Gabriel's Appointment. A novel

Chapter I. Hoav Lucy Saw

A WISE AVOMAN. A WILD, stormy evening — the wind sweeping in from the south-Avest, and the long lines of foam breaking Avith ceaseless violence on beach and rock ; sharp arrowy flights of rain carried aslant across moor and meadoAv, beating against AvindoAv-panes, and tearing the first blossom from the trees — Avhat could be less like the May of which poets sing as if it Avere meant for nothing but love and mirth, for dances on the turf by day, and Avanderings beneath the moon by night ? So might have thought our neAvly-married friends, Joel and Lucy Treherne, Avho were caught by the gale under rather untoward circumstances, Avhile endeavouring to make their way across country A'OL. III. B to Lowlevels in a somewhat crazy vehicle, calling itself a fly, belonging to the inn at Level Bridge.

They had been spending a A7ery happy time among Joel's relatives, and had just left a cousin's farm ; availing them selves of this accidental accommodation in preference to an open cart, which Avas the only alternative — the driver boasting of his intimate acquaintance with every lane and turning, and his capability of conveying them tAA'ice the distance with perfect ease to themselves, not to say his horse. As the latter had had a good rest and feed, and was certainly accus tomed to the kind of work, Joel decided that the fly might be safer for his bride than the open cart, Avhich he should have preferred had he been alone ; but before they had accomplished a third of the journey, he began to doubt the AA7isdom of his decision. Whether the cousin's parting cup of cider was stronger than Tom ProAvse Avas accustomed to, or had been administered a little too soon after other cups not worth mentioning, or whether his ow7n knoAvledge was not quite equal to his self assertion — certain it Avas that the distance seemed to increase with the difficultiesj and strong doubts arose in the Cornishman's mind whether every step they were taking might not be leading them further from the place they hoped to reach.

With a piTvate determination to pull up at the first habitation they came to, he kept his OAvn counsel for the present, talking cheerfully to his bride, lest her courage should fail her just when she might need it most. But Lucy carried an amount of happiness about her now that made her indifferent to such trifles as Avind and rain, stony hills and steep descents, crazy springs and leaky carriage roof. The more she was jolted, the more she laughed ; and as to being afraid of anything that could happen, what was there in the Avay of adven ture that Joel was not prepared to meet ? It Avould be rather grand to have some adventure, such as he had described, if only for the pride and pleasure of seeing his strength and cleverness triumph over every difficulty. Was he not the bravest and best of men, the terror of the guilty, the guardian of the helpless, the faithful follower of his captain, the trusted comrade of the Ironhand, who had told her himself that he Avould rather have Joel at his back than half-a-dozen soldiers ?

And if the worst came to the worst, and they couldn't find their Avay, Avhy, it would be like a page out of Robinson Crusoe to make a hut or a tent out of doors : as she Avas confident he could do in five minutes, though she did not exactly know how. It must be confessed that Joel by no means shared her confidence. The more cheerily he talked about the good supper and bright Avel come aAvaiting them at LoAvlevels, the less he expected to get there under the circumstances ; aud for some Avay, in spite of Lucy's suggest ing that he Avould catch cold, sat leaning out of the windoAv, endeavouring to ascertain Avhat dangers loomed ahead. A sudden bump, more decided than ordinary, brought matters to a crisis ; the driver pulled up with an ejaculation of dismay, and Joel was out of the carriage in a moment.

" Shaft splintered — wheel nearly off! Lively travelling this. HaA7e you any notion where you are, mate ? " Of course he had — didn't he knoAV every inch of the way ? Yon was old Bess Cheveril's cottage, and one of the worst bits of road in the whole country round. Everybody that knew anything kneAV that. What made him come that way, then '? Well, you see, it was not quite the way he meant to come, but being there, they must make the best of it, for they couldn't turn round. Had Bess Cheveril a cart that she could lend them ? Yes, but she was not always in the humour to lend it : and it soon appeared that no inducement would make Mr. Prowse invade her territories himself. If Mr. Treherne liked to risk it, he might — the light in the window would show him the house ; only he must mind and not damage her garden or her cat, or she Avould put bad luck upon him for the next twelvemonth.

