Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-06-20
AND HERE 1T CONTINUES
CHAPTER VI

"A nervously as well as physically eX.
hausted with the long climb from the
manor. turned aside from the straight,
dusty road and seated himself upon a
lichen covered boulder. He threw his cap
on the ground, filed and ligntcd an old
briar pipe and gazed with a queer mix
ture OF feeling across the moor!and to
where WoOlhangcr spread l'>"lt. q queer
medley OF dwelling houses and farm
buildings strangely situated at the tar
end of the tableland he was crossing.
where the moor leaned down 10 a great
of common which Law between him and
his destination had none Of the charm
Of the surrounding country. II was like
q dark spot set IN the midst 90 tho
rolling s;lcndors Of thr moo-laUI
proper. There were boulders Of rock Of
unknown age. dark patches Of peat land:
where even in midsummer the mud UOZ'I
up, at the lightos', football, pools and
sedgy places. the home and sometimes
the breeding Dlace OF the melancholy
snipe. OF color there was singularIy
little. The heather bushes were stunteI,
their roots blackpned as though with fire
and even the yellow Of the gorse shona
with DINNER lustor But in the
distance. flaming carpet OF orange AMI
purple stretched almost 20 the summit OF
the brown hills OF k!ndl!er soil. and
farther round. westward. richly culti-
vatel fields from which thc labOrcrs
seemed to hang like insects in the air,
rolled away almost 70 the clouds.
Tallente looked at them little wear
ily. impressed with rho allecorical sig
nifcance Of his POSITION. l. seemed u
him that 10 was in the land 10 which
he belonged. the barren land OF desc
lat!on and failure. III" trivmnl> of
the past failed Tor n moment to thrill
his pulses. The memory Of his we'll
lived and successful l!fe brought him
not an atom of consoIation. The pres
ent was all that matt"red. and the
failure. After all. what did man
work for. he wondered: What was
the end and aim Of it all: I.!f" NJ
Martinhoe Manor, with a faithful buy
terrified manservanr, DoOk-M"Ye~ rn1dy
TO afford him the phantasnal SatiSfar-
tion of another mans thoughts, sea and
winds. brau'ies OF landscape and col,
or, TO bring him 70 the threshold of an
epicurenn pleasure which needed yet
that one pulsating link with humanity
TO yield the full need Of JOY and con-
tent. II al came back 70 the old story
OF man. weakness. he thought. AS he
rose 10 his feet. his teeth almost savage
" clenching his pipe. lie had become
Il conQueror Of circumstances only 20
become victim Of the primitive needs
Of life.
At atout a quarter ot mile from
the house the road branchNd away 10
the left to disappear suddenly over III"
edge Of drop of many hundreds Of
feet. Talent" passed through a plain
white gate. down an avenue f dwnrf"l
oaks. 70 emerge into an VneXp"c'edly
green meadow. r.0v"n through the mid
die with Il straight white avenue.
Througl another gate he passed into
Il drive which led through flaming banks
Of rhodOdendronS, now little past
their full glory, 10 the front OF the
house, long and ampl!fed building
which. by reason OF many additions,
had become an abode of some preten-
sions. A manServnnt answered HIS ring
at once and led him into n cool, white
stone hall. the walls Of which were hung
from floor TO ceiling with hunting and
sporting trophies.
Her ladysh!p is still at the farm,
sir" the man announced. Size said
il you cam" before she returned would
you care 10 >to'I roundf"
Tallcnte s!gnitied his assent and was
led through ,he house. across more
extensive garden, from which mar
velous view Of the valley and the
climbing slopes behind held him spell
bound by III" side OF u small, quantity
shaped church, TO a circular group Of
buildings OF considerable extent. The
man conducted him TO tn" front Of n
white. plastered cottage covered with
roses and knocked at the door.
This Is her ladysh!ps Office, sir,
he announced,
Indy James invitation TO enter was
clear and friendly. Tallen'a found her
seated behind a desk. talking to Il tall
man in riding clothes who swung
around TO eye the newcomer with Il
curiosity which seemed somehow nor
altogether friendly. Lady Jane held
out her hand and smiled delightfully."-.
"Do come in, Mr.. Tallente, 81"
begged. II can't tell you how glad
] am to see you. Now YOU Will be-
lieve, won't you, that am not alto
gether an !dI"r in lifef This is my
agent, Mr.. Segerson-Mr. Talente. ~
Lionel Segerson held out hts hand.
He was n tall, w"ll.built young Devon
ian, sunburnt. with fair curly hair, Il
somewhat obstinate type Of count",
fashion Of the sporting fnrmer.
Glad to know YOU, Mr.. Tal.ente, -
he said, in tone which lacked On.
thusiasm. II hope you r" going 10 stay
down In these parts for time
Tallente made cnly monoSy Liable
reply anf Lady Jane, with u little
gesture OF apology. continued her con-
versation with SegNrson.
II should like you, she directed, TO
see James Crockford for Yourself. Try
to explain my views 10 him--you know
them quite well want him to own
his land You can tell HIM that wIrn!n
the last two years | have sold eleven
farms to their tenants, and no one
could sav that ! have not done 80 on
easy terms. But | need further con
yincing that Croker is in earnest about
the matter. and that he will reully
~ork TO make his farm u surcess In
five good years he has only saved II
matter OF four hundred pounds. although
his rental has been almost insignificant.
That IL the worst showing OF any of the
tenants on the estate. and though If !
had more confidence In him ! would sell
on q mortgage. ] don't feel inclined t.
until he has shown that he can do better.
Tell him that he can have the farm. for
two THOUSAND poundsA but he must
bring me eight hundred In cash aud T.
musf not be borrowed money. That
OuGht 10 sntisfy him. He must know
wits VEN 4at 4 could get three thou'-