SELF-RAISED; OK, FROM THE DEPTHS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXI, Issue 184, 6 August 1890, Page 6

SELF-RAISED; OK, FROM THE DEPTHS.

4 SEQUEL TO "ISHMAEL, Oil IN THE

I DEPTHS. J CHAPTER VII. SAT TANGLEWOOD. Arg not the forests, waves and skies, a part Of rr,e aud of my soul as I o.f thorn ? Is not tho lovo oE these deep in my heart WJth a pure passion 'I Should I not contemn AU objects, if compared with these ?,and atoui » A tJdo of suijerings, rathev than forego Such feelings for the hfird and worldly phlegm, Of Ihose whoso eyes are only turned below, i Gazing upon the ground, with thoughts that I dare nafcghnv? Byron. '! After breakfast Ishmael took hia hat, and, ih promising to return in the evening, set out ;!; for Tanglewood to spend the day and go to !; church with the judge. | ! How ho enjoyed fchab Sunday naornins ! walk through the depths of the forest I that lay between Woodside and TangleI wood! Hβ reached the house just as the judge jj had finished breakfast. Hβ was shown I Into the room while tho old man still ■ lingered va sheer liatlossness over his empty ]■ cup and : plate. |; * Eh, ishmael! is that you, tny boy? I Lord bless my soul, how glad lam to see I you ! Old Jacob was never so glad to sco !; Joseph as lam to see you !' waa tho groetI' ing-of tho judge, as ho started up, overjl turning his chair and seizing both his i! bands und shaking them vigor-

ously. ' And I am very glad indeed to sec you again, sir ! I hope yon have been well V said Ishmael, warmly, returning his greeting. • Well ? Hum, ha, how can I be well ? What is that the poet pays.*--"What stamps lha wrinkle deepest on the brow, It is to be aione as I am now !" _ I miss Claudia, Ishmael. I miss her sadly.

'Lady Vincenb will be with you noon, sir, 1 observed Ishmnei, in as steady a voice as he could command.

' Yes, »ho will come on the first of October and stop with mo for a month. So her letter of Wednesday, received yesterday, say.. And then I shall logo her ior ever 1' Complained the judge, with a deep sigh. • Ah, but you musb look on the bright side, sir! You aro independent- You have time and money at your own disposal, and no very strong ties* here. You can visit Lady Vincent aa often and stay with her S3 long aa you please,' smiled Ishmael, cheerfully. * Why, so I can ! I never thought of thab before ! I may certainly pass at least half my tima with my daughter if I plea.© !' exclaimed the old man, brightening up. . 'Are you going to church this morning, sir■?'. inquired Ishmael. 4 Jon are, of courss ?' said tho judge ; * for you take care never to miss morning service ! So I must go !' * Not on my account. I know the road, smiled Ishmael. 'Oh, in any caso I should go. I promised to go and dino at the parsonage, so as to attend afternoon service also. And when I mentioned to Mr Wynne that I was expecting you down, he requested me, if you arrived iv time, to bring you with me, as lie was desirous of forming your acquaintance. So you see, Ishmael, your fame is spreading.' „ .__ _, • I am very grateful to you and to Mr Wynne,'said Ishmael, as his heart suddenly thrilled to the msnapry was the name of the minister who had united his parents in their secret marriage. «Has Mr Wynne been long in this parish V he inquired. _•'.,. * Some three or four months, I believe. This is his native State, however. He used to be stationed at the Baymouth church, but lefts it, some yoars ago, to go as a missionary to Father ludia ; but as of late his health failed, he returned home, and accepted the call to take charge of this Ishmael looked wistfully in theface oi the judge, and said: 'It was very kind in Mr Wynne to think of inviting mo. Why do you suppose ho did it?' - "' Why, I really do suppose that the report of yoursplendid suceessesin Washingtonhas leached him, and be feels some curiosity to see a young man who in so shore a time has attained-so-iigh a position.' • No it is not that,' said Ishmael, with a genuine blush at this great praise; 'but do you really not know what it is V 'I do not, unless ib is' what I said,' replied the judge, raising his eyebrows. ' He married my parents, and baptized me; he ._nowp that I bear my mother's maiden name ;' and he was familiar with my early poverty-and struggles for life ;he leh the neighbourhood when I was about eight years old,' said Ishmael, in a low voice. , .. _ _ j The judge opened his eyes and dropped his head upon his chin for a few moments, and then said : ' Indeed ! Your father, when he told mo of his marriage with your mother, did not chanoe to mention the minister's name. Everything else, 1 believe, he candidly revealed to me, under the seal of confidence; this omission was accidental, and really unimportant. But how surprised Brudenell will bo to learn that his old friend aud confidant is stationed hero V

