Richmond Hill Public Library News Index

The Liberal, 6 Jun 1901, p. 7

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And now, of a sudden, the had been thrown open, and life and gaycty, beauty and fashion thronng its erstwhile gloomy chambers. livâ€" ery window gleamed joyously with the warm blaze of light, and soft, melting Strains of music, mingled with the hum of sweet. voices and the rustle of silks and satins; and white shoulders gleamed, and bright eyes flushed with Cupid’s artillery, and hearts were lost and won. And the lawns and drives were gay with many colored lamps, and alive with livericd servants: and the pebbled driveâ€"way crunched under spuruing hoofs and grinding wheels. And the gloom and silence of Hartleigh Hall were ‘driven away. Some there were there who had known the Mad Dick IIartleigh of twenty years agone, and these were curious to see the changes time and sorrow had wrought in the man whose wild exploits had set the soâ€" bcr world agog. And others there were to whom he was only a name, and they looked to see what manner of man this was who had started life with almost unlimited wealth and a. title that went back near a thousand years; who had in his youth startled England with his mad caprices, and who had lived a iniserly recluse for fifteen years, only to end by opening his magnificent mansion to feasting and mirth. ‘ And when they entered the drawing room, what did they see? They saw a. tall, thin man, of perhaps fifty- five years of age, with a clean-cut patrician face, distinguished by the Hartleigh grayâ€"blue eyes and wellâ€" fornied mouthâ€"a. thorough specimen of old English nobility, who greeted his guests and welcomed them with a courtliness which smacked of the manners of the old world that had known him as Mad Dick Hartleigh. He was not a whit embarrassed; he did not explain why the Hall had been closed to them for so many years, but bore himself with the well bred ease of the man who is aware of nothing extraordinary in what he is doing; and with polished ease leaned one white, thin hand upon the arm of his nephew, Guy Hartleigh, as he went about introducing the young man and doing the honors of the evening. i Heir as he was to the title and esâ€" tates, Guy was even less known than Sir Richard, though his boyhood, too, had been spent near the Hall; but, since his boyhood he had visited the Hall only at stated intervals, and for a brief period at these times. His relations to the old man had been of the coldest and most formal kind, never reaching the length of affection, and always constrained. To him the Hall had ever been an awesome place, and no one of the gay throng was more surprised than he to see the old place radiant with light and joyous with mirth and music. Guy Was a Hartleigh. Everybody saw that at a glance. He had in full measure all the qualities for which his race had been famous. Tall, stalwart, erect, and bold of bearing as one of the ancient Vi- kings, he was yet a patrician from, the tawny hair of his head to the wellâ€"shaped feet. gracefully in the mazy windings of the waltz. And, for all the strange- ness of the gathering, he did not fail to enter into the enjoyment of it with all the zest and ardor of youth. ' The ball was a success, so every- body agreed. It was threatened to be still; but, as the little Lady Gladys Vyi'icr said, who could resist the infectious gayety of Guy Hart- leigh? Nobody, apparently, for af- ter the first feeling of wonderment at finding themseIVes in a house which most of them had come to look upâ€" on as a tomb, they one and all abandoned themselves to the enjoy- ment of the occasion, and made the old walls ring again with their joy- ous mirth. It was three o'clock before the last guest left the Hall; and then the tired servants hurried to extinguish the lights on the lawn and in the house. so that before Guy had reâ€" turned after putting pretty Lady Gladys into her carriage, he found himself, with something of the old boyish shudder, in the same gloomy. Hall of the past. l-Iis uncle, too, had disappeared: and Guy, with a shrug of his broad shoulders, told himself that. after the one gladden- ing glimpse of joyous life, the old cheerless life was to be taken up again. And if that were so, .was to become of him? He would not consent to bury himself there. as his uncle had done. He would return to the Continent rather than that; and with this thought in his mind, he turned from the drawing- ‘room and made his way to the. libâ€" rary, where he could have a last smoke before retiring A lamp was .still burning in the library, and he doors , which he used so| z : ~ . j . .1 - ,_ what tonished e} es t.1e p01ti ut of a. Sin lpassingly beautiful woman. ltimes had Guy stopped wonderineg ‘before I l ed his attention, head to listen. "ls that you, Guy?" demanded a. voice. “Yes, sir." It was his uncle who had spoken. The