Norstone; or, the rifts in the cloud

Preface

. ¥^Y<?T*H1LE presenting this book for the perusal of the a/mi public, I am consoling myself for its deficiencies, » with the time-honoured adage, " Everyone must have a beginning." Why not remedy the defects, if you are aware of their existence ? some would say. Advice more easily given than followed, at this early stage of my labours ; the sovereign, and indeed, only remedy, being locked up in the school of that severe, but most faithful task master, Experience. Mary Emma Hattersley. 1879. I. ARTHUR MELVILLE ... ... ... ... 1 II. A CATHEDRAL SERVICE ... ... ... 17 HI. THE TRIAL ... ... ... ... ... 29 TV. PAT'S LITTLE BOX ... ... ... ... 42 V. THE LELANDS ... ... ... ... ... 51 vi. Charlie's forbearance ... ... ... 63 vn. rolandseck ... ... ... ... ... 75 vm. a visitor at the spenser's ... ... 87 ix.

Arthur's first attempt ... ... ... 102 X. THE SEA-SIDE ... ... ... ... lit) XI. DR. LESLIE ... ... ... ... ... 133 XII. A SCENE AT SCHOOL... ... ... ... 141 Xm. A SURPRISE FOR DR. LESLIE ... ... ... 152 xrv. mr. jarvice's request ... ... ... 1G2 XV. THE PROPOSED RETURN ... ... ... ... 170 XVI. BEFORE THE HOLIDAYS ... ... ... 185 XVm. THE HOLIDAYS ... ... ... ... ... 199 XIX. VIOLET ... ... ... ... ... 212 XX. CHRISTMAS ... ... ... ••■ •■• CONTENTS. XXI. THE SERVICE . . ... ... ■ • • 233 xxn. Charlie's heroism ... ... ■■• ••• 243 XXm. RETURN TO DUTY ... ... ... ... 257 xxrv. the precentor's sermon ... ... ... 271 XXV. STANLEY DRYSDALE... ... ... ... 280 XXVI. THE STATUE OF -WELLINGTON ... ... ... 294 XXVH. PREPARATIONS . ... ... ... 307 XXVIII. DARKNESS PRECEDETH THE DAWN ... ... 314 XXIX. A YOUTHFUL MEDIATOR ... ... ... 347 XXX. pat's WILL ... ... ... ... ... 364 XXXI.

THE JOURNEY ... ... ... ... 380 xxxn. dysie's letter ... ... ... ... 403 XXXIII. HOME ... ... ... ... ... 413 XXXIV. THE ORDINATION ... ... ... ... 426 XXXV. THE MARRIAGE ... ... .... ... 438 XXXVI. PAT'S FAREWELL ... ... ... ... NORSTONE ; OR, THE RIFTS IN THE CLOUD CHAPTEE I. ARTHUR MELVILLE. tAIN without, misery within, sad hearts, wretched homes ; — what more could be needed than these to pourtray a picture in which happiness and love should be entirely wanting '? Such is the picture now presented to our view ; let us study it in all its details. The room was a poor attic, cold and comfortless in the extreme, — not a place calculated to elevate one's spirits, certainly ; but rather to depress them. Outside, a drizzling rain fell, rendering the aspect of things indoors still more gloomy.

About a stone's throw from this uninviting abode stood a large foundry, where some hundreds of men were employed ; and the smoke arising from the chimneys, combined with the murky atmosphere and the dirty i: window panes, made the daylight within dim and un certain. " Katie, what o'clock is it ? " The speaker, one of the occupants of the room, was a fine handsome boy of some eight or nine years, on whose delicately-moulded features there was an expression of irritability, almost of contemptuous indifference. His little sister, of whom he asked the question, a lovely child of eight, with soft blue eyes and golden curling hair, stood mournfully regarding the fast-falling rain . Receiving no answer, he continued, " Kate, what o'clock is it 7' I believe you are asleep." " No, I'm not, Artie dear ; it is half-past ten."