"* And now I can thoroughly understand the great interest Mr Wynne feels in you. Ib is nob every minister who is the confidant in -uch a domestic tragody as that of your poor mother was, Ishmael. It is nbt[ only .the>'icircumßtanceß of your birth that; infarct iiira in you so much, but those taken in connection with your recent success. I should advise you to moot Mr Wynne's advances.' «X shall gratefully do so, sir.' ' And now I really do suppose ib ia time to order -be carriage if we mean to go to to-day,' said tbe judgo, rising and touching the bell. Jim answered ib. ■_'___ 'Have the grey horses put to the barouche snd brought rbund. And put a case of the old port wine in the box. I intend to take it as a presenb to tho parson. I always consider port a parsonic wine, apd it really is in this case just the thing for an invalid,' said tho judge, turning to Ishmael as Jim left the room. In twenty minutes tbe carnage was ready, and tbey started for che church, which was some five miles distant, __ An hour's drive brought them to »t. , A picturesque scene that old St. Mary s Church presented. . It wae situated in a clearing of the forest bsaidethe turnpike road. Ibwas builtpf red brick.and boasted twelveGothio windows and a tall 'steeple. The churchyard was fenced in with a low briok wall, and had some interesting old tombstones, whoso dates were coeval with the first settlement of tbe State. .■''.. ... . Many carriages of every description, from the barouche of the gentleman to tho cart of the lahourer, were scattered about, drawn under the shade of the trees. And saddlehorses and donkeys were tied here and there. And groups of negroes, in their gay Sunday attire, stood gossiping among the trees. Some young men, as usual were loitering ab the church door. " Tho judge's carriage drew up under the shade of a forest tree, and the judge and

horses in the caro of the coachman, went into bile church.

The congregation-were already assembled, and soon after Judge Merlin and his guest took their seats, tho minister entered and took his place ab the reading-desk and tho services commenced.

Thero was little in this Sunday morning's service to distinguish ib from others of the same sorb. Tho minister was a good man and a plodding counbry parson. He read bhe morning prayers in a creditable but by no moans distinguished manner. And he preached n sermon, more remarkable for its practical bearing than for its eloquence or originality, his text being in these words : ' Faith without works is doad.'

Ab tho conclusion of the services, while bho congregation were leaving tho church, tho minister descended from his pulpit and advanced towards Judge Merlin, who was also hastening bo meet hia pastor. There was a shaking of hands. Judge Merlin, who was an eminently practical man in all matters bub one, complimented tho preacher on hia practical sermon.

And then, without waiting to hear Mr Wynne's disclaimer, he beckoned Ishmael to step forward, and the usual formula of introduction was performed.

'/Mr Wynne, permit mo—Mr Worth, Mr Worth," Mr Wynne !'

And then woro two simultaneous bows and more hand-shaking.

But both the judge and Ishmael nobiced the wisbful look wibh which the latter was regarded by bho minister.

'He is comparing likenesses,' thought the judge.

* tie is thinking of bho past and present,' thoughb Ishmael.

And both were right. Mr Wynne saw in Ishmael bhe likeness to both hia parents, and noted how happily Nature had distinguished him with the besb points of each. And he was wondering at tho miracle of seeing thab tho nilforsaken child, born to poverty, shame, and obscurity, was by the Lord's blessing on," hia own persevering efforts, certainly rising to wealth, honour and fame !

Mr Wynno renewed hia pressing invita tion to Judge Merlin and Mr Worth to ac company him homo to dinner.

