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258
THE SOUTHERN WORLD, MAY 16, 1884.
Written especially for the Southern World.]
THE STORY 0? HOSE OUSEL.
BY JOHN ESTEN COOKE.
[This story began In No. 11 of Volnme 8.
Back numbers can be had at 6 cents per copy.
All rights reserved. J
VI.
JfB. ludwell’s decision.
The meeting between Rose Darrel and
her new found cousin was quiet and un
demonstrative.
Having once recovered from the shock
of surprise at his unexpected arrival,
the young lady, after the wont of her
sex, summoned her self-possession, and
it came at her call.
She smiled, took the proffered hand of
the modest gentleman, and then went to
change her riding habit.
Mr. Ludwell, Mr. Thwackett and
Mm. Darrel they remained in conclave
Mr. Ludwell spent some moments ap
parently in reflection. Mr. Thwackett,
with his eyes fixed upon him, waited for
him to speak.-
“I have arrived sooner than I ex
pected,” Mr. Ludwell at length said,
“ and I am pleased to find my reception
so cordial.”
This was uttered vith simplicity—Mr.
Thwackett grunted.
“On seeing your advertisement, sir,
I had just resigned my position on the
North Pacific,” continued Mr. Ludwell.
“and was at Omaha, from which you
will remember I wrote. But I will say
a few words of myself since my unhap
py separation from my uncle.”
“Tt was very sad,” murmured Mrs.
Darrel.
“It was my fault—the result of my
foolish pride. I felt dependent and was
doing nothing. The result was the un
feeling step of leaving the best, of uncles
in a moment of irritation and ill humor.
I made my way to Towa where I was for
some time on a cattle ranch, and then
wandered off to New Mexico. Here
spent, several years as a miner, then as
a clerk, as the editor of a local paper,
and finally secured a position on the
North Pacific. My poor uncle discovered
my address and wrote to me more than
once, but. mv pride stood in the way of
a reconciliation. Here are his letters.”
Mr. LudWell untied a bundle of letters
and opening them, handed them to Mr
Thwackett.
That gentleman examined them, evi
dentlv from the force of habit merely.
“ I see he wished you to return,” he
said.
“Yes—unhappily I did riot, and now
it is ton late to tell him that I never had
an unkind feeling toward him.”
Mr. Thwackett nodded as if in appro
bation of this sentiment.
“I never supposed there was any un
kindness,” he said, “ and Colonel Lud
well has shown by his will that he felt
anvthing but enmity toward yourself,
I have brought a copy of the paper,
which I heg yon will look at.”
Mr. Ludwell took the*will and glanced
over it, after which he handed it back.
“ I was aware, from your letter, of the
provisions of my uncle’s testament,” he
said. “ It is more than I deserved.”
Mr. Thwackett again nodded, and then
came as before to business.
“ As the executor of Colonel Ludwell
will, it is proper for me to ask what your
views are in reference to its provisions
Mr. Ludwell?”
“ Tts provisions?”
“ What course, may I ask, do you pro
pose to pursue?”
“ What course?”
“ The stipulations of the paper are pe
culiar. You will inherit the Meadows
property on your marriage with Miss
Darrel. Have you made up your mind
whether such a union is' desirable or
practicable? As the executor of Colo
nel Ludwell I request information. Yoq
have not stated whether you are or are
not married. Under the circumstances,
as a matter of business, it is necessary
that I should know your views and in
tentions.”
“ Mv intentions? In reference to my
uncle’s will? T am not married, but
have never hesitated a moment.”
“ Ah l” said Mr. Thwackett.
“ T propose to surrender the property
—if such a surrender from me is neces'-
sarv—to mv cousin, Mrs. Darrel.”
“ Rnrrender the property I” said Mr,
Thwackett.
“Ob, no!” exclaimed Mrs. Darrel
“I could never accept it.”
Mr. Ludwell exhibited suppressed an
noyance.
“My dear madam!” he said with
some emotion. “ how could you suppose
that I would do otherwise? I am poor
but I am a Ludwell. Could you imagine
taht I would force my attentions on my
vouna cousin under the circumstances?
