LITERATURE.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2669, 26 October 1882, Page 4

LITERATURE.

HII.DA’S VICTORY; OR THEMYSXBBY Or-' SO iHiSKNB COURT.

( Concluded.) SOT BERNE COURT.

Raving attained hie end Norman was desirous of taking up his former position in S’ciefcy, and Jo)ce congratulated himself that a innaway marriage had had a satisfactory Influence on hla master’s mood at ad spirits. * We are off to Bntherno Court to-day,’ Norman was saying to Hilda, who was still unaware of his wealth and high social standing. They were at breakfast. Bllds, ip a pale ere im-colored wrapper, was pouring cut coffee. A jar of roses ttood on the snowy cloth, the whole picture one cf happiness and repose. * I shall be sorry to leave the cottage, Norman ; those people at Sotherne Court will make me feel nervous. X always dread strangers.’ * Bat it will be for our good, dear ; and I*ve arranged that we arrive for luncheon.’ ‘ Which dress shall I wear, Norman ?' ‘ Your school one,’ he said in a low voice, his arms stealing round her. • They may quiz me in that, and the ladles may say 1 have no taste,’ • How do you know thera will ba any ladies to receive us T’ ‘ Because yon said there would be balls and garden parties and tableaux vivants.’ •So I did. Well, run away little woman, and make yontself ready for the journey—it’s a long drive to Sotherne Court.’ He sanntered Into the garden to smoke a cigar. Hilda was mnch surprised to ses the same bays dash ronnd that bowled them so swiftly to the cottage on her wedding day. The carriage was new, the crest on the door excited her curioilty still more, and Joyce, ‘ the handy man,’ taking his seat by the coachman, completed her mystification. Norman laughed off all questioning, relapsing into silence as they drove away. Hilda felt mors and more bewildered es they entered Sotherne village and noticed that the villagers doffed their caps to Norman, and the children forgot their strings of buttercups to drop humble onrtseys. Aged faces, peering out of the almshouses built by Norman's father, smiled; but Norman spoke of the solid stone mnlilon* of the venerablelooking windows, and not of the people within.

At last they entered the approach to Botherne Court. Several large dogs dashed up to the carriage, and Hilda saw a magnificent atone mansion shaded by noble elms, while the terrace walks to the loft were adorned with limes and acecias, and several stately cedara spread their quiet shade over the lawns.

* What a splendid old place !’ murmured Hilda, as the hall door was thrown open and Joyce sprang from the bos seat. The housekeeper and servants appeared, the aged but’er bowed low, a tide of crimson rushed over the bride’s faoe. There was a mystery here she had not fathomed. Forman led her on hia arm past the row of obseqnions servants and then he felt her tremble so violently that she almost sank to the ground; bnt a strange thrill of exultation surged through every vein. It was lippossible to doubt the truth any longer, as he drew her gontly towards the drawingroom and folded her once more to bis heart. * it is our home, my darling.’ smilllog into her Innocent eyes ; * can you forgive me ? Will you like Sotherne Court as well as our dear cottage ?’ The crimson faded from her cheek ; she was pale as the statues on the marble tables.

‘ Oh, Norman, how could I guess who yon were? , . . . lom hardly realise

the truth. I almost wish nothing was changed,’ and she burst into tears. • Hilda, little wife—my love —I used those harmless stratagems to win you, because I despaired of ever meeting a girl who would owe end cling to me for myself, regardless of my torture. Your love alone has stood every test—your parents’ anger, my poverty, and social extinction. Never shall 1 be tortured by doubts or fears. The poor drawing-master baa vanished, it Is true; but oan you not put up with his substitute ?’ ‘I am pleased, Norman,’ she said enthusiastically, * overwhelmed—confused with joy. There is no fear of future distress for yon, since you are so rich—master of Hotherno Court,’

*We tball ba quite the happiest couple In the county,' he said delightedly } ‘I always dreaded being entrapped by some girl who would do me the honor of thinking my home a gilded cage. Oh, 1 have recoiled with horror at the thought of entrapment.’ ‘ And now I shall have to be grand and acquire dignity to carry cff all these new honors,’ said Hilda, drying her tears ; 4 just fancy mother’s surprise when she calls and finds her daughter mistress of Sotharao Court,’ 4 1 don’t think she’ll offer to bny me a new suit of 'clothes In a hurry,’ laughed Norman.

Then they passed on to the lawn; and Norman showed Hilda the terrace and conservatories, taking her past the fishpond and shrubberies towards a tasteful flower garde a —his own design. After that they rambled over the mansion, then on to the main road, down winding lanes to the village, admiring the old church with Ivy encircling the decaying stones, and Norman pointed out the memorial window which his father had presented to the parish and, after exchanging a few kind greetings with his tenants, they returned home to a somewhat late lunoheon.

A few days later a hired fly might be seen slowly crawling along tho drive to Sotherna Court, and as it stopped before the massive pillars of the ball door a couple alighted, taking a leisurely survey of the windows ere they rang the bell. Mrs Stretton, her faoe flushed with restless Indignation, asked the butler If she could see Mrs Norman Sinclair for a few minutes, no , elation to the hostess, she explained, but a lady she believed was visiting here. Without a word the butler conducted them to the drawing room, whore Hilda in a dainty tea robe was sitting, surrounded by friends sipping tea out of tiny Pekin cups at this pleasant apresmidi, Norman was chatting on the hearthrug with the vicar, when, suddenly looking round, ha saw the Strettons enter.

Mr Stretton took the scene in at a glance, but his wife was not yet fully enlightened. Hilda, she saw, was well dressed, and really seemed doing the thing In style—perhaps during the temporary absence or indisposition of the mistress of Sotherne Court. Hilda rose and embraced the large woman, who submitted silently; Mr Stratton followed, wringing his child’s hands with fervid delight. After the departure of the guests, Mrs Stretton expressed her surprise with her usual volubility. 4 We oame to see Mr Sinclair on business,’ she said; ‘ but perhaps you’re too busy to attend to it to day.’ Norman rang the bell. Hia mether-in-law had kindly ignored his existence. 4 Bring more tea to your mistress,’ he said in rather loud tones as the footman entered,

Mrs Btretton started and glanced at her husband. ‘ Mistress ! ’ echoed Hilda’s mother, rising to her feet. •Yea, mistress!’ answered Norman, going up to them; ‘my wife, Hilda, mistress of Sotherne Court.’

‘But may I ask, sir, what need of such s&creoy and mystery,’ said Mr Btretton, ‘when you could have had our consent, and willingly ? ’ ‘Hilda will explain everything,’ said Norman, taking the hand of each, ‘Shall wo not be friends ?’

‘1 suppose you think the end justifies the means,’ answered his father-in-law, glad he had not acted the part of a glaolal parent at the cottage.

To prevent a conspiracy from oozing out —Let the plot thicken. ‘ Well, well,’ said Billington, majestically, *|wo mustn’t be too severe on the young fellows. I suppose 1 was as big a fool as any at them when I was young,’ ‘ Yes,’ replied Fogg, ‘and you are not an old man now, Billington.’ ‘ What’s the matter with the tea ?’ said an irate husband to his wife. ‘ Well,’ she replied, ' there doesn’t seem to be anything the matter with it. I don’t taste anything.’ ‘Neither can I, and that’s what I’m growling at.’

A schoolboy being asked by his teacher how he should flog him, replied—‘lf you please, sir, 1 should like to have it on the Italian system of penmanship—the heavy strokes upward sad the downward ones light.’