And »8 they nccopted the minister's hospitality, the whole party moved off towards the parsonage, which" was situated in another clearing of the forest about a quarter of a milo behind the church. The parson was blessed with tho parson's luck of a family, consisting of a wife, so vend sisters and j-iiiters-in-law,and niceo*, and so many eons and daughters of all ages, froon ono month old to twenty years, that the judfje, after counting thirteen before ho caino to the end ot the list, guve up the job in despair. 'Notwithstanding, or perhaps because of this, tor * the moro, tho merrier,' you know, the family dinner p.tssed oi'r pleasantly. And after dinner they all returned to church to attend tlia afternoon service. And when that was ended, Judge Merlin and Ishmael took leave of tho parson ! and hia family and returned home. When thoy reached Tanglewood and alighted, the judge, who was first out, was accosted by his servant Jim, who spoke a few words in a low tone, which had tho I effect of hurrying , the judge-into the bouse. I I&hinael followed at his leisure. I Ho entered the drawing-room and was walking slowly and thoughtfully *up and down the room, when tho sound of voices in the adjoining library caught his ear and transfixed him to the spot. • Yes,papa, lam here,and alone ! strange as this may seom !' It was the voice of Claudia that spoke these words ! CHAPTER VIII. WHY CLAUDIA WAS ALONE. Be not amazed at life. 'Tie Btill The mode of God with His elect : Their hopes exactly to fulfil. In times and ways they least expect. Who marry thoy choose, and chooee Not as they ought, they mock the prieet, And leaving out obedience lcwo The finest flavour o£ tho feast. COVK.\TBY FATUOUS. Ishjiael stood transfixed to tho spot—for a moment —and then breaking the spell with which the sound of Claudia's voice had bound him, he passed into the hall, took h,is bat from the rack, and said to Jim, who was still in attendance there : 4 Give my respects to your master, and say that I have an engagement thie evening that oblieee me to withdraw. And give him my adieux.' ' But, Mr Ishmaol, sir, you will wait for tea. Lady Vincent .is here, sir. just arrived—' began Jim, with the affectionate freedom of a petted servant. Bub Ishmael had left the hall, to keep hia promise of spending the evening with Reuben and Hannah. Claudia, etanding by her father's side in the library, had also heard the sound of Isurflael'a voice, as bespoke, to the servant in the hall, and ehe suddenly ceased talking and looked as if turned to stone. ' Why, what is the matter, my dear ?' inquired tbe ju'dere, surprised at the panic into which she had .been cast. 'Papa, he here!' she said. •Who? , . • Ishmael !' •Ye«! Why? , . • Papa, make some excuse and get rid of him. I must not, cannot, will not meet him.now !' she exclaimed, in a half breathless voice of ill-suppressed excitement. Tbe judge looked at his daughter wistfully, painfully, for a moment, and then, as something like the truth in regard to Claudia's feelings broke upon him, he replied very gravely : _ . 'My dear, you need not meet him - ; and he has saved me -the embarrassment of eendine him away. He has gone, if I mistake not. , •If you •' mistake " not ! There must be no question of this, sir! See! and if. be has nob gone, tell him to go directly !' •Claudia I! , , ■ ' Oh, papa, I am nearly crazy ! Go ! The judge stepped out Into the hall, and made the necessary inquiries. And Jim gave Ishmaers message. i With this the judge returned to Claudia. * •He is gone. And now, my dear, I wish to know why it is that you are here alone ? I never in my life heard of such a thing ! ' Where is Vincent?' ' Papa, I am nearly fainting with fatigue. Will you ring for one of the women to show Ruth to my room ? I suppose I have my old one? , she eaid, throwing herself back in her chair. ~,;.. . , . * Wfay—no, my dear; I fancy I caw Kate and the maida decorating tho suite of rooma on, tbe opposite side of the hall on this floor, for you. I'll see, , ' Any where* anywhere -t " out of the world"' sighed Claudia, as tbe judge sharply rang the bell. Jim answered it. ' Tell Katie to show Lady Vincent's maid fco her ladyehip'a chamber,, and do you see the luggage taken there.' Jim bowed and burned to go. 'Stop, , said th© Judge, 'Claudia, my dear, what refreshment will you take before you go up ? "A glass of wine ? a cup of tea? , he inquired, looking anxiously upon the harassed countenance and languid figure of hie daughter. , . , • A cup of coffee, papa,, if they have any ready; if not, anything they can. bring quickest.' „■.,_. . • A cup of coffee for Lacly Vincent in one minute, ready dr. nob ready !' was the somewhab unreasonable command of the judge. Jim disappeared to deliver all his master s orders. •■'-•«.' •. And ib seemed that the coffee wae ready, for he almost immediately reappeared bearing a, tray with the service pranged

