A Life's Hatred.

A Life's Hatred .

I ALL IUCIHTS RESERVED . ]

BY T . CI . WALLS . Author of u The Red Rwm Mijsteri / , " " A NujU of Teril , " " The Old Manor House" ' •' Sared by a Sign , " " T // c &' ciTe / Tribunal , " "Fatal Divination , " " T / JC Hermit of Dimstanborough , " The Vision of . Evil , " S'c , § 'c .

( Coul in noil from " The Freemason Christmas Number" ) . "His punishment rests with a higher Power , " solemnly- said Mr Mordaunt , ' •Ai-iiiinul , I may as well fell yon , " lie continued , "thai my suspicions point , to Hie late owner of lli ' e Limes as the pcrpetratoi of this cruel and most unnatural crime . I have made careful

enquiries in the neighbourhood , and it appears that no one saw Mr . Percival leave lliis house on the last night lie spent in the nei ghbourhood . I believe he killed his little son , and these sad relies are all that remain of the poor innocent . What cause induced him to

commit- the deed must for ever remain inscrutable , as ho was shortly after drowned in the wreck of the ' Benbow , ' and his fearful secret perished with him . In the store room above , you will find a small empty case , bring it here . "

I lerrc obeyed , and soon returned with the article in question . The remains were reverentl y placed by Mr . Mordaimt in the box , and when the liil had been secured , Arniaiul shouldered it , and , accompanied by Ill ' s master , repaired ( o the grounds behind the mansion . It was a cold and gloomy night , and the wind moaned dismally as it

swept through ( he bare branches of the trees . Mr . Mordaunt paused beneath the towering limbs of a huge old wych-elm , and placing the lantern on the ground , bade his valet there to prepare a grave . This operation did not take long , and when the box , with its mouldering

relics of humanity , was deposited in its narrow receptacle , the gentleman murmured a few words of prayer , and returned to the honsc , leaving his servant to replace the earth , and to destroy all traces of their visit to the vault .

Next morning whilst at breakfast , Mr . Mordaunt received a missive , the contents of which a fleeted him strangely . It was written in pencil , and had been found in the letter box . It bore no address , but was dated two days previously . Its brief contents were as follow : —

"Sir , —These lines come from a friend , and are intended to put you on your guard . An attempt will shortl y be made to do you a grievous injury . Do not stir abroad after dark , and take every precaution to . secure your house from being- broken into . In conclusion ( he writer earnestly beseeches you not to treat this communication lightly . "

The noli ; had no signature , find ( he writing was but indifferent . "I do not know what lo make of this , " mused the gentleman , " I have but just arrived in Kngland , and living as I do in so secluded a manner , I cannot conceive wh y I have incurred the enmit y of anyone . However , my anonymous correspondent means well , and there , will

be no harm in my adopting his advice to be wary . A nervous man would at once post lo London and engage the services of an experienced ollicer lo try and ferret the matier out . This course I shall not adopt . I am guiltless of ever haying done any person an injury , and thus fortified with a clear conscience I shall fearlessly await the

issue . " Without acipiainfing his faithful servant , Armand , at that time with the receipt of the letter , . Mr . Mordaunt , nevertheless , gave him instructions to see that the fastenings of the doors and windows were in good order .

A few days after this event the valet , whilst assisting his mastci to iinib-ess , . said , " I i ' cel it is my duty , sir , to inform you that , fot some days past I have noticed a strange man lurking about ( he road near the house . "

•' Indeed , " said Mr . Mordaunt , "What kind of fellow is he ? " " A powerfully-built- man of middle age , as dark as a mulatto , " was Ihe reply .

"How dressed ? " was the next query . " Hut . poorly , lie looks like one of thoso men who wander through ( he country , doing no work , sleeping where they can , and not above pulling their hands on honest people ' s goods . "

" Von are too severe , my good I'ierre , " smilingly remarked his master . "My your description I should take the man lo be one of those wanderers known throughout the Old World under ( ho various names of Kgypfiaus , Molieniians , Zingarri , Oilanoes , Koinamiy , or ( iypsics . The majority of them are harmless enough . They prefer

to roam unrestricled b y Ihe usages and laws of those who dwell in villages , towns , and cities , and purposely discard the ordinary couvenfualiiies ol * every day life . However , I do not . like fho idea ol

having my house watched by a fellow of that class ; his actions , to say the least-, are questionable . I will cull ujion Mr . Mail land , Ihe magistrate , to-day , and lake bis opinion on that and another matier . Von have done quite rig ht , in imparting lo me your suspicions . "

After luncheon the owner of the Limes set out for the residence of Mr . Maitland , . 1 . 1 ' ., which was situated some two miles distant and he was fortunate enough to find that gentleman at home . Tliet

A Life's Hatred.

