WILDMOOR HALL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume VII, Issue 265, 7 May 1889, Page 3

WILDMOOR HALL.

In'- I"''' A 'v s : ' I cross** i||«9iW7; * :iWA««* . J^^ the ruah grown borders a fisherman adjusting hi sgito]bid>A» goo4 foniinj

Hindlip «b : wl£3SrilGsr v Sßvin. tad granted ermission to- -fish vn^.tlie mere. He was a<pare6n, and, a man of middle age, wi&awr just turning gray, a clean B&a^d,^boa"htimoured face, and small twiftkhng gr-y eyes. " Ah ! Mr spencer, you axe an early riser toojl see," he said, offering his han<|. "Wh«t ; rforiou» morning to DS||p^iel.."With thil south west w^Siujghf r^^Tfl gport." M»,,|f^ "^he lake has| | it. See, there aJ^lw^^iyOTder, under that ove w !|P§gjj^^ eo# *'^ : . " Yes," he s m his eyei from the sun J looked toward the opposite haMuwhere a . series pJ big circles showea that a heavy fisl had struck. " I skr^JtMil^ciftp oatel that fellow," he* *BWTOiiwefQ N as h< fixed a spinning bait to the end oJ the line, and cast with exc^UeM^eOision. '- 1 '■;**■*'' Though the Eev. Arihur Arms leighhad St^'^ftrtMva'ble ! varietj of lure in his fishing basket, he hac not contrive^sW^B* E-'to'-befort breakfast; but later ial^he r day ] strolled dowW^^Ek^'Anrll'ioun^ riTtn almost ecstatic with delight. " See !" he said, lifting a twelve pound pike from the ground, "mj patience has been rewarded." Complimenting him upon, Jiii powers, I sat down upon the 'grass and lit my pipe, whilst he <watch.ee his painted float and chatted. I found the parsen a very entertaining companion. He had a rare fund of anecdotes, piscatorial and otherwise, besides beinga well-read and thoughtful man. We became the best of friends by the following evening, and at dusk I asked .him, before leaving for Hindlip, to walk up to the manor- Mil mispeet'ttie pic' tures. The suggestion met with ids fullest approval. <( lam an enthusiast in the matters of archaeology/aril Wi^tyv*' he said, as we entered the wide hall "What a "grand oolJefetion -"W armour!" he exclaimed, delightedly. I showed him everything ,of <jn. terest connected with the hall, 1 from the priest's hole to the ancient gold in the oak coffer. " I cAnnot tell you hw^niuel^-ycra have delighted me," hffj^ddi tP® we parted " How I etovy you living in such an atmosphere of romance, and surrounded by such splenaia treasures of madiaeval art ! How my friend Bronson, who has made ancient armour his. ispfeoiat subject td Itudy, would revel in such a magnificent collection! Thank you again and again, my dear sir/Vhft ia^d, Squeezing my hand. , , •; v The genial cleric's romp 1 ambnihTp* was a slight distraction from y mj brooding, for I was itilL greatly as« tonished at Maud's te'tiraordinaty res*rve. ?be appeared to studiously avoid me, and beyond an occasional commonplace remark at talkie .sh< scarcely spoke to me. I was, also, surprised more than aape^to n<)tic.< how pale she looked in ||ib morning; as if she had not sleptj and once ] thought that her "&jref]l66keli ; red from weeping. Wtkt was 4he*caus« of her secret grief? I puzzled mj brains to discover, often lying awak« the whole night through. , . One evening I was-Feturrfng' froa the neighbouring market town, whither I often rode on business, and at the entrance to the ride througl the Home Wood I saw Maud walking ly herself. I reigned up by hei side and disnfoilnteT. ■ " She' ', had heard the sound! or* iby hoofs on the dry 1 aves, and though tl^ ride was sombre I thought when she turned her head that a blush spread over her features. «"' ' ' " " Tou have chosen a lonely walk, Miss Lemaistre^'rSdi'd,^^^ hat. "" - tiT " l " That is because its Jone^inesa.accords with my thought^'^wirffplied Her voice was low and ner head tent ' mill -«;/t -.•;-'il;-'; " Will you noljletjUxe sjfmpa^nm with you if you' are lii trouble ?" ] said, earnestly. " There are tria.lsaiyhi^h, are (^e»i endured alone," she answered. *'• But is it notia; ;ijejief to thosei . i; trouble to confi4g in, a, trusty, friend?' I asked, bendipg^^ her> She ddc not answer. " You are i;i," I cried, " and i cuts me to the heart to see, you so You have something upon you mind. '• el it to me — tell me all Why will you not regawj^aej a* you truest friend ?" ' " u oh, I do,V l#^ ,|a44;J: do in deed, it is for that reason that I bej you not to question me further." " It shall be as you wish," I £f plied; and we walked along tit silence. (To be continued') v