room was dark, and Guy won- dered what the old man was doing there at such a time. It was a Sort iof disconnected pictureâ€"gallery, and was used for the portraits of the lat- ier generations of the llartleighs. “Come in here, luy; I would like to say a few words to you if you are not too tired to talk with me." “Not at all. I was going to sit up and smoke a cigar before going to bed." "Bring your cigar in here; and if there is a candle there, bring that, too.” Guy lighted his cigar, and, lifting the lamp, carried it into the gallery. Ilis uncle sat in a great arm-chair, with a weary, wistful expression in his usually stern, impassive face. He motioned Guy to a chair, and, after a pause, which Guy occupied in idly pulling the cigar smoke in cirâ€" cles from him, Sir Richard asked, abruptly, but not unkindly: "Do you know why I gave this ball tonight, Guy?" “I understood it was to introduce me.” "But you are three years past your majority. Why should I wish and he turned his to introduce you now, more than three years ago, at; the age when such things are commonly doneâ€"can you guess?” "No, sir; though I have tried to do so.” _ "You are heir to the title and esâ€" tate. but except at my will you could never enjoy a penny of your inheritance until my death.” "I know that, sir, and I am grate- ful " “It is not for that that I speak now. Listen. The estate is a. good one, and, by my will or not, you will at my death be in possession of a. fair income; but there is an im- mense fortune, part of which I inâ€" herited and more of which I have accumulated, which can be disposed of according to my oWn wish. I have had you educated, and I have always provided for you with the one idea of leaving to you this wealth, which has never done me any good.” Guy murmured something in the nature of thanks for this promised munilicence; his uncle, however, took no notice of his words, but, as if he had not heard them, went on: “I have watched you carefully, and I have so much confidence in you that I do not now hesitate to ask of you what, with another, I would make a condition of the bestowal of this wealth.” "I am glad it is a request rather than a condition,” said Guy, with quick pride. "You would have resented the conâ€" dition, perhaps even refused it?" queried Sir Richard, with an anxiety he made no effort to conceal. "I am a. Hartleigh,” was proud answer. “But the request?” "Is acceded to without hesitation. I make no reservation, for I know .it; is as little likely that you would ask, as that I would grant, any- thing that could not' be done with honor.” “It is true; but you must know the .request before you grant it." | Sir Richard let his head fall upon 'his hand as he said this, and for iseveral minutes did not open his lips. There was so little of the old ifamiliar firmness, and there was so linuch of the depressed sorrow in his iuncle's tone and manner, that Guy :felt a new sentiment coming to life {in his generous young heart. It lseemed to him that in the place of [the hard, repellent old man he had Iaccustomed himself to see in his un- lcle, there was one who needed his Inll’ection and support. He put his {hand out with a frank, gener0us ges- ‘ture, characteristic of him, lwould have spoken; but the older :man seemed to comprehend, for he looked up with a smile as sad as it was rare on his face, and taking the ;hand in both of his for a moment, 5gave it a gentle pressure, which seemed to say, “I know what you lwould say, and I thank you." Then Zhe dropped it. and rising painfully ,to his feet, said. brokenly. ] "Guy, you have known me as a isilent, unloving man. A miser, some ‘havc called me; a misanthrope ot- lhers. I have been neither, but a 5sun‘ering, self-condemned wretch. IThe cause you shall know.” the - He drew a tiny key from his pock- ,et, and approaching what looked ilikc a large cabinet resting against "the wall, inserted the key and un- locked it. Two doors swung open. and there was revealed to Guy’s asâ€" Many this seeming cabinet, but never had he suspected what it real- ly was. He turned to Sir Richard with a look of inquiry. "My wih," were the only words he spoke, and then turned away with Such a look of agony on his face that Guy’s kind heart went out to sew; about to light his cigar when a him. ‘noise in the adjoining; room attractâ€"l He would have gone to his side and and l given him that silent sympathyl which men like, but felt that it would be wiser not; so he stood: looking up at the lovely face, which seemed to be smiling down at him, in a trustful, tender way that lieâ€"l I 'spoke his confidence, in spite of the story he vaguely remembered to lhave heard of her. By and by hisi uncle returned to his side, and ask- ed him softly: [ “Could you believe her to be' false?" 5 "No." answered Guy, in his fear-| kss way. "Sit, down. Twenty years ago to- day ] married Constance l-‘aulkner.