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THE SOUTHERN WORLD, JULY 15, 1884.
Written especially for the Southern World.]
THE STORY OF HOSE DARREL,
BY JOHN BSTEN COOKE.
[This story began in No. 11 of Volume 8.
Back numbers can be had at 6 cents per copy.
All rights reserved.J
XIV.
DB. LANIER VISITS HIS FRIEND,
THWACKETT.
MR.
“Hum!" said Mr. Thwackett, who
never spoke of what came to his knowl
edge in his professional capacity.
“ I give it only as a mere report—you
know we doctors hear everything. You
may not have heard it. But you might
ask Mr. Ludwell—there he is at the
door.”
In fact a gentleman had dismounted
in front of the office, affixed his bridle
to the old rack, and now knocked.
“ Come in,” said Mr. Thwackett, and
Mr. Ludwell entered the office.
He bowed courteously and then glanced
On the morning after these scenes Mr.
Thwackett was seated in his office on the
main street in Scarborough, sorting
some papers, when the door opened and
Dr. Lanier came in with a newspaper in
his hand.
The tall young physician and the old
lawyer were great friends, and on the
appearance of his visitor, whose loung
ing gait indicated that he had not come
on business, Mr. Thwackett laid aside
his papers and shook hands.
“Well, Lame*-, what’s the news?
Mail arrived ? I see you have a paper,”
he grunted.
“ Yes—nothing of any interest, how
ever. Our friends, the Readjusters,
seem to be booming.”
“I wish they would break their necks,”
said Mr. Thwackett, who was an ardent
Conservative. “That was the favorite
wish of poor old Phil Ludwell and it did
him honor.”
“ColonelLudwell? Yes, I heard that
he lost his temper whenever he spoke of
them. I suppose the politics of young
Ludwell are sound, and that he will
keep up the family traditions when he
inherits the Meadows under that curious
will.”
“ Curious is not the word 1” exclaimed
Mr. Thwackett, ending the sentence
with his habitual grunt. “ There never
was such a paper!”
“ And yet the idea was not a bad one
—at least it strikes me in that light.”
“Not a bad one?”
“ If Miss Darrel marries her cousin,
Mr. Ludwell. she is to have the proper
ty, I believe?”
“Yes.”
“ And if she does not it is to go to her
mother. The will seems judicious and
not likely to cause any trouble.”
“ Not likely to cause trouble 1”
“It strikes me that there need be
none.”
“ But suppose Mrs. Darrel takes it into
her head to marry?”
“Mrs. Darrel?”
“To put it plainer—to marry our
friend Singleton? He says he’s not a
marrying man, but he’s paying her his
addresses as sure as you are living.”
“ Ah—I think I take your idea.”
“Mrs. Darrel is not an elderly person
—if she were there would be no chance
of trouble. She would or would not ad
vise her daughter to marry young Lud
well, and if the marriage did or did not
take place, of course pretty MiBs Rose
would have the entire property.”
“ I suppose so.”
“ But the lady is only about forty, and
the chances of her marrying again are
at least equal.”
“ That certainly complicates matters.”
“ I should say it does. Suppose she
makes up her mind to marry Singleton.
He’ll be able to persuade her to do any
thing, and there’s no doubt what advice
he will give her. He will urge her to
u«e all her influence to prevent pretty
Miss Rose’s marriage, and aftet the year
has paBBed, and the marriage of the
daughter has not taken place, she will
herself marry Singleton and where will
Rose be? A new crop of children will
be there to dispute the right to the
Meadows with her, and poor old Phil
Ludwell, if he could come back from the
grave, would find his favorite as good as
penniless, when anybody can see from
his will that he meant her to have every
thing.”
Dr. Lanier, who had gone: to an old
tobacco box, filled a long stemmed pipe
and returned to his seat, remained si
lent for some moments smoking and
meditating.
“Well, I agree with you,” he said at
length. “ Such a turn of affairs as the
lady’s marriage would be unfortunate,
as the interests of mother and daughter
would be different.”
“Precisely.”
Dr. Lanier again smoked for tome mo
ments in silence. Then he said, with
his lazy air:
“ I really feel some curiosity to know
whether Miss Darrel means to marry her
cousin.”
