Novelist. A TERRIBLE LEGACY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume IV, Issue 240, 6 September 1884, Page 1 (Supplement)

Novel is t. A TERRIBLE LEGACY.

A TERRIBLE LEGACY. A STORY OF ENGLISH AND ATJSTBA* h j . LIANLIFE.

AuthoiS iOF.i'.' John Hobton's Ward ; " " The Wax ; 9F xhb World ;'■'■ "Abeij Bbadle? ; " "Blood Wni. Teu.;" &c.,&0.

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GHAPETRXTV.

Falkland looked, as lie felt, greatly disappointed. Curzon smiled, and, taking his friend aside, spoke to him for some time, both glatfoing at Tom. "Well, 'you. won't refuse my offering, I trust, Tqm," said the Colonel ; " nor yet that of a young lady who has requested me to be her commissioner. First, for myself." The Colonel produced a very handsome gold watbh'and chain,- the inner case of the watch containing a suitable inscription. "Tonj must not refuse this* Tom," said the Colonel, .placing it m his hand. "That's right, mV.nian, you "have richly earned it. And now, Tom, I have a present from a young lady-^Miss Falkland— to a person who does not exist. Can you guess whom I mean?';,,., ' "Blowed if I know,", said the literal Australian, ." unless praps its a collar for the bunyip when they catches one." The Qolonel drew out a case which, when opened, disclosed a beautiful little gold watch, surrounded jby an elegant neokchain. - "That' is for your wife, Tom," said the Colonevsniiling. Tom looked at Cotton, then at Fowler, grew red,, and then burst into a loud laugh. "My wife!" he said. "My oath, boss, you've cut out the wrpng'un from the mob this time^iriy 'wife 1 ' t Yaps you mean my mother?" "Not at all, Tom," replied the Colonel, gravely, -"it is for your wife." "But I haven't got one I" said the astounded stockman, "^Somebody's been running a rig flh'you, Mislte*." r "Dear me, that is a pity," said the Colonel, gravely, as he the case. Listen te^this, Tom: '"Presented to Mrs. Thomas TSrisir, by a friend whose'life was caved by her husband's bravery.' There, Tom, what am I to do? I think the best thing you can do is to take it, and see if you can persuade some young lady to claim it when you return to Australia." Tom, realising the? ppsition, received the trinkets with a'few'words'of thanks, and a glow m his countenance, which led the lookers-on to formed 'shrewd' idea that the watch would^oonjfind 'an owner. And then Falkland spoke :"".",'^ I"" "Well, Tpfi,:i am-tWlast man to blame you for loving your .native country. My friend Ourzon will see if he, can be more fortunate m doing/; something for you m Australia than I have, been. And now I think we had better get bick td my chambers, see that Guffles has r sent off all ; my traps, and; say good-bye to the modern Babylon:" v The journey down.ito Devonshire was undertaken m a far different mood; to the previous one. Falkland was m high: spirits, and talked with great animation of his approaching.'marriage, 'and -the improvements he intended effeoting on his estate.' Cotton,' once fairly launched on the subject, of. his Indian oamp'aigny told stories innumerable concerning seapoys and tigers; .while Jack Grist and Guffles, m a carriage to themselves, got, along \fampusly,\ the Cookney frankly owning that but for sea-sickness, bushrangers, ,and> one or. two 6ther triflea, he would most certainly accompany the return party to Australia. At length Exeter was reached; and carriages were In waiting to convey the party. Tom Grist stoutly refused to rid* m that manner, and a horse was accordingly obtained for him. The windows of the grand old mansion were one blaze of light m honor of the occasion; and as they swept up the avenue, a' horseman darted at full speed to the adjacent Village of Cheriton, and soon the bells m the tower of the old, ivy-mantled, church rang out a Joyous peal. Falkland sprang from the carriage, and clasped Bose m his -arms. " Once more united, dearest," he said ; " never, let us hope, again to part !" " It wasa happy party that assembled that night m the drawingrroom of the Court. Falkland recounted his Australian experiences for the benefit of his cousin, who sat by him, her hand clasped m his, and an expression of quiet happiness on her beautiful features. She shuddered when she heard of Curzonjs ' narrow escape, smiled when the fact of his engagement to an Australian " native " was proclaimed, and laughed outright when Tom's exploits m the kitchen of thehotel that morning were told. : And then Tom Grist was sent for, and invited to drink the healths, of those present — all hia warm friends, as they took care to impress upon him; after which Tom's health was proposed by Falkland, and heartily pledged by all, even the ladies joining m the toast. Then Fowler told how Tom had saved his life, by dragging him from the rushing waters of thY Murruihbidgee, and somehow it came out that the Australian was'in great request m the sheds at shearing time on account of hia vocal abilities. This made the ladies insist upon hearing an Australian bush song ; and though Tom at first blushed like a peony, and sternly refused to gratify the general request, he was not proof against the gentle (entreaties of Rose. Therefore, after explaining, that " the song was written by a drunken tramp— Frank the Poet they called him— as came to Nundle one season, and gave

