LITERATURE.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2679, 7 November 1882, Page 4

LITERATURE.

FLAT REBELLION. Concluded. ‘ Nonsense, Bell. It would not be fair to Elliot, you know. You have no faith, darling. lam positive ho knows best,, ‘ Well,’ she rejoined, with a gulp, ‘it is you I am thinking of more than myself —’ ‘ I know it. Bell; I know it— ’

* And if that odious guardian of mine should be accompanied by somebody from England—to— ’ ‘ Take me away, yes; well then. Bell, my dear, if the jersey law cannot assist me to escape and Leslie will know whether it can or not —you and I will bolt to Franco. So there !’ ‘ That will be capital!’ exclaimed Mrs Lytham, with rapture ; ‘ now I don’t mind meeting Mr Chimford one bit.’ Thereafter the white curls of the shoreward waves, and the broken surface of the more distant water, gave her no uneasiness. She abandoned herself to the enjoyment of the fresh breeze, Mr Chimford s probable discomfort not withstanding. It was Wednesday; she and Alick would go and hear the band play in the college grounds —after the boats were in. Then, in the evening, if Leslie was agreeable, he and they might drive out to St. Aubiu’s to see the fireworks. Alick and she had been kept prisoners long enough. After all, English law was not Jersey law. If Leslie was confident about that pill, why need she bother her head about ‘ uncle Chimford P ’ In such fashion did Annabel think herself into a resigned frame of mind. Leaving their carriage at some distance from the landing-stage, Alick and his pretty little wife walked to the end of the pier, and awaited the arrival of the steamer. As she neared the pier-heads Elliot was descried on the quarter-deck. ‘lt is all right, dear,’ observed Alick; 'he is there, and he looks radiant. He is provided with that pill ! ’ -SHe had seen them, after interchanging with him an unobtrusive nod of recognition, the watchers left their advanced place of observation, and sauntered to one nearer the landing-stage.. Leslie was one of the first to come ashore. Deferring the engagement of a vehicle, and leaving his luggage to the tender mercies of the privileged porters, he, for a moment, looked about him, and then shook hands with a tall spectacled gentleman, in an easy costume of blue serge and a straw hat. With him Leslie had what was evidently an earnest conference over an official-looking sheet of paper, which the islander produced.

‘ Can you tell me who that, gentleman is ? ’ asked Lytham, of a native who was inspecting the disembarkation. ‘ Please ?’• replied the Jerseyman. ' That gentleman in the yachting costume, with a paper in his hand.’ , * That ? Oh, he is the sheriff.’ ‘ Ah ! thank you,’ replied Alick. He and his wife exchanged wondering glances, and then, actuated by the same impulse, sought the carriage. What did Leslie want with the sheriff ?

As they neared their vehicle a note was offered to Alick by one of the porters. It ran thus: —‘You may go round to the landing stage of the Southampton boat; but do not let him see you. I have changed my plans. I shall be there, but will have to keep out of uncle’s way. I wish to point out uncle to my friend.’ In due time the boat arrived, and brought Mr Nicholalas Chimford, looking a perfect wreck of a cruel uncle and guardian, owing to the voyage. ‘He looks for all the world like a stick of cooked asparagus,’ said Alick to his wife, as the once bland and self-possessed occupant qf Todfield Villa shuffled feebly ashore. ' Blue indeed ! He has seen more colors in the sea than Turner or Hook ever painted. Ask him. Who is that with him ?’

'I can guess, my darling,’ whispered Bell.

' And so can I, dear,’ he replied, as he followed, with the closest attention, the movements of Mr Chimford’s portly and active companion; * there is “ Scotland Yard” written on his face. He has a particular engagement with me. Bell.’ 'As Mr Nicholas Chimford has with me.’

‘And it will not surprise me, dear, if neither of them is kept. Here comes Leslie.’

Leslie was full of his plot, and unflinching in his belief in its success. In brief space he converted Annabel, who dismissed al) apprehensions of ill, and was ready for anything. *My dear children,’ said Elliot quite paternally, ‘ I have got my beloved uncle in a tangle. • Quiet your fears, and prepare for a run across to France. I will have your luggage sent after you.' * What, now ?’■ they both exclaimed in a breath.

