Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1906-02-15
CHAPTER v,
Continued


"oi, Annie is few months younger
than I. When she was about fourteen
her father apprenticed her in one Of
the big drapery establishments in the
West End of London, but we don't
know which. She didn't go to New
Zealand with her father. Further than
that we know nothing about her."
."Then am not your youngest aunt?'
II don't know, am sure" was my
reply.
II am twenty-six," confessed aunt
Gertrude.
''Then, II Annie Is living, have an
aunt nearly seven years younger. AS
said, she is younger than by few
months"
Aunt Gertrude sighed, turned some
what abruptly from the picture, and
walked through the open window on
to the verandah.
The view from our verandah Is prob
ably as good as from any point in Suf-
folk distant from the coast. Accept
ing rs truth a popular fallacy some
will think this is faint praise. but
those acquainted with the county will
hardly so regard it. No part of Eng.
land is less esteemed by English peoI
pie than the eastern counties, but this
like many other Of our national prcju-,
dices, does not admit Of any explana-
tion. The absurd fact remains. A
rolling country, highly cultivated here
and there, interspersed with abund-
ance of wild open spaces and woods
which shelter immense quantities Of
game, with a rainfall the most moder-
ate in Britain, would, 1t might well be
supposed, attract many visitors-espe-
cially from London. but 1t is not so.
and East Anglia Is left very much to
East Anglians, particularly in that
part Of 1t called Suffolk.
The weather was delightful, the clear
blue sky being streaked here and there
with slowly moving white clouds, the
temperature mild and refreshing, the
sunshine brilliant-a spring morning
fraught with every condition to pro-
mote health and buoyancy of spirit.
Aunt Gertrude shaded her eyes with
her hand and looked out toward the
old abbey town. Bury st. Edmund's.
eight miles distant, could be family
discerned, separated from us by fine
stretch of undulating country.
"How delightfully."- green everything
is in Englandw exclaimed my aunt
enthusiastically.
Particularly the people," observed
a voice at our back.
The voice belonged to uncle Sam.
Turning round we saw that gentleman
Just within the room, standing in a
jaunty attitude, his hands in his pock-
cts, chewing the end Of an unlighted
cigar. My father was with him and
had pair Of fleld-glasses in his hand.
This unexpected interruption ap-
peared to annoy my aunt "You are
not very complimentary to your own
people," she said, slightly tossing her
delicately poised head.
Her husband perceived her mood.
"All right, my DEAR" he said, in his
most affable manner, as he stepped on
to the verandah, II forgot for the mo-
ment that some Americans are more
English than the English themselves.
Just let me look ut the boundary line
of this place and am gone" So say
ing he took the field-glasses from my
father, who remained within, and sur
veyed the prospect for couple Of min
utes. Having completed his observa-
tion he made no further remark, but
re-entered the room and disappeared
with his brother.
It was not long before my aunt and
I followed. We went through num-
ber of rooms, some Of them named af-
ter distinguished guests who had oc-
cupied them long ago-Camden. Swift,
Addison, Butler, Purcell and others of
less note-the lady evincing greater In
terest In the quaint furniture than in
the historical associations to which I
endeavored to direct her attention.
In this way did I amuse my aunt for
three hours. conducting her at last
through the clean, dry stone crypt,
which formed the basement Of the
house. This crypt was very ancient,
being the only unaltered portion of
the old abbey which supplied the site,
and in part the material, for Holden
hurst Hall. The stonework Of the spa
tious arches seemed quite uninjured
by time; and, though they contained
much lumber, there still remained am
pie room for q procession Of monks to
pass through them. Aunt Gertrude
was much interested, and constantly
piled me with questions about the hab-
its of the original ecclesiastical Occu-
pants as I preceded her through this
strange place, lantern In hand.
"Why Is that last arch bricked up?'
she inquired.
/ Hooked at the object of her inquiry.
II Eaxc.'t tha remotest idec. 1 nevar
noticed 1t before. 1t is rarely anybody
comes down here" / said.
1t was now time to prepare for lunch
con, and we ascended the steps
which led into the house. In the hall
we again met my father and uncle.
"Well," asked uncle Sam, address
ing his wife, "what do you think of
the old place."
"very interesting, indeed. have
enjoyed myself immensely"
81 am glad to hear It," said my faith
er. "You must be very tired. Lunch.
con will be served In a few minutes.
have invited the Rev. Mr.. Fuller"