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Durham Chronicle (1867), 2 Dec 1897, p. 8

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I have been too prodigal of my strength. not thought enough about the future. It is a great mistake. and one of the worst results is that I am ut- terly hlase of everything; even la. belle passion is played out for me. I haven't seen a woman I care twopence about for ten years." . “I can do that without selling the place. I don't intend to sell the place â€"in fact, nothing would induce me to do so. Some dav I mav marry, and want to transmit it to some future Carest'oot; but I confess I don't mean to do that just yet. Marry when you want a nurse, but never before; that’s my maxim. Marriage is an excellent institution for parsons and tools, the two classes that Providence has creat- ed to populate the world; but a wise man should as soon think of walking into a. spring trap. Take your own case. for instance. my dear Philip; look what marriage led to." . “At any rate," answered his cous- in. bitterly. “it led to your advantage." "Exactly ; and that is one of the rea- sons why I have such a reSpect for the institution in the abstract. It has "Ah you should sell this place, and take a house in °town; it would suit you much better.” “My dear Philip," answered his cous- in, in a languid and affected voice, “if you had lived the life that I have for the last twenty years, you would look a. little knocked up. I have had some very good times; but the fact is, that been my personal benefactor. and I worship it accordinglyâ€"at a distance. By the way. talking of marriage re- minds me of its legitimate fruits. Bellamy tells me that.8 your daughter, Angela? if Ihad a daughter I should call her Diabola, it is more appropriate for a woman, has grown uncommonly handsome. Bring her to see me; I adore beauty in all its forms. espec- ially its female form. Is she really so handsome?" Years had told upon George more than they had upon Philip, and, though there were no touches of gray in the flaming red of his hair, the bloodshot eyes. and the puckered crew’s-feet be- neath them, to say nothing of the slight but conbtant trembling of the hand. all showed that he was a man well on in middle-life, and who had lived every day of it. Time, too. had made the face more intensely unpleasant and vulgar-looking than ever. Such Cares- foot (-haravteristics a; it possesed were year by year, giving place, in an in- creasingly greater degree, to the kit- Chen-maids strain introduced by the mother. In short. George Caresfoot did not even look a gentleman, where- as Philip certainly did. "You don't seem very well. George. I am afraid that your travels have not agreed with you." is he fleet fool of the chivalrofié ooYewas desperately fond of her, 3an mirabile dictu, that evening Sir “I am no judge but vou will soon hate an opportunity of forming an 011nxonâ€"that is, I hope so. I propose coming with Angela to make a formal call on you to-morrow. ” "Good. Tell my fair cousin that I "Exactly. “'eil. just at the time old Prescott died, you may remember that Mr. Showers. the member of the government, was unseated on petition from some borough or other. and came down here post-haste to get re-elected. But he had Sir Percy Vivyan against him. and, as I know to my cost, this benighted country is not fond of those who preach the gospel of progress. Bel- lamy, who is a stout Radical. as you knowâ€"chiefly. I fancy. because there is more to be got out 0 that side of poli- ticsâ€"got the jobasShowers' agent. But three days before. it became quite clear that his cause. cabinet minister or not. was hogelees. Then it was that Mrsâ€"I beg er pardon. Ladyâ€"Bellamy came to the fore. Just as Showers was thinking of withdrawing. she demanded a. private interview with.him. Next day she poetedpfg to_old §1r Percy. who Percy withdraws on the plea of ill- health. or some such rubbish, and Show. era walks over. \Vithin three months Mr. Bellamy becomes Sir .John Bell- amy. nominally for his sernces at town clerk of Rnxham. and _1 bar that old “Good. Tell my fair cousin that I shall be certain to be in, and be pre- pared. metaphorically. to fall at the feet of so much loveliness. By the way. that reminds me. you have heard of Bellamy's, or, rather. Mrs. Bellamy's, 800% fortune. I suppose I” 00. O.” "Whatâ€"not? \Vhy. he is now Sir John Bellamy. knight." “Indeed! How is that ?" “You remember the bye-election six months back ?" months back ?" “Oh. yes! I was actually badgered by Mrs. Bellamy into promising to yote much against my personal conven- ienv fie D! And then dismissing. or trying to dismiss. the matter from his mind, he took his way Across the fields to Isle- worth Hall. a. large white brick man- sion in the Queen Anna style. about two miles distant from the abbey, and. on arrival, asked for his cousin George. and was at once shown into that gentle- man's presence. CHAPTER XVII.