The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-08-18


tiles. and the enumeration OF the honors
conferred on him. The circumstances at
tending his death are very briefly noticed:
and are summed up on the last page In
this sentence: His life was one long as
sertion OF the rights OF the aristocracy,
and the sacred principles OF order. and
he died a martyr TO his cause"
III.
The summer and autumn passed after
my return from Paris, and brought no
changes with them which need he noticed
here. We lived so simply and quietly.
that the income which / was now stead
lily earning sufficed for all our wants.
In the February OF the new year our
first child was born-a SON My mother
and sister and Mrs. Vesey were our
guests at the httle christening party;
and Mrs. Clements was present, IN assist
my wife, on the same occasion. Marian
was our boys godmother, and Pesca and
Mr.. Gilmore (the latter acting by proxD
were his godfathers. ] may add here,
that. when Mr.. Gilmore returned 10 us,
a year later, he assisted the design Of
these pages, at my request, by writing
the narrative which appears early In the
story under his name and which, though
first In order OF precedence. was thus,
I'm order OF time. the last that j received.
The only event In our lives which now
remains to be recorded occurred when our
little Walter was six months old.
At that time I was sent 10 Ireland. 10
make sketches for certain forthcoming IL
iustrat tions in the newspaper TO which
I was attached. | was away for nearly
a fortnight. corresponding regularly with
my wife and Marian. except during the
last three days OF my absence, when my
movements were too uncertain 10 enable
me TO receive letters. performed the
latter part OF my journey back al night;
and when | reached home In the morn
ing. TO my utter astonishment there was
no one to receive me. Laura and Marian
and the child had left the house on the
day before my return.
A note from my Wife which was given
10 me by the servant. only increased my
surprise by informing me that they had
zone TO Limmeridge House
Marian had prohibited any attempt at
written explanation-I was entreated 10
follow them the moment | came back
complete enlightenment awaited me on
my arrival in Cumberland-and ] was for
hidden to feel the slightest anxiety In the
meantime. There the note ended.
II was still early enough 20 catch the
morning train. l reached Limmeridge
house the same afternoon.
My wife and Marian were both up
stairs. They had established themselves
(by way Of completing my amaZemenD In
the little room which had once been as
ployed on Mr.. Fairlie's drawings. on the
very chair which ] used TO occupy when i
was at work Marian was sitting now,
with the child industriously sucking his
standing by the well-remembered drawing
table. which had so often used, with the
little album that had filled for her in
past times open under her hand.
What in the name OF heaven has
brought. you here2" I asked. Does MIR.
Fairlie KNOW"
I
lips. by telling me that Mr.. Fairlie was
dead. He had been struck by paralysis,
and had never rallied after the shock.
Mr.. Kyrle had informed them of his
death, and had advised them to proceed
Immediately TO Limmeridge house.
Some dim perception of great change
dawned on my mind. Laura spoke before
had quite realized II. She stole close TO
expressed in my face
MY darling Walter" she said. must
we really account for our boldness in
coming here? / am afraid, love. can
! only explain II by breaking through our
! rule, and referring to the past"
There is not the least necessity for do
I'VE can be just as explicit. and much
more interesting. by referring 10 the fu-
/ ture." She rose. and held up the child
kicking and growing I'm her arms. "Dc
/ you know who this is, Walter? she ask
ed. with bright tears of happiness gath
| erng in her eyes.
Even my bewilderment has its limits,
/ / rsphed. 81 think can still answer for
knowing my own child"
/ Child" she exclaimed with all hei
/ easy gayety OF old times. do you talh
/ i'm that familiar manner of one of the
| landed gentry OF England? Are yor
aware. when / present this ilustrious
baby To your notice, in whose presence
\ you stand? Evidently not! Let me
4 make two eminent personages known q
each other: Mr.. Walter Hartright-ths
! heir OF Limmerdge."
! So she spoke. In writing those last
words I have written all. The pen fal
ters in my hand: the long, happy labor OF
many months is over. Marian was The
good angel OF our lives-let Marian enc
| our story.