"Ah," said Joel, "a Avise Avoman, I take it?" " Just that, and knoAvs more than is quite good for her, they say, and a terrible hand at a bruise, or a burn, or a broken limb, or blight in the orchards, or foot-rot Avith the sheep — only she'd as soon give 'em as take 'em aAvay, and it's a chance in Avhat temper you may find her." " I'll chance it this once," said Joel, and he opened the door of the fly. " Lucy, my dear, the weather is holding up just this minute, and if you don't mind Avalking a little Avay, you'll soon be under cover ; and I'll be bound we shall manage to get a lift some how." Lucy Avas ready. But she found it very rough, and very Avet Avalking, and it had groAvn so dark that she had no idea Avhere she was putting her feet ; she could only cling to her husband's arm, Avhile he held the umbrella over her head, and trust to his ability to pull her out of any peril she might fall into.

Prevention being better than cure, he simplified the matter at last by shutting the umbrella, and (as she afterwards described it) picking her up as if she had been a parcel to be handed in at the door.' It was not, however, so easy to hand any thing in at first, for no one ansAvered his knock ; it required a kick or two to rouse the inmates to the duties of hospitality. An elderly Avoman unbarred the door, whom Joel recognised as an old acquaintance ; but the scared look in her eyes, as they fell upon Lucy, now permitted to stand on her own feet, almost took away his presence of mind. " Why, Mrs. Medland, you look as if you saAv a ghost. I'm sure you'll let my Avife in, out of the rain. Thank ye." And without waiting for further welcome, he gently pushed his way in, and led Lucy to the kitchen fire.

Mrs. Medland followed, holding up her hands and shaking her head. " I couldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it Avith my OAvn eyes and heard it Avith my own ears. Where ever have you dropped from?" " Dropped from ? We've been dropped upon pretty heaA7y, all the Avay from Stoneycrop Farm, across such roads as are a disgrace to the county," said Joel; "but I hope the AA'orst is over now, and if so be you'll help us to a trap, that Ave may get on to LoAvle\*els, why, it shan't be Avith thanks only that Ave make it worth your Avhile. We've got a sister looking out for us, and she'll be groAving uneasy." "I'll speak to my husband, sir; and see if he can accommodate you — but, dear heart alive, you've put me in such a flutter I don't knoAv Avhich way to turn. She'll want to see you, I knoAV she will, and it will be no use trying to deceive her.

Them as do, finds out their mistake too late. You are not afraid, my dear, are you ? " Lucy glanced at her husband in some dis may ; he Avas evidently puzzled. " What do you Avant her to do, missis ? " Why, of course, she will go in and see the old lady. Hasn't she been expecting her all day : and me, thinking she was a bit wrong in her head, telling her every minute she'd come, just to keep her quiet ? And not a thing Avill she eat or drink that I can offer her, though the doctor said she was to be kept up, regular — and well he knows me for a cook as nature can depend upon, to be a staff and not a snare. But she's took that fancy into her head that sets her against them as would be her best of friends : and unless you can make her take something, she'll be gone before we knoAV where Ave are.

And then what will become of us all ? " "At it again, old Avoman ? " growled her husband's voice out of the darkness — ■•' always talking, you are. You'll talk too much one of these days." "Hoav can you say so, Medland, when I hardly ever open my lips ? And you'd a deal better be looking after the trap for Mr. Treherne, seeing as Ave OAves a duty to the old lady to earn all Ave can for her, and she not able to bargain for herself. I'm sure the gentleman Avill consider that in the fare, and do Avhat's handsome." " You get us the trap, and we'll not quarrel over Avhatis right and fair," began Joel, when the sound of three taps with a stick cut him short. " That your old lady ? " asked he, good humouredly. " Indeed it is, sir : and unless your good lady Avill go in with me, I knoAV she'll be put out.