" Half-past ten, and papa not yet come ! I wonder what it all means. I say, Katie, how hateful it all is." " Oh, Artie, don't ! you know mamma said nothing was hateful that wasn't wicked ; you shouldn't say so." The childish voice quivered, and tears filled the blue eyes, at the mention of that beloved name. " But I say it is hateful, and very hateful too, to be turned out of one's home, and that home such a one as ours : beside that, look here, Kate, we've had no break fast, and I am desperately hungry." The boy glanced at his poor surroundings, and his lip curled with intense disgust. To be sure, they were not at all inviting, — the poor carpet, plain deal table, Windsor chairs, and couch that had once been handsome, but was now almost too dilapidated to afford a safe seat even to little Kate.

Added to this, the bare, unpapered walls, and rusty, tireless grate, were enough to chill the heart of any child. How different had been the home of Arthur and Katie Melville. Three months ago their father was an opulent merchant ; but now, through the dishonesty of a partner, and the loss of a ship which belonged to Mr. Melville, they were thus reduced. Too proud to ask relief from any of his relations, the unhappy man sought to hide with his two children from the eyes of his fellow men, and, leaving the little ones to take care of themselves, passed whole days at the gaming-table, some times winnhig, sometimes losing ; but more frequently the latter. Arthur was much like his father, both in disposition and feature, save that in the boy the brow was more fully developed, and the eyes clearer and more brilliant.

Stih, when, as now, the expression of scorn dwelt on the fair childish features, the resemblance became very vivid. Little Katie, or Katherina, as she was rightly called, differed greatly from her brother : gentle, affectionate, and sweet-tempered, she was a child to be loved. Never did contempt reign on that pure face, never did those little lips utter a harsh word. In the days of their prosperity Katie Melville had been the pet of the numerous visitors who frequented her home, and many and sincere were tlie regrets that she had so completely disappeared after her father's failure. In a few minutes Arthur again broke the silence by saying, " I think papa might get money from somewhere ; I don't believe in being starved." " Oh, Artie, you know he is trying to obtain employ ment ; I am sure he does not want to starve us," said the little girl.

"I don't know so much about that," rephed he, in a very decided tone, "all I know is that he is greatly altered for the worse. Only last night, when he came in, I said, 'How late you are, papa; ' two months ago he would have answered me at least kindly, but then he said, 'Get out of my way, you young dog, you are nothing but trouble to me to get bread for you, and now actually dare to question me.' You know yourself, Kate, that he went out again directly, and that neither of us have seen him since, though it is twenty minutes to eleven." Then, dropping his voice to a whisper, he continued, " I am quite sure, sister, that he had been drinking brandy." The little girl recoiled in horror, and exclaimed, "Oh, Artie ! " At this juncture, steps were heard ascending the stairs, and a sharp rap came at the door.

Arthur opened it, and a stout, rosy-cheeked woman was revealed standing in the aperture, clad in a clean print gown and spotlesslywhite apron. After glancing round the desolate apartment, she enquired, "Are you the children of Mr. Richard Melville ? " "We are," was the answer of both. " Then if you wants to see your father alive again, you must follow me, and be quick; put your cap on," she continued to Arthur, "and don't stand there staring at me; I means what I says, to be sure I does; I'm a respectable person, and my name is Sally Lamb, if ye woidd like to know." With this piece of gratuitous information, she strode down the broken staircase, and out into the street, the wondering children following her with wildly - beating hearts, and awe-stricken faces. Poor little things ! the knowledge of impending misfortune pressed heavily upon them, though as yet they were ignorant of its extent or nature.

The woman's pace proved to beanything but a snail's gallop, and after rapidly threading the crowded streets, they found themselves at the hospital, where they were ushered into a room. The blinds were down, so as to partially exclude daylight, and on a narrow bed some one lay moaning with pain. Pale, deathlike, his temples bandaged with linen, and his waving dark hair closely shorn, few but his own httle ones woidd have recognized the once-handsome Richard Melville. They, however, never hesitated an instant ; but rushing forward, sobbed, " Oh, papa ! dear papa ! what is the matter ? " The wounded man endeavoured to raise himself, but the effort was too much for his feeble strength, and uttering the words, "Lord, help ," he fell back and expired. The chUdren clung to his hands, clasped his lifeless form, and implored him to speak to them, but in vain.