| [She was young. and, as you sce.’ lrarely beautiful. I loved her. and‘I believed she loved ine.’ And when I say mean. Adoration, worship, devo- tion. I had been, as you have no doubt heard. wild as few men are. Mad Dick Ilartlcighl" he said, with a sigh. "The name tells the story. But after my marriage 1 was as faithful and true as 1 had been un- ,stable and wild before. Two years after our marriage a child was born to us~a girl. We were very happy. So happy that for five years we shut ourselves out from the world, con- tent with each other; but then I one day met an old friend, one I had loved as Damon loved Pythias. I invited him to the Hall, to renew the friendship of the old days. One day I returned unexpectedly to find him at the feet of my wife, speaking words of love to her. again in 1this house.” The old man lowered his voice. "He went with me to France. and there I left him dead. When I returned to my home, my wife was goneâ€"my wife and my child." I l on the thin white hand, and the si- eyes filled with a sympathetic mois- ture that did him honor. All the reserve and the coldness of the past melted away, and the young heart and the old throbbed together. Presently the old man looked up with a pathetic smile and continued: "I did not seek to bring her back. I doubted even that the child was mine. I asked no questions; I would not even look upon the things that were hers. I shut. up the Hall and went abroad. Five years later I came back here, my heart hardened and full of scorn for myself. I went through the rooms, scoffing at my self, to see them just as she had left them. I went even to her chamber, and tossed over the dustâ€"covered arâ€" ticles on her toilet-table, trying to make myself believe I did not care. And my heart was crying out all the time! Guy,” and his voice sank to a low whisper, “as I turned over the laces and jewels that lay there I came upon a yellow, timeâ€"stained en- velope addressed to me. It was in her writing. I tore it open; I know not what I thought to find in it: but, oh, great Heaven! it showed her to me as white and spotless as the angels themselves. She, who had gone away in her innocence, knowing my furious anger and unâ€" reasoning passion, had left that letâ€" ter, hoping I would read it and fol- low her for her forgiveness. I sought her then, but, alas! it was too late. I hired three detectives to search for her, and for years they searched in vain; but at last they were successful, and came upon her and her child in America. But just as they were about to communicate with her, she unaccountany disap- peared. Then again they searched, and again found her, only to be bafâ€" fled in the same way. Time and again the same thing happened, un- til it seemed to me she must be try- ing to elude me. I did not dare go seek her myself, fearing, I know not why, that if I did some dire misforâ€" tune would befall her and the child. Now, she is dead.” He arose and paced the floor, not with the assured stop Guy had been so accustomed to see, but feebly and almost totteringly. But it calmed him, and in a few minutes he resumâ€" ed his seat and took up the story again: “The child is found. a young woâ€" man now and it only remains to bring her home. Home, Guy! I dare not go, and every day I look for a telegram saying that. she, too has disappeared again." Guy’s handsome face lighted up, ‘and he spoke eagerly. "You will let me go for her? If she disappears again I will trace her. I will find her and bring her to you. It is what you would ask, is it not? It is what I would do. Tell me what you know of her whereabouts. Where is she now?" “In San Francisco. much to ask of you.” “It is nothing. I shall be ready tomorrow. We will not delay a mo- ment fiTore than is necessary. I am not only willing, I am eager to go." But it is "But, Guy, there is more to be said." "More? What is it?” asked Guy, uneasily, for there was a strange exâ€" DI‘CSSIOH in Sir Richard’s face. “Can you picture what my child must. be, having led the life she has?” “But what does it matter? She is your daughter and my cousin. You doubt how I will receive one who is lperChance, ignorant and uncouth? Doubt no longer. She is the victim of an injustice. and l, as well as you, will do what lies in me to rec- tify it.” "Ah, Guy; as noble as a Hartleigh! It. applies to you as it never did to me. But have you consideredâ€"have -;,'-r.u. thoughtâ€"do youâ€"â€"â€"â€"-” ‘love,’ 1 mean all the word can lfarther. lIe slept not The prematurely gray head dropped * lence of anguish and despair fell upâ€"v on him. Guy said not a. word, but his broad chest rose and fell, and his! "You hesitate. Tell me without reserve, what is in your mind." "Guy, there is but one way to place my daughter right. before the world." * "And that is?” "Dy marriage with one who is her social equal.” Guy looked down as if studying the full meaning of the