CHAPTER XXVI.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 280, 11 July 1888, Page 6

CHAPTER XXVI.

AT SCUDMOKE HOUSE. Asiiford and his new wife were now fairly settled at Scudmove House, where it had pleased him to take up his residence rather than at Ashton Park,to which place he had taken his first bride. Scudmore House, though in the same county, is many miles distant from Ashton Park, the one being north and the other south of the city of Oxford. It is many years since Scudmore House was occupied by its owner. It has been left in charge of a housekeeper and butler, who by consent of the former proprietor had become one and had resided in the old mansion at liberal wages, doing nothing beyond showing: the place to chance visitors, and keeping 1 it in respectable order, with what assistance was needful. The house is of Elizabethan architecture and a very stately mansion. Ashford had felt scrupulous about disturbing the ancient custodians who had made this their home through so many years, but he wanted the house for his bride. He made the old couple a ver& liberal offer, which they requested to be allowed to decline. He offered them a pension and house in the neighbouring village to retire to for the rest of their days, but they had been so accustomed ot living in the old place that they had not the heart to leave ifc. They, therefore, begged that they might be allowed to remain and serve their new master in the positions they formerly held. This they were permitted to do, and Ashford had no reason to complain. The old place was put into thorough repair and was generally renewed internally for the reception of its new mistress. JN'o expense was spared to render it the perfection of comfort. Scudmore House in its miniatuie park was now one of the best appointed houses in this part of Oxfordshire. Notwithstanding all the money Ashford laid out on the old place, notwithstanding the profuse liberality with which he treated his tenants on his arrival with his bride, and his continued kindness to them, there was still something wantirg. What was it? The country families did not call upon Mrs Ashford ! No. Society would not have her. To say Tom Ashford did not care for this would be untrue, but under the circumstances he made the best he could of the situation. He could not shut his eyes to the reason, and he thought it hard on poor Flora that she should be made to suffer for Aubrey Hamilton's sin — for surely he was the guilty one. j Was Flora happy? yes, quite happy. Tom was her own — her husband. She was to A&hford a good wife, too, and 30011 became a great favourite with the tenants and the poor in the village, who spoke no ill words of her. It is the month of December and the ground is white with snow. Snow, snow, snow, nothing but snow everywhere outside. Inside, however, all is snug and warm — what a contrast, what a delightful, joyous contrast ! Ashford and his wife are seated in the cosy, oak-panelled library, he in a comfortable arm-chair and she" coiled up on the hearthrug at his feet. He is sorting the letters which have just arrived from the village. Flora's correspondence is not extensive, and beyond bills and such like documents she seldom received any communication through the post. 'He»-e is one for you, darling,' said Ashford, giving her a letter. ' Why ! whom can this be from ?' said Flora, who, woman-like, instead of opening it and settling the matter at once, proceeded to puzzle her brains Avith the writting outside. ' You had better open it, Flo, said Ashford. 'But, darling, look at the writing: do you know it V asked Mvs Ashford, holding up the envelope for his inspection. * No, dear, I never saw it before.' ' Why, it is just like Bertie's writing— my own dear brother's.' She broke the seal and read a few lines, then looked ab the signature and exclaimed — ' Why. it is Bertie, come home. Oh ! Tom, I am so glad. And he is coming here to see us, deai old feHow " 'Is he really, Flo?' I shall be very glid to see him, \eiy glad. When is he coming?' ' Oh, lie doesn't ?ay. He says : ' I intend paying you a visit shortly, if you will have me. Let me know at once when I may come a« I have a great deal to do, and only a short time to do it in.' ' ' Why, is ho going back to New Zealand again, then V' ' I don't know, that is all he says— read it, love," and she handed the letter to her husband. 'Strange fellow,' said Ashford. 'Why can't he tell people more about himself ?' ' Did you ever know a man to write about himself. Tom ? I never did. I am sure ■» hen you used to write to me, you never said half enough about yourself.' ' Quite as much as I cared, to, Flo', I assure you. What will you do about your brother, or, I should say, our brother When shall he come?' ' Oh, I don't know. The sooner the better, don't you think so, dear ?' ' Tired of my society already, Flo' ?' asked Tom, taking her hand between his and looking into her lovely eyes'. 'Oh ! Tom ; how can you .say such things 1 ' As if I could over grow tired of you !' Flora wrote to Inn brother, telling him t.o come when it suited him, and that he might count on u hearty weloomo from her husband and herself at all times.