him a copy of it for a pound of tobacco," Tom favored his patrons with the following :— SONG OF THE STOCKMAN. When the sky m the east is streaked with i red,As the early morn is breaking, The stockmaa springs from his grassy bed, The dew from his blankets shaking ; .Around are grazing the dappled hides ; . From the far back blocks he's brought ; them; They are wild, and of ten m headlong rides Through gully and scrub he's sought them A bracing sluice m the babbling creek, And a bushman's breakfast over ; Then his horse has strayed, and he starts to i seek For miles, maybe, the rover. ■ . .-.. But up in 1 the saddle at last he's got ; A mad steers turns to. gore him ; > His stockwhip cracks like a pistol shot, ■ ■ And the mob stream out before him. Then who would pine m the city's crush -■-With 'cheeks so wan and whitened, When tjhe keen bush air brings a hloomirig ! blush, " t ' ' , -". Andj'aheartfrom trouble lightened ? Letitradesf oik toil for their .paltrj gold,' .-.<■■. Then die, for others to spend it ;— ■'. Giv ame the life of a stockman bold, ' ' And a grave 'neath the grass to end it t Be sure that the Australian's song was highly praised by those indulgent critics, who Weft; their< present happy meeting to his sfeopg right; arm and bravery. And when he returned to' the housekeeper's room, where a general rejoicing was taking place m honor of the young lbafofait f s/rejtdrnj To,m had to repeat his song. ' He was the hero of the occasion ; and he became suoh a favorite with the i young' ladies of the kba ! «ehol<l that he " might speedily have found a claimant for Miss Falkland's present. But Tom Grist was leal and true. Down m the depths of his heart he treasured the .remembrance of a bonny Australian 'maiden, dwelling on the far off banks of the Hawkesbury. So Tom jested, and Sang, and thoroughly enjoyed himself ; but passed scatheless through the fire of bright eyes brought to bear on him.Next morning at breakfast, -Fowler gravely announced that a fortnight at the utmost must be the limit of his stay. Thus fortified, Falkland found an opportunity to entreat his cousin to name an early day ; and it was soon known to everybody that m eight days from* that date, the fair daughter of Sir Balph, would become the bride of the young baronet. Falkland, accompanied . by Colonel Cotton, left his card at the houses of his neighbors, the visits were returned ; Falkland Court— for so many years shut up and devoted to gloom and solitude— -was once again thrown open, and all was life, bustle, and activity. Numbers of ladies visited the Court, some from motives of curiosity, others from a sincere desire to befriend the young girl whose lonely life they had often pitied. All were made welcome, and Falkland found himself placed at a bound m his proper position as one of the leading gentlemen of the country. A few, it is true^and those mainly persons whose position gave them no claim to the entree at the Court — denounced the intended marriage, as disrespectful to the memory of Sir Eustace. Bat both Rose and her betrothed held it a saored duty to fulfil his dying request, m which he earnestly aaked them to wed immediately the fatal document was destroyed ; and a whisper, judioiously circulated by the Colonel, that the marriage was to take place m, accordance with an injunction m the late baronet's will, silenced the cavillers. . But there was, I confess, one drawback, and that of a nature not easily forgiven by, the ladies. l There was no grand wedding. The recent death of their relative prevented .any demonstration. A quiet ceremony took place one morning m Cheriton Church, m the presence of a few persons only. Colonel Cotton gave away the bride, whose tears. and pretty agitation lent her additional charms ; Curzon was of course groomsman, and Fowler was amongst' those who signed the register , as; witnesses. Nor did the " happy pair" fl# from their home to : spend their honeymoon. „ „..''