â€"-(Continued.) “She is as like her mother as pos- sible," he mused. as soon as he Was clear of the house. “It might have been Hilda herself. only she is twice as beautiful as Hilda was. I shall have another bad night after this, 1 know I shall. I must get rid of that girl somehow. I cannot hear her about me; she is a daily reminder of things I dare not remember, and whenever she stares at me with those great eyes of hers. I feel as though she were 1001:- mg through me. I wonder if she knows the story of Maria Lee!" “Mr: Ca'resfoot.“ I beTieve." said tfie ypung gentleman to George, taking off hls hat. .I am ver glad to see yo 1n. Mr. hilip Caresfuot At that moment, fortunately for Philip’s calves, which were beginning to tingle with an unwholesome excite- ment. Mr. Snarleyow's attention was diverted by the approach of a dogâ€"cart and he left to enjoy the amusement of snapping and barking at the horse. The cart pulled up at the door, and out of it emerged a tall and extreme- 1y gentlemanly looking young fellow, follpy'ed-_by a._very_lnrg_e red bull-dog. “I must apologize for having brought Aleck. my dog, you know, with me,” began Arthur Heigham; “but the fact was that at the very last moment the man I was going to leave him with had to go away, and I had no time to find another place before the train left. I thought that if you objected to dogs he could easilv be sent somewhere into the village. He is very good-tempered. though _appe_arance$_ are against him}: ”Oh! he will be all right, I dare say," said George. rather sulkily; for With the exception of Snarleyow, in whose fiendish temper he found something reâ€" freshing and congenial. he liked no dogs. “But you must be careful. or Snarleyow. my dog, will give him a hammering. Here. good dog," and he attempted to pat Aleck on the head. but the animal growled savagely and avoided him. “Oh! that's Snarleyow; don’t mind hing, he never bites unless you step." Philip instinctively quickened his pace. “Isn’t he a. beauty? He's a pure bred Thinet. sheep-dog. and I will back him to fight against any animal of his own weight. He killed two dogs in one morning the other day. and pulled down a. beggar-woman in the evening. You should have heard her hollerfl "Unvv‘- v.- v-_â€"â€"‘._ “\Vould you mildâ€"calling off this ani- mal, Gear 1%?" he said at. «length “He does not look amiable.” “I never knew him to do that before,” ejaculated Arthur, in confusion, and heartily wishing Alec k somewhere else. “I suppose he has taken a dislike to you. .Dogs do sometimes you know,'_’ Next second it struck him that this was one of those things that had better have been left unsaid, and he grew more uncomfortable than ever. But at this very moment the situation was rendered intensely livel3, by the ap- proach of the redoubtahle Snarleyow himself. who, having snapped at the horse’ s heels all the wa3 to the stables had on his return to the front of the house spotted/Sleek from afa1.He was now arlvaming on tiptoe in full order of battle. his wickeil- looking; teeth gleaming. and his coat and t1il stand- mg out like an :111gr3ul1ear's. ‘- \Umv-â€"“Dv' Here Phili began to manifest signs of considera le uneasiness. the cause of which was sufficiently apparent; for while they were talking, a very large and savage-looking animal of the sheep- dog order had emerged from the house. and was following him up and down. growling in a low and ominous under- tone, its nose being the while glued to his calves as they alternately pre- sented themselves _in his line-or yision. Thus encouraged, the big dog seized theother and fairly lifted him off the ground, shaking him violentlyâ€"a pro- ceeding that had the effect of thorough- ly rousing Aleck's temper. And then began a most Homeric combat. At first the bull-dog was dreadfully maul- ed; his antagonist's size, weight and length of leg and jaw. to say nothing of the thick coat