A CONDENSED NOVEL.

Auckland Star, Volume II, Issue 503, 21 August 1871, Page 2

A CONDENSED NOVEL.

By Beet Haete,

Br Mb. Benjamins.

LOT H A W

OE, THE ADVENTURFS OE A YOTTNG GENTXEMAN

IN SEARCH OE A RELIGION,

Chaptee VI

As Lothaw drove towards his countryseat, " The Mural Enclosure," he observed a crowd, apparently of the working class, gathered around a singular-looking man in the picturesque garb of an Ethopian seranader. " Whatdoeshesay ?" inquired Lothaw of his driver.

Tbe man touched his hat respectfully and said, " My Mary Ann." ; "♦'My Mary Ann!'" Lothaw's heart beat rapidly. Who was the mysterious foreigner? He had heard from Lady Coriander of a certain Popish plot; but could he connect Mr. Camperdown with it P

The spectacle of 200 men-at-arms who advanced to meet him at the gate of The Mural Enclosure drove all else from the still youthful and impressible; mind jof Lothaw. Immediately behind them, ion the steps of the baronial halls, were ranged his retainers, led by the chief cook and bottle-washer, and hfead crumb-remover. On either side were companies of laundry maids, preceded by the chief crimper and fluter, supporting a long ancestral line, on which depended the family liven, and under which the youthful lord of the manor passed into the halls of his fathers.. Twenty-four scullions carried the massive gold and silver plate of the family on their shoulders, and deposited it at the feet of their master. The spoons were then solemnly counted by the steward, and the perfect ceremony ended.

Lothaw sighetf. He sought out the gorgeously gilted" Taj," or seornd mausoleum erected to his grandfather in the second story front room, and wept over the man he did not know. He wandered alone in his magnificent park, and then, throwing himself on a grassy bank, pondered on the Great First Cause, and the necessity of religion. "I will send Mary Ann a handsome present," said Lothaw thoughtfully

Chapter VII. " Each of these pearls, my lord, is worth 50,000 guineas, said Mr. Amethyst, the fashionable jeweller, as he lightly lifted a large shovelful from a convenient bin behind his counter. "Indeed," said Lothaw, carelessley, "I should prefer to see some expensive ones." " Some number sixes, I suppose," said Mr. Amethyst, taking a couple from the apex of a small pyramid that lay piled on the shelf.

"These are about the size of the Duchess of Billingsgate's, but they are in finer condition. The fact is, her Grace permits her two children, the Marquis of Smithfield and the Duke of St. G les,— two sweet pretty boys, my lord, —to use them as marbles;in their games. Pearls require some attention, and I go down there regularly twice a week to clean them. Perhaps your lordship would like some ropes of pearls p"

" About half a cable's length," said Lothaw, shortly, " and send them to my lodgings." .; ' ~'. Mr. Amethyst became thoughtful. "I am afraid I have not the exact, number— that is—excuse mo one moment. I will run over to the Tower, and borrow a few from the crown jewels." And before Lothaw could prevent him he seized his ,bat and left Lotliaw aione.

His position certainlywas embarrassing. Hh could not move without stepping on costly gems which had rolledi from the counter ; the rarest diamonds lay scattered ou the shelves ; untold fortunes in priceless emeralds lay within his grasp. Although such was the aristocratio purity of his blood, and tlie strength of his religous convictions that ha probably would hdl 'rhiive' pocketed single diamond, still ho could pot help thinking that he might be accused of taking some. "You can search me, if you like,"he said when Mr." Amethyst returned, " but I assure, you, upou the honour of a gentleman, that I haire taken nothing." ''Enough, my lord," said Mr. Amethyst with a low bow, "we never search the aristocracy."

j Chapter VIII. | As Lothaw left Mr. Amethyst's, ho ran against General Camperdown. " How [is, ' Mary Ann ?:' he asked hurriedly.- • ."". !" I regret to state that she is dying," said tho General, with a grave voice, as he removed his cisi'xv from his lips, and 'lifted his hat to Lotliaw.

" Dying 1" said Lothaw, incredulously. " Alas, too true !" replied tho General. " The engagements of a long lecturing season, exposure in travelling by a railway during the. winter, and the imperfect j nourishment affordedjjy tho refreshments along tho road, have told on her delicate frame. But she wants to see you hefore she dies. Here is the key of my lodging. I will finish my cigar out here." ' ° Lothaw hardly recognisedthose wasted Hellenic outlines as he entered the dimly lighted room of the dying woman. She was already a classic ruin—as wrecked aud yet as perfect as tho-Parthenon. He grasped her hand silently/ " "Open air speaking twice a week, and saleratus bread in tho rural districts, have brought me to this," she said feebly; " but /it is well. The cause progresses. The tyrant man succumbs."

Lothaw could only press her hand. " Promise me one thing. Don't—whatever you do--bocoifie £ Catholic." " Why?" Jg* "The Church d<*«es not recognise divorce. And now embrace mc, I would prefer at this supreme moment to introduce myself to the next world through the medium of the best society iv this. Goodbye. Wheii I am dead be good enough to inform my husband of the fact."

Chapteb IX. Lothaw spent the uext six months in an Aryan climate, and with an Aryan race. " Ihis is an Aryan landscape," said his host, " and that is a Mary Ann statue." It was. in fact, a full length figure in marbleqf Mrs. General Camperdown! "If you pleas^'l should like to become, a lagan," said Lothaw, dne day, ..after, listening to an.impassioned discourse oh Greek from the lips of his host. , But that night, on consulting a wellknown spiritual medium, LothaufcWceived a message from the late Mrs. .<s«asr*l

Camperdown, advising him to »„«». """ England. Two dayslateMie£?*> himself at Plushman. ° Prese*ted " The young ladies are in the ea*a „ said the Duchess. "Don't you wES*' and pick a rose?" she added with a n>. • 8° smiie, and the nearest approach to a i?U, 8 that was consistent with her cat/bearing and aquiline nose. Lothaw went, and presently rein. , with the blushing Coriander nwv d arm. J • P "Bless you, my children," said'ti Duchess. Then, turning to LotW't i said, " You have simplyWed*sft cepted your inevitable destiny It morally impossible for you to marry.^! of this family. For the present S? Church of England is safe." ' the