The Secret of Whitmore Chase.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume XII, Issue 511, 23 September 1867, Page 1

The Secret of Whitmore Chase.

A TALE OE ENGLAND St AUSTRALIA. By 11. E. Lee, Author of “ A Tangled Skcm," WBITTEM FOB THE HAWKE'S BAY WEEKLY TIMES. The rigid of translation is reserved by the author. "V CHAPTER XV. \ “ CLEARING THE COURSE.” yN orff/tt-L friendship existing between General ruaYnl r Robartes and Herbert Warren, though a very sincere one, was limited to the frequent visits of the Jailer to Park i o? <- Lane. The General had often endeavored i / ' v to obtain his young friend’s consent to some |( _ tangible proof of bis gratitude ; but Warren’s ( independent spirit presented an insurmountable to tbe realization of General Robartes’ wishes, and he abandoned his design in despair. The opinion which Grabbe bad expressed to Bcccbam Whitmore was a correct one. Warren did love Miss Robartes, though be was scarcely conscious of it; in fact, he shrank from any idea ot analysing his own feelings on the subject. So long as no favored rival appeared in the field, lie was contented with the present, the time passing with him dreamily yet pleasantly, very ranch in the style of Tennyson’s “Lotos-Eaters.” It needed a stirring interruption to break the speii, and; arouse him to the full consciousness of the! fact that he, a comparative beggar, dared to aspire! so high. A few days after Grabbe’s return to Loudon Warren received a note, desiring him to cull at Thavies Inn next morning. Though surprised at this communication from a stranger, Warren attended as requested, and having given his name, was shown by Walters into tbe private room, where Grabbe, was seated alone. “ Take a seat, Mr Warren,” said tbe attorney. “Ho doubt you were surprised at receiving my letter, but 1 think I shall increase your astonishment before our interview is over. Your name, 1 believe, is Herbert Warren?” The young man replied in the affirmative, and Grabbe continued ; “ 1 am about to ask you some questions concerning your family, and I wish you distinctly to understand my object in doing so • in fact, I may at once inform yon that I believe yon I are entitled to a considerable amount of luoue.v,) which has remained unclaimed for many years.! therefore I trust you will be as explicit as pos-l sible.” ’ I

“ I can tell you very little respecting my family,” replied vVarreu. “ 1 know that my fuller—- “ Was not his name Gerald interrupted Grabbe.

It was,” Warren answered. “He was a captain in a line regiment, and died when my sister and myself were children—much too young to re tain any recollection uf him ; though mv mother possesses his portrait, and ninny letters written by him ”

“Aye, that's the point,” said Grabbe. “The letters, I presume, were written tu your mother?”

“ They were,” was the reply. “I believe there are several officers still in the service who can not only identity the writing, but who remember mv father perfectly well, some of (hem having been present at his marriage, which took place at .Malta.”

Grabbe meditated for some time, and then said, “ It is curious how frequently accident furnishes us with the, cine which we have been for years vainly seeking. I have long been endeavoring to trace you, and have periodically advertised in the newspapers; yet 1 owe your discovery to an accident.”

“ It is very possible that yon may have advertised repeatedly,” replied Warren, “yet your nonsuccess is easily accounted fur. Until a recent period I resided in Germany, having been educated at Ncnwicd, on the Rhine;" anil as mv mother and sisters have scarcely any acquaintances, living very retired, and seldom seeing a newspaper, their silence is nut, extraordinary. As I have already told you, I know very little, indeed almost nothing, concerning our family affairs, therefore the information I am able to give you is very meagre. Perhaps I had better consult with my mother before we cuter tinon the ina't.-r.”

“It is not necessary,” replied Grabbe. “ Ir. is of no moment to state how I have acquired the infot mation which I possess, suffice it that 1 have traced the affair step by step, until I am certain you are the individual in question. Of course this has been a considerable cost to me, but I have uo doubt we shall make some amicable arrangement in the event of your obtaining this money, through my instrumentality.” “ Name your own terms, said Warren, “thev must be very hard ones indeed if 1 do not at once consent to them, when but for you I might never have known of the matter.”

“ We will talk of that presently,” returned the! attorney. “ At present I must give you an outline of your position as legatee ; and to do so I must re-1 count to you a part of your family history withj which I have become acquainted, and concerning | which you are doubtless in ignorance. Your grandfather, Robert Warren, was, as you are! perhaps aware, a wealthy city merchant?”" Warren nodded, and Grahbe continued; “At the time of hfs son’s marriage, your grandfather contemplated a wealthy alliance for him, having in view the heiress of a deceased drvsaltor. lie was therefore, proportionately furious when he heard that your father had married Miss Vincent, daughter of the major of the regiment in which he served. Thon-h the ladv Ids son had ehos"n ~ TIS every respect but one superior to Miss dagger, your father's selection, the old gentleman deemed that onequalificaf ion, money, paramount to all others, indeed he considered its possession a compensation for the absence of all those womanly graces in which Miss dagger was singularly deficient. When he found himself foiled, therefore, he wrote to your father, desiring him to discontinue ail correspondence and communication with him. Too proud to descend to entreaty, Captain Warren took him at his word, sold his commission, and invested the amount which the sale realized in a firm Oi y»nn.!i »>c oceanic a partner ; leaving, at h.s death, which occurred four years afterwards, aj sum which when invested according to the direc-1 tions contained in his will, produced a vearlv in-1 come enabling your mother, by the exercise of great economy, to give your sister and yourself a good education. I mention this to show' yon—though I hardly think the repetition necessary—that you are doubly bound to obtain this money, not. only on your own account, but to place yonr mother and sister in a more comfortable position.”