She's not like other Avomen, you know, sir, and it isn't safe to cross her if you can help it." " Then I must go in Avith you," said Joel, " for my Avife is neAv to these things, and she'll feel easier if I am there. Step in and say we are coming : and you, old gentleman, just see boAv you can help our driver in the lane. Look alive, now, or he'll think your Avise Avoman has made aAvay Avith us. I'll come after you in a minute." He Avould have gone then and there, but for Lucy's evident terror ; she could face any thing with him at her elbow, but Avithout him it was a different matter. Nor Avas the first sight of the old woman, who was said to be ex pecting her, calculated to reassure her nerves. Age and infirmity were common sights in St. Edmund's district, but never before had Lucy seen such a face as old Bess Cheveril's. Seated by the fire, Avith her wrinkled hands on her knees, and her head partly sunk on her bosom, she might have been taken for some sibyl of old.

Her hair Avas perfectly Avhite, and strayed doAvn beneath the cap and AAroollen handkerchief that formed her headgear; her skin a complete netAvork of Avrinkles ; and her eyes, partly shaded by shaggy eyebrows, re taining alone in their clear, cold light the vitality which seemed to be dying out of every other part of her shrunken frame. Hoav old she was nobody knew; except perhaps Mrs. Salisbury. Popular opinion gave her credit for more years than any reasonable person could be expected to believe in ; but neither her sight nor her hearing had suffered, and her present illness seemed to be a mere failing of poAver — there Avas no actual disease, only so much Aveakness that her life depended on her system being kept up. This, by Mrs. Med land's account, was made almost impossible by her refusal to accept her services.

As Lucy and Joel entered, the old woman raised her head, and looked at them without any appearance of surprise, merely remarking, " So you've come at last." But the A7oice was so unlike Avhat Lucy expected that her terror quite passed away. Instead of being harsh, or surly, or grumbling, it was peculiarly quiet and sad ; and the young AA'ife's kind heart Avas touched. The poor old thing Avas wandering, of course, but she should not starve if a kind word would induce her to eat, so she humoured the delusion, whatever it might be, and assumed the importance of an expected guest, Avho is confident of welcome and sure of approval. " Yes, Mrs. Cheveril, Ave are come at last, and the roads are so rough it is a wonder we ever got here at all ; but I am sorry to find you are not Avell, and that you have had no dinner.

You should not have waited for us — and I must insist on your having your broth this minute." At her Avhisper, Joel stepped back into the next room to fetch the basin, Avhich had been keeping hot on the hearth ; and he gave Mrs. Medland to understand, Avith a smile of triumph, that his bride was fully equal to the occasion. His triumph was justified by the result, for old Bess made no objection to being fed by Lucy, and devoured the broth and bread Avith the eagerness of real hunger. When she had finished, she took hold of Lucy's left hand and looked at her ring. " You made up your mind at last, did you ? It was time — it was time. And which of them is it ? " "Which of them?" repeated Lucy, in some confusion. "Is it the gay, tall, free-handed one ? — or the dark brother, whose head is in his books, and avIio is so handy Avith his tools ?

" " Here is my husband, Mrs. CheA7eril," stammered Lucy. The old Avoman only smiled ; her delusion, Avhatever it was, had its oavu laws and limits, and Joel's stahvart figure had no place therein. She nodded several times, and her lips moved as if she were talking to herself, before she again spoke aloud. " You think you have made your fortune, don't you ? and that you'll come back here one day, to be a fine lady in your ponj7 carriage, and have the precious stones for your oavu ? That's been in your heart all along, I knoAv, for all your Avinsome looks and Avays. But you'll never have them, and you'll never see the day you look to. And if your master doesn't rue the choice you made, it will be along of his love being stronger and truer than your'n, my maid — stronger and truer than your'n." " Joel, dear, what does she, mean ?

