Imagini ale paginilor
PDF
ePub
[graphic]

LEISURE HOUR

A FAMILY JOURNAL OF INSTRUCTION AND RECREATION.

"BEHOLD IN THESE WHAT LEISURE HOURS DEMAND,-AMUSEMENT AND TRUE KNOWLEDGE HAND IN HAND."-Cowper.

[graphic][subsumed][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]

May has hitherto enjoyed is interrupted from our want of discretion, the dear girl," said Miss Jane. Though nothing we can do can effectually restore it, we can make her all the amends in our power; and I have long been thinking of placing her in as independent a position as is possible should we be removed from the world. I have determined to make my will, and to leave her all my property."

"The very thought which has occurred to me," said Miss Mary; "and I should wish to do the same.'

[ocr errors]

"I am glad to find that you agree with me, and the sooner we do so the better," observed Miss Jane; "I will write to Mr. Shallard, and beg him to come over here the first day he is at leisure. Sir Ralph ought to be able to provide well for his children, and they cannot miss our small fortune, nor has he any reason to expect that we might have left it to them."

Scarcely had the two sisters come to this understanding than May entered the room. Her countenance, usually so bright and cheerful, looked sad. "What is the matter, my dear May?" asked Miss Jane.

"Mrs. Brown's daughter Peggy has just come up to say that my kind mother is very ill-the doctor has been sent for, but that she seems anxious to see me," answered May. "With your leave I will go to her at once, and I hope to be back before Harry leaves you, should he come to-day."

"Had she not unwisely sent for the doctor, I would have tried to accompany you, though I feel scarcely able to leave the house," said Miss Jane; "but I must not interfere with him."

"I am sure that you would be welcome, as you are everywhere; but if you will allow me I will run down to mother at once, and ascertain what is the matter with her."

"Do so, my dear, and send Peggy back if you find that you must remain with Mistress Halliburt." May, though greatly disappointed at thus missing Harry, hurried down to the cottage with Peggy Brown, often looking in the direction of Texford in the hope of seeing him coming along the road. Still the duty and affection she owed her kind fostermother prompted her to hasten on.

She found the dame in bed. Seldom having been ill, the good woman was greatly alarmed about herself. She had caught a chill, and was feverish and weak. Adam and Jacob were away in the Nancy, and there was no one except Peggy to attend to her, as Mrs. Brown had only waited for May's coming to go back to her own cottage. May regretted that Miss Jane had not accompanied her, as the dame, she thought, would probably have benefited by her

skill.

At length the doctor arrived.

"Cheer up, Mistress Halliburt, we will soon bring you round; with your fine constitution you have nothing to be afraid of. I can leave you safely under charge of this young lady," said the doctor in a cheerful tone, bowing to May. "I will look in by-and-by, and if I find you better, as I am sure I shall, she can return home. Send Peggy up, and she will bring you back the medicine I wish you to take immediately."

May felt greatly relieved at hearing this, though the dame shook her head, apparently not believing him. In spite, however, of her fears, the dame felt better by the time Adam came back; and the doctor

soon afterwards looking in, assured May that she might leave her mother without the slightest anxiety, for as it was Saturday Adam was not going to sea in the evening.

May, leaving a message for Jacob, who was still on board the Nancy, thanking him for the last shells he had brought, and saying that more would be acceptable, set off on her walk home.

Jacob had ascertained, so the dame told her, that young Gaffin and his father had been seen to leave the inn some days before on horseback with valises behind them, and that she thus need not fear being again annoyed by him. She hurried on, her heart beating quicker than usual at the thought of meeting Harry. She was sure he would have remained at Downside till her return; indeed, she had fancied that he might have come down to the cottage, but perhaps the wish not to attract the attention of the inhabitants of the village induced him not to do so. She had nearly reached the gate of Downside when she saw standing before her, not ten paces off, the very youth who had before given her so much annoyance. "He will not surely dare to speak to me now," she thought. "If he does, I can run home without replying. If I turn back it would show that I am afraid of him, and he would overtake me before I could reach any cottage."

She had but little time, however, for consideration, so she walked steadily on, simply crossing over to the other side of the road and keeping her eyes directly before her.

