LITERATURE.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1429, 13 September 1878, Page 3

LITERATURE.

MR. ASLATT’S WARD,

[“ Chambers’ Journal.”]

( Continued.) Chapter 11,

I did not then know what I afterwards learned, the full extent of her obligations to Mr Aslatt, nor the sentiments of love which that gentleman came to entertain for his beautiful ward. A pretty child of six, singing in the streets of a foreign city, she had first attracted his notice; and her sad lot had so touched his heart, that ho could not rest till he had rescued her from it. The itinerant musicians in whose company he found her spoke of her as an orphan, the child of a former comrade, and made no objection when Mr Aslatt proposed to adopt her and provide for her future. He was a lonely man, with no near relatives to resent this action on his part; and the child became the delight of his life and the idol of his heart. Ho was but a young man when he took the little orphan under his protection, and his friends thought it an alarming proof of the eccentricity which had already marked him. But a bitter disappointment had blighted his life, and made it impossible, he then thought, for him ever to have a happy married life, such as he had once anticipated. He determined to spend his health in giving brightness to the existence of the little fairylike creature, who seemed made to live in the sunshine ; and in the effort to promote little Rose’s happiness to promote his own. When it was that his paternal fondness for her passed into a warmer, more passionate emotion, and ho experienced a longing to bind her to himself by the closest of all ties, I could not know ; but that such was the nature of his regard for her when I went to reside at his house was beyond doubt.

And it was equally plain that Eosa entertained for him a very different feeling. She looked upon him aa her dear guardian and friend, one who had been aa a father to her ; but I do not think the possibility of any other relationship had ever crossed her mind. Indeed it was pretty evident to mo that another was frequently in her thoughts to the exclusion of Mr Aslatt, who was so untiring in his efforts to win her love. I was grieved to see how often she wounded him by her thoughtless wilful conduct; and the patience with which he bore with her capricious mood?, fully enlisted my sympathies on his behalf. If any word of mine could have influenced my wayward charge to value more highly her true-hearted friend, it would have been spoken ; but from what I knew of her, I judged that I should better servo Mr Aalatt’s cause by silence than by speech. On the day following that of our excursion to Ashdeue, Eose took me for a drive in her little shell-shaped chaise, drawn by two pretty Shetland ponies, We drove through narrow country lanes with hedges gay with wild-flowers, and across a breezy common covered with golden furze-bushes, returning by a road which led us through the village. ‘This is the school-house,’ said Eose, as we approached a rather imposing looking structure in red brick ; and without another word she pulled up her ponies and alighted. I followed her into the large school room, which at that hour was deserted. Mr Hammond, however, had heard our entrance, and almost immediately came in from an inner room. The bright Hush which tinged Hose’s check as lie appeared, and the somewhat conscious manner in which she greeted him, seemed to confirm my previous surmises. He was certainly a very handsome man : and his manner and bearing were in striking contrast to his position. I could not wonder that a girl like Eose should bo fascinated by his appearance and address, even while, in spite of his efforts to please me, the feeling of distrust with which I had at first regarded him, deepened. From what I observed during that interview, I felt pretty certain that some private understanding existed between him and Eose. I dared not question my wilful charge, knowing well how her proud spirit would resent any interference from me. Yet I longed to do something to prevent this man from obtaining a fatal influence over her heart. But I could only wait and watch for what time might reveal, resolved meanwhile to accompany Eose whenever she paid a visit to the school house. I saw that this precaution of mine afforded satisfaction to Mr Aslatt.

