The Carved Cupboard

epa

hich like a

o lean and

st on the l

st love, is

go on, go on.'

afterwards. Agatha and Elfie were busy putting some f

when she was seated, with some in

nts, my dears. A drawing-room ought to be for us

ave grouped together so harmoniously the daffodils and pr

de, whilst Agatha turned to the vicar. 'She went out this morn

ased to have any one from this house trespassing in his p

d at the sharp voice. 'I did not k

ife, and bringing a little son with him, a boy of four years. The old squire seemed to relent a little then, and was always having the child at the house. Mr. Tom, as we call him here, settled in this house, and was on friendly terms with his father till his death. Major Lester then took the property. He had an only son, too; and the boys, being of the same age, were much together; but their fathers would hardly speak to each other, and were angry at the friendship between the boys. I remember being at Major Lester's the very day of the sad event. I was calling on Mrs. Lester, and we heard a violent altercation going on in the hall between the brothers. Mr. Tom

leaf: "He will murder Roger! The dreadful man!" she exclai

em from each other. They have not been in this neighbourhood since; but last autumn news came that Roger had disappeared. Alick wrote, giving details:-"I think Roger was sent on some confidential errand by the farmer, for he had money with him, and they fear that he was robbed, perhaps murdered on the way." Mrs. Lester, who was never very strong, took to her bed, and died a fortnight after the news was brought to her. But before she died she emphatically declared that Mr. Tom and his son had decoyed Roger out of the country to make away

out himself,' said Agatha, feeling

onally, but won't put his foot inside our church; and he is no loss at all to the neighbourhood, for he lived the life of a recluse. I always look upon this house as an ill-omened place. I didn't tell you that the last vicar who lived here died of delirium tremens. He was a disgr

'and we have moved into it at the right time.

onversation, and gave the good vicar little chance of putting in a word, yet Agatha felt that they would be pleasant nei

nothing more to be said, and Mr. Tom i

g, and was delighted to hear of a seamstress who could come in and work by the day. Deb Howitt was sent for, and she prove

, 'my sister is the stay-at-home, and I bring her the news of the world as I pick it up when I'm out visitin'. It's surprisin' the stories of high and low life t

will you come to ab

ded her head with

ttle scoldin' and quarrellin'. I should say, taking the cluster of yo

gatha and Elfie are the peace-makers, Clare

er head, and wo

ce; and Clare wandering about the lanes and fields, doing little, and dreaming much. Then came Captain Knox's farewell visit, and it was a very short one. He appeared at seven

reeted him. 'How long have you?'

. I must catch the 8.30 train from Br

dy directly afterwards. She was in the mood that pleased her lover best: sweet and gentle,

s parting is going to be a long one. I can't bear this wind and rain to-night-it makes me feel as if something awful is coming; it was just the sa

though his face looked trouble

orward to six months hence, when I return, and then, Clare,

had more religion? I haven't enough of it to satisfy me, I think. Now Agatha trusts everything in her life to-to God, and is never worried or anxious. I can't do that, and oh, I'm

ent for a little, th

yourself. I think every woman is the better for being truly religious; but we men who knock about amongst all kinds of evil,

little sigh: '"Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him." It sounds so nice; but I

hall not forget to send you the translation of those charac

. 'It is too bad you are going away for so long, and y

poor Captain Knox, who was controlling his f

he world. She crept down the next morning with a white face to give him his early breakfast, and then drove to Brambleton station with

nd try to comfort her. 'I often marvel at Hugh's infatuation for her. I don't believe she knows what real love is. She is so taken up with her own feelings and moods, that she has

absence will prove to her how truly she

she buried herself in her book again, whilst Agatha went aw