Miles, however, had no intention of letting her escape so easily. Advancing a few steps, he took off his hat with an air which he intended to be full of respect, saying, as he did so, in a humble tone, "I came, Miss Halliburt, to beg your pardon, and to express a hope that you will forgive me for what occurred. I have been miserable ever since."

May took no notice of this speech, but only walked somewhat faster than she had hitherto been doing towards the gate.

"Won't you deign even a reply to my humble address?" said Miles, in a half-whining tone which scarcely concealed the irritation he felt.

Still May remained silent, hoping that in another minute she should be safe within her friends' grounds. Miles went on speaking in the same strain, but the tone of his voice showed that he was losing patience. Suddenly he changed his tone.

"Just listen to me," he exclaimed. "I have the means of making your fortune and my own too. I know who you are, and if you will marry me I will enable you to gain your rights, and make you as wealthy as any lady in the land need wish to be."

May, believing that what he said was a falsehood, merely uttered to gain her attention, hurried on as before.

"I say, I am not going to stand this a second time," exclaimed the young ruffian, seizing her by the wrist. "If you won't come to terms by fair means, you must expect me to use a little force when it is for your own good. Don't be screaming out. I will tell you what I want you to know, and what you yourself would give anything to learn, though I can only tell you if you will promise to marry me and keep it a secret till then."

"Let go my hand!" were the first words May uttered, still not attending to what he said. Her alarm prevented her from understanding the meaning of his words, as it did also from crying out for help;

indeed, so few people passed that way that unless her voice was heard at Downside, it was not probable that any help could be obtained.

[ocr errors]

"Listen! he exclaimed, trying to force her back from Downside, "I tell you I have got something particular to say to you, and I won't say it unless you will listen quietly."

"Let me go!" repeated May again, "I do not wish to listen to you. All I require is to be allowed to go home. If you really have anything to say, you can communicate it in a letter to the Miss Pembertons."

"That won't suit me," answered Miles; "I have told you before, if gentle means won't succeed I must use force, though I am sorry for it;" and he again began to drag her forward.

May, though now more alarmed than ever, recovered her voice, and made use of it by uttering a loud shriek. It might have been heard at Downside, and Miles seemed to think that it was, for he turned his head anxiously in that direction, expecting apparently to see some one issue from the gate.

[ocr errors]

May, struggling to get free, looked also the same way. Again she uttered a cry for help. At the same moment a man bounded round the corner of the road, and before Miles was aware of his approach he was laid prostrate on the ground by a blow from Jacob Halliburt's powerful fist. Run, Miss May, run!" he exclaimed, "there are other men coming.' May instinctively ran to the gate, but turning round to see if Jacob followed, she saw four armed men on horseback galloping along the road. Jacob sprang towards the gate intending to defend it, should the horsemen, as he thought they would, attempt to enter. Had he possessed any weapon he might have held his post, but in another instant one of the horsemen dealt him a blow with the butt end of a pistol which laid him senseless on the ground.

By this time Miles had begun to recover his courage, and one of the men, leaping from his horse, helped him up. A gleam of satisfaction lighted up his eyes as he saw what had occurred to Jacob.

"If it hadn't been for that fellow I should have kept the girl till you came up," he exclaimed. "Let us make sure of him, at all events; and I will manage to get hold of her another time, when there will be no one to interfere."

of one of the men on horseback.

The party were assembled in the evening in the drawing-room after Lady Castleton's visit to Downside. Julia had had no opportunity of taking the sketches on the lake she proposed.

"You promised to act as my boatman, Captain Headland.” He had not forgotten it, and they agreed to go the following morning.

Without being vain, Headland could not help discovering that Julia seemed happy in his society. As she sang that evening he looked over her music, and asked her to sing a ballad which described the grief of a maiden whose sailor lover had fallen in the hour of victory. Julia hesitated, and tears sprang to her eyes as she turned them towards the young officer, while he placed the music before her. She quickly recovered herself, but he would have been blind had he not observed that there was a tenderness in her manner towards him, though she apparently was unaware of it. After the ladies had retired, Harry invited Headland to take a stroll through the grounds to enjoy the moonlight. Harry did not speak till they had got to some distance from the house.