She would hate me, and I should de-1 The little Scarborough society was in
spise myself.” * deed very much like other village com-
« Hum 1” said Mr. Thwackett knitting munities. The fraternity of gossips was
his bushy eyebrows, “ that is very hon- a large and influential element, and
orable, sir.” these excellent people devoted their en-
“I should not dream of any other ergies to the management of the affairs
course.” of their neighbors. Tattle was the
« But very unreasonable, and the re- charm of life, and they had a wild fond-
sult no doubt of momentary impulse.” ness for scandal. To call them censori-
“Nt,” said Mr. Ludwell, “I have re- ous would perhaps have been unjust,
fleeted on the whole subject, and will It is true that a number of persons living
never allow it to be said that I asked a in glass houses were in the habit of
young lady to bestow her hand upon me throwing stones; they kept a large pile
under circumstances reflecting so unflat- at hand and lost no occasion to hurl
teringly upon my personal character.” them. But then there was no malice in
For an hour Mr. Thwackett and Mrs. this—they did not mean to hurt anybody.
Darrel protested against this Quixotic It was only their method of exhibiting
renunciation. But Mr. Ludwell held an interest in their friends whom they
firm. turned into ridicule and then fondly em-
•'I have not returned,” he said, “to braced,
take up my abode here and for a whole As to what was going on at the Mead
year persecute my cousin, Miss Darrel, ows, the gossips were in tantalizing un-
with my unwelcome attentions. * The certainty. Would Henry Ludwell mar-
idea never entered my mind. I insist ry Rose? How would that curious mat-
upon renouncing my claim to the prop-1 ter end?
erty and surrender it at once to my rela
tive, Mrs. Darrel, who is the proper
owner.”
“Well,” said Mr. Thwackett, "as a
mere business matter, my dear sir, you
cannot. A right in posse cannot be con- in front of the Meadows nearly every
veyed like a right in esse.” day; at church it was the gallant Major
lam not sure I understand,” said who rushed f orward to assist the fair
Mr. Ludwell, looking a lbtle puzzled. widow into her carriage; and on these
“The matter*is as plain as a pike- and many jther occasions Mrs. Darrel’s
staff.” demeanor seemed to indicate that such
Be good enough to explain your attentions were by no means disagrees
meaning.” ble to her. She always rewarded the
“ You have no claim at present on the Major with the languishing smile which
Meadows estate under your uncle’s will, was the natural expression of her coun-
A surrender of a claim which only exists tenance, and the gossips,‘watching close-
in a certain contingency would have no ly out of the corners of their eyes, drew
validity.” their inferences
“ I think I see your point. But I shall It was plain that Major Singleton
carry out my intentions in spite of it. “meant business,” as his sisters ele
I have only to return to the West as I gantly expressed it—therefore there was
propose to do, and resume my occupa- a prospect that Mrs. Darrel would be-
tions. At the end of twelve months my come the sole owner of the Meadows
cousin,Mrs. Darrel, will take the estate. ” When a gentleman acquires the repu
Another hour was spent by Mr. tation of a fortune hunter he generally
Thwackett in urging the absurdity of deserves it—and there was no sort of
this proceeding, but Mr. Ludwell re-1 question that Major Singleton had ac
these
all the
Suddenly the fraternity drew a long
breath of relief. Major Singleton had
begun to pay the most assiduous atten
tions to Mrs. Darrel!
His elegant equipage might be seen
mained unconvinced.
I only came to see the old place and
tell you my.resolution,” he said.
“You are resolved than?”
“Firmly resolved.”
“ And nothing that I or Mrs. Darrel
quired it.
He lived upon a handsome estate in
the neighborhood of Scarborough, had
married a lady of consideiable property
and enjoyed life “like a gentleman.”
