came in, with a scream from the whis-
tie and a loud grinding of the brakes.
Several passengers alighted, all men.
probably city men, most of whom car
ried offerings for the domestic shrine
l. e., the kitchen--small. flat baskets
cunningly secured with wooden skew
er, and humpy brown paper bags, sug-
gestive of the fishmonger and the fruit
erer. Among them were two of differ
ent stamp-One, tall, spare, soldierly
looking man of perhaps 30 or r1o~e,
either swarthy by nature or much sun
burned, with nearly black hair and
mustache. He had distinguished air.
but his face was plain, and at the mo-
ment he appeared far from attractive 1t
wore a 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
weak, stumbling fashion
His face was rugged and gaunt, light
ed by pair of dreamy eyes and sur
mounted by a 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 a quick
HAL How goes it, MacDougal?''
well, thank you. Captain Carew
You've been a stranger in these parts
lately"
AYE. 1 haven't been down for some
time" returned Carew as they crossed
TO the other side. giving brief good
morrow TO the station master as they
passed him.
Il hope Mr. Hastings is getting bet
ter, sir" began MacDougal as they
walked up the road which led through
the park
I'm afraid not. hear he is in a bad
way"
$50 1 believe, sir. Her ladyship went
up Co see him one day last week, but
she wasn't let TO have speech of him,
and he seemed so bright and we'll when
he was down here last spring.
"Well, he is deuced queer now" re-
turned Carew. "And how is it, Mac
Dougal. that you have rope enough to
wander so far from the postof1ice?'
ooh, had business with the post
master at Nutfield- He is over me, you
know. My son is quite able TO work the
telegraph now when am away. am
training him, you see. It's the best
thing l can do for my poor. motherless
boy"
land your daughter? You have a
daughter?''
''Ah, thanks TO Lady Hastings and
Miss Ruth, still have a daughter, "
replied MacDougal with solemnity.
"Their care and kindness kept her iii
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 a few PAGES, and
then MacDougal said: "I'lI wish You
good evening, Captain Carew. There s
a short cut to my place across the fields
here.
"Ah, good day to youl'' returned
Carew, with friendly nod, and they
parted
Carew swung on at 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 a fine avenue
of huge old elms, arching over like a
cathedral aisle, stood a pretty, old
house, to which additions had been in.
diciously made. 1t was set in delightful
surroundings, velvetlike lawns, big for.
est trees, abundant evergreens and fra
grant flower beds and looked out from
the eminence on which it stood over g
wide stretch of wooded landscape, now
bathed in the rich light of a delicious
September day.
Are the ladies at home?'' asked Ca.
rev when the door was opened by q
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 way" nut.
tered Carew as he followed the butler
TO the room generally used in the morn
ing by Lady Hastings and her daughter
cool, shady apartment with bay
window overlooking the garden anc
comfortable hooks to read or think in,
beautifed with flowers and ferns ano
sweet with the perfume of the conserva-
tory, door into which stood open
The room was untenanted, but the