AUTHOR) OR HARRY BLOOMFIELD. (CONTINUED.) CHAPTER IV. THE FIRST LETTER.

Waikato Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1914, 11 October 1884, Page 1 (Supplement)

A UTHOR) OR HARRY BLOOMFIELD. (CONTINUED.) CHAPTER IV. THE FIRST LETTER.

"We Lr.rT Mr. Brown proceeding on his way towards Mr. McKays residence with his lordship's note. Mounted on a spirited hoife, and dressed in his best livery, with his mind meditating on the sensation his appearance would create on the ignorant people he was going to vi^it. Approaching Mr. McKays house in a swinging canter, the first person he encountered after springing out of his saddle with a cavalier air, was Mary Grant, who had been wondering what stylish gentlemen was coming. Brown, who was instantly struck with the pretty Highland lassie, brought all his fascinating powers to bear in order to take her tender heart by storm. Approaching her with a theatrical air, he presented Mr. McKays note, at the same time placing his left hand on his heart, making a low bow, and addressing her in the following strain :—: — " .Hadorable IZangel, padon, my presumption in presenting you with a billet which his lordship has done me the ftonor to convey to Mr. Maky, the gentleman of this /iestabhshrnent." Never before having been addressed in such high-flown language, moreover by such a handsome and well-dressed gentleman, Mary tripped away gaily on her mission, delivered the note to Mr. McKay, who, on perusing it, sent her back immediately to conduct the bearer to a room, where he was to be treated to eatables and drink, On executing her commission, Mary was again besieged with a, repetition of Mr. Brown's enconiums on her charms, which raised hei vanity to the highest pitch, and sent her upstairs (she hardly knew whether on her head or heels) to her young mistress' room ; and which, on enteiing, she startled its fair occupant with the following elfusion :—: — "Darling Miss Bella! such a charming gentleman below with a letter to the nuibter trom some lord at the castle. You never heard such fine words as he said to me and such beautiful English. He called me hi 3 7tadorable Mangel, and many other fine things ; and such splendid clotheSi with a gold band round his hat ! If Donald Munro had heard all the things he said to me , lam sure he would be jealous." Thus J\L.uy went on in breathless excitement, casting stolen glances at herself in the minor, to the amusement of her young mistrc&s. The noce fiom the caatle, howevei, changed Bella's risibility to anxiety and fear, diea,ding that it might have some relation to the aiiair at the budge of Linn. Her speculation was soon interrupted by her father ringing for her, and with seeming happiness informed her that an English lord had purchased the estate, was now at the castle, and demanded his (Mr. McKays) pressnee there. Bella heard this news with terrible misgivings, which her looks betiayed to her astonished parent, and which did not tally with his own pleasant mood. Mr. McKay met with a flattering and most hospitable leception at the castle from Lord Lundy and his gallant cousin, which he acknowledged with becoming politeness, and was greatly honored by the many favors which the young nobleman had bestowed upon him, particularly the agency or the f actorahip of the estate. He wab quite charmed with the sense and judgment his lordship manifested in his future plans, particulatly giving a bonfire and entertainment to the tenantry, which, he remarked, would restore haimony and good feeling between landlord and tenant, and remove any prejudices which the Highlanders would naturally entertain against a stranger, and an Englishman, or any clanish leanings towards their former unhappy land. Lord Lundy was glad that Mr. McKay approved of his arrangements, and left the management of the whole to him, with power not to spare any expense or trouble in bringing forth the gathering in the most elaborate and grand syle, and after a few more remarks on different subjects, Mr. McKay took his leave, highly pleased with his visit and future prospects. Great were the preparations at the castle during that week, and largely were the events of the approaching bonfire or fete discussed by all the tenants on the estate. Male and female, old and young, joined in the universal excitement. Yet there were three who used to be the leading stars and centre of attraction on such oooasions resolved not to attend the grand fete, or took but little interest in its attractions, although they withheld as yet their antipathy to the occasion. These three were the two Stuarts and our heroine, Bella. Mr. McKay was puzzled at the conduct of his daughter, and her indifference to the coming event, when on every other occasion she , invariably manifested great delight. One evening he rallied her, and set forth in glowing terms the fashionable attractions and amusements she would meet with at the castle ; and above all, dancing, as formerly, with her old partner, Charlie Stuart, whom he declared was grown a fine young man. Bella blushed deeply on hearing her youflg x