His tastes had been expanded, and he
can say will change your determina- denied himself nothing. Equipages,
tion?” splendid wardrobe, visits to watering
“Nothing.” places, fine entertainments,—above all
Mrs.! Darrel had listened with some the fascinating occupation of playing
agitation to the long discussion, and now poker and many other games at cards—
urged Mr. Thwackett’s views as unan- these had helped the gallant Major to
swerable. enjoy life, and he had enjoyed it ex
“ I ought not to accept, and yet ought tremely.
not to urge you, as my own daughter is But that species of enjoyment requires
concerned,” she sighed. “ At least you a great deal of money, and one day the
will not go at once—remember that the Major discovered that he had spent hia
Meadows was your home before I ever wife’s entire property as well as his own.
saw it.!’ .... His estate was covered with mortgages
“ I accept your kind invitation to re- to secure his creditors, and no loneer be-
main for a few days, my dear cousin,” longed to him. As yet there had been
said Mr. Ludwell, “ and now that we no vulgar intervention of the Sheriff,
have come to an understanding, perhaps but that terrible personage loomed up in
you had better notify Miss Darrel that the near future,
our busineBB is concluded, and she need All at once his wife died, and the Ma
no longer be excluded from the drawing jor was a monument of grief. It is true
room.” he had cared nothing for her, and rarely
Mr. Ludwell smiled and the lawyer bestowed his fascinating society upon
Be* her, but now when the poor lady had
“ As executor of my uncle, sir, it will faded away, it was seen that he had been
be your province to manage the affairs wrapped up in her. He spoke of her
of the estate,” said Mr. Ludwell. “As invariably as “ my dear departed Jane,”
concerns myself, I ask nothing, arid beg and for more than six months was in
to be looked upon simply as a guest.” consolable.
'fn n afota nf b ° W Then the Major became gradually less
8tate ° f COn ’ U loom y and re-entered society. The
8 mpanfna nf all tw •>» gossips laughed and followed his move-
“What s the meaning of all this?” mentg a nd soon their assiduity was re-
he said as he rode toward Scarborough. W arded. Whenever a young lady re-
ported to be wealthy visited the Heigh
ts he playing a d„ep game? I thought borhood, Major Singleton became de-
I caught him looking at me once or twice voted . Once or twice it seemed proba-
in a ^.?Vi tr ~ but bere * am 8UB P ec tmg ki e that devotion would be rewarded
everybody.
■BSh
VII.
—but nothing had ever resulted. The
gossips nodded and smiled sweetly, de
claring that the Major had not yet
“ found his rich girl,”
When any member of a community _
I thus subjected to surveillance, it is near
ly impossible for him to conceal his
movements or hide his intentions
I There are unprofessional detectives
the gossips.
The return of Mr. Henry Ludwell af
ter toil years’ absence and under such
peculiar circumstances, produced a nat
ural excitement in the Scarborough
neighborhood.
The provisions of Colonel Ludwell’s I much more accompiished than the "pro-
will had speedily been made known, fessionals” we read of in novels-the
and the great question which now agi- Paul Prys who are fondly devoted to as
tated the gossips was—would Miss Rose certaining every particular connected
Darrel marry her cousin? He was re- with the daily lives of their neighbors
ported to have declared that he would The Major had thus made himself the
urn avail himself of the provisions of most interesting topic of the moment,
the will, and should not annoy his young and the gossips speedily came to their
cousin with attentions which, under the conclnsions. These conclusions, which
circumstances, were sure to be attributed realty did seem plausible, were:
to mercenary motives. This was highly 1. Miss Rose Darrel and Mr. Henry
honorable, but then his views were apt Ludwell were not going to be married
to alter after further acquaintance with to each other.
the young lady, and the great desirabil 2, Mrs. Darrel, under Colonel Lud-
ltyof the Meadows was sure to gradually well’s will, would inhorit the Meadows
impress him. I ostate.
There was just suiBclent doubt in 3. Major Singleton had ascertained
reference to his intentions to render the that fact, and meant to propose to the
question piquant—end the gossips found fair widow to assist her in the manage-
in the discussion a delightful resource ment of her large property,
from 1 The only.douBt was as to the first of
conclusions—upon which indZZa
r rest depended. ee<1
i Liiv> a cot uepciiutsu, "
Would Mr. Henry Ludwell persist
to Rose ? Uti ° n UOt 10 Pay hi8 addre «8e8
The gossips shook their heads and
watched and listened more intently iU
ever. 3 luan
(to be continued.)
