Denton and Haughton Examiner, etc. — 1880-12-04 (Denton, Greater Manchester, England)

CHAPTER L. TII6 LOST IS FOUND. Tee delay that Miss Chester was advised to oontrive in her marriage was arranged for her by a higher power. The very day after the lettyr from Mr. Wilson, cautioning her against precipitancy, General Chester died.  Bull of years and honours, the brave old man met death with oompontre as a friend. Before life had become • burden to him—before he had become a burden to those around him, he passed away, calmly and quietly— r. He lay like a warrior taking his rest, With hie inertial eJoak around him.' When the last honours had been paid to her grandfather, Ilise Chester went down to Blythe Hill. The quiet of the country soothed her, and, besidee, she bad two duties to fulfil. The first was to carry out the provisions of her grxndfather's will respecting certain old servants and pensioners; and the second, to be ready for the arrival of Major Ellis, now hourly to be expected. Thus we are at Shirecross once more, in the glorious beauty of summer. In the distance was the house, and in the foreground a richly - wooded slope of land. It was here—in a roadway running at the foot of the wood, bordered on one side by tangled masses of the wild clematis dog-rose, and on the other by a wide extent of yellow stubble—that Alice Gordon was walking slowly up and down for the purpose of seeing Beatrice Chester, who had appointed to meet her there on her way from Coventry to the late General's house. She was staying there for a few days previcus to the sale of her grandfather's effects, which he had desired, by will, should take place prior to her marriage, in order that the house might be refurnished and decorated in a manner suitable for Sir Wentworth Coventry's wife to inhabit as a summer residence, should she require it. So Beatrice came down to take a farewell of her old home, to dismiss the servants, and, more than all, to risk a stolen meeting with Alice Gordon, Shireerose Hollow was a lonely spot, and Mice shivered just a little when, tired with waiting, she sat down one fallen tree, lying inside the wood, and thought how easily she might be murdered and bidden away within it. To be sure, there were the gamekeepers somewhere about, or should be, but this fact did not bring much comfort with it, for she did not even know the keep-re by sight; and who a strange man with a gun went past and touched his cep to her, it reassured her in no degree to think he !night be, and most probably was, one of her father's servants.  There she sat, e bright little spot on the dark outskirts of the wood, the gay tints of her dress showing in strong contrast against the sober greens of the larch and pine sterns beyond, and the scarlet plume in her little black bat looking all the more brilliant for the dark background which it served to enliven so much. And this bright little speck of colour, this scarlet plume, this soft grey and violet velvet mantle, was the first object which naught the eye of a gentleman coming slowly along in the contrary direction to that in which Alice was watching for her friend to appear. But Beatrice dal not come, and still the stronger advanced, wondering who the lady might be, sitting so disconso_ lately on the fallen tree. He thought it a pity to disturb or startle her. therefore he took the turf edge of the roadway to walk upon, and consequently hie footsteps conveyed no sound, and he was within ten or twelve steps of the lady before she knew he was approaching. Then she turned her head sharply and looked. A young man with a weakly stoop in his bent shoulder.; thin, even to emaciation; his features cadaverous both in colour and expression ; large, dark eyes, with disfiguring bellows all round; and a wild, troubled look, denoting the presence of great affliction, either of mind or holy —perlaps both. Alien glanced at, but did not know him. She calmly turned her head aside, and watched once more down the Hollow for the stately figure of Beatrice  . Chester. No 13eatrice was visible, only a soft sigh in the wood& a rustle among the golden-brown leaves, and then a footstep approaching. One instant more a band was laid upon her shoulder, and a voice almost destitute of sound, no moved and agitated was it, uttered her own