'Is ib sbrong, Jim ?' inquired Claudia, as she raised tho cup to her lips. 'Yes, mias — ma'am—my ladyship, I moan !' said poor Jim, who was excessively bothered by Claudia's new bible and the changes thab were rung upon it. The coli'ee must havo beon strong, to judge by its effects upon Claudia.

'Take it away,' she said, after having drunk two cupfuls. ' Papa, I feel bettor ; and while Ruth ia unpacking my clobhes, I may just as well sib hero and tell you why, if indeed I really know why, I am here alono. We were ab Niagara, where we had intended to remain throughout this month of September. All the world seemed to know where we where and how long we intended to stay ; for you are aware how absurdly we democratic and republican Americans worship rank and bible; and how certain our reporters would he to chronicle bhe movements of Lord and Lady Vincenb,' said Claudia, wibh bhat air of world-scorn and self-scorn in which ahe often indulged.

' Well, Lady Vincent cannot consistently find fault with that,' said tho judge, with a covert smile.

' Because Lady Vincenb shares the folly or has shared ib, ! said Claudia; ♦ but Lord Vincenb certainly did find fault with it ; greab fault, much 'greater fault than waa necessary, I thought, and grumbled incessantly at our custom, ol registering names at the hotels, and at " American snobbery and impertinence " generally.' 1 Bless his impudeuco ! Who sent for him ?' ' Papa, wo should? have quarrelled upon this subject in our honeymoon, if I had had respect enough for him to hold any controversy with him !' 1 Claudia 1' ' Well, I cannot help it, papa ! I must apeak oub somewhere and to some one ! Whore co well as here in the woods ! and to whom co well as bo you V 4 You havo nob yet told me why you are hero alone. And I assure you, Claudia, that the facb gives me uneasiness ; it id unusual! unprecedented !' 'I am tolling you, papa. One morning, while we were still at Niagara, I was sitting alone in our private parlour, whuu our mail was brousjhb in—yonr letter tor mo, and three lei-tars for " my lord." Of the lattor, the first boro the postmark of Ban If, the second that of Liverpool, and the third that of New York. They were all superscribed by tho same hand, a delicate female hand ; sill were ovidonUy from the same person. After turning them over and over in my hand, and in my mind, I came to the conclusion that the first dated was .writton to announce the writer as starting upon a journey ; tho second to announce tho embarkmonb at Liverpool ; arid the third, the arrival at New York ; and that these letters, though postod at different times and plucea, had by the irregularities of the ocean mails, happened to arrive all their final destination the same day. Lord Vincent has a mother and several sioters • yet I felt very euro that the letters never came from either of them ; because in fact 1 had seen the handwriting of each in their letters to him. While I was still wondering over these rather mysterious lotters, my lord lounged into the room. ' I handed him the letters, the Banff one being ontbe top. ' As soon as ho saw the handwriting he gave vent to various exclamations of annoyance, Buoh aa I had never heard from a gentleman, and scarcely over expected to. hear from a lord. "Bosh!" "Bother !" " Here's a go!" "Set fire to her," etc., being among the most harmless and refined. But pronantly he saw tho postmarks of Liverpool and Now York on tho other letters, and after tearing them opdn and devouring their contents he gave way to aftiry of passion that positively appalled me. Papa ! he cureed and swore like a pirate in a storm !' • At yout ' At me ? I think nob, , answered Claudia, haughtily ; ' but at some perapa or persons unknown. Howover, aa ho forgot himself so far as to give vent to his passion in my presence I got up, and retired to my chamber. Presently lie came in, gracefully apologised for his violence ; did not explain the cause of it, however ; bub requostod me to give orders for tho packing of our trunke, and be ready to leave for Now York in one hour.' • Did he give you no reason for hia euddon movement?' 