“ Don’t know,” said Mr. Thwackett.
“ I think he is ready and willing from
what I hear.”
“ I have no doubt he is.”
" And yet somebody reported that he
had proposed to surrender the property
to Mrs Darrel and not annoy the young
lady with attentions she might regard
as mercenary.”
at Dr. Lanier, whereupon Mr. Thwack-
ett introduced them to each other.
“ I am happy to make your acquaint
ance, doctor,” said Mr. Ludwell with a
bow.
And turning to Mr. Thwacketthe said:
“If you are disengaged I should like
to consult you on a matter of business,
sir.”
“ At your service, sir,” returned Mr.
Thwackett.
And as he felt that he would intrude
if he remained longer, Dr. Lanier rose
and took his departure.
As he passed through the door he
turned his head and fixed his eyes upon
Mr. Ludwell.
That gentleman was looking at him
with a gaze as fixed as his own.
Anyone seeing these glances would
have taken up the impression that they
were not strangers, or at least that they
had a vague idea that they had met each
other somewhere.
XV.
THE DEED OF RELEA8E.
Mr. Thwackett had resumed his seat
and waited for his visitor to state his
business.
“ I have come to request you to draw
up a legal paper, sir,” said Mr. Ludwell.
Mr. Thwackett nodded his head, and
waited to have the business explained.
“I wish to surrender the Meadows
property to Mrs. Darrel and return to
the West.”
“Ah? Surrender the property?
That is impossible, sir, as I think I be
fore informed you.”
“ I am aware that you did so, but the
word impossible has many meanings. I
understand you to present the view that
I am unable to surrender what I do not
possess.”
“ Certainly.”
“ But one thing is not impossible—to
draw up a paper renouncing all claims I
have, under any circumstances, to the
Meadows estate.”
Mr. Thwackett grunted.
“It would be robbing you of the
amount of my fee to draw up such a pa
per “
“I am willing to pay the amount,”
said Mr. Ludwell, “ and at least it can
do no harm. I have been told, sir, that
many legal documents which would not
stand in a court of law effect their ob
ect, as they are respected between the
parties.”
“ Humph 1” said Mr. Thwackett,
“ that is true if the parties all agree. '
“ No doubt you or others of your pro
fession could pick a flaw in half the
wills that are written,” said Mr. Lud
well.
No doubt of it,” said Mr. Thwack
ett, “especially when they are written
by the parties themselves/’
"Then consider, sir, that no one
knows what a court or jury will decide
in any case.”
Mt. Thwackett uttered a grunt which
seemed to indicate that he was unable
to controvert his visitor’s views.
As I see you agree with me you will
confer an obligation by drawing up such
a paper as I wish,” said Mr. Ludwell.
“ My object is to renounce all claims to
the Meadows property under my uncle’s
will—to put my cousin, Mrs. Darrel, at
once in possession of the estate—and to
leave Miss Darrel free to many anyone
she may desire at any moment.”
“ Well, that is a liberal step,” said
Mr. Thwackett. “May I ask what Las
induced you to take it?”
“I will frankly state my reasons
Miss Darrel is plainly unwilling to com
ply with the conditions of my uncle’ 1
will.”
“Humph! If you will allow me to
speak a little plainer—have you asked
her, Mr. Ludwell.”
Mr. Ludwell looked depressed.
“ It is sufficient to say, sir, that I am
satisfied of her wishes in the matter.”
“I repeat that a document such as
you have mentioned is not worth the pa
per it is written on.”
“That may be, sir, but still I should
be obliged if you will draw the paper."
“ I will do so if you insist.”
“ I should be glad to have it to-day
convenient to you.”
Mr. Thwackett was opposed to haste
and demurred, but Mr. Ludwell insisted
and it was finally arranged that h$ shoulc
call again that evening when the paper
would be ready.
When he again made his appearance
Mr. Thwackett handed him the docu
ment which was a formal renunciation
of aU his rights, present or prospective,
under Colonel Ludwell’s will.