The summer weeks passed away swiftly and pleasantly with me. But the signs of secret sorrow became more plainly visible on Mr Aslatt’s countenance, and I felt sure he was tortured with anxiety on account of Rose’s intimacy with the schoolmaster. I sometimes wondered that he did not dismiss Mr Hammond from his post, but I suppose he dreaded Rose’s reproaching him with injustice; for in truth the schoolmaster appeared most exemplary in the discharge of his duties, and no reasonable ground of complaint could be found. I became anxious also, as I saw every week fresh proofs of Rose’s attachment to Mr Hammond. At last a day arrived when my suspicions as to the existence of a secret understanding between tho two were confirmed in a most unexpected manner. It was a warm September evening. Rose, complaining of a headache, had retired early to rest, and I was about to follow her example, when looking from my window at the calm beauty of tho garden as it lay in the clear light of the moon, I was tempted to take a stroll Wrapping a shawl about me, I went down the steps leading into the garden, and slowly walked down the green alley bordered by tall laurel bushes. It was almost as light as day until I reached the end of the walk, -where some large trees obscured the moonbeams. As I passed into their shadow I thought of the warning Rose had given me on the night of my arrival. I smiled at the remembrance ; and in order to piove to myself that I had no fear of supernatural encounter, I turned into the path which led towards that part of the house said to be haunted. Here the gloom deepened, for the shrubs and trees in this portion of the garden had been neglected, and suffered to grow at will, until they intertwined their branches overhead, forming a leafy covering.

* How frightened Rose would be if she were here,’ i thought; but the next moment I became conscious that my own bravery was not worth much. A sudden rusting amongst the leaves close at hand startled me, and involuntarily I turned to go back. But ashamed of my cowardice, 1 almost immediately turned round again, and peering through the bushes in the direction from which the sound had come, tried to discover its cause, ‘ It was merely some dog or cat straying amongst the shrubs,’ I said to myself, trying to shake oil’ the fear which had taken possession of me. But again I heard the sound more distinctly than before, and it seemed to me that some one must be walking along the path on the other side of the shrubbery. But I could see nothing, and my heart began to beat violently in dread of 1 knew not what. A cloud had passed over the moon, and the wind was rising and making a mournful ‘ sough’ amongst the trees, which was not reassuring. I shivered ; and drawing my shawl closely around me, again turned to leave the garden. But on.ee more the sound fell upon my ear, and at the same moment my eyes were arrested by the appearance of a white ghost-like tigure standing on the steps leading from the haunted room. In spite of my boasted disbelief jit supernatural appearances, for an instant .1 really thought that the shadowy form, I beheld must be the denizen of another world. I stood motionless, rooted to the spot by fear. It was but for a moment that the figure was visible ; as I gazed upon it, it glided slowly down the steps and disappeared in the gloom. 1 can smile now to think how terror-struck 1 was as I watched its disappearance. Suddenly 1 heard again the sound which had at lirsfc awakened my fears, now close at hand, and almost immediately I felt something cold toueh my hand. I uttered a faint cry, and should have swooned I verily believe, if a low familiar whine had not assured me that JS'cro was by my side, and had thrust his mue iuto my baud. Hitherto, 1 had regarded

Rose’s rough pet with some trepidation, but now his presence was most welcome, and I laid my hand on his shaggy head, in order to keep him by my side. But he would not bo retained, and breaking from me, ran > down the path towards the spot where my supposed ghost had vanished. The next minute I heard him barking loudty, and the sound of his hearty voice dissipated my absurd fears. ' Nero evidently has no fear of ghosts,’ said I to myself, as with growing courage I advanced to discover the cause of his excitement.

As I approached the end of the path, Nero’s barking ceased, and to my astonishment, I heard a well-known voice gently coaxing him to be quiet. I turned a corner, and beheld Rose standing by a door which led from the garden into the road. She wore a dress of grey alpaca, and had a white shawl of flimsy texture twisted around her shoulders. She carried her hat and a small travelling bag in her hand, and had evidently been about to unlock the door, when Nero had arrested her movements. In a moment I was at her side, and laying my hand on her arm inquired, ‘What is the meaning of this, Rose ?’ She had not heard my approach, and my sudden appearance startled her so much, thst even in the dim light I could perceive that her face grew very pale.

For a few moments she could make no reply; then shaking off my grasp, she exclaimed, “Let me alone ; I must and will go I’ She took hold of the key, and strove to turn the look, but her hand trembled so that she could not manage it.

Without a moment’s hesitation I wrenched the key from her grasp and put it into my pocket. ‘ You shall not leave the garden at this hour,’ I said, ‘if it is in my power to prevent it’

Just then a low whistle was heard from the other side of the wall. Rose started at the sound, and wrung her hands in grief and dismay. “Do not stop me, Miss Bygrave!’ she implored. * I assure you, it is better I should go now. We are acting for the best.’

{To he. continued.)