“Show me bow to do so, and I will gladly strain every nerve to accomplish it,” said Warren. ‘‘ Were it to demand any sacrifice on my part, it should be cheerfully made.”

“ I urn rejoiced to bear you say so,” rejoined Grabbe, “as 1 fear there is a little trouble to be ‘experienced before our object is achieved ; but to (resume my story. Tour grandfather rigorously 'excluded Captain Waiitm from ids will, bequeath jing his property to his cousin, Arthur Neill; but jby the latter’s persuasion (Neillsteadily refusing to I accept the bequest) he subsequently added a codicil, by which the money was to lie equally divided between Neill’s eldest son and tbe eldest sou of Captain Warren, provision being made that in the event of Neill remaining single tlie whole went to tin* other claimant, (bat is, yourself. It was expressly enjoined on the executors that the estate was to be divided in the presence of both parties, in tbe event of there being two claimants, ami, as it is all invested in securities easily loj be realized, there will be no difficulty about that. Now comes the troublesome part of the matter, however. Shortly after the will was signed Arthur Neill left England to settle in Australia. I believe lie always entertained a hope that your grandlathor would become reconciled to his son, and cancel the will be had made ; and as his letters to the old gentleman invariably urged) this matter, the latter became angry andi discontinued the correspondence. That will, tile codicil of which was never altered, is iu the possession ot the lawyer who drew it, a Mr Havnes, who has retired from the profession, and lives at Richmond. Haynes occupied these offices before 1 became their tenant, and a copy of the codicil which I found among a mass of old papers thrown aside, first attracted my attention; and I have gradually fitted circumstance to circumstance until I have obtained tbe information I have given you. Your! course is therefore plain ; you mast endeavor toj find this Neill, previously satisfying yourself that my statement is correct, by an interview with Mr Haynes. 1 imagine it was by your grandfather’s directions that he has retained tbe will: the executor’s names vou must ascertain if possible from him.”

“ If " ill be necessary for me to make inquiries in Australia in some manlier, then,” said Warren, “ Yet how ”

“M by not go yourself?” said Grabbe. “No one will work for you half as well or thoroughly as you wdl do. As to tbe expense, half tbe fortune is yours at any rate, and if we come to an understanding, 1 will advance, you sufficient to complete the enterprise, as Neill will no doubt be easily found, and vour absence, therefore, but a brief one.”

Warren remains! silent for sump time; tbe idea ot becoming independent had revealed to him the true state of Ins feebngs towards Miss lloharles ; be tell that he loved her, vet the very steps necessary to be taken in order to win Iter would separate them tor months, perhaps years. Unable calmly to reason, be requested Grubbe to allow him until (be next dav to consider. The attorney assented, stipulating that the matter lor the present be eonliued to themselves, utid "Warren hurrieil home to Uayswatar, to think over his course ol proceed.in this momentous epoch of Jiis life. The result of a night’s rellectiou confirmed Warren in his acceptance of (Irahbe's otfer ; indeed now that he perfectly understood the position in widen he stood with respect to Miss Uohartes, lie foresaw that in either ease absence would he necessary. In his present, circumstances it was not likely that General ilohartes would consent to the marriage, and in that event Warren fell that he eonhl not remain inactive, and with nothing to hope lor ; he must seek, by exertion ami change of scene, to forget his blighted hopes. On the other hand was a prospect of winning I lie prize he had sought ; still all depended on the lady herself, and he determined to hazard the momentous question without delay.

V\ it 1 1 this object in view lip called upon Grahhe parly next day, and stated his intention id proeeeding to Australia. Some time was occupied in arranging terms, which were at length cunidiide.l and Grahhe found himself secured against loss in any case. If 'Warren succeeded in his object, the attorney would receive a munificent remuneration; while in the event of any unforeseen failure, the money Beechnut would pay for the removal of 1m rival would cover the amount Grabbe had advanced to Warren

The latter felt more reassured as to his chance of success when he received the cheque fur the amount Grahhe had advanced.

“ One tiling more,” said the attorney, “before yon leave. ()( course it will lie neeessarv for you to ins'n-m your relatives of the object of your departure ; hut I think it would he advisable to confine your ennli deuce to them for tie piesan*, as secresy is hast until you have some salislhctory statement to make. Aon could not explain the position oi atlairs to others without mentioning family mafters which yon would not care to do, and any statement without such an explanation would make it appear that you wen; on a w-'d-goose chase.”

Warren coloured. “The fact is,” lie replied, “that though 1 see the force of your observation, there is one friend to whom I must decidedly communicate mv intention.”