by which he was pro- tected. all telling against him. But he took his punishment very quietly, nev- er so much as uttering a growl, in strange contrast to the big dog's voci- ferous style of donng business. And at last patience was rewarded by his mmy’s fore-paw finding its was into Alock'slrpwerful jaw. and remaining there ti Scarleyow's attentions to the Arthur. already sufficiently put out about the dog question, thought it best to take no notice: and even when he distinctly heard George quietly “sah” on his dog as he passed him. he content- ed himself with giving Aleck a kick by way of a warning to behave himself, and entered into some desultory con- versation with Philip. But presently a series of growls behind him announc- ed that an encounter was imminent. Looking round, he perceived that Snar- leyow was standingover the bullâ€"dog, of which he was more than twice the size. and holding on to the skin of his neck with his long teeth; while George was looking on with scarcely suppressed amusement. “I think. Mr. Caresfoot, that you had better call your dog off,” said Arthur, good-temperedly. “Mine is a. peace- able animal, but is an awkward custom- eruwjpegq hg dogs fight.” 1 __ “0h! better let tfiem settle it; gthey will be much better friends afterward. Ho_l_d him, Snarleypwi” l luvs luv-u, “u“ _- sen. left me the ynung gentleman's sole guardxan and joint trustee with a London lawyer. a certain Mr. Borley. Ihave never seen him Yetâ€"my ward. I meanâ€"«he has always been at Eton, or Carnbrid_g_e_._9r in India. or somewhere." .. *L Lâ€"_â€"-J- Philip winced at the allusion, but said nothing. “By the way." George went on, “I am expectinnP a visitor, my ward, young Arthur Heigham. who is just back from India. He will be twenty-five in a few days, when he comes of age, and is coming down to settle up. The fact is. that ten thousand of his money is on that Jotley property. and both Bellamy and myself are anxious that it should stop there for the present. as. if the mortgage were called in it might ne awkward .” “Is he well off ?" . “Comfortably; about a thousand a year; comes of an old family. too. Bell- Heigham When we were in busmess. His wife, by the way, was a distant cousin of ours. They are both dead now; the captain was wiped out at lnkerman. and, for some unknown rea- ropes is more than I can tell you. but she did work them. and to some pur- “She is an uncommonly handsome wo- man." .- “Ah! yes, you're right there, she is A 1; but let us stroll outalittle; .It is a. fine evening for the 30th of April. :I‘o-morrow will be the let of May. so it will, a day neither of us is likely to forget." Philio winced at the allusion, but “Yes, Mr. Heigham. CHAPIER XVII] at your service. you. My mur- He was away for about; ten minutes. during which Arthur took Aleck to a. fountain there was in the center of a grass-plot in front of the house, and mashed his many wounds. none of which. however. were. thanks to the losenoss of his hide. very serious. Just as. he had finished that Operation a gardener arrived with a wheelbarrow to fetch away the deceased Snar- leyow. “Lord. sir," he said to Arthur. “I am lad to have the job of tucking up t is here brute. He hit my mis~ SllS last. week. and killed a whole clutch of early ducks. I seed the row through the bushes. That 'ere dog of yours. sir. he did fight. in proper sty;le 1 should like to have a dog like he. " Just then the re-arrival of Philip put a. stop to the conversation. Drawmg Arthur aside. he told him that George lmgged to apologize for what had oc- curred, and hoped that he would not think of going away. “But." added Philip, with a laugh. ”I don't pretend that he has taken a fancy to you, and, if I :were you. I should cut my visit short.” “That is exactly my View of the case. I will leave to-morrow evening." Philip made no further remarks for a few moments. He was evidently thinking. Presently: he said; “Really, I don’t know; rather tall, I think,â€"a gentlemanly fellow. It really is a. relief to Speak to a gentle- man, again. There has been a. nice dis- turbance at Islexvorth," and then he told his daughter the history of the great dogfight: f Vv “v -w-v'vvu v”, ‘--‘- VIII "V! -_--,..-.. . ' .“ . “At any rate, it is an ill that has :21; théig digit” the hystory 0‘ the agreed uncommonly well with you,” b “I should think Mr. Heigham was growled George, as, rismg from the . . 