Mr. Ludwell having read it carefully
and affixed his signature to it, took out
Lia nnflfpthnnl’
But Mr. Thwackett put aside with his
hand the bank note presented to him.
“I won’t take any fee,” he said, “ for
writing a paper of that sort.”
And when Mr. Ludwell departed he
carried away all his bank notes.
(to be continued.)
[The DkSacbburks commenced in No. 14, of
Volume 2, and will run for several month* yet.
Back numbers containing this thrilling and
deeply interesting historical romance can be had
at five cents per copy.]
THE DeSATJSSURES.
A Historical Romance.
BY B. F. SAWYER.
CHAPTER XXVIII.
After dinner thev returned to the La-
Vergne cottage, Mrs. Coleman accom
panying the young ladies and the old
gentleman promising to come after
awhile. The meeting between the two
ladies was cordial and pleasant; Mrs.
Feaster receiving her quandam friend
with a grace as charming and dignified
as if it were to the former home of her
splendor she was bidding her welcome.
“Helen, I hardly deserve this pleasure,
for so long neglecting you,” said Mrs
Coleman, after the first greeting had
been spoken.
“ But it is an equal pleasure to me,”
replied the other.
“ Yes; and the girls—I am truly glad
they have found each other out.”
“ Yes; I hope their relations will be as
S leasant as ours once were,” answered
Irs. Feaster.
I am sure they will. Your daughter
has captured our household. Mr. Cole
man is charmed with her. I believe he
heads a conspiracy to capture her.”
“Yes; and you too, Mrs. Feaster,”
interrupted Miss Coleman, “we wish
you both, and if we can persuade you
to come we will be the hap, iest family
in the State.”
“ How come?”
“ To Thornhill, we have a cottage that
is running wild in a tangle of roses and
we want you to take it, and live near us.
Mary can tell yqu of it. It is only two
miles from home and we can make it
such a pleasant home for you.”
“ Yes; mamma it is a little paradise,
overlooking the river, and in a wilder
ness of shade and flowers. I am charm
ed with it,” corroborated her daughter.
“ But Mr. Feaster has doubtless made
other arrangements, and besides Mrs.
DeSaussure has kindly offered this cot
tage as long as we will keep it.”
“Ah, that was good in Kate. Kate’s
heart is all right if you can only reach
it,” said Mrs. Coleman.
“But you did not accept it mamma?
Oh, I would be sorry to remain here,”
quickly spoke Miss Feaster.
“Of course, I could not, without
knowing how much your father’s plans
would be affected. But I confess that I
had rather remain here than to remove
to Aiken.”
“I had not. I had rather seek a home
in the Sahara than to remain here.”
“ Well, well; we need not discuss
either alternative, for I feel assured that
we will go to our own little home,
pleasantly answered the lady.
" But mamma, and you, Mrs. Cole
man, I do not wish you to think I am
ungrateful to Mrs. DeSaussure for her
offer. It was kind in her, but for all
that I had rather go away.”
“Yes; come to Thornhill, we are so
anxious for you,” said Miss Coleman.
“Ah, well; we will see,” from Mrs.
Feaster, and the subject was dismissed.
“ Mamma,” said Miss Coleman, after
an hour’s desultory chit-chat, “you
should ask Mrs. Feaster to show you
her art treasures. She let me look
through them and they are wonderful.
“ I should like to see them.”
And the cabinet was again unlocked
and its treasure displayed to eyes as ad
miring and as appreciative.
The evening shadows were lengthen
ing when the appearance of Aunt Seely
with a basket of linen suggested the
bath.
“Ah, here is our suits, Miss Prucie
w ill we take another exercise in swim
mins? ” atked Miss Feaster.
“Yes, indeed, the sun is pleasant
enough nowr, we can walk down to the
river.”
“ Yes.”
“And mamma and Mrs. Feaster can
come on in the carriage. I wish her to
see me swim/*
Mamma was indulgent and the nartv
was arranged at once. party
“ I believe Mrs. DeSaussure i*
!3 g V *v id MrS - Fea8ter ’ M the misLew
path WgDe Came Wa,king down Se
. “ Y es ! hut vnu and mamma musten
tertain her. Mary and I are goiSl
n^». tele”* ” said Mii
Here, Aunt Seely, Mary and I oan
carry the basket. Mrs. Feaster mSj
10 help “ ttend ">*>» ‘be
“Perhaps Mrs. DeSaussure will ride
with us,” suggested Mrs. Coleman.
