Julia And Her Romeo: A Chronicle Of Castle Barfield / From Schwartz" by David Christie Murray"

ory where, here and there, a star was faintly visible. A light wind was blowing from the hollow which sheltered the town towards the higher land whereon the

wer ground, seemed to bind the two houses together. Some such fancy might have been in the head of Mrs. Jenny Rusker, as she went in the warm evening air towards the little emin

to Dick Reddy the story of Romeo and Juliet. Fifteen years was a good slice out of a lifetime, even in Castle Bar

t the slow heavy flap of a late crow, winging his reluctant flight homewards, and save for him, sky and earth alike seemed empty of life, and delivered wholly to the clinging peace of evening. So that when Mrs. Jenn

ure's owner. 'Don't yo

is. You welly frightened the life out o' me. W

ow, an admirable fulfilment of the physical promise of his boyhoo

e old woman. 'You was a

some time, Aunt Jenny. I lea

hy, Dick, wheer are ye goin'? You ain't a

st see Julia before I go. You must help me.

for the last words after that announcement. 'What's mad

e fellow, and it has always been understood. Last month he asked me if I was of the same mind still, and to-day he told me that my seat is taken in the coach from Birmingham. You know my father, Aunt Jenny, as well

coffin than married to any kin of Abel Reddy's. Though he loves her, too, in a kind o' way. An' your f

t, and you must help me. Tell her that I am here and must see her. Oh, Aunt

I'm dub'ous. I'm doubtful if I did right in helping y

oung man. 'Why, it was at your house that I used to meet her, when we

y dear. I wish I hadn'

' more woe, Than this o'

'But you will tell Julia that I am here, won

ive Ash. Mr. Mountain's gone to Burmungem, an' he'll come across this way

y good to me always, and I shan't forget your kindness while I'm away

semi-maternal authority compelled her to make. She was wholly given over to Dick and Julia, and all her simple craft was for th

sitting-room, and gave her tear-stained cheek to her old friend's embrace. Julia, a lithe, gracefu

e elder woman. 'What is it, my dea

othing her dress, as if her grief was done with and put aw

aughter exch

in; 'an' you might tell me what it is afore you say that, Mr

he Five Ash.' Julia's hand was on her shoulder as she spoke, and she felt the s

n as her marries into, I niver found much harm in 'em, unless it is as they're a bit stuck up. I know as you was allays fond on him, an' I hope the young man 'll do well. I've often said to Sams

where to seek her lover. She found her hat in the hall, and slipped out by the back way, after directing the servant to take in the required refreshment to Mrs. Busker. It was bri

ck, is

her before he answered. 'Yes, dea

o suddenly

o fit myself to take my place in the world, and to find a

all so

o, but what can I do? You know the man he is. And there is only one thing in the world that your father would help him to do-to separate us. I must go away and make a home for you with my own hands; we can

my father's leave to court me, as other girls' sweethearts do, and as you would like to do? I can't help feeling th

. I hope we shall bring it to an end, and teach two honest men

partial separation-so little-and he would have a livelihood in his hand, and could offer her a safe asylum from parental tyranny, and bid his own people either to accept the situation or renounce him, as they might choose. He was quite heroic internally about the whole business. He felt the promise of the coming struggle brace his ne

the rooted longing for assuranc

rget me, Dick

t girl that ever drew the breath of life, the prettiest and the bravest? She spoke treason against herself in asking such a question. He could no more forget her in London than Romeo, Juliet in Mantua.

id Dick. 'And you may be sure that I shall find-or make-plenty of opportunitie

lustrous overhead, and a yellow moonlight flooded the surrounding country. A long distance off, faint but clear

te, and they will wonder where I am No,

esses. The hoof-beats were near at hand now, just beyond the bend of the road. They rounded the corner, and broke on the lovers' ears with a loud and startling suddenness. The girl broke away, and ran t

reined in. The young man looked up and recognised Samson Mountain. Flight would have b

d curtly, and s

is heavy whip after the white figure glinting across the

Dick quietly. His calm almo

his wrath at this confirmation of his half guess stirred him so, that before the sound of the word had well d

mething in his tone which brought the weapon harmlessly to the farmer's side agai

ly half saved himself, his hat spun into the road, and the whip whistled within an inch of his ear. He made a step back, and s

's choking breath filled in the pause, and Dick went on: 'You know

like all your trib

st families keep up this ridiculous story, which ought to have been buried ages back? Why not let bygones be bygones? I love your daughter. I am a young man yet, sir, with my way to make in the world, and I am going

eak now. We love each ot

ather see her a-layin' theer '(he pointed with a trembling hand at the ground between them); 'I'd rather lay her there, dead afore my eyes, an' screw her in her coffin a'terwards, than you or any o' your kin should as much as look at her, wi' my goodwill. And now you've got your answer, Mr.

his own reflections. He took the beast to the stable, delivered him into the care of a servant,

to draw an additional chair to the table. 'Wilt ha

er, either to this or t

round the room. She had never seen such an expression on her husband's face be

d glance round the room, Mrs. Busker's heart jumped,

untain. 'Her's about

t to the door of the sitting-room and screamed 'Julia!' A servant girl came running d

irmatory nod from Mrs. Mountain, went upstairs again. Samson took a chair and sat with

ngly, 'don't skeer a body i' th

were traces of tears on her cheeks, and Samson, as he glanced at her askance from under his heavy eyebrows before he rose, saw that she wa

e me, father,' sh

nt fo

tiable excitement, if anybody ha

ow. I met ode Raybould today i' th' Exchange, an' he tode me some'at as

schoolfellow and chosen chum of her brother's. He had shown unmistakable signs of affection for her, but had never spoken. He was a good fell

a likely lad, an' he'll have all the Bush Farm when his father goes, as must be afore long, i' the course o' nature. The two farms

ing cruelly, in spite of the

said. 'You d

hat I say, my wench. I should ha' thou

lia, but for her mother'

ebellion. 'Oh, it's like a man, the stupid hulkin' creeturs as they

avy and threatening tranquillity he had borne

d filled and lit his churchwarden, and sta