"He cannot speak to you, dear children; he is dead," said Dr. Leslie, the kind-hearted hospital surgeon. " It is of no use calling upon him to awake, for that he will never more do in this world ; his head was injured by a fall, and he could not live." The good man sighed as he spoke, and knowing that for them to be allowed to continue in the chamber of death would be also useless, and possibly injurious to their youthful minds, continued, " Tell me, was Mr. Richard Melville your father ? " " Yes, Sir," said Arthur, poor little Katie being too full of grief to return any answer. " Then how is it I see you thus ? " " My father's ship was lost at sea, with all her cargo, and we were sold up to pay the creditors," replied the boy, the old haughty look returning to his face, as he stood erect and dignified before the surgeon.

" I never heard of it ; but no wonder, for I only came back a few days ago, from the continent. Where are you at present living ? " In an attic in Swan's Court," answered Arthur, a burning blush mounting even to the roots of his dark hair. Dr. Leslie started, and looked almost incredulous, but observing the pained look on Arthur's face said, "Have you no friends, dear chdd '? because if you have not ." " Papa would not ask for assistance from anyone," broke in Arthur, hastily. " We came here, where no one knows us, and he tried to get employment, but, " and not knowing what to say, the boy faltered, and stopped short. The kind surgeon took no notice of his very evident confusion, but, after a moment's pause, seized a hand of each child, " You shall come with me," he said, " until we can arrange matters, and see what is to be done."

" I should like to work for my own living," said the boy, proudly. " You work ; why what would you do ? How old are you, my dear ? " " Surely I could do something, other boys of my age work. 1 was nine last March, and I am strong." The surgeon regarded him sadly, and then, turning to Katie, whispered, " You wiU come, will you not, little one ? I am a lonely old bachelor, with but a housekeeper and a maid-servant for company, so you wdl be very welcome." The chdd nestled her little golden head on his shoulder and said, " Yes," in the softest of soft voices, Arthur could no longer resist, so, gazing up into the doctor's face, said, " I thank you for your kindness, Dr. Leslie ; I hope we shall not be a trouble to you." " Don't talk of trouble, my dear, we won't discuss that subject at all. Now come along with me."

So saying, he led the little ones from the hospital out into the busy city. The rain had ceased, and the sun's bright beams were now shining forth with some degree of warmth, for it was the latter part of April, that pleasant time when the sweet Spring in all its youthful beauty and freshness renders the face of Nature a dehght to gaze upon and revel in. How like is this season to youth in its first snowy purity, its exquisite ldy-hued grace, its unsullied innocence, when no taint of evil has as yet soded the fair but often, alas, fleeting beauty. Who would not wish to preserve this charm, who would not love, and strive to become possessed of it, this rare and priceless purity of heart, but too often undervalued, and, when once lost, never regained ? The streets were crowded, as a fair was being held in the city, and a motley multitude thronged all the avad able space.

The shops were gaily decked, and inside, the busy shopmen looked as though they had not a moment to spare from waiting upon those who had come to buy. Hand-organs, with monkeys grinning and chattering ', boys, with placards announcing that a grand concert was te be held to-night in the Assembly Rooms; mimic Christy minstrels, with begrimed faces and white hands ; gaily-painted shows, with pictures outside of wonderful lions and tigers ; gipsies, with their swarthy faces ; farmers, cattle-dealers, in short, all sights and sounds imaginable, greeted the eyes and ears of the doctor and the children as they walked to his mansion in the suburbs. Arthur, meantime, was revolving in his mind as to how at some future time he might succeed in earning his own living, and thus render himself independent, or rather, self-dependent.

