LITERATURE.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2007, 30 July 1880, Page 3

LITERATURE.

THE MYSTERY OF B RYN GW S' L LT.

( Continued.)

Gradually the widow’s affections became entirely absorbed in her boy. She had ever wished that the first child had been an heir, and disappointment had somewhat cooled a mother’s love for her first-born ; and now it was her ceaseless lament that Maude must inherit Bryngwyllt, and her darling Ralph must be content with a younger and stepson’s portion. Poor Maude would not have had a very happy life had it note been for her father’s sister, who had always retained her own rooms at the Hall. These two loved each other dearly. They were both gentle, timid creitures, yielding to every whim and caprice of the spoilt, selfish Ralph, who was growing up vicious and headstrong. Hia father had been a noted man in the bettingring and at the gaming-table—a mere adventurer, a penniless schemer. Prepossessing in address and countenance, he had succeeded in gaining the affections of the wealthy widow. The sin inherited to the full the father’s lack of principle. At the age of twenty—to everyone’s relief—he started for a trip to foreign countries ‘ to see the world.’ He returned in two years, to find hia mother on her death-bed.

Then a fearful event happened. Mrs Llewelyn had revived slightly; and Maud, at tae instigation of her aunt, had taken advantage of the improvement to leave the sick-room for a ride over to Aberffrwd, three miles distant. While in the village her pony cast a shoe; leaving him at the blacksmith’s, she proceed to return home on foot. No thought of danger crossed her mind as she started on her lonely walk, though the shades of a winter night were falling fast. She was never seen again ! When the news became known, search was made for her high and low. Ralph stimulated the flagging spirits of the hardy searchers with hopeful words and promises of reward; but it was of no avail.

Towards daybreak the only trace they found was her hat, which had been discovered by Ralph, hanging from the branch rf a shrub that overstretched the river a little below the narrow bridge. There were two ways from the village to the hall —one, the high road terminating at the iron gates and central avenue leading to the house—and that road Maude must have taken were she on horseback ; tbs other, the footpath by the waterside, some half mile nearer, and probably the way she had walked. The river was dragged with scant hope, for it wa-. nearly certain in the swollen state of the stream—always a swift-flowing one—that the body must have been rapidly carried away by the strong current. The shock of Maude’s sad death hastened Mrs Llewellyn’s decease; and she breathed her last shortly after, having altered her will in favor of her son Ralph. Then it was that the true character of the man displayed itself. He filled the hall with roystering companions; wild license, drunken debauchery and rioting succeeded to the solemn hush of death.

In deep dismay and grief Miss Llewellyn —ever a timid woman—made hasty preparations to leave the home of her fathers. But, for some reasons of his own, Ralph commanded her to remain there ; and she, ever in fear of her quondam nephew, obeyed. After a while Bryngwyllt became too dull for Ralph and his kindred spirits. They left cn masse, and Miss Mary was disturbed only by the flying but frequent visits of Ralph. The one joy of this poor lady’s life was her intercourse with the family at the vicarage. Pitying her indecision and natural timidity, Mr Howell, the vicar, had encouraged the intimacy between her and his daughter Enid. Seldom leaving the Hall herself, she looked forward to Enid’s visits witu a yearning eagerness not easily understood by tbose over whose path the sun has flung a brighter radiance. Her love was plentifully requited. Missing so early and sorely the precious blessing of a mother’s love, in that bitter hour of woe Enid had turned to the sympathetic heart of her gentle friend j and the two clung to each other with, a tenacity of affection to be severed by death alone. But there was a skeleton in the cupboard. Miss Mary herself could not dread the visits of Ralph Keith more than Enid did. Many a time, as the great bell clanged out a warning of his unexpected return, the girl would start and swiftly flea from the room in which they were sitting, to escape the rude stare of his bold, black eyes and the free, rough words with which he would greet her. Chapter 11. According to her promise, the next morning Enid rode her shaggy Welsh pony to Bryngwyllt. She was no stranger there ; so leaving her hat and whip in the vast entrance hall, she went straight to the library, the room always occupied by Miss Llewelyn on acconnt of its small dimensions and cosy appearance. Its pencilled walls were entirely hidden by rows of antiquated volumes ; the furniture and nncarpeted floor were alike of polished oak. From the old-fashioned hearth huge logs threw a cheery light over the whole. After an affectionate greeting the two ladies seated themselves side by side on the ample sofa • And now tell me about these troublesome visitants from another world,’ began Enid, smilingly. ‘lt is not that which troublesome, dear.’ replied Miss Mary. *Of course, that must be only the servants’ nonsense—they get scared; and what wonder in this desolate and curse followed house ? No, it is the old, old trouble. I had a letter from LadyTenrhyn. an old schoolfellow of mine, last night; read It.’ iinid took the letter offered her, and read the passage indicated —‘ It greivea me to hear the rumors about your nephew. You ask me for particulars. Well, I shrink from telling you more than that he is shut ont from all respectable society. My husband says he gambles and drinks more than ever, and has now left London incognito.' • Oh, my dear, ’ resumed Miss Mary, ‘is it not dreadful ? Would that poor Maude had lived! And he hero again, too ! Lady Tonrhyn was right in her information. ’ The door was unexpectedly opened, and a tall man of about thirty years strode across the floor to where they sar. Bis face would have been handsome but for the tco-visible traces of unbridled dissipation. Deep furrows already crossed the high, white brow, and the heavy dropping moustache failed to conceal the cynical expression and sarcastic curves around the well-formed month. The hair and eyes were inky black. It was Kalph Keith. • Hallo,’ ho exclaimed, in a loud but not unmusical voice; ‘ you are here. Miss Howell! Coma to pay the ghost a visit, or teach me manners ?’—sneering, as he observed her shrinking movement * Wonder how you manage to vegetate in this Elysium ! It’s a perfect paradise, your native place ; and this wretched house is worse than all Haven’t you any wine or spirits here, aunt ? Expect I shall commit suicide or poison somebody for amusement.’ ‘ There is no nc ed for you to come here, Ralph,’ Mies Mary ventured to put in, as she left the room to comply with his request. ‘ I choose to come. No, no, Miss Enid, you shall not leave mo. I prefer a little company first. ’ He laid his hand on her shoulder as he spoke, for sho had risen to her feet. Enid’s grey eyes flashed fire. ‘ Remove your hand, sir ! Do you hear ?’ She spoke indignantly. With an amused laugh her tormentor threw himself into a chair, , • How prettily we ruffle our feathers and act the commanding role of empress ! It is quite refreshing, I’m sure! Here’s my aunt. Now then, what is there good, old lady !’ Seizing the decanter, he poured out a tumbler of sherry and tossed it off. ‘Beg pardon, ladies first —especially empresses. I humbly beg to offer some refreshment to your imperial graces !’ ggEnid rushed swiftly from his detested presence, and, hastily placing a few scribbled words —to the effect that she must leave till he had gone from the hall again—on Miss Mary’s dressing-table, she stole softly along a dark gallery, "down a narrow flight of stairs and through a small postern-gate into the deserted stable-yard. Releasing Robin from his accustomed post, where he was munching hay in a stall large enough to have accommodated four of hia size, she mounted him, and never drew rein until he had deposited her at his own shod door. Then, unseen, she gained her own chamber, and, looking the door, gave way to hysterical sobs. 1 [To ie continued.}