Chatter I.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 8516, 9 November 1889, Page 6

Chatter I.

During a long course of provincial tours I came to the conclusion, many i yeara sin re, that cathedral towns are the most dull and lifeless places on the face of tlio earth, and the air of qiiaeigeutility which is assumed by thn better class o f inhabitants, together with their tea parties and the scandal talked thereat, grows very wearysorae to men of the world. Particularly " phariasical," too, in iheir observance of the Sunday, when each " fashionable 1 ' dame seeks to excel her neighbors in the gorgeousnesa of her Sabbath raiment-; but I fear there is more worldly jealousy than religious fervor in the bosoms o£ these edifiing church - goers. Rochester proved no exception to this rule, and Us belligerent bishop was despotic both in hia 6acredotal and private character, tolerating no laxity or indifference towards either himselt or his high office. His Christianity was of the muscular typo, obstinate and aggressive ; and hia opponent declared that Dr. Winthrop had been made Bishop of Booheßter in order if possible, to silence his bellicose outpourings, oral and literary, directed against certaiu weaknesses of "the powers that be." Mrs. 'Winthrop was a puny, frail woman, possessing neither will nor individuality. In the days when he was a struggliug cleric ho had scarcely deigned to consult her wishes oven on household affairs, and when he reached episcopal rai.k no more was this meek wife accounted as of importance in his eocial or domestic relations. But he loved their only daughter with an aftection surprising in one of so uncongenial a nnturo. She waa a blight, fair-haired girl, juet blossoming into womanhood, and his Lordship of Rochester thought nothing too precious or gond for Uis cherished child. Dr. Winthrop was fond of music ; so was his daughter, and to hear her lovely voice in the cathedral choir made tha proud prelate thrill with emotion. Conßtance and her musical talent touched the only weak spet in. the bishop's nature, and under his regime the arts at music and sinking were a prominent feature in Rochester society. The most difficult works of the great masters were frequently performed, and the fact that Dr. Winthrop bott aided in and patronised their production bespokes a certainty of success, Tlio leadiog t6nor parts were sunfl; by Bsory Sberatone, agood-louking young fellow, ab"Ut twenty-years old, who was a " teller" in the principal bank of the city, and possessed a singularly sweet ond powerful voicn. Many' ao invitation to private conearts and musicai parties vras refused by young Sherstone, and people called him self-conceited in consequence, pariiculajly as it was I known he attended all gatherings at the ' episcopal palace; though, when questioned as to the cause of his absence from other entertainments, he generally sought refuge in the excuse of not feeling weif. This statement did not most with much credence, and, as I have said, the young bank-clerk was cited as a sad example of vanity end self-esteem. When, however, he did concont to sing, all was forgotten and forgiven in the pleasure of listening to his powerful and sympathetic voice. The real cause of Henry Sherstone's refusal of the courtesies extended to him was simply b^slifulness ; instead of I bein<£ vain, ho was retiring and shy, possessing little confidence in himself, and it required a great effort on hie part to screw up his moral courage to the point of appearing in society. This weakness he scarcely ever confessed ; s but Constance Winthrop had seen through and understoad his nature, v liking him the better for what her father styled hia '' humility,'" though whenever ' the young clerk happened to meet the bishop's daughter he only lifted his hat, and quickly turned away ; and in the [ choir he remained apart from her, unless their musical duties brought them to- : I gether. He was advised to study vocal music under a first-rate maestro ', and this ho did as far as hia duties in the 1 bank u ou'd permit him. . . , and hia fam-.' .".9 a singer soou extended ' beyond local circles. He began now to ' acquire that confidence in himself which ! had previously been wanting, that nervous solf-reliance which marks every man who knows he can be " equal to the occasion."

Dr. Wintbrop was anything but pleased at the young bank-clerk's advance in lyric fame. As long as his fine teuor voice was at the bishop's disposal, to be used for the purpose of adding to his Lordßhip's honor and glory, well and eood ; but anything outside this he declined to tolerate. So it came to pass that young Sherstone's magnificent voice was seldom beard in the cathedral or at the palace, and the bishop would remark to his friends with pompous solemnity, " I hare grave doubts of that young man Sheratone ; I fear he is driftiDg into evil courses." And presently a new tenor filled the place of tie bank-teller in those musical pertormauces patronised by the bishop. He was a young man whose indifferent voice and overweening self-conceit made him the very opposite of Henry Sherstone, but he was destined for the church, and was therefore especially welcome to Dr. Winthrop.

Constance Winthrop thought often and sadly of Henry Sherstoue and his exquisite voice, and many a night did ahe dream of the duets they used to sing toge'.hc-r, waking to regret that she might hear tboso notes no more. Of late when she had met Kenry she noticed that he seemed more master o£ himself than in former times, passing her with a courteous raising of his hat, yet with an erect self-posseasiou which had^previoiislj been wanting.