" said Lucy, almost in tears. " She is dreaming of something else, poor body, that we have nothing to do with. I'll try her on a fresh tack," said Joel, and quietly planted himself in front of the old woman, that she might see him without turning her head. " Mother," he said, gently, " did you know anything of one Jack Cheveril, avIio lived, they say, in these parts ? " The clear, cold eyes gazed at him as if to pierce his soul. " You're not one of the police ? " " No, indeed." " There has been one of them hanging about here, asking the same question, but I told him nought. Why should I tell you? " " Because I could tell you something in return." " About Jack ? My poor lad ! It's long GA BRIEL 'S A PPOINTMENT. since I had neAvs of him. He's a clever lad, but he never thinks of Avriting, though Madam made him a fine scholar.

Ah, dear ! Come here, my maid, I Avant to tell you a secret. If you'll help Jack to get the prize, I'll help you. You'll Avant a friend before youve done ; and Jack is that idle he'll neA7er Avin anything unless he gets a helping hand." "Well, mother, his Avorking day is OA*er noAv," said Joel, "so Ave'll hope he did Avin something Avorth having at last. He lies in a quiet corner, aud Christian hands laid him there, in the grave I dug." " She does not understand, poor thing," murmured Lucy; and, indeed, it Avas very doubtful Avhether the meaning of the Avords did reach the Avandering intellect, though they aAvakened recollections in her brain, and set her talking again in an altered tone. "A quiet corner, did he say? Aye, he came doAvn to find one; and they Avere all hard upon him, and cast up his bad com- HO W LUCY SAW A WISE WOMAN. 17 panions in his teeth — and he seemed to hear the very Avinds wdiispering and the waters babbling the stoiy that no one Avas to knoAv.

And when he came to me that night his face was like a dead man's — so Avhite and cold and stiff — and he cried like any child on my neck, for he said I was all he had left, and he should neA7er see me again." There Avas a short silence. She seemed to be pondering something in her mind which she could not exactly recollect. " Four foot from the surface — aye ; and the third brick after the second ledge — that's it. And as soon as I am strong again — for I'm a hale Avoman for my years, as the gentle folk knoAv — I'll go down to LoAvlevels myself some dark night, and see what an old woman can find. They say as some have been frightened there : but there's none, living nor dead, that can frighten old Bess. Man after man has tried his luck, and never found Avhat he looked for. They didn't ask old Bess first, you see, my dear — no, they didn't." VOL. III. c "Did Jack ever tell you of his mate, Hughes ?

" asked Joel, on whom not a word was lost. Something in his voice, which compassion made peculiarly gentle, seemed to have its effect on the aged brain, noAv grop ing confusedly in a jungle of tangled memo ries. She looked up at the tall Cornishman with a Avistful sadness in her eyes. "Don't 'ee have nothing to do Avith Joe Hughes, though he's my oavu kin. He Avas the ruin of my Jack ; and he'll be yours, if you let him." " He'll ruin nobody any more, mother : he Avent to his reckoning before Jack did. I'm afraid it was a bit heavy, but Ave've no call to be his judge." Her shrivelled hands Avorked as she sat there, looking at the fire, and the Avords came dropping from her lips as if she were repeat ing a lesson by heart. " Tell Madam — aye, that I will, my dear — tell her I never meant to do it, and Avould have undone it if I could — and I wanted to tell her, but my heart failed me.

Anyhow I've gained nought, and I've lost everything, and that's punishment enough — and so it is, my boy, so it is, sure." " Joel, dear, she is groAving faint," cried Lucy, starting up. The old Avoman had, indeed, become very cold and livid, and it was necessary to sum mon Mrs. Medland and have her assisted into her bed, whence it seemed unlikely she would ever rise again. All that her goodwill and limited experience could suggest, the young Avife readily performed for the sufferer's relief and comfort ; but it Avas with indescribable satisfaction she at last heard that the trap was ready to carry them on. It had been all like a ghastly dream ; and Joel felt, when she took his arm, that she was shivering from head to foot. Mrs. Medland, whose de meanour was that of almost servile obsequious ness, pressed her to remain Avhere she was for the night, proffering hospitality with assur ances of welcome, as from hard-working folks avIio were honest, though put upon ; but the bare suggestion roused Mrs. Treherne's spirits directly, and she protested that all she wanted was air.