You remember, Headland, the advice you gave me yesterday," he said at length. "I would have followed it, much as it might have cost me, had I found May indifferent to my affection, but she has confessed that she loves me, and nothing shall prevent me from making her my wife. If you saw her you would agree that she is well worthy of the most devoted love a man can give, and I will do my utmost to make her happy. There may be opposition, but that I am resolved to overcome unless she herself changes her sentiments, and that I think is impossible. You, I know, will stand my friend, whatever may occur."

"Of course I will, Harry, though I fear I can give you but little assistance," said Headland. "I am very unwilling to run the risk of hurting your feelings; but, my dear fellow, are you certain that the mutual affection which you tell me exists is as deep on both sides as you say. You were struck by the girl's beauty, and she is flattered by your attentions. Perhaps if you were to be separated for a time and mixed in society, you would find them more evanescent than you seem disposed to believe possible."

66

"I am very certain that I love her as much as a Scarcely a word was spoken, the men seeming man can love a woman, and that I should be miserready enough to agree to what Miles proposed. A A able if I were to be doomed to lose her," answered couple of leathern thongs were produced and some Harry, firmly. "I can only judge by what she says pieces of rope, and before Jacob recovered his senses and how she looks, and by my knowledge of her he was bound hand and foot, and lifted up in front character, which is perfect in every respect, and I am sure one of the most valuable of qualities, constancy, is not wanting in it. My cousins, who have known her from her childhood, highly esteem her, and bestow on her their love as to the nearest relative. What more can I say? I must get you to come and be introduced to her. Will you ride over with me to-morrow?-and if you do not agree with me never trust my opinion again."

"We can do no more now, and the sooner we are away from this the better," said Miles, "or some one will be down upon us, and we shall be suspected of making off with the fisherman's son. I must be away over the fields, and shall be down at the beach almost as soon as you are."

CHAPTER XXXII.-LADY CASTLETON.

WHATEVER resolutions Captain Headland might have made when he first went to Texford, he had not been there long before he felt a strong inclination to break them. Once or twice he had almost determined to go away, but on hinting at the possibility of his having to do so, Julia had given him a look which made him immediately alter his mind, and every day he remained he found a greater difficulty in tearing himself away.

"I promised to row your sister on the lake tomorrow, as she wishes to sketch," said Headland, "or I should be glad to accept your invitation."

"I won't ask you to break such an engagement," said Harry, smiling rather archly, "but if you and Julia will ride over in the afternoon, I will come back and meet you, for I want my sister to become better acquainted with May."

"I shall be at Miss Castleton's service, and will gladly accompany her," said Headland.

The two friends continued pacing up and down the moonlight walk. Harry, knowing Julia's secret, would have liked to ascertain his friend's feelings towards her. He was certain that he admired her, but aware how diffident he was in consequence of his position, he was very doubtful whether he would venture to tell her so. Harry's respect for his sister prevented him from even suggesting the probability that he would not be refused should he make her an offer. From everything Headland said, however, Harry felt convinced that he only required encouragement to do so.

The following morning Julia appeared with her sketch-book.

"I have not forgotten my promise," said Headland, and his countenance brightened as he looked at her. "I shall be happy to accompany you on the

lake."

They set out, and Harry went to order his horse to ride to Downside.

Just as he was starting the servant brought a message from Lady Castleton, who wished to speak to him. Though disliking the delay, he went immediately, guessing why she had sent for him.

"Sit down, Harry," she said, in her gentle tone; "I was very much struck yesterday with the beauty of the young lady we met at our cousins'. Knowing how you must naturally admire her, I am very sure that she is the attraction which draws you daily to Downside."

"Yes, mother, I do not deny it," answered Harry; "and I am delighted that you and Julia admire her so much."

"We could not fail to do that; but let me ask you, Harry, do you know her history? are you acquainted with her family? She is, I suspect, a dependent on the Miss Pembertons' bounty. And have you not reflected that you may have won her heart, as you may possibly have lost your own?"

66

'Mother," said Harry, rising and taking Lady Castleton's hand; "I love her for herself, and herself alone."

"I wish to see your happiness secured, my dear Harry; but I fear that your father will not view matters in the light you do. He will certainly not approve of your marrying any one beneath you in station."