had met and had been introduced to each other a . few weeks previousl y at a . neighbour ' s house . The worthy justice was a line-looking man , who bore his sixty summers well . J lis clear , ruddy complexion , aquiline features , and bright grey eyes were well set off b y a glorious coronal of silver hair . He was dressed in a bygone fashion , and his speech and general manners were of that genial and fascinating type of character well and deservedly known as the " old English gentleman . "

After the usual interchange of compliments , Mr . Mordaunt said , " I have taken the liberty , Mr . Maitland , of calling upon you to ask your magisterial advice on a strange circumstance which has occurred within the last few days . " "I shall be charmed to give you every assistance that is in my power ( o afford , " replied the other . " I hope , however , that there is nothing of a serious nature in your intended revelation . "

" 1 am afraid there is , gravely said Mr . Mordaunt .. " Several mornings ago I received bv hand this missive . Mc pleased to read it , "

The justice took the letter , carefully wiped his gold-rimmed glasses , adjnslcd them to his satisfaction , and then attentively perused the ill-written scrawl several times . " . Before giving any opinion on this communication I should like ,

Mr . Mordaunt , to put to you a few questions , thai is , if you will allow me , " said ho . "Willi all the pleasure in the world , " heartily assented the other , " Have you any reason to believe that you have an enemy in this country ? " continued ( ho magistrate .

" No ; neither here nor in the West Tndies , " was the firm reply . "I -will relate a few brief incidents of my life . About twenty years ago , soon after the death of my father , I left England and threw my lot in with an old uncle of mine who owned large sugar plantations in Jamaica , I was possessed of ample means , but feeling reluctant to lead a life of idleness I worked exceedingly hard , and under my

management the estate became a very valuable one . In the course of time my relative died , and with the exception of a few legacies to old servants , and bequests to several benevolent institutions on the island , he bequeathed to me the whole of the properly . After his demise I engaged a careful manager , and used to be absent very frequently from the plantations . I was particularly fond of collect in » -

specimens of the beautiful flora of the country . Jn fact , I became an enthusiast in botany , and natural history generally . A year a"o I yearned to re-visit the old country . I had no famil y ties to bind mo to my tropica ] home , and having sold my estate most profitably [ sailed from the island with two old dependents who elected to accompany me . I arrived after a pleasant voyage at the West India

Docks , and having warehoused my effects in the vicinit y I took ( he coach to Ohertsey , in the environs of which town I was born , in the hope of being able to meet with a local residence where I mi ght end my days in peace . I came across the Limes daring my first visit to the town , and being charmed with its situation and appearance I

purchased it . I trust , Mr . Maitland , that you will pardon me for this digression , " he concluded , "but I thought it better Unit you should hear a few particulars of my life , uninteresting though they are , in order to prove to you how utterly impossible it is for me to have an enemy in England , or elsewhere . "

"Have you any relatives who are aware of your return aftor so prolonged an absence !' '" enquired fho Justice . "I have every reason to believe that I am the last of my race , sir , " was the reply . " It seems very sad that in ' Ihe sere and yellow leaf ' of life I should have no kindred to welcome me back to the land

of my ancestors . Xo , Mr . Maitland , when my time comes ( hero will bo no one near lo solace my last hours , none but paid dependents to close my weary eyes when they shall have looked their last on this bright woi hi . " " Come , come , my good sir , be not so despondent , "

goodhumouredly said the magistrate . "You are my junior by some years , are in fair health , and in ( he possession of ample means . \ Vh y , then , should you not marry and have the pleasure if seeing a troop of youngsters scampering over the old house and grounds , and filling the place with the cheerful echo of their merry voices !' ' "

"A pleasant prospect , my dear sir , but one ( hat will not bo realised . I shall never marry . " "Ah , Mr . Maitland , " he added , with a sigh , and his dark eyes were moistened with tears , " I have not confided to you ( he one black spot in my past life . May I trespass upon your patience a little longer ' r " "My good friend , I am entirely at your service , pray proceed , " was ( he courteous reply .

" Many years ago , resumed Mr . Mordaunt , " an elderly gentleman named Daley , came from Kngland to Jamaica , and took up his residence near my uncle ' s estate . lie was accompanied b y his ( laughter Alice , a most charming girl , bat of very delicate const it uf ion . We became great friends , and affer a lime ( lie fairgirl plighted her troth lo inc . My uncle and Mr . Daley wviv both favourable to

the match , and it was arranged lhat when the lady reached her twoitly-lir . st year we wen ? lo he married . Ah ! those were happy days ! I piclured lo myself an ideal home , with the beautiful Alice enshrined as its guardian angel . I purchased a small properly a few miles from my uncle ' s , where I intended to convey my darling when

Hymen should smile upon our union . II was nalir .-ally a lovely spot , bat art had been called in , and Hie result was lerrosli-. il perfect ion . The house was commodious , and was surrounded b y a verandah supported by pilasters covered thickly with climbing llowcring plants of great beauty . The palm , ( ho majestic banyan , and Ihe magnolia