A Life's Hatred.

The residence was built at a distance from the road , and . was ' approached by a broad , winding path , sadl y choked with weeds . A round plot of rank grass , once diguilied as the lawn , was overshadowed b y the luxuriant branches of two line lime trees . The mansion was a red brick structure of the style introduced bv " Dutch

William . A ( li ght of semi-circular stone steps led to the massive oak door whicli was surmounted by a largo ornament , sculptured in the form of a conch shell . The windows were capacious and numerous , but from their blackened and otherwise neglected appearance they evidently had not been cleaned for some time .

" The very place , " murmured thc stranger . " Somewhat vast and pretentious , but secluded and deli ghtfully situated . A tit dwelling for one who has always been a student and lover of Nature . I am indeed , fortunate in being able so soon to meet with a house that interests me , and is apparently well adapted for my requirements .

After dinner 1 will interview the agents on the matter . " He made a memorandum in his pocket hook , and returned to the ' " Swan . " Having partaken of a well-served repast he called upon the Messrs . Clarence . In repl y to his enquiries , one of the firm informed him that the mansion had been uninhabited for a considerable period .

" Does the late tenant live in thc nei ghbourhood ? " asked the stranger . "He is dead , " was the reply . " A client of ours : advanced him a large sum of money on mortgage . Being suddenly pressed for money , the mortgagee applied for re-payment of part of the principal according to the terms of the deed , but the owner of the Limes was

unable to meet the demand , the furniture and effects were sold , and subsequently Mr . Percival left England for the colonies in the ' lienbow . ' That unfortunate vessel was lost in the great gale of January , 1805 , within sight of Falmouth , and every soul on board perished . " " Quite a romance , " remarked the other .

"Yes , but one , 1 regret to say , of very frequent occurrence . AVe have had several estates lately ( hat have come to the hammer in consequence of the improvident owners getting involved in debt . They borrowed largely , aud being unable at last lo pay even the interest on then- mortgages our respective clients were compelled to sell them up . "

" \ ery sad , very sad , said the stranger . "I will go over the property to-morrow , " he added , " and if its interior only equals the prepossessing * exterior , I think you may depend upon ine as being a purchaser . "

" It is a fine roomy old place , sir , " remarked the agent , " and has most charming grounds . J ( will require a small onllay to put everything in order , and when done , 1 venture (< i say a more desirable residence for a limited family could not be found in Ihe whole count v of . Surrey . "

¦ ' Jly famil y is . singularl y limited , " returned ( he oilier , . smiling " It consists merel y of myself . However , 1 have a whim to reside in the country , in a place surrounded by extensive lands . The latter desire can only be gratified by taking a house far larger than my modest establishment requires . My mime is Mordaitnt—Reginald Mordaunt . I am staying a ( llie'Swan ' yonder , and I shall feel obliged by your bringing or sending me the keys of the mansion to-morrow at noon . 1 wish yon good day , Mr . Clarence . "

Ihe agent acknowledged Ihe courtesy , and bowed Ihe speakei out . lu the evening , Mr . Mordaunt , who was reading in a small private room of ( he inn , summoned Joe , ( he waiter , to his presence . " Is yum- master disengaged r "' he enquired . "Yes , sir , " was the replv .

" Y \ ill you ask him if he will join mc in a bottle of wine , 1 luivi a few questions on local nta (( ers to put lo him r " " Certainly , sir , " said Joe , and vanished ( u execute his inslruc tions .

Shortly uitevwunh tlie hunt entered the apartment , lie wus a man in the prime of life , and evidently of superior manners and education lo thc majorit y of country innkeepers of those days .

A Life's Hatred.

" Fray he seated , Mister—Mister— ¦? " " "Newbury , " broke in thc landlord , supplying thc information to his guest . "' Ralph Newbury , sir , at your service . " " Well . Mr . Newbury , I may tell you that my primary object in

coining- to this small town was to find , if possible , a pleasant residence wherein 1 might end my days . Irritated , . somewhat , \ ry the noise and bustle of the good folk attending the market to-day , I took a walk in the environs fo recover my equanimity . Accidentally 1 came across a romantically situated house not far from here , known , I believe , as the Limes . "

" xes , sir , said ( he landlord , " I know it well . It , is to let , and stands just off thc Bagshof road . " " That is so , " continued Mr . Mordaunt . ' ¦ Struck by its appearance , I called this afternoon upon Mr . Clarence , the agent , to got particulars . He gave me satisfactory information , and subject to my legal adviser being satisfied as to the title being good , I shall purchase it , "

" It is a line old p lace , " remarked Newbury , " and it isa thousand pities it has been uninhabited so Jong . " " How long ? " queried the other . "Nine years como Christmas , sir , " was llie reply .

" My purpose , Mr . Newbury , in asking you to share a bottle of wine with mo this evening , is to glean any intelligence respecting the estate that maybe in your power to furnish . Agents , being naturally desirous of gelling rid of properties as quickly as possible , are often led away by imagination ami paint everything eouleur de

. " It will give me great pleasure , sir , to alford you every informition I can , " was thc reply . " I thank you in anticipation , " said Mr . Mordaunt . " Pray loll me first , something concerning the late owner . "

' About thirteen years ago , commenced tho landlord , " the freehold of the Limes was for sale , and it was purchased b y a gentleman named Percival . It was not known , except by the lawyers who carried out the details of the purchase , who he was or where he came from . However , I suppose no one cared to interest himself in the matter , and in a few weeks tho house was thoroughly furnished , and

Mr . and Mrs . Percival with their servants took possession . He was a tall , dark-looking-man of a somewhat sinister aspect , and , contrary to our English fashion , had a luxuriant beard and moustache . He carried himself erect like a soldier , and when he condescended to speak to the townspeople ami others , which , by the way , was not seldom , it was in a harsh commanding manner that did not invite them to

persevere in making his acquaintance . His lady , on tho other hand , was affable to a degree . She was a fair , frail creature , some years younger than her ungracious husband , ami appeared to stand in great fear of him . Several of the neighbouring gentry mid their wives , interested by the appearance of Mrs . Percival , and pit ying her lonely condition , as she was left for weeks at a . stretch with no other

company ( ban that of the . servants , consequent upon the frequent absences of Mr . Percival , kindly sent her invitations , but their hospitality was invariably , though politely , declined . Tho lad y was a good friend to the poor , aud her greatest pleasure in life appeared to be the dispensing of charity to ( ho necessitous . She was

particularly fond of children , and her manners -were so attractive that when , on the rare occasions , she walked abroad , . she was received with joyful shouts b y the little lads and lasses , who , not being repulsed , crowded around her and respectfully accompanied her wherever she went . There was one incident of her kindness I will detail to you , aud very affecting it was .

" My father had an ostler named Vernon , who had married one of our maids . They had an only child , it pretty blue-eyed girl , whom they passionately loved . When the Percivals came to these parts , this little thing was about seven years old . 1 fancy 1 can soe

her now , with her bright dimpled face , lighted up with sunny smiles as in childish glee she tossed back the golden rippling curls which h y their luxuriance crowded too obtrusivel y about her rosy cheeks and sparkling eyes . Her intelligence was also far in advance of her tender vears , si ml altogether she was one of those winsome , fasci-

Ad03901

URGENTDISTRESS:WRECKSANDLOSSOFLIFE. " There is sorrow on the Sea . " SHIPWRECKEDMARINERS'SOCIETY, Witl)