Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-12-04
NY Strangest Case
BY GUY BOOTHBY.
Author OF "Dr. Kikoia,' " The Beautiful
White Devil " pharos, The
Egyptian" Etc.
CHAPTER VII.

NNtn reached the charming lUtic /
Surrey village of Bisbopstowe, |
could see that it bore out Kitwatcr's |,
description of it. A prettier little |
place could scarcely have been dis !
covered, with its trce-shadcd high
road. its cluster of matched cottages,
its blacIsmith's shop, rustic inn with
the sipnboard on high post before
the door, and, last but not least, the
uraiut little church standing some
hundred yards back from the main
road, and approached from the lych-
gale by an avenue of lines.
Here" l said to myself. "is a
place where a man might live to be
100, undisturbed by the rush and
hustle of the great world"
That was my feeling then, but
since have come to know it better,
ana have been permitted an oppor-
tunty of seeing for myself some
thing Of the inner life of the hamlet,
J have discovered that it is only the
life of a great city, on a small scale.
There is the same keen competition
in trade, with The same jealousies
and chickering's. However, on this
peaceful Sunday morning it struck
ne as being delightful. There was
an old-world quiet about it that was
yastly soothing. The rocks cawed
la1ilv in the elms before the church
q if they knew it were Sunday morn
ing and a day of rest. A dog lay eX-
tended in the middle of the road,
hasking in the sunshine, a thing
which he would not have dared to do
on weekday. Even the little
stream that runs under the old stone
bridge, which marks the center of
The village, and then winds its tor
iuous course round the churchyard,
through the Squire's park, and then
down the valley on its way to the
sea, seemed to flow somewhat more
slowly than was its wont.
Feeling just in the humor for lit
lie moralizing, I opened the lych-
gate and entered the churchyard.
The congregation were singing the
last hymn, the Old Hundredth, if l
remember rightly. and the sound of
their united voices fitted perfectly
into the whole scheme, giving it the
one touch that was lacking. AS l
atrolled along l glanced at the in
scriptions on the various tomb
stones, and endeavored to derive
from them some notion of the lives
and characters Of those whose MEM
cries they perpetuatcd.
SACRED to the memory of Eras-
mus Cunning, - years schoolmaster
Of this parish. Born oath Of March
500, and rested from his labors on
September the 10th, 1916" Seating
myself on the low wall that sur
rounded the churchvard, l looked
down upon the river, and, while so
doing, reflected upon Erasmus Gun
ming. What had he been like, this
knight of the ferrule, who for 27
years acted as pedaGogue to this
tiny hamlet? What good had he
done in his world? Had he realized
lis LIES ambition? Into many of
the congregation now worshiping
wonder he must have driven the three
RS, possibly with the assistance Of
the faithful ferrule aforesaid, yet
how many Of them gave a thought to
his memory. In this case the asser-
ton that he crested from his labors"
was a trifle ambiguous. Consgning
poor Erasmus to oblivion, | contin-
ued my walk. Presently my eyes
caught an inscription that made me
halt again. It was dedicated to the
Loving Memory of William kitwa-
ter, and Susan, his wife" I was still
looking at it, when I heard a step
on the gravel-path behind me, and
turning round, | found myself stand
ing face to face with Miss Kitwater.
TO use the conventional phrase,
church had "come out" and the CON
gregation was even now making its
way down the broad avenue towards
the hiGhroad.
How do you do, Mr.. Fairfax" said
Miss kitwatcr, giving nae her hand
as she spoke. at is kind indeed OF
you to come down. ! hope you have
good news for us?'
81 am inclined to consider il good
news myself" ! said Il hope you
will think so too"
She did not question me further
about it then, but, asking me to eX-
cuse her for moment, stepped over
the little plot of ground where her
dear ones lay, and plucked some OF
the dead leaves from the flowers
that grew upon it, TO my thinking
She was just what an honest English
girl should be; straie htlorwdrd and
gentle, looking the whole world in
the face with frank and honorable
simplicity. When she had finished
her labor of love, which only occu,
pied her few moments, she sug.
Pested that we should stroll on tc
her house.
"My uncle will be wondering what
has become of me-" she said, "ant
he will also be most anxious to see
YOU
"He does not accompany you II
church, them"
NO" she answered. He is 81
conscious of his affection that III
cannot bear it to be remarked. III
usually stays at home and walks VI
and down a path in the garden
brooding, ] am afraid, over his treat
mcnt by Mr.. Haylc. ii goes to m.
heart to see him"
"And Mr.. Codd|
"He, poor little man. spends mos
Of iu raa6inor S1pb Nynrlyc n,