LITERATURE.

Globe, Volume V, Issue 600, 22 May 1876, Page 3

LITERATURE.

LOCHVIEW. A TALE m THREE PARTS. ! Part I. ■ ( Continued.) { By-and-by the mystic, noiseless whisper ' of rumour, that rises no ono knows how, and spreads no one can tell where, h«.d made it patent that I was going away, livery body in the house knew it, and all sorts of reports were current. The project began to be shaped into form, and this was the guise it had taken. My father wrote to Mr Alexander Forbes, a man who had once been an agent of my uncle, Sir Hans Allen, but who was now a flourishing stock-broker in Liverpool. He had made a fine fortune there, people said ; and to his teaching I was to bo consigned, that I might learn the secrets of business and follow his example. I was to board in his house for the present, 'till,' as my father said, 'I had gained all the knowledge I required, or had grown tired of my whim.' Well I remember my last dinner at Lochview. The scene flashes before me at this moment. Our dining room was a large, lofty apartment, the walls panelled with oak, nearly black with age. Round these panelled walls were portraits of my ancestors, who seemed on this occasion to glare down at me with reproachful eyes. Our coat-of-arms figured in many a nook and corner of the place. It stared at me from the high-backed chairs, it shone out on every ornament on the table. At one end of the apartment was a large decorated window, with graceful mouldings, and geometrical tracery, and from thence our family shield sparkled down at us in rich stained-glass. I recollect the sun was just setting as we lingered there, talking; and the rays slanted in through the leaves of the acacia and cytisus trees that stood outside the window, and reflected the colours of the stained-glass on the white table-cloth in flecks and flashes of light that trembled and flickered like a broken-up rainbow. The two tall, sleek footmen arranged the viands that we had no appetite to eat, and the still sleeker butler brought in the wines that we never tasted. All the more for the servants' hall, no doubt, by-and-by. As soon as the dessert placed on the table, and the servants were gone, my mother gave a sigh. 1 1 can't bear to think of you leaving home. Alec. It seems as if we were casting you adrift on the world.'

'But I'm not going adrift, mother: I hope to steer my course well, and to return homo with a good cargo before long.' ' Our son means to work, Erne, to work hard, so you must not discourage him.' 1 It's the ' work' 1 complain of. I never thought to see my only son departing from his proper position, and going out to work among the common people.' ' Don't let that stand in the way, Effie. If Alec can make his fortune by honourable industry, let him do it, by all means, and build up our falling house—lt sorely wants propping,' ' Not one of my family ever went into business before ; none of them had to earn their money in that way.' ' I daresay not, my love. Your ancestors, as well as my own, understand the art of spending far better than that of earning. Alec may possibly become a millionaire some day ; and if he does not, let us honour him for trying to help, and wish him God speed.' My mother was silent, but she shook her head sadly. A splendid pine apple was on the table before her : it might have tempted any one with its perfume and lusciuusness; but she only turned over the dainty sections, not caring even to taste them. I think I see before me now that ' ladye of high degree,'with her slight fragile figure, her aristocratic features, and light gray, well set eyes. Sir Dugald. my father, was some years older than his wife ; even now there were traces that told what a handsome manhemust have been in his youth. His fine upright figure and military bearing often put me to the blush, and made me wish for those extra inches that made him tower above my head ; for I was not tall like my father, nor handsome like him either. My old Scotch nurse, Janet, who had been parcel of our establishment ever since I was born, and was proud of our lineage, sometimes openly lamented my looks. 'lndeed, Maister Alec, you've no great cause for vanity. You've neither your mother's bonnie face nor your father's stately figure.' ' How can I help that, Janet ?' I would exclaim. ' You maybe canna' help it, sir; but mind ye, them that's neither braw nor winsome snould be all the prouder in mind.' 1 In one way I shall never be that either, so you must just put up with me as I am, Janet.' The old woman had a word of advice for me on this his last evening, for when I had turned the clumsy footman out of my dressing room, with a reproof for crushing up my shirts, and folding my coats into creases, she came hobbling in, and with the air of a privileged retainer, began watching me. ' These lazy fellows know naught of packing: and as for folding and cording, I'll warrant you could do it better yourself, Maister Alec.' ' I daresay I shall, with your help, Janet.' ' 'Deed, I canna' do much in that way, sir, but though a silly body myself,' I can still gie ye a bit of advice.' * Say on then,' said I, trying to shut the cover of my portmanteau. ' Sandy Forbes is a great man now, they say.' ' Indeed, nurse ? ' Ay. And I remember when he was lowly enough here, in your Uncle Hans' time But he made money in Liverpool, and married his employer's widow.' ' Like the industrious apprentice in the story,' replied I, giving another plunge at my portmanteau. ' Not quite that—the apprentice married the daughter, but Sandy married the widow, and a rare, showy, managing woman she is. It's of her I would warn you, dear Maister Alee.' ' But what harm can she do to me ?' I exclaimed laughing. * She has two daughters, laddie—her first husband's children Alice and Carrie Merritt, they're called; and they tell me these young misses are very fine ladies indeed, with their silks, and feathers, and gewgaws. Beware of them.' I laughed outright at the earnest old soul, and said : ' You must be getting into your dotage, Janet; surely, you don't think I