Oh, no; she could not witness such
a shocking exhibition,” laughed Miss
Coleman as catching the basket* she
started out. ue
“ Let Sally take the basket Drucie >>
said her mother, “ I will not need her ”
The basket was given to Sally and the
two young ladies hurried away iu B t in
time to miss Mrs. DeSaussure at the
gate.
Mrs. DeSaussure flushed in embarrass
ed surprise at the sight of Mrs Cole
man; but she was a lady of too much
presence to betray it other than by the
flush. WHK O —J. . /
With a pleasant grace she salut
ed her.
“This is a day of pleasant surprises
to me. I was surprised by Drucie this
morning and now I am pleasantly sur
prised by finding you. I need not en
quire about your health.”
“No; my health speaks foi itself I
am glad to see you,Kate, I was going by
to see you. We were just start ing to the
river to see the jnrls caper in the water
Will you ride with us Kate, and let us
“l 1 th/arr > by watcbi “ 8 the
“Yes; I found the loneliness unsur-
portable at the house and came down
to inflict my dullness on Mrs. Feaster
Are you going to walk ? ”
“ No; Pleas has the carriage. Pleas ”
calling to the coachman, “ drive around
through the gate.”
The young ladies had made their bath
ing toilets when the carriage reached the
ford.
“ You see we have come,” cried Mrs.
Coleman as eager for the sport as the girls
themselves.
“ Yes; but you can’t catch us. We are
beyond the reach of maternal authority
now. We defy your power,” laughed
her daughter, as they ran hand-in-hand
into the water.
They look quite charming in bathing
costume. I had no idea it was so pret
ty,” commented Mrs. DeSaussure.
“ Yes; and the exercise is so health
ful and so pleasant. It will put enough
roses in their cheeks to last a week.”
answered Mrs. Feaster. “ Here, Mir.
DeSaussure, is Mary’s bath house. It
is a primitive structure, but its privacy
is secure,” pointing to the cane bower.
“ Yes; it is very nice.”
“ Sally, bring down the carriage cush
ions and make us seats. I have a great
mind to pull off my boots and take a
wade myself. I never see a running
stream without wanting to get down ana
dabble in it,” cried Mrs. Coleman.
“Do you swim, Mrs. DeSaussure?”
asked Mrs. Feaster.
“ Oh, no; I have never tried.”
“ Then you have missed one of the
most pleasant recreations that I
know.”
“Ah, do you swim?” with surprise.
“Oh, yes; it is one of my most de
lightful exercises. And Mary—see she
is swimming now, the pool, is ten feet
deep where she is,” pointing with pride
to her daughter as with her luxuriant
hair floating behind the bouyant girl
swam across the pool to the “diving
rock.”
“Now, Miss Drucie, I am going to
dive again; do not be alarmed,” and
with a plunge the fete of the day before
was repeated.
“And have you lost the art,” she asked
her companion as swimming back she
rejoined her. .
“Oh, no; I can swim. See, I am
not touching bottom, and lean talk, too.
Oh, what a lux—ough—ugh—ugh”—
with a spurt, as the head ducked under
and feet and hands beating the air.
“ No, Miss Drucie, you need not try
to talk too fast. You must take it like
spelling—by syllables at first. You can t
swim in three syllables yet,” lauglu u
her preceptor. “ It was thetri-syllabate,
luxury, that sank you. Now, try it
again. We will swim together. Watch
me,” wiping the gasping mouth aril
brushing back the tangled hair. And to
gether they struck out, and circling
around the edges of the deep water they
made the circuit of the pool.j
A half hour’B sport and they were re
called by the prudent mothers. .
“And, now, Mrs. DeSaussure, who oo
you think of it?” Drucie saucily as-
as emerging from the bower re-hat. o
in her evening muslin, as blooming 8
Hebe. :
“I think it very nice. Only Dru*e,