words. and then looked up with a frank smile, and putting both hands out to his uncle said: "I understand you. This is the request, that I marry your (laugh- tcr?" "I noticed your attentions to the Lady Gladys tonight.” “Shc'is pretty. and I was attract- ed. It might never have gone any At least, it shall not. I iwill find your daughter. and, if she gwill have me. I will make her my wife. And, uncle, I do it with a cheerful heart and without one mis- giving.” } “Heaven bless you, Guy! deserve this from you.” To be continued. aâ€"â€"â€"+â€" DEGENERATION OF THE FRENCH. I do not Rapid Declluc In the Vllalfly «f the Republic Alarnn Frenchmen. A few years ago that volatile and and patriotic French statistician :Julcs Bertillion (author of a system -of identifying criminals and expert witness in the Dreyfus case) emitted a doleful cry which should have ‘startled his countrymen. He 0):â€" lClilill'lCd that the French people and the French language were doomed to early extinction: that in 1859 the ,long declining birth rate had fallen :below the death rate, and that there 'liad been an actual loss of populaâ€" ltion. From the beginning of the past century the birth rate of France had been steadily falling, while there had lbeen no appreciable decline in that of the other European nations. The 'French tongue had ceased to be the language of diplomacy and of polite ;socicty in other lands. Although at ,the beginning of the war of 1870 iFrance and Germany had the same *number of soldiers, in 1895 Germany "was able to put in the field twice as 7many men as France could comâ€" jmand. M. Bcrtillion also noted that 2there had been a corresponding failâ€" ure to increase the value of French exports because there Was no growth of workers. That there are Frenchmen who realize this declining tendency is ap- iparent from the occasional efforts to reverse the tide, as when the Gov- ,ernment has been urged to give a 'bonus to persons who marry, to place a prohibitory tax on bachelor- liood, to bestow prizes on the moth- ers of twins, etc. To promote marâ€" riage (and especially the union of men and women of superior physi- ,que), the‘late Count de Pierrecourt ‘has left to his native city of Roueu Ihis entire fortune of ten million francs, on condition that every year a bonus of $29,000 shall be given to l Ithe tallest man and woman who shall marry each other. .__._°__ TORON I‘O'S BIG CLOCK. Facts About One of the. Largest 'l'lmc Pieces In the World. The four dials are 20 feet in dia- meter and are made of half-inch ground glass set in iron frames. In the centre of each dial is a circle, containing four hinged sashes, 'through which it is possible for a man to crawl, if it is necessary to work on the outside of the dial. The dials weigh about fifteen tons, and the steel braces that provide against the enormous wind pressure on the glass weigh six tons. The hands are of copper. are hollow and counterbalanced on lthe inside. The large hands are nine lfeet six inches long and the small hands five feet six inches. The three bells weigh, roughly, six tons, a ton and a half, and one ton respectively. The motive power for the clock and bells is furnished by three weights, wound up by electricâ€" ‘ity once a week. The pendulum of the clock is 14 feet 8 inches long, and weighs 500 pounds. Once started, it would swing for ten hours without any other power than its own momentum. If the length of the pendulum shaft should alter, through contraction or expansion by cold or heat, the clock would run fast. or slow accordingly. To overcome this the shaft is made of iron and zinc, the expansion of one being compensated by the con- traction of the other. The clock is 280 feet ground. They above the â€"¢â€" DANGER AHEAD! A knavishâ€"lcoking fellorw was once charged before a magistrate with stealing a pair of trousers. The evidence against him not strong enough to convict him, he was acquitted, after a patient inves- tigation of the case. The accused, however, to the surprise of every- body, remiined in the dock. Th’nking lie ccqu not hear. or did not understand the magistr-ites decixicn. the luavyer who had been deâ€" fending hziim told him h3 wm at lib- erty to go about his business, if he h.1:l any. The man. however, check his had slightly, but did not move. “You are discharged. “'hy don't you go ?" asked the lawyer. By 1h"; tim: the court was nearly empty, and the aceuaed, leaning for- ward, whispered to his defender; I can't leave the dock till all the witne-ses against me are gone. \Vhy.’ acketl the man of law. Because cf lh= trousers. answered th: other. Don't you understand? 310-1 certainly I do not! said the solicitor. “'hlt about the trousers? Only, this, sirâ€"I've got them on! en‘s 0. lln Dee GREAT EARDSHIP AND EXPOS URE ENDURED. Capt. Adnah Burns, of Dayspring, N. S., Tells an Interesting Story From His Own Exper. ience. From the Progress, Lunenburg, NJS. Capt. Adnah “Burns, of Dayspring. Lunenbu'rg, Co., N.S., is a prominent: representative of a. large class of men, in Nova Scotin, who, during much of the year, follow the danger-r ous. occupation of deep sea. 