neighbor's praise from the lip=i of her parent, but instantly remarked seriously that she would far prefer remaining at home ; and as for Charlie Stuart, she did not think he would attend either. This unconscious betrayal of har feelinga and opinion still moie surprised her parent, who was unable to unravel the mystery. Being now Mr. Stuart's successor in the faetorship, and sole manager of the coming iiite, and also the person entrusted for issuing invitations, he therefore thought proper to visit his neighbor personally, in order to remc \ c any unpleasant effect 3 which his appointment might create, or any prejudices which Mr. Stuart might entertain against the new proprietor. On miking his visit, Mr. McKay set forth in glowing terms Lora Lundy's many wiso and excellent qualities, which, he had no doubt, would greatly beneiit the estate and the tenantry at large, and concluded by giving Mr. Stuart and his son a pressing invitation to the grand banquet which his Lordship's bountiful liberality oftered them all. Mr. Stuart excused himself by saying " that he was growing too old to care about sucli entertainments, especially when the rightful proprietor was not to be the host, but with regard to Charlie, that he could go, of course, if he chose." His son at once interrupted him by remarking, " that he had no idea of attending, whether his parent did so 01 not." Mr. McKay was greatly disappointed and amazed at young people in these days, how little they cared about such amusements, and added " that his own daughter manifested the came indifference about going, and which he feared would be the case, having depended on Mr. Stuart bringing her in his carriage on that day, as he himself would be early at the castle conducting the arrangements, and not wishing to brmg his daughter that early." Mr. Stuart and his son sought each others looks, when tns elder remarked " that he would certainly consent, for Bella's sake," which admission gmitly ple&feed their neighbor, who left in t&£ better spirits than he expected, at the satibfaclory termination of hid mission. That evening Bella McKay, as was her wont lately, sat at the window of her voom, with an elbow resting on the sill, and her delicate white hand supporting her transparent brow, with her eyes nxed on some object opposite. A gieat change had taken place within a few days in the looks and manner of the charming girl. The losy, laughing young creature, whose buoyant spirits were the theme of everyone, was now changed into the pale and thoughtful woman. Mary Grant's lively chatter was unable to louse her pensive young mistress, or divert her thoughts from the one object which haunted her mind. Charlie Stuart's despahing and endearing words — " Bella, dear, live for me ! " — were still ringing in her oars. Strong, indeed, must be the feelings, she thought, which prompted her former shy and mode-.t playfellow to give utterance to such expiessions. She wondered at her own blindness in not; discovering before now his many noble qualities, and handsome and manly person. Her father's remarks concerning him—" That he \va3 grown to be the handsomest young man in the country" — opened her eyed, and revealed all his superior qualities, and instilled through her pleasant and delightful sensations, which gave her new life. The object of her gaze and reverie was no less affected with the malady which had taken possession of herself. Ever since that eventiul morning, hU gun, hshing-rod, and boat, were neglected. His station was taken up — particularly at eventide, when Donald Munro played on the lawn — in his room, with the window raised uj., and a telescope in his hand, levelled at a certain object in a window opposite. His father attributed his son's change and dejection to his own cause, namely, the downfall of their chief and laird. This, although it partly added to hi 3 depression for his paront's sake, was not sufficient to create such a revolution in his lively spirits. Bella McKays feeble and despairing cry, " Charlie, dear, &aye me !" sounded still in his cars. Her beautiful form, when she lay helpless in his aims, haunted his thoughts. She was no longer the lively little child of former years, but a beautiful budding flower, which wanted all his care and attention to protect from the wanton advances of the bold libertine. While Bolla, as before-mentioned, was ruminating and calling to her mind many pleasant hours passed in the company oi her young neighbor, Mary Grant, tripped into the room, and, after closing the door carefully after hei, pulled a small billetdoux from her bosom, laying her left hand on her heart, in that attitude which Brown enacted towards herseli, and making a low reverence, said — " A love-letter, my dear madam !" Bella colored unconsciously on recognising the handwriting, although this had been the lust addressed to herself ; she therefore with trembling fingers broke the seal, and read as follows :—": — " My Deak Belia, — I have not had an opportunity of a piivate interview with you, to ascertain whether it is your intention to grace the coming fete at the castle. Fiom some hints, however, which dropped from your papa to-day, I inferred that you have objections, which, although he is unable to compiohend, I can easily divine. I also hold the same objections, knowing, of course, that our common enemy is included in LordLundy's retinue. Ilowevei, to lull all suspicions, I consider it more advisable for you to submit to your father's wishes, and my attendance accordingly I consider imperative. It has been arranged that my father will drive you I in hi 3 cainage, so that we shall call for you [on our way. Let me know your intentions by Donald, who, by-the-bye, is glad to have an opportunity of having a chat with Mary. — Yours sincerely, C. Ewd. Stuart." Bella lingered for some time re-perusing and repeating each sentence, and overjoyed at the interest the writer had taken in her behalf by resolving to accompany her at the risk of the consequences which might follow. At last the impatient maid, who fidgetted by her side, longing for another chat with her lover, reminded her mistress that Donald was waiting for an answer. Instantly procuring writing materials, she penned the following reply :—: — "My Dear Chaulie, — Many thanks for your kind interest in my behalf. I shall be indeed guided by your advice, having such a sincere friend to protect me in a place where I have the greatest antipathy to enter, and which will be solely to please papa. — Yours sincerely, Bklla McKay." This billet was joyfullyy fully carried by Mary in her bosom, casting a mischievous look at her blushing young mistress when closing the door after her ; but the tormenting little maid did not wait tor a rebuke, if such was in store for her, for the quick pattering of her small feet down stairs left Bella, in great relief, to commune once more with her own pleasant thoughts, and which we Bhall not disturb, or pry too closely into, but follow her maid. On delivering the note privately to her, lover, a long chat ensued, in which the coming bonfire was the principal subject. Mary concluded by giving Donald a detail of the compliments passed by Mr. Brown on her own beauty, his fascinating manners, and, above all, the attention she expected to receive from him at the bonfire, which would raise the jealousy of all the other young girls. The thoughtless Mary, ho full of her own pleasant anticipations, never dreamt that she was kindling a raging jealousy in the bosom of her true lover, which he partly manifested

at parting, by not bestowing upon her his accustomed kiss, which Jgreatly surprised the young maid.