Harry argued as most young men would have done under similar circumstances.

"You might persuade me, my dear boy, but I fear that you will find it impossible to overcome your father's strong notions on the subject. I must write and inform him of the state of affairs; and depend upon it, I will do my utmost to give him a favourable impression of the young lady."

"But why trouble my father now about the matter?" urged Harry; "it will be time enough when he returns home to let him know my wishes, and he can then express his opinion. Pray do not object in the meantime to my visiting Downside. Our cousins invited me there, in the first instance, without the slightest idea of the consequences; and I surely have a right to visit them as long as they give me permission. Remember, I persuaded you to call there, a proof that I had no desire for concealment. However, as only you and Julia even suspect the state of the case, do let me ask you to say nothing at present, for I do not wish even Algernon to know it, as I am doubtful how he might act; he entertains the same opinion as Sir Ralph

on most points, and might think fit to expostulate in a way I should not approve of."

In spite of her previous resolutions, Lady Castleton was so far gained over by Harry that she promised to wait and see how things were likely to go.

"Thank you, mother," exclaimed Harry, kissing her brow; "all will go right. We must get Sir Ralph to see May without knowing who she is, and depend on it he will be enchanted with her-perhaps insist that I shall forthwith go and make her an offer of marriage."

Lady Castleton smiled at her son's enthusiasm, but directly afterwards sighed, for she knew her husband far better than did her son.

Harry was eager to set off for Downside, and, hurrying down-stairs, mounted his horse, which the groom had been leading up and down waiting for him.

Just as he was starting, a dark, black-whiskered man on a strong-looking horse rode up. Harry fancied that he recollected his features.

"Good morning, Mr. Castleton," said the stranger, lifting his hat; "I remember you, though a good many years have passed since you were at Texford." "You have the advantage of me, knowing my name. Have you business with any one here?"

"Yes, I wish to see Mr. Groocock, the steward. I am the miller at Hurlston, and have to say a word or two about the rent of the mill," answered Gaffin. "I remember you as a young midshipman, when I had the pleasure of offering to give you a cruise in my lugger, though for some reason or other you objected to accompany me."

"I probably had good reasons for doing so," answered Harry, recollecting what he had heard of Gaffin's character, and that he was the father of the young man who had insulted May. "If you have business with the steward, you will find him in his room. Good morning, sir," and Harry was riding on.

"You

"Pardon me, Mr. Castleton, if I detain you," said Gaffin, backing his horse across the road. are perhaps not aware that, though I have held the mill at Hurlston for a number of years, and have expended a considerable sum in repairing it, Mr. Groocock has given me notice that the rent is to be raised, and I wish to appeal to Sir Ralph against the injustice of the proceeding."

"I cannot interfere in the matter, as Mr. Groocock has my father's perfect confidence, and he probably considers the rent you have hitherto paid to be too low."

"Where there is a will there is a way; if you wished to serve me, Mr. Castleton, you could do so,' exclaimed Gaffin, in an angry tone, as if his aim was to pick a quarrel with the young officer. "I have no wish to interfere, and have no intention of doing so," answered Harry. I must again say good morning, sir."

[ocr errors]

You are willing to see an act of injustice done without any desire to prevent it," said Gaffin.

"I do not believe that Mr. Groocock would commit an act of injustice, and I consider it impertinent in you to infer that Sir Ralph Castleton acts unjustly."

"I infer nothing; facts are stubborn things, Mr. Castleton. I see how it is; your father wishes to drive me from the mill, but he is mistaken if he expects to succeed. If I am compelled I will pay the additional rent and remain, though I am not likely to be grateful to those who have i

treated me. A few words from you would probably have favoured my cause."

"I have already given you my answer; I cannot be longer delayed in discussing the subject," and - Harry rode on. Gaffin gave an angry glance at him, and then turning round, made his way towards the wing of the mansion in which Mr. Groocock's office was situated.

CHAPTER XXXIII.-THE BIRD FLOWN.

GREAT was Harry's disappointment, on reaching Downside, to find that May was not there. His cousins also, he fancied, received him with less cordiality than usual. Had he understood their feelings better, he would have had no cause to complain.