'fishl- iin'g. When not at‘ sea Capt. Burnr‘i’ evocation is that of ship-carpenter, He is 43 {years of age, and is toâ€"dayi a healthy, vigorous l‘Cp!‘e>(El.tlthC of his class. Capt. Bumns, however, has not always enjoyed this vigorous health, and while chatting recently} with a representative of the Lunen~ burg Press, he said he believed that but fair the timely use of Dr. \Vil- hams‘ Pink Pills he would have been a chronic invalid. "From 1895 to 1898," said Capt. Burns, "I was the vzcttm of a complication of troubles“, I suppose they had their origin in the hardship and exposure I so fre- quently had to undergo. My illness took the form of dyspepsia and kidâ€" ney trouble. The (foods wh‘mh I ate 'dnd. not agree with. me, and frequent- ly gave [no a feeling of nausea and at other timed distressful pains in the Stomach. Then I was much troubled with pains in the back due to the kzldney trouble. Finally I tcok a scv Vere cold which not only Seemed to aggravate these troubles but which seemed to affect my spine as well, and I became partially rigid in the arms and legs. I was forced to quit work,'and (lectured for a time with‘ little or no benefit. Then I dropped the ‘doctor and belgan taking other medicines, but with no better result By this time I was .run down very. much, had no appetite, and was deâ€" pressed both in mind and body. \Vhile in this condition I chanced to read in a newspaper the testimonial of a cure made by the use of Dr. VVil- hams’ Pink ’Pills, which in some :ro- spects presented symptoms like my own. The straightforward manner in' which the story was told gave me new. hope and I determined to try these pills. I sent for three boxes; Of course I did not expect that this Quantity would cure me, but I though it would probably decide whether they were suited to my case. [ must say they seemed! to act like magic, and before the pills were gone there was a decided improve- ment in my c-cm-dition. I then got a. half dJC‘ZQ‘D boxers more and before they were gone I was back again at work in the shipyard, and enjoying cum: more the blessing of vigorous; health. This was in the spring of. 1898, and since that time up be the pre:ent Ihive not been [laid up-wi-th illneix. Occasionally whnn suffering from the effects of exposure or oven h‘rsurkltaki: abox or two of Dr. iWil- liamls‘ Pink Pills and they always put ml: righfl. Since my own [mar- vrzllo'us rescue from. premature use- lessmess and suffering Ihnve recom- mlended those pill; to many persons |variously afflicted and have yet to hear of the first instance where they have failed to give good results where they were fairly tried.’ ' It is such endorsations as these that give- D-r. VVilliatmls' Pink Pills. their great. popularity throughout: the world. Neighbors tell each ether. of tho benefits they have derived from the use of these pill; anrl where a. fair trial‘ is given the results are rarely (ii appointing. Dr. \Villitimsf Pin-k Pill; go directly to the root: of, the trouble, they create new, rich red blood, stim'ulite the nerves to wheLIIthy action, thus bringing health and stnength to all who use them. Sold by all dwalers in medicine or. went post paid on receipt of 50 cents a box or six boxes'for $3.51}, by adâ€" dressing the. Dr. \Villiams’ lli‘edicir‘fi Co., Brockville, Out. 7 __.~ TOLD OF THE MARINES. A marine captain, desiring to repri, mind some chronic grow-lets in his corps, arranged [or complaints to be made after morning parade. During parade, having previously noted the grumb-lers, he ordered them to tight- en their helmet chin-straps by, fcgur links. 01’ course they obeyed. ’Whon complaint time cam-3 the men could not open their mouths! Faith, the cap'n's an alley man in- tirely, said one, whose sense of fun was proof against tightened straps, givin' us iv'rything we not [or the mornin'! An orderly officer, on a day when beiné chin-straps were loose, asked the stereotyped question; Any complaints? » Yea sir, the spuds ain't done, ans: mend the marine. . \Vhd? said the subaltern. Th3 cputls, sir, reputed the man. th-AL does he mean, sergeant? ask- ed the puzzled young officer, 0h, he be ignorant, sir, returned the sergeant. Ho means taters. HE THOUGHT IT \VAS A TROM. BONE. A pari‘h b-eadlo was lately muCh exercised at the appearance of n‘ strange (23:1 gentleman, who, when the cGrinch was about to begin. took an corâ€"trumpet, in two parts, out of hi: posket, and began screwing theml together. The beadle watched him until :the precess was completed, and then, stealthily go"ng up, he .w. ispered; Ye miuna play that here. If ye dare, I’ll turn ye ooti ‘

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