It was galling to his proud spirit to be obliged to accept of charity, as he termed it, and yet what could he do, a boy of nine, and totally unused to work of any description ? There was nothing for it but to submit, at least for the present, whether he liked it or no. As they passed the Cathedral, a noble old pile with three stately towers, the chimes rang out half-past eleven. Suddenly a sweet sound of music and boys' voices became audible. Both of the chddren looked surprised, for the morning service usually terminated before eleven. " It is Dr. Westwood practising the young choristers," said their friend ; " they usually have a midday practice. Do you like the cathedral services ? " " I love them," replied Arthur. " When dear mamma was ahve, before we left Mertonbury, she used to take Katie and me ; but since we came here papa forbade us to leave our room, so of course we could not go."

He paused, then resumed, " I do love music, oh, so very, very much, particularly Cathedral music." The chdd's face was beaming with enthusiasm and delight, and he continued to gaze admiringly at the splendid edifice until they turned a corner, and it was hidden from sight. They walked on in sdence, untd Arthur suddenly raised his head and said, " Mamma taught me a solo, one from Handel's Messiah." " What is it ? " enquired the doctor. " ' But Thou didst not leave His soul in bed.' It is so beautiful, mamma was very fond of it, and often sang it herself, to me, until I asked her to let me learn it. She taught me ; though, of course, I can't sing it nearly as well as she." " Do you know anything of the piano ? " " Yes. I have learned about two years ; but for the last three months have not been able to practice — our piano was sold."

" I have a piano," said the doctor, " and you may use it as much as you hke, dear child." " Oh, thank you, sh, so much," replied Arthur, and his little face grew bright with anticipated pleasure. The troubles of chddren are truly as Aprd showers, soon over and forgotten. Even little Kate was smiling now, though her dark eyelashes sparkled with unshed tears ; and it seemed that the dead father would ere long pass out of mind. At last they reached the mansion of Dr. Leslie, a substantial grey stone budding, with a very pretty garden and neatly-kept lawn in front. Around the upper story ran a balcony, along which twined the honeysuckle and clematis. The drawing-room windows opened on the lawn, which was ornamented with small shrubs, chiefly arbor vitæ and Wellingtonia, as yet but very diminutive in size.

In the centre stood an araucaria, which Arthur christened the " Monkey puzzle," " for," said he, " I defy any monkey, however clever, to climb that tree unless he were clad in mail." The hall door was open, and the surgeon led the two children up the steps, saying, with a kindly smile," This is now your home, my dears ; come in, you are very welcome." The dining-room, into which he ushered them, was a large, handsome apartment, beautifully furnished and tastefully arranged. On the table luncheon had just been placed for one gentleman, so the doctor rang the bell, and a middle-aged, and somewhat prim personage, made her appearance. She stopped short, stared at the chddren, but especiady at little Kate, and was about to say some thing, but Dr. Leslie, stepping forward, said, " One word in private, Mrs. Overtoil," and led her to a window, where he continued, " These are the children of Marion Melville ; they are now orphaned and friendless.

I have brought them here, and intend to adopt them as my own. I commit them to your motherly care. Treat them as weU as you have always treated me, and I shall be thoroughly satisfied. After luncheon, which I am sure they require, please go out, and buy all they need ; I give you per mission to spend what you like upon them, for I wish them to look respectable." The old lady regarded him with almost maternal fondness, and said, " Well, d that is not returning good for evd, I don't know what is : Marion Melvdle treated you shamefully, and now you adopt her chddren ; but, I forgot, Percy Leslie was always good and generous, even as a boy. I wdl do my best with your little ones," she added. " Many thanks, Mrs. Overton, both for the promise and that pretty compliment you have just paid me." " It was no compliment, sir, but the truth." •• Well, Mrs. Overton, I do thank you," and he held out his hand ; " you have always been as a mother to me ever since my own dear mamma died.

I am sure I can confide them to your tender mercies. Please send in some refreshment for them now, poor little things." " Now, chddren," said he, turning to them, " you shad have your luncheon. Katie, come and sit by me." The little girl came to his side, and placed her tiny hand in his, looking into his face with her shy blue eyes. Impulsively catching her to him, he said, " Will you be my Katie now, and love me ? " " Yes. I wdl," she timidly answered, and thus an understanding was established between Percy Leslie and his adopted daughter. Luncheon over, Mrs. Overtoil took both children out with her, and purchased for each a complete outfit, with which they were much pleased. When Dr. Leshe returned to tea (he usually dined at half-past six, and had made this alteration to be with the children), he found Arthur in a neat mourning suit, and white collar, his dark curls nicely brushed, and his rosy face glowing with health.

