The Washington herald., 1919-08-28
q cynict
all
OF mild gentle ways;
wide o kindly thought
s. quick o his praise
Henry Esmond
By WILLIAM MAKEPEACE THACKERAY
Condensation BY Annie D. Hubbard Lttleon Mass)

In the days when the Stuart was
lands crown, a sallow-faced, pre-
cocious boy was growing up. half
loved, half-negleCted. in Castlewood
House, knowing all the secrets of its
hidden chambers, where cavalier
and priest could hide for a lifetime.
Harry was reputed the illegitimate
son of Thomas Esmond, Lord Castle
wood, whose Childless wife. herself
an Esmond. had been a beauty and
kings favorite once. After Vis-
count Castlewood had died. lighting
for King James at BOyne Water.
and King Williams men had taken
his lady prisoner, hiding in her bed,
painted and powdered, replendent in
her brocade gown and gold-clocked
red stockings-by her side the japan
box holding the papers of the Roy
alists-another kinsman. Francis Es-
mond, had taken possession of the
old house.
20 dea certe." little Harry Esmond
said In his heart, when Rachel. the
new Lady Castlewood. in her love-
ly girlhood. met him in the yellow
gallery. and there stirred in him
the be ginnings OF a lifetime's devo-
ton to her. to her beautiful children,
Beatrice and Frank. and to his
joyial, new patron. Francis. Lord
Castlewood. As a loved kinsman
now, Harry had grown to manhood,
when suddenly the smallpox, ravag-
ing the neighborhood. destroyed for
time Lady Castlewood's beauty.
and her gay husbands heart turned
to lesser loves, though he still cared
enough to be wildly jealous, when
Lord MohUn. n London blood. made
love to her. The two men fought,
and Francis. foully murdered by
MOhun, on his death-bed made
written statement that he had long
known from the priest who heard
Thomas. Lord Castlewood's dying
confession that Harry Esmond had
n right to the name he bore. and
was head Of the house of Castle
wood.
This paper, stained with the blood
OF his dear master, Harry burned
and owed-thanking Heaven that
he had been enabled to make the
righteous decision-that his mis-
tress should never know sorrow
through him, and that little Frank
should become Lord Castlewood in
his fathers stead.
Fate dealt hardly just now with
Harry Esmond. for as he lay wound
ed and in prison as a result of his
part in the duel. his dear lady, visit
ing him, chose to believe that he
might have prevented her husband S
death. Perhaps because she felt in
her heart a tenderer love for him
than she dared confess. she forbade
him her home, and even her friend
ship. The living of the parish church
of Castlewood, long since promised
him. was given elsewhere. and Es-
mond would have been penniless and
friendless had not the old dowager
his fathers widow. who had long
cherished pique against the younger
and fairer Lady Castlewood, sum
moned him to her new house at
Chelsey. AS he kissed her withered
hand and saluted her as marchioness.
something in his assured bearing
her husbands true son and chief of
the house. Half frightened, she drew
from him the story of his renuncia-
ton, and when he told her that his
fathers son would not aggravate the
wrong his father had done her and
asked only for her kindness, her
worldly old heart was touched
Henceforth he was Son Esmond' to
her. and when her influence at court
had procured him an ensign's COM
mission. she was proud Of him in his
laced scarlet coat.
Esmond served with some distinc
ton under Marlborough abroad and
was wounded at Blenheim. but the
best thing his campaigning brought
him was a chance encounter in st,
Gudule's Church at Brussels with
Father Holt, the tutor of his boy
hood, who told him his mothers
story. She had been of that yerv
town, and a most tender, faithful