99 table he went to a .solid iron safe perfect] in the right, and I should ’ . . like to gee his dog,” was her comment that stood 1n the corner of the room, and. unlocking it with a small key on the occurrence. that he took from his pocket, extracted . . - - - a bundle of documents. As Arthur dressed himself for din- “That is an excellent deed box of net that evening,‘ he came to the con- ,yours, Caresfoot,” said Su- J‘ohn care- “I should think Mr. Heigham was perfectly in the right,” and I should like to see his dog,” was her comment on the occurrence. “\Vait a. bit, Mr. Heigham," said Philip. who had been watching the whole scene with secret delight. “You are perfectly in the right. I will 9‘0 and try to bring my cousin to his 8911599. I am very thankful to your dog for killing Athat_accursed brute." “1 see you have a fishing-rod among your things; if you find the time heavy on your hands to-morrow, or Wish to keep out of the way. 'you had ' better come over to Bra- tham Lake and fish. There are some very Iarge carp and, perch there, and pike, too, for the. matter of that, but they are out of season.” Arthur thanked him, and said that he should probably come, and having received instructions as to the road, they parted, Arthur to go and shut 11h Aleck in an oâ€"uthouse pointed out to him by his friend the gardener, and thence to dress for a dinner that he looked forward to with dread, and Phil- ll) to make his way home. As he pass- ed up through the little flower garden at the Ahhey House, he came across his daughter, picking the blight from her shooting rose-trees. “Well, he is a. sort of connection of your own, through the Prestons, who are cousins of ours, if any of them are left. His mother was 3. Preston, and his name is Arthur. Preston Heigham. George told me something about him just now, and, on thinking it over, I remember the Wholé story, He is an orphan and George’swardf’ “What is he like?” asked Angela, in- gen_vouss_ly._ Angela reflected to herselfi that she had never yet seen a young gentle- man to speak to: in her life, and then asked, with undisguised interest, who he was. George made {1.0 reply: it was evi- dent that he could not trust himself to speak. but, turning sullenly on his heel. walked toward the house. “011! very well,” and he began to move on. She stopped him. “I will go, if you like.” “At three o‘clock, then. 011! by the way, don’t be surprised if you see a young gentleman fishing here to-mor- row.” I am afraid, however, that, after what has happened. I shall be as unwelcome here as Aleck; so, if you will kindly order the cart for me again, I will move on. Our business can no doubt bemfinished off by letter." .. ”Angela, ” 1e said, “I am: sorry if I offended your prejudices this after- noon. Don’ 1 let us say anything more about it; but 1 want you to come. and Day 1 formal 011'! w 1111 me at Isleworth to-morrow. 11 “in only be on 11 that you should do so. ” “I never paid a call in my life," she answered doubtfullv, “and I don‘t wantg _to call on my cousin Geonfile-H lUl DU .yuuuy, up man. ”VVI’I'V“ "Remember. Mr. Caresfoot, before you say anything you may regret. that neither I nor my dog is to blame for what has happened. I am exceed- nmrly sorry that your dog should have been killed. but it is your own faplt. favorite was dead, turned unpn his guest in aperfect fury. HIS face looked like a devil's. But Arthur. acting with wonderful self-possession {01:50 young 21 man, gtonpgd Lhim. L _£__- \V. which he found demoralizing. , But still he had the advantage. and it was not until aw other dog of Alack’s size would have retreated half killed that the bull-dog's superior courage and stamina. began to tell. Quite heedless of his injuries and the blood that pour- ed into his eyes, he slowly but surely drove the great sheep-dog, who by this tune would have been glad to stop. back into an angle of the wall. and then suddenly pinned him by the throat. Down went Snarle ow on the tog of the bull-dog, and re led right over im. but when he staggered to his legs again his throat was still in its crue‘lngrip. ““1f57123‘}'b'r“35§'3‘r£i' Shouted Gboi'ge. seemg that affairs had taken a. turn heyexjy little expeqted. A, !I_‘- n __..12.1 u LIL.IU VA U"ivi'é’ar that {Juivxifbbssi‘blefl replied Arthugpolitely, but lmkmg anythmg “ Possibly, my dear Caresfoot; but I do not see him. Is itpos- sible that he is lurking yonder behind . the sofa?” “Whom on earth do. you mean?” “I