Grahhe hit his lip; but after a moment's pause.; said, “ Wei 1 , 0 f course you know best ; however, I suppose after you have done so, you will start directly you have seen Mr Haynes ?” “Immediately,” replied Warren. “The friend of whom I spoke is a gentleman to whose care I must entrust my mother ami sister during my absence, therefore you see if is imperatively necessary that 1 should inform him.” “Semi me a line before you start,” said Grahhe, “and I will come to see you off. I may bo able to gather some information before that time respecting IS'eill.” "Warren pronnsml t n do so, and leaving ; Inn, hurried to Turk Lane, entering the General’s I house with feelings very different from those he |had formerly entertained w hen visiting there. General llobartes, was not at home, lint his I daughter was in the drawing-room, and received I Warren with a cordial smile, which., however, greatly embarrassed him ; for, contrary to his usual custom, lie felt great difficulty in commencing a conversation, breaking the ice at length with that delightfully novel topic, the weather. If Miss Robarfes saw his confusion, she erucllv made no effort to extricate him ; and after a dryresponse to his observation, the young lady row and went to the piano, whither Warren followed, looking the picture of indecision. The expression

on ms countenance pioVi-d too muc-li for *uis> Robartcs’ gravity, and slie burst into a peal of laughter. “ Whatever can be the matter with von, this ■ morn in- F ” she asked when her merriment bp- 1 ! partially subsided. “Have you seen a ghost, or I turned medium, to create that doleful visage ? ”

Ici W* lrre . n looked savage, and replied shortly, l“I aHI iu no mood for joking. Miss Robartes! 1 Before many days I leave England.” 1 here was no laughter now, “ Leave England ! ” exclaimed the young lady; “ Wherefore ?” Somewhat reassured by her agitation, Warren replica, more cuniidentii. ” Business of importanee obliges me to proceed at once to Australia, and the duration of my stay there is uncertain : indeed, I may, jierhiips, remain there;” ami he I’ regarded her keenly as he perpetrated this stroke of diplomacy. i “ And your mother and sister,” inquired Miss 1 Robartes, “ will you leave them ? ” “ I hi list do so,” lie replied, “ and I hope to 1 place them under your father’s care until my re- i turn. 1 have heard news which may effect a great change iu our fortunes.” “My father will be sorry to lose you,” said Miss Robartes, after an awkward silence ; “ lie has grown so accustomed to your society that he will sadly miss you.” “ And yourself,” said Warren, taking her hand, and endeavoring to read bis fate in her eyes! “ Hear me, Agnes,—may 1 call you so ? I love you deeply, devotedly, but the difference in our social positions has hitherto prevented me from owning, even to myself, the strength of my alfection. Now, however, 1 can speak without being suspected of mercenary motives. lam entitled to ' a considerable amount of money by mv grandfather's will, but it is necessary that I should trace my co-legatee before 1 can receive it. Dare 1 f I hope that you will consent to give it value in | ( my eyes by sharing it with me —by becoming! | mine ?” " i,

Had Warren witnessed the coolness with which Miss Robartes had received the proposals of his rivals, he might have gained confidence from her confusion in the present instance ; hut without this knowledge, lie was too much in love not to interpret her emotion. Indeed, iu spite of the ingenious rales of procedure in cases of the tender passion, laid down by the, celebrated “ Parliament of Love,” held at the court of the Trovem;:il Xing, Rime, the decision of that august assembly never found much favour in practice. I’uppiug the question is very like taking a sensation “ header,” you plunge in without calculating the consequences, and ho. who succeeds in the rash proceeding, why “happy man he his dole.”

General Ilohartes was not a man easily astonished, hut it must be confessed that he v:i?s eonsiderahly startled when he suddenly entered the drawing-room, and saw his daughter seated beside barren, who still retained her hand, while he discoursed sweet music,” which doubtless deserves its name when spoken, hut, —unlike some statesmen’s speeches,—is not improved by printing. Miss lloharles escaped from the room directlv her father appeared; behind the latter stood Wilmington, his face presenting a beautiful index of eonllicting passions struggling for the immien. V\ arren returned his rival’s gaze defiantly, he leared nothing at that moment. “ 1 fear 1 am >h: 'ro/>'' said Wilmington, sneer'nglv, addressing his uiHe/ 1 No doubt you wish to have an explanation of the scene wc have just witnessed and the (.‘aptain leit the room. “ Now, sir, what is the meaning of this ? Have I been mistaken in yon y ” inquired General iluhartes, when they were ahme.

Cuniidence in lps altered position enabled Warren to bear the General’s burst of anger unflinchingly. lie rapidly narrated the facts of the case, and boldly asked General lloharles’ consent to his engagement.

The General could not but admire Warren’s c indoor; and though the downfall of his hopes respecting his nephew was a great blow to him, he remained true to his purpose of allowing his daughter to choose for herself. “Were you the only one concerned,” he said, “ I would say, do not leave England, hut your mother and sister must lie considered. Go to I hem at once, and bring them here; Agnes will h‘ glad ol their society, and when you return, it you arc both of the same mind, L will not object.” Clearly Grahbe’s idea of “clearing the course” was prospering. (To In’ cuiitniiicd.)