THE MAN IN POSSESSION.

Observer, Volume 6, Issue 152, 11 August 1883, Page 10

THE MAN IN POSSESSION.

V" ■■;■■- . A'fHRIIj^ING STOET. £. „;:.' (Continued.) It a lucky hit our. turning off from the high-road, for the landlady proved to have been an. attached servant of Miss Wintock'e parents, ■wKo hack lived with them first when quite a girl, had grdwn to womanhood in their service, and afterwards married a comfortable though not very intellectual partner. The numerous kindnesses she had received from her dear young mistress, as she still fondly termed her, aud whose special attendant she had been, now bore grateful fruit ; and she was most assiduous in her kind attentions to us both, though it was evident that her curiosity was excited to the highest pitch by Miss Wintock's sudden appearance at such a time, in such company as mine, and above all in such strange attire. 11 Ye're safe housed for the rest o' this night, miss, at least," said our host, as, poising his-glass to drink the young lady's very good health, he glanced up at the old-fashioned blunderbuss suspended over the mantelpiece, and to which was appended acard with " Loaded " inscribed upon it in legible characters. " I sh'ud like to see any little half-dozen on 'em try to git you out o' Bob Simpson's house ! I'd make 'em— l'd make 'cm — " But here the action of his bram did not keep pace with the warmth of his feelings, and he was at a loss for a simile. "Ah !" he blurted out at last, " I'd make every one on 'em grin like a monkey with his head on a choppiu' block." " Bravo ! my worthy friend ; you're a Briton to the bone," Ireplied, grasping his hand. " Once safe in London, we do not fear. It is the getting there. I don't think it likely we shall be traced till daylight. Then no doubt the Wintocks will be on the alert, and scour the neighbourhood far and near. A thousand unlucky chances may happen to bring us together ; or they may even now hare procured fresh horses and proceeded to Raleigh, and intercept us when we arrive in the morning, as we enter the suburbs." " Now, listen to me a minute, Bob," interrupted his better half. "It is only five miles across country by the by roads to Slowham Station. [This I did not previously know.] The train passes through on its way to London about eight in the morning. I will lend Miss Wmtock another dress and a bonnet and cloak. Tou let Mr Meredith, have your loose greatcoat, and the broadbrimmed low-crowned hat you drive to market in. Itis too large, for him ; but we can easily pad it. ; Ralph Bhall drive the pony and cart over with them the. first thing in the morning, so as to be in good timeT' He needs to know nothing. As soon as' they, are fairly on the road, let Ben 6tart with the mare and gig for Briteleigh Hall. It won't dtp for them to be found on our premises ; that might get us into an awkward mess. Should he meet any o? the; Wintpcks' people on the road, he can speak the truth, and say that a lady and gentleman left them here to-night, desiring them to be sent back in morning. - And if not, let him drive them on to tEe Hall, and leave them in the yard witli the same message. To-morrow being market-day, he is sure to get a lift part of the way back at any rate." Shortly after getting our plan of action, we retired to our several rooms, but only for a short space, for we svere astir again before daylight. Bob and his spouse insisted upon giving up their bed to Miss Wintock ; whilst I lay down in a spare one. Punctual to the minute agreed upon, Ralph was at the door with the pony and cart ; and we took a grateful and affectionate leave of our host and hostess. We reached Slowham just in time to catch the train, and by noon we were safe within the precincts of the Metropolis. Once safe in London, I speedily sought out and engaged a temporary lodging for Miss Wintock. Next I proceeded to wait upon my chief, to whom I rendered a faithful account of what had transpired ; and who, far from blaming me, was pleased to commend my conduct highly. I knew the solictor who always transacted his law business. "^Do you think, sir," I asked respectfully, '■" that I had better go to Mr Wrightly, or can you advise me of anyone better ?" " Wait on old Wrightly ao once," was his reply, highly pleased at my asking his counsel. "He is as sharp as a ferret aud as persistent as a leech." Jumping into the first cab I met, another halfhour saw me in Mr Wrightly's office. I need not detail the steps which eventually led to the recovery of the greater part of Miss Wintock's property. Sufficient to state that the astute old lawyer at once undertook her case, conducting it with a perseverance and skill seldom surpassed ; and that also, while matters were in progress, he very kindly and thoughtfully provided her with a safe retreat, by receiving her into his house and family. At first, the Wintocks threatened proceedings against me on account of the mare and gig ; but these tbey'were soon glad to forego, for the. shrewd old practitioner at once coaime'Rced the battle, and they had much more, important interests to engage their attention. It was, however, about two years before things were finally settled. During the early part of that time, I called once or twice, at her own request, to see Miss Wintock, and she had by degrees drawn from me much of my past history. Long before the expiration of the two years alluded to I had, however, bidden farewell to my occupation as a bailiff, for one morning my chief called me aside. " Meredith," said he, " here is a noto from Mr Wrightly, requesting me to send you to him immediately." " G-ood morning, Mr Meredith;" -said the latter, as I entered the little privateigoom at his chambers in which he usually aaL tojUfcige clients. " Take a chair. I want a word^BHk with you. I have been given to undersiH^Bat you were formerly employee? in the law^^^^Bfio ?" I began^^^Lsh and stammer, for I could nod--"for the life^jH^ guess what was coining. M Ah, we^^^Bl see ; committed yourself. Never mind. like your present vocation, Not paw^Karly enthusiastic in it," he "ieontinued, in his^^rp, shrewd way of speaking. ■" Very good.* <*l»f it!" I bowed, for I hapWifcerally nothing to reply. " Now, young man," and he fixed his keen gray •eyes searchingly upon me, " I can perfecSjarcom-