" You've not far to go for that," said her husband. And so she found; for she had hardly taken her seat in the open cart by his side Avhen the gust of wind nearly carried aAvay her umbrella. Talking Avas quite out of the question, eA7en if Joel had not been too much occupied with the management and guidance of his horse to ha\*e leisure for it. The battle Avith the elements, however, had a Avonderfully reviving effect, and by the time they reached LoAvlevels, Lucy was in all the glad anticipation of her sister's welcome. The outer gate was barred and bolted ; and as Joel rang the bell the deep bark of a dog came back in reply. To the amazement of his bride, Joel set up a peculiar call, Avell knoAvn to Australians, but not usual in St. Edmund's — indeed, Mr. Forrest had asked Martin, as a particular favour, not to introduce it into the night-school.

The wind and rain had just arrived at one of their pauses, and the long-drawn " Coo — ee" had a strange effect in the darkness. In another moment the gate was opened, the light of a lantern flashed in their faces, and Martin's voice came cheerily from behind it. " We began to think you Avere lost ! " " So did I," Avas Joel's answer, as he led the horse in, " only I had my good luck on board, and couldn't go far wrong. Here we are, Lucy " — as he lifted her out of the cart — " and the first thing you must do is to give your hand to this friend of mine, for you may go a long Avay before you will find a better." " Say a brother, if she Avill put up Avith one out of the bush," said Martin, as he gave the brotherly greeting Avhich the blushing girl did not reject. His hand clasped Joel's for a moment with a tight pressure that spoke the language they both understood.

Very few Avords of affection eA7er passed between them, but each kneAV that the other Avould give his life for him, if need were, as assuredly as both Avould give theirs for the captain. They all moved on together into the bright, cheer ful kitchen, where a tempting meal was wait ing for the travellers, and where Nurse Ellis, looking as much at home as if she had been there half her life, came forward to receive Lucy. 'Everything looked a pleasant wel come : and only one element Avas missing, which Lucy's eyes sought restlessly in vain. Where was Grace ? Not at home just then, was Mrs. Ellis's ansAver : they were not to Avait, as she would not be in to supper. With this Mrs. Treherne had to be content. Though much disap pointed, she remembered Iioav odd Grace had been lately in her ways, and supposed there was some good reason Avhich Avould be ex plained in private.

So she concealed her vexation ; and when supper was ended, Nurse Ellis judged it Avise to keep her no longer in suspense. "It is no use listening for the bell, my dear; Grace won't be in to-night." " Not to-night ? Where is she gone, then ? " " Well, I don't feel quite sure, for she had no idea of it herself in the morning, and so did not let me know — but I think she is gone to London."

Chapter II. Mr

FORREST FINDS A HOLIDAY TASK. T^HE bloAV Avas so unexpected that it was some minutes before Lucy could falter forth a Avord ; but Mrs. Ellis Avould not Avait for her questions — she told her at once all she knew. Grace had Avalked OA*er to the station in the morning, across the fields — a good long Avalk, but she said the exercise would do her good — to see Miss Kerr go off with the two ladies, Mrs. Salisbury and Miss Strahan. Miss Strahan's papa had been doAvn to see her, and had returned to toAvn a day or tAvo before, and they Avere to folloAv him. Mr. Martin had sent young Robert Medland to chow the way, and be of any use that he could, and Robert Medland came back by himself, and said Miss Pyne was gone oft' iu the train — he had seen her face at the windoAv. There was no message and no explanation.