Little Katie very soon presented herself, attired likewise in mourning, her golden cm-Is fastened with black velvet, and fading down upon her pretty white shoulders. A loveher picture could scarcely have been imagined, the brother, with his dark Murillo-like beauty, and the sister, so fair and delicate. " Now, little ones," said the doctor, " are you ready for tea ? I am sure I am. for I have had a very long walk." Then, observing that Katie looked rather sad, he took her on his knee, and stroked the little head. " Poor papa used to do so," she said, " before we left our home," and the blue eyes filled with tears. The doctor made no reply, but drew her to him, and kissed her. The door opened, and in came the toast, and hot buttered cake for the httle ones, who were soon seated at the table, tea being poured out by Mrs. Overton.

The meal over, Dr. Leshe, taking the httle ones, went for a walk along the terrace, and into the green fields by the hill-side. It was a pretty scene. Below them lay the city, dotted with the spires of many churches ; far away the hdls, blue and dim in the distance, rose higher and higher ; whde the river, like a sdver thread, wended its tortuous course between. On a hill opposite stood an ivy-covered tower, and scattered around it were pretty cottages and the manse of the village pastor, with its high roof and white wrads. Nestling amongst the trees, whose fresh emerald green tint, as seen in early spring, is so charming, it formed an exquisite touch in the lovely panorama. In the city, the gay shows were distinctly visible, with the people who thronged around them. To the left were fields, and a wide expanse of woodland country ; while, to the right, clearly defined against the bright sky beyond, the stately towers of the noble old cathedral raised then heads in majestic beauty.

Like a monarch it stood, in its regal pride, reminding one of an exceedingly beautiful picture, in which the background serves to set off, and bring out, the principal figures. Surpassingly grand, beyond conception, was this, nature's picture. The doctor gazed on it with admiration, and Arthur's dark eyes gleamed with enthusiasm. " Our beautdul cathedral ! " he said, under his breath. " You are quite right, it is beautiful," replied his friend ; " I am glad you hke it so much, Arthur." They now retraced their steps homewards. It was a calm spring evening, not a breath of air stirring, not a cloud on the blue expanse above. On reaching home, the children had supper, and after prayers, were put to bed. Two small rooms, adjoining each other, were appointed for thenuse, and had been hastily prepared.

They soon fell asleep, for both were tired with the events of the day, and glad to rest. Dr. Leshe had, by this time, retded to his study, his sanctum, as he called it, and, taking out a diary, began to read. He was not an old man, probably not much over thirty, though he looked quite forty. Trouble and idness had done their work, and had prematurely hned the broad open brow, and streaked the dark hair with threads of silver. As he sat now, with his head supported by his hand, there Was an expression of deep melancholy, nay, of intense pain upon the noble features. Once he clasped his hands together, and moaned aloud as he read the closely-written pages of long ago. Let us glance and see what is the cause of this emotion. " April 30xh, 18 — . My wedding-morn, and what an awakening from my dream of happiness.

Marion gone— the wife of Richard Melville. Can I ever forgive them ? Oh, why is this? Why is such a trial given to me to hear ? What shall I do ? Life is a harden now. With her, I could have faced the world — without her, all is blank, cold, and desolate. The writing was obscure, and blotted as with tears, the characters feeble, as though traced with a trembling hand. Rapidly closing that page, he began to write — " April 30th, 18 — . Twelve years to-day since my lost Marion left me, never to return, and to-day her children, homeless, and in want, have come to me, to me, who loved their mother. She is dead, Richard Melville is dead, and naught remains of the past, but bitter remembrances. How like Katie is to her mother, aud how I love the little one already, as much as if she were my own.