"Sit down, Harry," said Miss Jane, in a somewhat formal tone, Harry thought. "May has told us of your offer. You must be aware that we have no legal control over her, but we feel it our duty not to encourage your visits here until we know that you have the permission of Sir Ralph and Lady Castleton, and that, we have our fears, will not be very readily given. As far as we have the power, we purpose making the dear girl independent, and have sent for Mr. Shallard to make our wills accordingly." "Thank you for the thought!" exclaimed Harry, starting up; "I wish you would get Mr. Shallard to make mine, and then if I have to go to sea and am killed before I marry, it will be a consolation that she is provided for."

We

"Nothing but generosity would have prompted you to say that," observed Miss Mary. only act, my dear Harry, according to the dictates of duty; we must not encourage a son to disobey his parents."

"Then you need not object to my coming here," answered Harry, brightening up. "I have told my mother, and I believe that I have won her over. She and Julia were delighted with May, as of course they must have been."

Harry hoped that he had satisfied the consciences of the two good ladies. He begged them to let him know when Mr. Shallard was coming over.

"It is very sad, Harry, to think that such a will as you propose making should ever come into effect, for it would make May very unhappy to hear of it." "Then don't tell her on any account. And depend upon it I do not intend to be killed if I can help it; only when shot are flying about, one may take me off as well as another man. Ships, too, sometimes founder with all hands, or

[ocr errors]

Oh, pray do not talk of all the fearful things which happen to sailors!" exclaimed Miss Mary. "I am sure I wish that you could get Sir Ralph's leave to marry, and come and settle quietly at Downside, instead of roaming about over the ocean. It would be a happier life, I think."

Harry, as he pictured May as his wife, thought so too at that moment; but could he abandon the profession he loved and the prospects of promotion and honour? For May he could abandon all; but would it be wise? That was not a subject he could just then think very clearly about.

He waited and waited, but May did not return. At last he thought of going to work at the grotto. The ladies said they should be much obliged if he would do so.

Then he recollected that he had promised to escort Headland and Julia. He would ride back to Texford, and by the time he had returned with them he hoped to find May at Downside.

TH

DISTRESSED GENTLEWOMEN. BY THE AUTHOR OF "THE HARVEST OF A QUIET EYE,” ETO.

HERE often appear in our public prints sundry letters upon the subject of distressed gentlewomen, and upon the employment of ladies thrown upon the world to earn their own bread.

No one will deny that this is a large class. The multitude of answers to any advertisement holding out the hope of a decent competence to a governess or a companion, is one indication of this fact. Another is found in the number of situations offered to, and accepted by, ladies, which provide neither comfort nor competence-the salary being below that of a good cook; the position that of a semi-servant, never free from the surveillance of unsympathising and jealous eyes; the atmosphere one of chill and depressing isolation. And there really seems, as things now are, scarcely any other sphere of work for a lady thrown upon her own resources than that of the governess, if she be young and well-taught; of the companion, if she be not competent, or be too old for the position of governess. That this need not be so, some have taken in hand to show; but, as a matter of fact, it is so at the present time. And, also as a matter of fact, the supply exceeds the demand sufficiently to allow of the offer, and to compel the acceptance of inadequate remuneration, and careless, if not unkind, treatment. The selfish

and absorbed will not take trouble to keep an article which can be easily replaced if lost. And there are very many people in the world, absorbed in self proper, or in the larger self of just their own belongings.

We do not wish to be sentimental about this matter. We will grant readily that probably there ought not to be, to the extent to which it exists, this over-supply. It may be that many-of, for instance, the class of small tradespeople whose daughters are raised, not lowered, by the twilight-gentility of the governess's position ;—it may be that many ought to have gone into service, or into other occupations not uncongenial to their education and former surroundings, although entirely unsuited to one, by birth and education, a lady. Then, again, the cause of the numbers of persons who, by the death of parents, or their reverse of fortune, are thrown into the class of gentlewomen seeking employment, may be, and in some cases is, one which ought to be eradicated. For "want of providence" must, in many instances, be the superscription of such cases. There has not been in the parents that thrift and management which, if exercised, would have rendered it possible to insure the life. The children have been pampered, and brought

« ÎnapoiContinuă »