mean that exceedingly line dog of yours, Snarleyow. Snarleyow, where are you? Excuse me for taking precau- tions. but last time he put his head under my chair and hit me severely, as I dare. say you remem- . her.” -__. ~4» ‘0- Presently dinner was announced, and the three sat down} at‘n small round table in the centre. of the big dining- romn, on which was placed a shaded lamp. It was not a cheerful dinner. George, having said grace, relapsedin- to moody silence, eating and drinking with gusto but in moderation, and savoring every sip of wine and morsel of food, as though: he regretted its de- parture. He was not free from glut- tony, but he was a judicious glut- ton. For his part, Arthur found a certain fascination in watching his guardian’s red head, as he bobbed up and down Opposite to him, and specu- lating on the thickness of each individ- ual hair that contributed to give it such a Spiky effect. \V‘hat had, his mother been like, he wondered, that she had started him in life with such an entire. 1y detestable countenance? Meanwhile, he was replying in monosyllables to Sir John’s gentle habblings, till at last even that gentleman’s flow1 of conver- sation ran dry, and Arthur was left free to contemplate the. head in sol- emn silence. As soon as the cloth had been cleared away, George suggested that they had better, get to work. Ar- thur assented, and Sir John, smiling with ‘much sweetness, remarked pro- foundly that business was one of the ills of life, and must be attneded the ills of life, and must be attended tp. ' At this intelligence Sin John’s face heeame wreathed in smiles. “1 am deeply delighted -â€"‘ I mean grievedâ€"to hear it. Poor Snarleyow! he was a charming dog; and to think that such a fate should have overtak- en him, when it was only last week that he did the same kind office for Anne’s spaniel. Poor Snarleyow, you should really have him stuffed. But, my dear (.‘aresfoot. you have not yetintroduc- ed me to the» hero of the evening, Mr. Heigham. Mr. Heigham, I am delight- ed to make your acquaintance,” and he shook hands with Arthur with gentle enthusiasm, as though he were the last scion of a race that he had known and loved for generations. Arthur groaued at hearing the sub- 59{'_t_ -tlugsj Ahrought forward. “Mr. neighaz‘fi's dog killed Snarley- 0w this afternoon,” said‘ George, in a savage voxce. the truth, he descended. into the din- ing,r room with considerable misgivingS. Just as he entered, the opposite door opened, and Sir John Bellamy was an- nounced. ()n seeing him. George emerged from the Bulky? silence into whir-h he was plunged and advanced to meet him. “Thank you, Caresfoot, thank you," replied Mr. Bellamy, who. with the exception that he had grown a size larger, and boasted a bald spot on the tog) of his head that gave him some- thing of the appearance of a jolly lit- tle monk, looked very, much the same as when we last: saw him as a. newly married man. “A Providence i'n petticoata, you mean," brpke in George. “Halloo, Bellamy! I must. congratu- late you upon your accession to rank.” “A kind Providence,” he went on. rubbing his dry hands, and glancing nervously under the chairs, “has put this honor into my1 hands,” The pure whpte linen handkerchief measuring 23 mnhw square. finished with a narrow hem and embroidered as suggested above. with the fan similb of the n mph is considemd the ammo of ”taste .93 the_ fastidious “‘_ ___.L- ‘Mâ€" _â€" wâ€"mv “I.“\/. A favorite style of marking men's bandkerchiefe is to reproduce the sig- nature of the owner in script. a muoh more masculine style than the unde- ci‘pherabie monogram or the single ini- f:.. Y. v LWVI‘LWII. anything ultra in his mam who avoidb" A n..- The marking of a. handkerchief isan‘ inlportant item also. Indelible ink is considered bad form. and is never realily neces'sary, as a single letter in script may be quicklg and easily out- Lined in the simple hensington stitch. Men of fashion. too. for. the. time are forsaking the pure white handkerchief. affecting the very fine linen with a. small figure scattered over the centre and a_co-bred border qt the same shade. tial'. A novelty at present is the small square of linen edged with an inch and a half ruffle of footing. which gives a. pretty finish and luu'nders remarkably The narrow hem edged with lace. or trimmed with two rows of narrow in- sertion. is always in good taste. and such a handkerchief ranges in price