Is my life never to be calm ? Always tempest-tossed, — always in sight of the tranquil sea, but never permitted to reach it. She is my little Kate now ; but shall I, at some future time, have to relinquish this treasure ? I suppose so. I must, however, strive to do my duty to both. Arthur will need guidance ; how much he resembles his father ! A few years ago I could not have borne his presence ; but time, the healer, has made my pain somewhat less agonizing. " They are fatherless and motherless : I will, with the Lord's help, endeavour to be both father and mother to these, my adopted children." This was deeply underlined, as if he regarded it in the light of a vow, and he continued to write — " To-night a new thought came into my mind as I gazed upon our grand old cathedral. " How splendidly the strong light in the background brought out its perfect beauty, — its exquisite symmetry of form, showing to advantage the noble towers.

Methought that it is even so with truth. " The mind that is pure, sincere, aud well-principled, can bear the strictest investigation ; the closest scrutiny only serving to bring out its latent perfections. Though the clouds may gather around it, and threaten to enfold it in their darksome mantle ; yet the clear light of truth must in time disperse them, even as the sun scatters the vapours from his path, as he rises in the heavens. " The clouds of trouble aud care hover around my life, aa they have done for twelve long years ; but if I hold fast mine integrity of heart, and adhere to the right, may they not disappear too, leaving the sun to shine upon me, and gladden my sadness with his effulgent glory ? " Who knows but that the tiny hand of Katie Melville has been sent in mercy to draw aside the curtain, aud let the daylight into the dark recesses whence it has been so long excluded.

What I so greatly need is patience, and trust in my Creator ; oh, doubting heart, cannot these little trusting children teach thee a lesson, canst thou not learn from their childish faith to rest in hope, and lean on the One who will never fail thee ? "I must begin life afresh now that I have something new to live and strive for, something that may bring with it its own exceeding great reward, the promised recompense to those who labour, the Lord's ' Well done ! ' " With that he closed the book, and after sitting for some little time in deep thought, rose and left the room. Upon reaching his sleeping apartment, he put out his light, and drawing up the blind, threw open the window. The calm evening had given place to as calm and beautdul a night, houses, trees, hills and valleys, being bathed in a flood of sdver radiance, which invested the minster's noble form as with a garment.

Leaning his head against the stone framework of the window, he stood gazing at the fad scene before him, his thoughts evidently far away. At length he spoke, " It was just such a night as this on the 30th of April twelve years ago, and I stood here then. All Nature, with her tranquil beauty, her sweet repose, seemed to mock my pain, — to whisper of peace, when for me peace had fled,— to tell of happiness, when nought but misery stared me in the face. Oh, how my heart ached then, — now, its pain is stilled, though there yet remains a void that nothing can fill." Leaving the window he took a small casket from the dressing-table, and opened it, his hands trembling with emotion as he did so. In it was a curl of golden hair, and a portrait, the portrait of a young girl of some eighteen years. The face was very lovely, the facsimile of httle Kate Melville, but for the difference in age, and also that the pure refined mouth was less marked in the pieture.

" Marion," said the doctor, and for some few minutes stood in sad contemplation. Then, with an effort, he continued, " This will not do ; I must not give way thus to my weakness. The past is past, and not all my longings can restore its brightness." He then closed the picture, and replaced it in the casket, saying, as he did so, "Farewed; the present and future I have now to do with. I must work in faith, striving after contentment, and subjection to His wid, ' Who doeth ad things well.' "

Chapter II

A CATHEDRAL SERVICE. f^EVERAL days, during which the weather was very 7% unsettled, passed away. Richard Melvide, with all <§u his pride, and all his follies, was respectably interred in the cemetery, followed only by the doctor, at whose expense the funeral was provided. The chddren's sorrow, except an occasional outburst, had become almost a thing of the past. One of the habits of Dr. Leslie was a very good one, that of early rising. He was often up by five when the mornings were sufficiently light. If his patients did not requde him, a portion of the time before breakfast, which was on the table punctually at eight, was given to study y the other to out-door exercise when the weather permitted. This morning, when returning from his constitutional, as he slowly paced the gravel path, the door hastily opened, a tiny figure stood on the stone steps, and tiny hands were outstretched in welcome.