.. " Opr lives 'will be one long honeymoon, I trust, my 'dear little wife," said Falkland, as he! left the old church porch, with his bride on his arm. " And jWhere could we so; fittingly enjoy the sunshine after the storm, as m the spot where the Terrible Legacy was bequeathed — where our parents died, and the blessed event of this day unites their \jhildren?:!rr ' ; '. : / ' •.■ \ After the marriage, Fowler suddenly discovered that he; would like to spend one; more Christmas m old England. He had tried to prevail on his parents to accompany him to his Australian home; but they would not hear of it. Then it somehow came about that his toototo visiting a farmhouse near his .father's very frequently ; andone day, after a , conversation between Mrs. -Cotton and Bose, ihe ladies drove out to visit the farmer m question, and discovered Fowler enjoying a 1 very agreeable tete-a-tete with the farmer's I -pretty Idaugtiter^who was all blushes at their, sudden appearapce.;. while Fowler looked asguilty and undignified as it was possible for a gentleman taken' in the very act of wooing to appear;. ; - Well, it all came out, of course; and i on Christmas Eve .there was another wedding at .the Court, and that was a wedding, if you IJike. A merry party during the day, and rejoicings, on the lawn, m spite of the weather, "Tom Grist distinguishing himself by his good humor and high spirits. Then there was a grand ball at night, m which the tenants joined ; ' and when Sir Frederick Falkland led out the bride, and Tom appeared' with his. partner, who insisted on opening the ball with her favorite, and rallied him during the intervals of the dance on the use he intended to make of her present, Tom secretly thought he would "somewhat- pull the wool over the] eyes of the biggest yarner among the shearers next season at. Nundle." Then came the mighty supper, laid m the servant's hall, and the toasting and speechmaking. Falkland proposed Fowler's health, and Fowler proposed that of their host, and afterwards, as a stranger, " Success to the owners' and tenants of the Falkland estate." And when everybody had toasted everybody else, Lady Falkland rose, and made a little Bpeeoh, m a voice sadly trembling with emotion, m which she called upon them all to drink to the health of her husband's dear friend, and the preserver of her life, " the Australian native," Tom Grist." Then the great, foolish fellow stood up to reply, and v after turning red and pale by turns, managed to lose his head and mumble something about being much obliged, and any of 'em was welcome to a feed and shakedown if they came past Nundle. Lady Falkland, who had guessed that Tom would cut a poor figure at speech-making, had artfully sent instructions to the musicians to strike up "Sir Roger de Coverley," and a general rush was made to the ball-room, while Tom was floundering m the midst of his reply. It was .hot until the beginning of tha new year that Fowler's party started for Australia. Falkland 'and Colonel Cotton, with their wives, accompanied their friends to Southampton. Curzon had long since intimated to Torn; Grist that he intended to purchase , a run, and that Falkland had insisted on lending Tom the money to join him. "Mo a squatter 1" exclaimed 1 Tom. " What ago 1 " But : after reflecting some time, he continued: ';W ; ell, if we don V have four or five seasons of drought right off, it's a good spec, and th« money won't be lotft anyhow.