Lucy gasped for breath, and looked at Martin : Avho shook his head. " I wish I had gone with her myself," he said, " but I got a message that old Bess Cheveril Avished me to be there Avhen the doctor called this morning ; and that kept me hanging about her place for a couple of hours, and he never came, after all. But I learned something there which may throw a light on the matter. A lodger of hers left this morning, who called himself a London police officer, and Avho had met Avith an accident which disabled his right arm. He has been prowling about here lately, in a fashion that does no credit to the force ; and it is my be lief that Grace is gone with him." Lucy started up and clasped her hands in terror. " What is his name ? " "I fancy he has one for every day in the week, but that Joel and I knoAv him as Wily Wilkins : and, if so, that your sister knows his real name, and what he is doing.

Stop, sister Lucy — hear all I have to say. I be lieve in Grace as you do ; and that if she is gone with him or after him, of her own free will, it is as a brave, faithful woman, to pull him back from ruin, and stand betAveen us and the wrong he means to do." A terrible suspicion was creeping into Lucy's heart : but as if she would forcibly drive it back, she turned almost angrily on the speaker, to ask Avhat made him suppose her sister would care like that for any man in England. Here Avas Mrs. Ellis, Avho knew, if he did not, that Grace had always been true to one who was to come for her some day, perhaps very soon ; that it Avas only the weary waiting that made her look so ill — if he would only come back it Avould be all right. But Mrs. Ellis had no cheering response to make. " Ah, my poor child," she said sadly, "I'm afraid your sister knoAvs too Avell that she has nothing now to look forward to, except from the mercy of God.

She has bravely kept it to herself, but I see it all, and Avonder that she has held her head up as she has." "Is Darch Williams dead?" Avhispered Lucy. It Avould indeed be a mournful end to all the hopes connected with his name ; but why had Grace kept it from her ? The good nurse shook her head. " No, my dear ; if he were dead, the trouble would be above board, aud easier to bear. What Avould your life be, Lucy, if instead of driving up to the door, with your good husband to bring you in, as something he is proud to show, you had to steal out at his call to meet him in lanes and corners, afraid of being seen, and yet more afraid of not being able to go — knowing all the while Avhat people might say and think, yet taking the blame, lest suspicion should light upon him ? This is what Grace has been doing — and I leave you to guess who she would do it for."

Lucy covered her face with her hands. She saw it all ; the only wonder was that she had never seen it before. If that Mr. Jones, with his cough, avIio professed to be Darch's messenger, Avas Darch himself, all that had seemed strange in Grace's behaviour Avas accounted for. But oh, Iioav grievous Avas the disappointment ; Iioav heavy the fall ! The loyal belief in Avhich she had groAA'n up could not be oA*erthrown Avithout a shock : after succumbing for a feAv moments, she made a passionate effort to shake off the conviction. Grace Avould do nothing Avrong ; if it were in deed Darch, there must be some reason for her keeping the secret, Avhich Avould be cleared up in time ; and, meanwhile, she Avould not be the first to turn against him, after thinking of him as a brother all these years. They ahvaj-s kneAV he had enemies ; and per haps he only Avanted fair play, and a true friend, to get clear of difficulties and start afresh.

She looked from Joel to Martin, Avith tears in her eyes, to see if there were any hope or encouragement in either face. HOLIDA Y TASK. 29 Neither of them spoke for a few minutes ; but Joel passed his great hand caressingly over her hair, and Martin stooped over Settler, pulling his ears thoughtfully while considering his reply. " I tell you what," he said abruptly, as he looked up, " I have done for Grace's sake Avhat I would not have done for anyone else — I have been content to keep guard against the fellow, and have let him alone, rather than drive matters to the worst and break her heart ; but I am not sure that I have done right — quite the reverse, most likely. Anyhow, my little sister, you may be sure of this — that we'll do what Ave can for her and for you. If such a Avoman can still hold on to such a man, why, there is a chance more for him than I thought he had ; but if we find she is gone against her will, Joel and I must lay our heads together how to get her back again.