[The TJeSaussures commenced in K n u
Volume 2, end will run for several South, m?
Back numbers containing this thrillinJ
THE DeSAUSSUBES.'
A Historical Romance,
BY B. P. SAWYER.
CHAPTER XXIV.
“Well?” asked Mrs. Feaster as her
husband came in from his interview with
the queen.
“ She is willing and I am free to go ”
“ That is good; and, oh, I am so glad—
that I can look that scornful woman in
the face without fear of injuring you!"
cried the lady.
“ I should not look her in the face
Helen. I should go away without let
ting her know,” he answered.
“ I shall not seek to meet her, neither
shall I avoid her. Should we meet I
shall make her feel the difference be
tween a lady to the manner born and a
parvenue.”
“ That, I imagine, Helen, is the cause
of the antipathy between you now. She
perhaps remembers too vividly the cast I
off frocks,” he answered.
“ She makes an ungrateful return if |
she does,” she answered.
“It is an ungrateful remembrance.
Such remembrances always are,” he I
answered.
“Well; what is it Joe?” This to Joe,
who came in with a grin holding Miss j
Coleman’s little note in his hand as an ]
offering.
“ Dis note for Miss Fister!
“A note for Miss Feaster? Give it to I
e. Mary,” calling the daughter in
from the tangle of roses. “A note for|
you, darling.”
Miss Feaster read the note. “From!
Miss Coleman, she writes me to ride, f
Can I have Lily, papa?”
“ Certainly. I will catch her for you,’
and the father laying aside all authority!
ove* - the negroes went out to saddle the!
mare himself, while the daughter went!
up to her room to answer the friendlyl
note. . n1
“ Here, Joe, give this to Miss Cole-|
man. I will ride by for her.”
Joe hurried away, and the mother
turning to her daughter said:
“ Mary, do you know that we are going
to quit LaVergne ? ”
“ To remove, you mean, mamma?
“ Yes; we are going to our own little
home, near Aiken, and your father is i
free man.”
“ I am glad of it, mother. Oh,
glad l He is too good a man to have to
be held in subordination to—to—well to
any one.” , _
“Yes; I feel such a load taken fron
my life. I hope he will never tasej
charge of another plantation as long *
he lives.”
“ Oh, so do I, mamma, and there
no need for him to do it. I can ma«[
enough at teaching to keep you ana ni
from work the balance of your lives,
papa, I am so glad we are going away.
This as her father came up leading •
mare. •
“ Yes; make the most of your evenu
ride. It may, perhaps, be the last,
shall ask you for Lily, to-morrow, to r q
over to Aiken and see about the nous • i
“Yes; I will not ride tar, tong*
Thanks,” as her father lent his shoo
for her to mount. , a
With a light heart she cantered upH
the mansion, where Jake was va i
trying to saddle Azalia, the two
tresses looking on. . , ro3
“Oh,Miss Feaster, I ants' 8E* a j
have come. Azalia rebels and .
Jake and all his host. She baa (j. ,
frightened me out of my rule,
Miss Coleman, advancing and rea ri
up a friendly hand. “ Only look J
where she has kicked the satiate,
really thought that Jake’s head w
ingtoo!” ,
“ Dis hoss got sense—she know ^
who. Miss Fister can jis wntape [
to her an’ she’ll squat like a
seed her yisterday, w’en she c
home,” said Jake flatteringly* an
to be relieved of his troublesome u.
“Jake, try to coax the v,tl0 .°n 0 e<a
mlr fn flin afoHIo nnrl fffit OUt vii
back to the stable, and get - .
Drucie, y^u can ride Q ae £ n ’c* n |goi*
better manners,” said Mrs. DeSajJ*^
“ 8o-now, come filly. com , n’ofl
cope. So-so, you bomnible foo». ^
you cope? ” said Jake, trying ^
the mare back. But the m* re ”