It happened one morning towards the end of summer that Henry Sherstone, feeling tired and overworkod, sought a few hours' leave of absence ; and, obtaining a brief reppite from work, went for a short ramblo into the country. Kent, England's finest country, was locking its very be9t, the hops were glorious in (heir wealth of blossoms, the Medway lay calm in the noonday sun, and the great cathedral's proportions dwarfed all that lay within its shadow. Listlessly wandering, Henry found at length a shaded nook, where, casting himself, down utfoii the verdant swaid, he Eought repose in the pleasures of thought and memory. At length, taking the MS. of a new song from his pocket, he commenced singing the opening lines to himself in a low tune. " Mr Shcrstone," said Dr. Winthrop's daughter, suddenly advancing from the shade of some neighboring trees, "your voice baa attracted mn hither. How greiitly it has improved ! " "Miss Winthrop," ho exclaimed, anBovering, ond rising b&stily, "this is indeed an unexpected honor ! " " Honor, Mr Sherstono ? " * "Yes, you sre Dr. Wintbrop's daughter."

"And you, Mr SherMonc, are jossc-ißcil of most uncommon gifts." _ "To bo a wretched bank-clerk is indued an uncommon gift ! " he echoed with a deep melancholy Bfttiro that went • o li. r heart.

"But," she said, " there ia a bright future opening before you, lam certain you will make a name." "What's in a name?" he replied liH(rly. "My father won a name in >Ik> M-rvice of his country; and I, the son of Colonel Sherstone, dead three yenr* ngo, am left a drudge in a public bank." , c " You never thought enough of yourself," she observed soothingly. " Ah, Mias Winthrop ! It is because I have thought so much of myself that I feel so unhappy ; but I am soon going away, where I shall try to forget. "What?" she interrupted. iou are going away P " . "Yes, I shall soon leave this place never to return, unless relieved this load of iusupportable misery. "Oh, don't go!" escaped involuntarily from her lips ; then she looked on the ground, blushing painfully. He grew very pale, but continued : " Miss Winthrop, I am going abroad this month. I 'believe in what you siy that I Bhall make a name ; but never can I forget what I have gone through. He pauaed, but she remained silent, and he resumed : "I am not of those who cease to remember ; and I can ne^er forget your kind notice of me in tbo past. Tl.e world esteemed me frivolous and vain ; I was not so, but I shrank into myself because of my position. This period of my life will soon come to an end. ufiue others slighted, you alone, Mies \\ inthrop. seemed to pity and understand me, and I tlmnk you for your gracious toleration of the poor bank olerk." "Mr Sherstone, you wrong me by using the word toleration. I havo a deeD eßteem for you." ""Mias Winthrop," ho said earnostly, "do not speak so kindly to me. I fear lest I forget that you are " " What I ever shall ba," she said haitily, " jour sincere friend." " Oh, forgive me ! "he cried suddenly ; " but it Is you— you who are the cauae of my misery." _ "I! " fihe echoed in surprise. Why am I the cause ? " „ "Because I had dared to love you, he answered. " But forgive my temerity and presumption .; it is all I ask. Forgive me." "What is this I hear, unhallowed scoundrel?" thundered the Bishop's voice, as striding suddenly forward he stood between them. " Away with you, presnmptuoua rascal, before 1 punish your impertinence aa it deserves ! " " Oh, father, father," she entreated, "do not apeak so ! Do not be an^ry ! Eemember that he and I have known each other ajrnnst from childhood." ffenry Sherstone Btood proudly erect, and looked the fci-hop full in the oyen. "Of cou&g, my &ord," he said firmly, "you consider me dsserving of your wrath ; but, recollect, I »«■ '" sen'l"-

man's son." . " How dare you bandy words with me; sir?" roared the enraged prelate. " But I shnll pot condescend to argue with yon. Fortunate!? for you, you aro leaving the plac-. Had it been otherwise, you should have been turned

away." " It is ungenerous cf your lordship thus to assail my weakness," said Henry gfaerctone sadly. "Yet, never mind. Farewell, Miss Winlhrop ? " and raising bis hat, the bsnfc chfk walked onwards. But he cast an o#onise,i tiockw&rd glance at the girl, which nerved he;. 1 to desperation ; and springing after him ere' tier father could detain her, Biie caught his, laaad, pnd, looking earnestly into his face, said : "Henry, wherever you ratty go, always Jferaember Constance Winthftsp." " Great Zjeavens ! " shouted the

blahop. " Yes, father, before lie leaves this tor ever, I tell you, I love Herry Gher, stone!"