THE WHITE HOUSE.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 955, 17 July 1877, Page 3

THE WHITE HOUSE.

By the Author of "The Witch-Thorn."

Chapter I. The Peasant's Warning.

4 Can you tell me who lives in that old house yonder, or if it is occupied at all ? ' The speaker was a young man, tall, and broadly built, with a thick brown beard, and eyes which, now at least, had rather a dreamy expression. He had been standing motionless for some minutes opposite an oldfashioned gate, half open, which led up a somewhat neglected looking avenueto a white house partially covered with creeping vines, and but dimly discernible through the thick foliage of surrounding trees. 4 They're new people, plase your honour, that's in it,' replied the peasant addressed. ' An elderly lady, Mrs Stevens is her name, and her niece, Miss M'Caity. That's the whole family, barrin' a foreign woman, a sort of a sarvant, that they brought wid them. The people do be talkin', but I keep mindin', for, may-be, afther all, there's no thruth in it'

< No truth in what ?' asked the young man. « I donna, sir, that's jist it. They do be sayin' morethantheir prayers.people do,sometimes, sir.' As he spoke, he moved. 'But don't be goin' up to the house, sir, if you can help it, it's betther not,' he called back, and the other observed that as he spoke he made the siyn of the cross upon his breast and forehead. _ Captain Bowring had come to visit his old home in the south of Ireland. ' As thegate liis open there can be no harm in entering,' he murmured. * The family are doubtless'away, or the place would not look so deserted. I will go as far as the spot where the copperbeech used to stand, and see if it is still there.' In order to do this, he hid to pass opposite the house. He observed that near to it were some dower-beds which showed signs of care. The tree he sought was m flourishing condition. He was about to pluck a few leaves from it as a memento of his visit, and then

turn away, when he heard a rough voice shouting to him. Looking up he perceived a man running at full speed towards him, gesticulating angrily as he ran. Captain Bow- ] ing calmly awaited his spproach. ' What're you doin' here ?' cried the man, as he came panting up. 'D'ye think this is a place for strangers to walk into when they plase. By gf)r, it's mortial angry the misthress 'd be wid me if she knew. Pulling' the trees to pieces, an' tearing' up all afore you ! Whew ! It's a Turk or a Garman ye must be, I'm tlunkin', to be afther behavin' in sich a way.' Not waiting to defend himself from the charge of ' tearing up all before hi"i,' Captain Rowring, with more of hauteur in his tone than he would have adopted had he met with a gentler address, explained that, rinding the gate open, and supposing the family to \ e absent, he had entered to take a nearer view of the house which had once been hs home, and gather a few leaves from a tree endeared by old recollections. The man's manner softened.

'Well, in coorse yer welcome to the leaves,' he said. ' Take more, if you like, but do it quickly, an' go in the name o' God, or but it's too late ; here's the misthress herself, an' I suppose I'll my place, for it was my fault leavin' the gate open.'

Captain Bowring turned round, expecting to see a very formidable personage ; inst-ad of which he beheld a pale, mild-looking elderly lady, dressed in deep mourning. whose couuteaanca wore a fretted and anxious, but pleasing, expression. He removed his hat, and bowed, tendering the same explanation that he had given the servant, and adding many apologies for his intrusion.

The lady received his excuses graciously, with a manner as gentle as her appearance, and volunteered several kind, commonplace little remarks about early associations.

Captain Bowring thought, notwithstanding the seclusion she had given such str'ct orders to preserve, that the sight of a strange face was n"t, after all, so distasteful to her. She seemed to him just the person fitted to move in a quiet circle of friends, and who would eujoy above all things a little gentle gossip over her tea. In a few minutes he found himself conversing on the best of terms with her, and soon she invited him, in a half cordial, half hesitating manner, to enter the kouse, and renew his acquaintance with its interior. He accepted the invitation, and she led the way in. How strange, yet how familiar, the rooms looked to him 1 As he stood in the large old parlor, its dull and faded aspect contrasted mournfully with the picture in his mind of its former brightness. It seemed to him that the sun used always to shine into it. With delicate tact Mrs Stevens had left him alone.

The figure at the harmouium rose, a slender graceful girl, in a simple, clinging robe of black, with dark hair, very plainlytwined round a small classical head. The elder lady introduced her as her neice, Miss Caroline M'Carty, and Captain Bowri g received a cold little bow. Mrs Stevens, who, since a stranger was actually beheath her roof, seemed determined to act the hospitable hostess, had been followed into the room by a servant with luncheon. Chapter 11. A PRESENTIMENT. The second day following Captain Bowring's visit to the White House was Slu day, and he attended service at the little ivycovered church. At the church door, coming out, he met the two ladies. Miss M'Carty was about to , ass on with her distant little bow, but Mr 3 -tevens stopped, holding out her hand in a friendly manner. As their way was the same, they walked on together, the elder lady chatting volubly, the young lady as siLnt and reserved as.on the former occasion. Captain Bowr.ng did his best to entertain the aunt, for was not the niece listening, and might be lured to join in the conversation ? • now pleasant it is to meet with some one who has been mingling in life,' said Mrs Stevens 'I sometimes almost forget that there is any world beyond these dreadful m>>unt:iinj. I know you see teauty in them, my dear,'turning to her niece, 'but give me a bright, well-cultivated country.' ' Do you not make your life here more lonely than need be V Captain Bowring ventured to inquire. ' There are some familes not so far distant, whose acquaintance you c mid make if you chose.' 'W- have no wish to do so,' said the young lady, in a mild but decided tone. My aunt and i desire seclusion at present. We want no visitors.' ' Ves, indeed, that is just it. We desire seclusion,' repeated the elder lady, sighing gently as she spoke ; ' but still .' ' Look, aunt, is not that a picturesque old ruin ?' interrupted the young lady. ' I should like to see it nearer.' 'Yes, dear, but it is a good way off. You could not go alone, and you know hownervous I am about venturing far in this lonely place We hardly ever go much beyond the grounds Captain Bowring.' {To be continued.)