from 25 cents to 82 each, the difference depending upon the Dace usedâ€"whether real valenciennw or imitation. Colored handkerchiefs are again in fashion. the French atyie being the main-colored centre, with a border of a Spmtrastging tshglde2 One of the most important details in the toilet. of a fastidious woman is her handkerchief, and that, whatever else may be lacking, is sure to be of cob- webby fineness and. of snowy purity. Fashions change in handkerchiefs as in all other things, but the all-white linen are sure to be good taste. and are al‘ways a. safe purchase. All this red tape causes annoyance and irritation among tourists, who are apt to overlook the fact that Russians as well as foreigners are compelled to observe these police regulations. It is the business of the police to know where everybody lodges. A permit is required if a native removes from one quarter of a town to another. Every- body is registered by the police when he arrives or departs, and foreigners when they are in Russia are dealt with on equal terms with permanent resi- dents. In Russia passport regulations are enforced with great stringency. No traveler is allowed to enter the empire until he has obtained a passport and convinced the Russian consular officers at the port from which he sails that he is neither a Roman Catholic priest nor a Hebrew. The question ordinarily asked is, "\Vhat is your religion?” but it is designed to provide against the entry of either of these two classes. When the traveler arrives at a Rus- sian port, with a passport which has been properly viseed and countersign- ed at a consular office, it is critcally examined by a police officer: and duly registered. At the entrance of the hotel another police officer takes posâ€" session of the document, and, in the course of twenty-four hours, returns it with a. permit forta limited resid- ence in the country. \Vhen the traveler departs for an- other city in the empire he must have the passport countersigned by the police. This process continues until he reaches the frontier, which he cannot cross unless the pussmrt has been viseed and stamped by the police. Not infrequently tourists are st0pped at the frontier and subjected to: serious inconvenience, because they have neg- lected to comply with the police regu- lations respecting passports. The Exceeding Slrchnrss (”nerve-cl by the Police Auflmrfllcs «f Rania. There are few countries in which tra- velers now require passports im order to promote their convenience and so- curity. In Brazil and Venezuela 3 passyort must he shown to the officials before one is allowed to leave the coun- try for a foreign port. This is a vexa- tious measure, enforced apparently for the sake of enabling a few officials to collect small fees. In\ Cuba pass- ports are produced whenever travelers arrive or depart. This precaution is considered necessary in view of the political condition of unrest prevail- ing in the island. Arthur hesitated a little, more from natural caution than anything he could urge to' the contrary, and George, no- ticing it. said, “It is only right that, before you come to any decision, you should see the map of the estate, and a copy And, then, with the able and benign assistance of Sir John, he proceeded to utterly confuse and mystity Arthur till stocks, preference shares, console, and mortgages were all whirling in his bewildered brain. Having satisfactor- ily reduced him to this condition, he suddenly sprung upon him the propos- al he had in view with reference to the Jotley mortgage, pointing out to him that it was an excellent investment, and strongly advising him as a friend,” to leave the. money upon the of the; deeH. I have both in the ‘22:in gaunt you care to come and look at m. land. “ But, don’t you find that small parcels, such as private letters. are ”unto get lost in it? It is so “Oh. no. There is a separate com- partment (or them. Now, Mr. Heigh- merchant offers (:9 pick. It’s made SOME PASSPORT RULES. YOUR HANDKERCHI E F. To Be Continued. Q ',- Bi ways on FRESH times. 4 ning don John Highest Alarge as FlannelS. given i llnrse Cutter: G ram I’PI’E in lead pm pounds at. \VOOL 8 only, Lo; worth $1 If you wan «avid a” vialâ€"u )0 wer To w V.) Showlhmm only, Ll Covers. w . only 11' or Beny Doz onlv 65c for 6 unsura rates i and Br and t1: Tv‘flfi‘ til " SAL W e all I AN 3’) Licet r4? 9.7

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