prehend a hot-brained in>xp6rlenced youth sowing his wild-oats, attd afterwards reaping the bitter crop, too often throughout his after life. But your conduct in Warley'a affair has given me a favourable impression of your character and disposition ; and I am induced to hope .that with the energy you evidently possess, you may yet accomplish better things. Stay !" he said, raising his hand, seeing that I was about to answer. "Hear me out. I conclude, from the few scraps of your history which I have heard, that you have received a genteel education. Indeed, your manners -indicate that youhave not always occupied your present position in society. Had you the opportunity of regaining your former status among your fellow-men— on your honour as a man, would you do your best to retain it ?" His words fell upon my ears clear, cold, and calm, yet melodious as the ring of a silver bell. I sprang to my feet. The gorgeous sunshine was gleaming with golden rays through the narrow window of that little room, tinting with hues of gladness even the piles of musty deeds that lay ranged upon its shelves. I felt its loving warmth strike to my inmost heart, as I stood erect before him with quivering lip, vainly struggling to force out the glad words of thanks that would not come, for my emotion was too deep for utterance. Could it really be that there was yet one more chance for me of hope in life ? for my present existence, passed in a low and degrading occupation, that I thoroughly hated, could .not be termed living. How my heart bounded within me as I left Mr Wrightly's presence ! I could not resist the conclusion that Miss Wintock's representations had influenced him. Doubtless, she wished to repay me in some way for my services. What nobler offering could she present me than the opportunity of redeeming myself, and regaining my former social status. *" And John Meredith will prove himself not unworthy of her kindness !" I exclaimed, as I throw myself upon my couch for the night, to dream of the past, present, and improbable future, mingled in inextricable confusion ; for amid the tempest of conflicting emotions, a second hope had flashed momentarily, like a brilliant meteor, upon my unhinged mind. I dared not breathe it even to myself, far less encourage it. Vainly I tried to banish the remembrance of Miss Wintock from my senses. Mr Wrightly's residence was some distance from his chambers. Sometimes I had to wait upon him there, and occasionally saw her for an instant. Her kindly grasp of the hand, with occasionally a few words of friendly interest, had served to feed and fan the flame that was smouldering in my breast ; and yet I felt that my case was utterly hopeless, because of the gap between our relative social positions.