You'll want someone to work the station. So ! I says, done, mate." \" The watch will soon find an owner now, I suspect, Tom," said Bose, shaking hands with him on board the steamer. Tom colored, and looked conscious, but made no reply. . i Away went the steamer, swiftly gliding j from the pier, watohed by the party on shore until she/was out of sight. " And so faded into the past the links connecting me with the Terrible Legaoy," said Falkland, as he watohed the long line of smoke on the horizon. "Now for the new life that hasdawned so brightly I" '

CHAPTER XV,

A LETIBB FROM HOME. : Two years have elapsed since the events narrated m our last chapter. It is again •December — but Deoember m Australia. The season has been a highly favorable one for the Biverina squatters ; copious rains m the late spring have filled the creeks, dams, and billabongs to overflowing, and made glad the hearts of the pastoral tenants. Shearing is over, and there has been a plentiful supply of waiter, enabling the flock-owners to wash - their sheep before shearing, thus making a great difference m the value of their clips. It iß,.mid-day ; and the glowing sun is pouring down his fiery rays on the Murrumbiflgee plains. Under the clumps of trees sur- . rounding the waterholes, and along the banks of the rivsr^crouoh the cattle belonging to Elgibar station ; a small, choice herd, for Fowler and Grist find stocking with sheep more profitable. In the verandah of the homestead lolls a tall, good-looking gentleman, the senior partner m the run, with, a pipe between his lips and a newspaper m his hand. Near him are seated two handsome women, each of whom has a young " native " on her lap. - •• It's time T«m was back," said one of the ladies, looking: at her watch. (Tom had found an owner^ for Rose's present.) ' •j It's a long tride from the township, Mrs. Grist," saidOurzon; "and besides, he is sure to wait for the coach, if it is late. The English mail, is m, you know, and there is certain to be a letter from -Devonshire. Confounded stale.news," he added, putting down thelpaper. .'•• W;e are quite out of the world here." X^- f "You should have .(thought of that before you plunged into matrimony and squatting," replied his wife, with an aroh look. "Oh 1 I ! don't grumble," said- Curzon, laughing. "I'm quite satisfied to let the world ' spin, ringing down the grooves of change,' as Tennyson has it— my happiness is here, Lucy." He patted the head of the child m her lap as he spoke. It was evident , that he had no reason to regret the fortnight spent at Nundle, during which he had formed the acquaintance of his future wife. "1 expect Mr. and Mrs. Fowler over this avening," said Mrs. Grist, presently. " They know the mail is due, and are bound to come. How fond you English people are of home!" " And if any of you ' colonial peoplo' think of going to England, where do you say you are bound for?" asked Curzon, mischievously. " Why, for home, to be sure 1 " replied Mra. Curzon. "Just so," said her husband. "England is quite as much home to you as to us, and long may it continue so. It will be a bad day for the old country when she gives' up or loses her colonies. < "Here conies Tom, and Fowler with him," said Mrs. Grist, Bhading her eyes with her hand as she looked across the plain, over whioh two horsemen were riding at a rapid pace. ■ " Lots of news;" shouted Tom, as he rode up to the verandah, and threw down a heap of parcels. "Hang up your horse, Fowler, and pome m while we read the letters." ' "' " Here are your papers," said Tom to Curzon, "and a couple oE letters; also one ; fOr you, Polly, m Lady Falkland's hand writling, and a brace; for me. Now for a right down, good read." Curzon's letters were from Cotton and Falkland respectively, and contained nothing of more than ordinary interest. He read them, laid them aside, and plunged into the news contained m the English newspapers until he was interrupted by an exclamation from Mrs. Grist. - " Oh, Tom! onlyjhink," she said, "Lady Falkland has a son and heir, such a dear little fellow, she says ; and just imagine I he has been christened Percy Thomas — Percy after Mr. Curzoo, and his mother says I am to tell you-the Thomas is after you." "Upon" my word, Tom, you are getting a downright bloated aristocrat," said Curzon, laughing. "A future baronet named after you— why, I shall expect to see that young lady; m her mother's arms making you father-in-law to a duke yet 1" To'm'vlaughed, but looked intensely gratified, nevertheless. "We must look out for the • Silenus' when she's about due m Sydney," he said. " Sir' Frederick writes that he has shipped some stock-as a -present for us by her, and —but there, I'll read his letter out." He did so; it ran as follows: — , "Falkland Court, Devonshire. "My Dear Tom,— l have owed you a letter for several mails, so I now send you a long one to make up for it. My wife has written to yours, I have no doubt giving weight, age and other full particulars of our interesting little stranger, who" by his mother's request has been named after you. We are all delighted to hear that the station affairs are so prosperous. By the sailing ship • Silenus,' whioh left Plymouth about a month ago, and consequently must be nearly due, I shipped* to your consignment a bull and three heifers, m charge of an exceedingly careful and experienced man, whom I recommend you to engage. He thoroughly understands shorthorns, and came to me with a very high recommendation from Colonel Towneley, from whom the animals were purchased. They are pure shorthorns, the bull being by the celebrated Master Butterfly, and the heifersby the equally famous Oxford Duke, all of them from cows quite as highly bred. They, are, of course, sent as a present from Colonel Cotton and myself to the proprietors of Elgibar ; but I would recommend you to pay great attention to them, since their progeny— or, as you squatters would term it, increase— will be very valuable. It was quite a favor to get the four for as many, thousand guineas. I mention the sum merely that you may be guided m the price when disposing of their produce, if all goes well. ; In these days of improving steam communication between the two ends of the world, it is not impossible that some fine morning Lady Falkland and myself may unexpectedly 'appear at Elgibar to see your home m the bush, concerning whioh Curzon writes such glowing aocounts to his sister. My vfife has an intense desire to see Australia. She says that she wants to look at the countryj and know the people of, Tom Grist. By the same vessel which brings your cattle, I have sent a two-year-old thoroughbred oolt, a full brother to a horse the possession . of which once caused me great misery. I hope that you will find him of service on your run, and that his stock may prove as valuable as men who understand such things assure me they win. "Do you remember . your old friend Guffles ? You will be surprised to hear thai: he has .become quite a celebrity, and Still more surprised to learn that it is principally owing to you hoaxing him. After I