'Not until I inquired; then he gave me the general, , convenient, unsatisfactory reason, "business." In an hour we were off to New York. Bub now, papa, comes the singular part of the aflair. When we reached tho city, instead of driving to one of the best hotels, as had always been his custom, he drove to quite en inforior place, and registered our names—" Captain and Mrs Jenkins," ' • What on earth did he do that for? , • How can I toll ? When I made tho same inquiry of him, he merely answered that he was tired of being trumpeted to the world by these "impertinent Yankee reporters !" Tho next day he lefb me alone in thut stupid place and wont out on his " business," whatever that was! And When he returnod in the evening he told me that the "business" was happily concluded, and that we mighb ac well go on ab once to Washington and Tanglewood, to pay our promised visit to you. 1 very readily acceded to that) proposition, for, papa, I was pining to see you !' ' My dear child !' said the judge, with emotion. 'So next morning we started for the Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington Station. Wβ were in good time, and were just comfortably seated in one of the best oars, when Lord Vincenb caught sight of some one on tho platform. And papa, with a muttered curse he started up and hurried from the car, throwing behind ito me the hasty words, Vl'll be back Boon." Five, ten, fifteen minutes passed and he did nob come ! And while I was still anxiously looking for him, the train started. It was the express and came all the way through ! And that is why myself and attendants are here alone.' • All this seems very ,strange, Claudia 1' said the judge, with a troubled countenance. 'Yes, very. , ' What do yo« make of it ? of course, you, knowing more of the circumstances, are bobber able to judge than I am. , ; , Tapa, I do not know 1' ' Who was it that he caught eight of on the platform ?' 'A tall, handsome, imperious-looking woman, between thirty and forty years of age, I Bhould say ; a sorb of Cleopatra; .very dark, very richly dressed. She was looking at him intently when he caught sight of her and rushed out as I said. , ' And you can make nothing of it?' 'Nothing! I do. nob know whether he missed the brain by design or accident; or whether he is ab this moment on board the cars steaming to Washington or on board one of the ocean packets steaming to Liverpool.' ' A bad, bad business, Claudia ! all this grieves me much ! You have been bub two months married and you return to me alone and your husband is among the missing ! a bad, bad business, Claudia 1' said the judge, very gravely. 1 Nob co bad as your words would seem to imply, papa. Ab least, I hope nob J I am inclined to think the detention was acoidental, and that Lord Vincent) will arrive by ihe boat, , sajd Claudia. ' Bub how coolly and dispaseionately you speak of an uncertainty that, would drive any other woman almoeb mad ! Ab this moment you do nob know whether you are abandoned or nob, and, to be candid with you, you do nofc aeem to care J , said the judge, austerely. • Papa, what I paid down my liberty for, this rank, I tnean, Iβ safe ! And so whether he goes or, Btays I »m Lady Vincent, and nothing but death can prevent my becoming Countess g't JfuretiaonceHX and a

peeress of England,' said Claudia, deiiaubly, as she arose and drew her shawl around her shoulders, and looked about herself.

' What is ib thab you want, my dear ?' inquired tho judge. ' Nobbing ! I was baking a view Of the old, familiar objects. How much has happened since I saw them last! Ib seems to me as if many years had passed sinco that time. Well, papa, I suppose Ruth has unpacked and pub away my clobhes by thi3 time, and so I will leave you for the present,' <J

And with a weary, listless air, Claudia left the room, and burned to go upstairs. ' Nob there! not there, my dear, I told you, The rooms on this floor havo been prepared for you,' said the judge, who had followed her to bhe door.

With a sigh Claudia turned and crossed the hall and entered the* parlour-chamber,' as the large bedroom adjoining the morning room was called.

Ruth was hanging the last dresses in the wardrobe, and Jim was shouldering the last empty trunk to take ib away. ' I have left out the silver grey glace, for you to wear this evening, if you please, my lady.' said Ruth, indicating the dress bhab lay upon the bed.

'That will do, Ilubh,' answered her mistress,, whose thoughts were not now on dresses, but on that time when Ishmael, for her/sake; lay wounded, bleeding and almost dying on that very bed. (To le Continued Next Wednesday.)