‘ln two hours from now/ ho replied, looking at his watch ; ‘ you could start at once if the boat were ready, hut that would hardly suit my plans. Having a sense of the dramatic, I have arranged for uncle Nicholas to witness your departure, and at the same time for you to see how he relishes my pill. Now, look here; go somewhere and get an early dinner —never mind me; I have something else to do—and then tell your man to drive you to the college grounds. Ho will be there, and I also.’ ‘ Will he come ?’

‘ Leave that to me. I think I can devise a summons that will draw him thithor, even ill as he is.’

They carried Leslie’s instructions into effect, and in due time were driven to the college grounds. Presently Elliot rejoined them, and in dumb show drew their attention to Uncle Nicholas, his “ Scotland Yard” companion, and, some paces off, the nonchalant yachtsman-looking sheriff. ‘ Have the carriage handy while I exhibit my pill. Now, show yourselves.’ There was a sinister smile on the haggared face of Mr Chimford as the conscious couple passed him. He directed the attention of “ Scotland Yard ” to Lytham, and whispered something in the intelligent officer’s ear. He was apparently about to favor Annabel with a mocking little speech, when the sheriff tapped him on the shoulder, and said, ‘ Mr Nicholas Chimford, I believe.’ ‘ That is my name, sir/ ‘ Then I must trouble you to come with me.’ ‘ Get into the carriage/ murmured Elliot. They did, and therefrom watched the exciting scene. ‘ With you ? Why you ?’ ‘ Come, young man,’ said the ‘ Scotland Yard man/ ‘you have made a mistake.’ ‘ Who are you young manning ? If you are not careful, you will find yourself in the wrong box. This is not London, remember. Perhaps you are not aware that I am a sheriff.’ ‘ Whew !’ whistled the detective. The charming elasticity of the laws of Jersey was known to him. ‘ Guv’nor, you’d better go. This is about the neatest plant I ever seen/ ‘ But I decline.’ ‘ Then I shall be compelled to use force.’

‘ You had better go, Mr Chimford/ observed Lytham. ‘ And make no bones about it either,’ added Elliot.

‘ Come/ said the sheriff, ‘ I cannot wait here all day. Shall see you, I suppose, in the course of the day/ ho added, addressing Elliot. ‘ Or to-morrow morning/ lightly replied Leslie; ‘a night in “Gloucester Hotel’’ —the Holloway gaol of Jersey, my dear sir/ ho continued, addressing Chimford, ‘ will really do him no harm. Good-bye for the present.’ A carriage was procured, and the crestfallen Chimford borne away to gaol. The necessary authority for arresting Alexander Lytham was in the possession of the intelligent officer, his companion ; but, owing to his lacking certain local countersignatures, it was inoperative. ‘ Scotland Yard’ saw the fugitives drive off with mingled feelings of regret and respect. He had seen through Elliot’s audacious stratagem at a glance and admired it. It was useless following the fugitives to Prance. As the carriage drove off, cheered by the crowd. Bell exclaimed, * Any com.

mauds for St. Malo, Guardie f ’ Now this is part of what Elliot said to his two fellow-voyagers as thoy approached the coast of Brittany, ‘ You can arrest anyone in Jersey if you are only unscrupulous—as I was. My friend the sheriff —I shall have to make it right with him —thanks to certain sworn and attested .information (what a sinner I am) supplied by mo, has in safe custody one Nicholas Chimford, a dealer in Jersey cattle, whom I ran to earth from Guernsey to oblige my old friend, a St. Peter’s farmer, to whom ho owes a handsome sum of money, which ho, of course, objects to pay.’ ‘ But the farmer ?’ queried Lytham. ‘ Has unconsciously lent mo his name. I know him. He will row at first, but he will get over it, as I trust wo all may. Tomorrow matters will be explained, and Mr Nicholas Chimford will be liberated —tomorrow or next day. Ho went up to the College grounds to gloat. Wo did the gloating. He meant to arrest you, Alick— I have stolen a march and arrested him.’ f But when we reach England—for we must go there some day.’ * Wait and see.’

Thoy did. Mr Chimford made no stir about the Jersey fiasco. When the sheriff visited London, along with that farmer from St. Peter’s, Jersey, he was Leslie Elliot’s guest. As to Annabel’s guardian, he dropped legal proceedings so far as Alick was- concerned. The little world of Thornton and Castlebro’ wondered why. This was why. About two days prior to the return of the fugitives to England Mr Chimlord received a copy of the register of Annabel Gare’s birth. The old schemer had ‘ put her back a year.’ She was of age and free to choose for herself when she and Alick ran away to be married.