gave up my chambers m the Albany, I took Guffles down to Devonshire, where he remained, more romantically inclined than ever, until about two months ago, when he suddenly asked permission to leave, stating that he had a ' higher mission.' Seeing that he was m earnest, of course I allowed him to go. Last week, being m London with my wile, I took her to the theatre. The playbill thrust into my hand as we entered the box announced the first piece as, " The Australian Avenger," by Borneo Fitz-Howard, Esq., who was also to sustain the principal character. I enclose you the playbill. I was astonished to find m the hero of the piece my old servant Guffles ; still more astonished to learn that you had furnished him with the anecdotes on whioh he had founded his extraordinary play ; but greatly pleased to learn that the production had hit the taste of the public. Tom, my friend, you. must have crammed poor Guffles most awfully. " You would be amused to see the interest we all take in.your- affairs. The Colonel and his wife' afe constantly with us, and the price of wool has' as much interest for us as it iian possiblyhave for Curzon and yourself. Send me a long reply to this. Your letters are eagerly looked for at the Court.; and believe me, my dear Tom, ever, gratefully, your sincere friepd, '-:•■■■■""•'■ «» Frederics Falkland." "Bead the playbill, Tom," said Curzon, laughing. - * "You'd better tackle it; mate," said Tom. " There's some jaw-crackers here I couldn't get mjr tongue round* very easy. Carry on, we're listening*" Curzon took the paper, and read as follows : — " Boy'al Princess's Theatre, 1 ■•,-:" Oxford-street. " To-night, for the ficsfc time, will be produced the thrilling melodrama, by Borneo Fitz-Howard, Esq., entitled, " THE AUSTRALIAN AYBNGfIR ; '• • • "on, "ThbDemon Swagman ofthb Murii*hbibgee, "m which the. autnor will sustain the character of Ruffiano NewoWme, the villain. All who are interested m our vast Australasian colonies should see. this piece, which truthTully depicts the guilt, gore, and bloodcurdlers generally whioh stamp a curse on that primeval land. N.B. — No half-price during the run. of this piece." And thus we leave them, m cheerful converse Concerning their absent friend 3. The guilty have met with their punishment ; the sorely tried have reaped their reward. On the rolling plains of Biverina ; m the stately Devonshire mansion— live m happiness and I prosperity those so strangely brought together by " The Terrible Legiacy !" THE END.