Papurau Newydd Cymru

Chwiliwch 15 miliwn o erthyglau papurau newydd Cymru

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10 erthygl ar y dudalen hon

[ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.] THE…

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[ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.] THE DARK HOUSE BY THE POND. BY C. J. HAMILTON, Author of "A Poisoned Life," "Cut to the Heart," II A Flash of Youth," &:c. dsc. CHAPTER XXIII. THIS MANUSCRIPT AGAIN FIVE years have passed away since the last tragedy at the house by the pond. Reginald and I are husband and wife-quite staid married people, with two bonny children growing up at our knees. On a lovely fine afternoon, we were all assembled on the Vicarage lawn. It was the first day that we had had tea out of doors that year. I was in the place of honour in a low wicker chair, under the giant horse-chestnut tree, that spreads its liuge branches round like a tent. My hwsband says that I look just as young as I did on that memorable evening, When I walked from Llanfairfechan Station to Caer Newydd. I don't know how that can be, but I am sure that I feel quite as young, or even younger, for happiness, such as has fallen to my lot, renews youth, and makes life a joy too deep and full for ex- pression. Reginald is a shade more portly and dignified, certainly more benignant than he used to be in his bachelor days. He can never be accused now of being a woman- hater, it is quite the other way and as this transformation is principally due to me, I am, of course, rather proud of it. Our boy, Sydney, is playing on the grass with Bruno, now grown old and grey, while little Ina, a Iblonde lassie of three, is making a daisy- chain beside Aunt Sabina's chair. We call her Aunt Sabina." She likes it, and it seems to draw us closer together. Ever since our marriage, she has made her home with us. Her illusions have all vanished, and except with regard to the past—which is better forgotten—her mind is jaovvasclear as it ever was. No one who looks at her sad, sweet face, and at the pathetic ex- pression in her dark eyes, can fail to see that she has had a melancholy romance in her life; but the cleansing fires of sorrow have burnt out, and have left nothing but purity and peace behind them. She is devoted to her namesake and god-daughter, our fair- haired Ina, who seldom leaves her alone. Prominent amongst the group under the chestnut tree, was the tall figure of Mrs. Walton. She has lost none of her energy, and is as intent on parish work as ever. "I really can't wait for another cup It tea," she cried. I have a choir practice at five, and it is ten minutes to the hour now. 5 am training our girls to sing a few glees for the school treat next week. Your sister will be down for it, Margaret, and I want to Show her what we can do." "But you have had so many practices latelv." "Not half enough. The girls never will make a good start unless I lead them and then I have to give a lesson on the har- monium to that poor girl, Alice Wells. She is getting on quite nicely, and in another year, she will be able to get a situation as organist in a country church. Oh there is always plenty to be done, if one looks about for work." As she hurried off, Reginald said "What would our dear Mrs. Walton do without choir practices? They are the very breath of her nostrils. I am afraid I have not half her energy. I ought to go in and write a sermon, but I feel very much more inclined to sit here, look up at the blue sky and now and then, take an admiring glance at ray wife." "You ought to be tired of that amuse- ment I answered, laughing. Not a bit. Well, Syd," as our boy came Came up with a face full of importance, "what is the matter now? Those round blue eyes of yours look as if you had a burden on your small mind. Out with it, my son, we have no secrets here I've got a thing to say," said Syd, I There's a box on the top shelf of the study, on the very, very tip top of the big book- case," putting his finger emphatically on his father's knee. Yes, you are right. I have. What then ? I want to see what's inside, that's all! 11 -1 see. Curiosity is not confined to the daughters of Eve, it seems, eh, Margaret?" 1 wonder," continued Syd, with an air of mystery, "if there's a shelington inside that Jbox ? "A skeleton, you mean "Yes, a skelington, with bones. That's what I want to see." "There certainly is not the sort of skeleton you think there is." "Let me look at it, father, do let me I You've nothing to do. You've visited all the people, and said all the prayers, and now, I want to see that box." "Of all the sharp-witted, troublesome, curious little urchins in the world, this child, certainly is the chief," said Reginald, lifting him up in his arms and perching him on his shoulder. "However, I suppose he must have his way, only for this once, mind that box is not to be made a public exhibition." I Father and son disappeared amongst the trees, and a few minutes afterwards, Sabina Went to her house with little Ina trotting beside her. I was gla.d she had gone. I 'knew what was in that box, and I dreaded that anything would revive the recollections at might bring with it. "We've got it, mother, we've got it!" ried Syd, as he ran on before his father, who Was carrying the mysterious box, and now Well have to open it. My how funny it looks. Was it ever buried ? "Yes!" said Reginald, exchanging an amused glance with me. "It was buried once. Your mother buried it." "Mother! Did you?" Yes. But not very well. It was dug up again." "Oh! I do want to see what's inside, awfully. Do be quick and open it. Have iyou got the key, father ? "I have a key that will do. Now, Srd, prepare. You are going to see what's inside this wonderful box. It's something like SPandora's box." What kind was that ? It contained all the ills in the world, and When it was opened, they all jumped out. ijiow for it I" .) i The lid turned and Syd gazed with all his eyes. "Oh! father, you're only joking. There's nothing inside but a great lot of p.-ip<M- with Writing on it. There isn't any skelinicton at all." "I never said there was. But it is, or father was, a sort of skeleton to one person in the world, wasn't it, Margaret?" "Yes," as I glanced at the yellowing ipaper I of "Which shall it lie, or the Earr's Bride." I remembered Mrs. Monl.»ubon's nervous terror at the sight of it. Tlio first lpages were soiled and creased tii.-ii, wits where it had been grasped in Colonel Mon- J tiaubon's dead hand. ) fancied I could even Snow see the marks of fingers. "It seems to me as if it were itliv( I said, shrinking back. "Why, mother, it is nothing, nothing at aU!" "Yes, Syd," said Reginald, "it is some- thing, my son. Only for that lot of pap<.t- With writing on it," as you call it, you might OOt be here at all." "Why? How?" asked the boy, with wide open eyes. "Only for it, I might never have seen your mother, and if I had not seen her, I should have been living on in this big house, 0,11 by myself, with dust on tfoe teocf-shejves and papers of tobacco on the chairs. I am very much indebted to that manuscript." "What's a, manuscript, father?" "It's something that tells one person's thoughts to another." "But no one knows about this 'cos it's always locked up in a box." "Never mind. Few books have had such a history as this lot of paper with writing on IL. One person's death was hastened by it and this brought on the; death of another." But there isn't any blood on it," said Syd, "not a drop." "No. There are a great many important things in the worfd that have no blood on them. Now we will take the box back again and put it where it was before." And never, never open it again ? asked Sydney as the key turned in the lock. I don't say that." After the box had been replaced, we strolled along towards Caer Newydd, just we two together. The sight of the manuscript had brought back so many recollections, that I had a strange desire to look at the old house again. It was now condemned to be pulled down, the poplar trees were being felled, the pond was filled in, everything was changed. As I looked up at the windows, it seemed to me as if I saw Mrs. Montaubon's pale face and furtive eyes gazing down at me—as if I saw her hands nervously twisting and un- twisting as they used to do. And her voice wailed out as I had once heard it: "No one has any pity on me-no one We turned away silently in the hush of the summer evening, and went back to the lights of home, to the glad music of children's voices, and to the sweet peace that leaves no bitterness behind it, for God has given it His blessing. THE END.

SIX DROWNED. I

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---I WAR INQUIRY. I

NURSE'S ROMANCE.

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! FOB, THE LITTLE FOLKS.

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I WOMAN'S WORLD.I

--w I HOME HINTS.