Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1901-01-10
He turned in a moment or 30.

Now, shall we go back into the sun
shine; was going on to my sisters TO
tea. DO you remember Ethel. the other
jigtail? She is married now. Will you
come and see if she has altered:
Thanks, shall be pleased
When the slow afternoon train stop
ped at Burton Gate, Lord FarehaVeh
alighted from first-class compartment
the only traveller.
"Luggage:" interrogatel the porter.
"NO, l have only my bag; can you
send 1t on to the Crown ut Hrentwell!
There's no fear o that, think. Some
'un is sure to be goin that way. II not
Ill send one o my boys
So Lord Farehaven went through the
gate and along the aforementioned
road to Brentwell village, distance OF
two miles, which he soon covered w.th
his easy, swinging stride.
There had been no one to speak of In
the Crown all day. for it was haying
time and every man was in the fields.
An old man sat by the tircsidc, although
no fire burnt on the hearth, and smoked
meditatively: 10 sound save the TICK or
a grandfather's clock broke the silence.
Then a firm step sounded without. n
hand raised the latch, and Lord Fare
haven entered the lOw-celed kitchen
which served also as bar.
Good day, Mr.. Rolfe," he said pleas
antly.
Good day to yew, sir. though ]
doan't rightly know hew yew be-"
"A stranger to these parts for many
years. My name was Stee!e-llubert
Steele-when 1 lived about here"
steele? All! my memory amt what
it was! I'm going on eight-four year
come Michaelmas. v see, an forget
names an such like"
Can l have a bed here to-night?'
"Ah. that yew can. Ill just call my
grandfather" the old man replied. ris-
ing to the back door. which. when open
ed, disclosed vista Of meadowlands
and haystacks. eliza! Liza" he
called in his DID, feeble voice. "Wheres
that there nawther gone? AFTER them
chaps that's raking in the medder, iii
lay. Liza"
He hobbled out of sight. and Lord
Farehaven sat himself on the warm
sofa that he remembered to have stood
In the same place twenty years ago
when Gabriel Rolfe had been haze old
man with face like Il ruddy pippin
and with hearty voice.
Liza came in presently, shy girl of
some Is years. and from her he learned
Il good deal OF the changes time had
wrought in the little village. Then he
ordered some dinner to be prepared for
him. and strolled out into the village
street and toward the church.
The old church at Brentwell stands on
slightly rising ground aud commands
an extensive view Of the broad fen land
Lord Farehaven leaned upon the low
stone wall that skirts the churchyard.
sonins at tiAo c"cr>d c,lif,e. " iiiie his
boyhoOd memories crowded thick and
fast around him. He remembered just
such June evening as this-sitting be-
side his mother in the old worm-eaten
oak pew, listening indolently to the SER
vice, with his attention wandering ever
and again to pleaSance Grcenacre. sit
ting on the other side Of the aisle, some
times turning her gray eyes shyly to
meet his, and shaft of golden light
striking through the west window
turning her long. fair hair into Il living
name. How he had adorcd her-twenty
years ago lie wondered if she were
nlive-a wife and mother perhaps: and
wondering still. entered the iron gate
and walked among the green graves,
some with stones ut their head, some
neglected and forgotten. In one corner
he came upon little flower-covered
grave, surrounded with white stones
and having cross at the head. 1t bore
these words:
''TO the memory of Pleasance Green
acre. who died on Easter Day, 1850"
The setting sun shone full upon TIE
stone. as In years gone by 1t had shone
on Pleasance Greenacre's golden hair.
1t was Sunday afternoon and Mrs.
Varney had strOlled into kensington
gardens, preferring the shade of the
trees to her drawing room-a view
shared entirely by the two fox terriers
who accompanied her.
She found comfortable shady seat
and settled herself down to think; and
her thoughts were of Lord Farehavcn
She called him Hubert to herself, be-
cause he had been Hubert when he was
her brothers greatest chum, in the
days before he went to India. Hubert
Steele had been her ideal. and Lord
Farehaven did not fall far short Of It,
She had been very glad to meet him
again, more glad than she cared to ac-
acknowledgement he had seemed glad
too. Looking up she saw him approach
ing. and her pulses qulckcned.
II learned you were in the gardens"
he said. seating himself at her bidding
80 decided to follow YOU"
II hardly expected You to-day, or any.
one. and 50 brought my poor doggies
out for run. They hate London. Have
you been away? half thought you
would be mt the opera last night. Ethel
and l looked in vain for yOu."