The Man with a Secret

om these scene

rcle next dem

kingdom where

ays with firm

ren clust'ring

leasure all hi

hearts upon h

ample to the

ks he knew every inch of the country for miles round, and was as well acquainted with the poorest cottagers as with the lords of the soil. Simple, large-minded gentleman that he was, he admirably suited his position in life, and if the rustics of Garsworth had not a sound belief in the tenets of the Church of England, it wa

disinterred from some ancient British tumulus. His present congregation consisted of Dick Pemberton, who was rather disposed to laugh at the important discovery, Reginald Blake, looking so

kin. This unhappy cognomen had been bestowed on the child by the nurse, in despair at being unable to master the legitimate names, and the vicar was so pleased with the oddity of the title that he there and then adopted it. Mrs. Lar

ng clothes, whilst she evinced a great contempt for poetry and such-like things. Mrs. Larcher, being an invalid, left the management of the house entirely to Pumpkin,

ways came back feeling weak and bad, to be strengthened with strong tea and hot muffins, after which she would bewail her delicate constitution in a subdued whimper. Her unknown malady was known to all as "The Affliction," that being a generic name for all kinds of diseases, and Mrs. Larcher herself alluded

rray of empty dishes, as the male portion of the vicarage inmates, with the exception of the poet, had large appetites. Dr. L

ons could do," he said grandiloquently, "and to my

rved the poet enthusiastically, "they

ly, "they wanted something to kn

it," remarked Pumpkin with a smil

ng gentleman, grimacing, "I'll

in his hand. "Such a discovery will be a distinct gain to our knowledge of the aborig

it of the age," cried Ferd

ronze, the a

Boadic

k. "I say old chap, you're cri

not plagiarised from Byron while Dick in reply mercilessly chaffed the unhappy poe

ed Pumpkin, seeing how quiet Bla

, "but I was wondering how

vicar, looking up. "I hope that strange doctor d

owards Dr. Larcher, "he said he was on a walki

car fr

think much of Beaumont, Blake, and if this Dr. Ne

ere, papa,"

e he left the parish, and even then his nature was not all that could be desired, but now his worst traits of character have become developed in the pernicious atmosphere of London life, and as I am the guardian of three youths whos

Nestley

n to judge of his character--but like draws to like and I fear--I fear sadly," finished Dr. Larcher shaking hi

timate friends," said Reggy tho

; however--non h?c jocos? conveniunt lyr?--you can go over t

ome little attention, whereupon Pumpkin left the room with alacrity in order to see what "The Affl

gravely, "I wish to speak t

hout saying a word, as he intui

er, "that I may be about to interfere in your affairs

o one has such a right to speak to me as you ha

anner and looked at the tall young

understand me clearly you must permit me to recapitulate as shortly as possible the story of your life

is seat and waited for the vicar to proceed, which tha

t to me by Patience Allerby, your nurse, who had just then returned from London, where she had been in service. She told me that you were the son of a poor literary man and his wife, whose servant she ha

er knew," interpose

he past, but now you are twenty-two years of age and I wish to make some arrangements about your future career--you will of course choose your own vocation in life--but meantime I wish you to ask Patience Allerby about your birth an

Patience and get her to tell me all she knows, but I'm afraid I can expect nothing from my parents, even though they are a

shly," said the vicar hast

replied Blake bitterly, "

ily--a secret

enty years," said Reggy quickly. "I'm afraid there is

icately refrained from saying anything. Going over to Blake he patted him gen

th the world before you, who knows but what you may achieve success, and then your unknown parents, if they live,

ustis anim

s app

rouble undaunted," said Blake rather sadly, "but if

les, my lad--see Patience first--if your thoughts prove true there will be time enough to lament

out towards him. "Whatever comes or goes I have at lea

y left the room, while the vicar, taking

Patience Allerby knows more than she tells, and I fear for the worst; however, Non si male n

self over the

hath been

ve had m

period, illustrated by the newly-found sword, with a certain old crony who always