need a warning about fine young ladies at my age ! I've attained my majority, and .gone past all that !' 'Ay, don't ye be too boastful, Maister Alec. ' Ye know but little of tbe world yet, and they know ye'll be Sir Alexander some day ; so don't be above taking the advice of an old woman like me.' "When my packing was over, I went out to my favourite retreat on the hill side, and there, pacing to and fro among the heather, with my two dogs at my heels, T took my adieu of the place in my own dreamy way. I looked down on the clear calm waters of the loch from whence our house took its name. The tops of the opposite hills that shut in the loch almost like an inland sea, were still rose-tinted and lilac, from the last rays of sunset. Here and there were patches of mossy turf, and glimpses of shady undulations mysterious and deep. Down the sides of the hills were clusters of cottages, that nestled amidst sheltering woods. Lower down yet were bright yellow sands, on which fishermen were lounging about among their boats, and children were shouting and romping with each other. The hum of voices floated up to me mingling with the musical ripple of the waters. How calm, how beautiful it all seemed ! Never had it appeared more so than now, when I was on the point of bidding it all farewell. Yet, who knows but this very calmness had been jarring on my spirit through all those bygone years. The very repose may have been the secret talismanic influence that set all my nerves tingling and panting for a more active life. No pent-up, caged bird longed more than I did to be out abroad in the world, and to take its true place among fellow-workers. Be this as it may, I was now all eagerness to set forth on my mission, and as I looked down on the placid scenes of Lochview, a wish and prayer rose to my heart that I might be the one who should yet wrest that fair heritage from the grasp of debt and dishonour. ***** Ere long I found myself Lurrying along as fast as express train could carry me, to that towD that was to prove an El Dorado, and where all my golden dreams were to be realised. Bright visions rose in my mind as the train sped along. This money getting theory of mine had taken such strong hold of me that I had determined to devote all my energies to working it.out. Business seemed to me a noble science, and speculations were doubtless a series of triumphs. It was evening when I reached Liverpool, and as Mr or as we more generally called lrm, Sandy Forbes had not come to meet me as I exfected, I drove on to his house alone. When looked out, and saw the afternoon stream of bußy passers-by, and watched the stir of traffic, my spirits rose high; now, I had reached the scene of action, and bra : n and body were ready for the conflict. Sandy Forbes lived in an old fashioned square, some distance from the heart of the town. "Wnen the cab stopped at the door, and I got out, I was conscious of a hope that I might escape at once to my room, to rest, and prepared myse 1 ? for my coming duties on the morrow. But I soon found I had reckoned without my host, for Mr Forbes met me at the door, and after the first welcome, told me, with a bland smile, dinner was nearly ready. There was a general look of careful getting up in Sandy's appearance ; his coat was of the glossiest black, his tie was of the most irreproachable white. I was rather provoked at having to turn out my valise and hastily dress for dinner, instead of being allowed to retire to my room, and enjoy my first evening in soMtude. I was still more provoked when I found a whole drawing room full of company assembled to greet me. At least the roc m seemed crowded at the first glance, but on a nearer inspection I found only about a dozen people were there. {To he. continued.)