Forreston

Chapter I. Forreston Rectory

'■' Just one more game, Mr. Blair ; we want to arrange this set," exclaimed a happy, bright girl of about fifteen, addressing a singularly handsome young man, who appeared to be making a similar request to one of the members of a graceful group seated under a large cedar tree on the Rectory lawn. " Certainly, Miss Mabel," he replied ; "I was trying to persuade Miss Beverly to join us." " Oh, Alice ! " remarked his young companion ; "she can play better than any of us, but she very seldom does now ; she thinks of nothing but her mother ; " and the Rector's young sister, with a smile and nod to Alice Beverly, led Mr. Philip Blair off in triumph to join some ener- FORRESTON. getic tennis players, determined upon having another game, although most of their companions had by now felt glad to rest under the trees, or saunter leisurely amongst the lovely flowers and shrubs.

No prettier scene could well be imagined than that presented by the Rectory garden at For reston on this lovely August evening. The brilliant sunshine shed a veritable glorv on the magnificent flowers, now in their greatest luxu riance of bloom : geraniums, begonias, verbenas, seemed to vie with each other in looking their best, but were exceeded in brightness by an almost dazzling bed of portulacas, while the grand old trees (planted, no doubt, by rectors long ago forgotten) cast a most welcome shade over the seats arranged beneath them. The Rev. Hugh Carrington had been appointed Rector of Forreston only a few months before ; and although there was much uphill work to be done in the parish (the former Rector, a very aged man, having been a confirmed invalid for some years), he was entering upon his new duties with many bright hopes.

His first care, on find- FORRESTON RECTORY. ing himself the master of a home, had been to bring his two orphan sisters to share it with him, they having, since the death of their parents, been residing with an uncle and aunt in the north of England. To-day, the new Rector was entertaining all the principal people of his parish (which included the small town of Forreston), and those friends from neighbouring parishes who were within driving distance, who had, one and all, welcomed the young Rector and his sisters to their new home. The duties of entertaining so many, some of whom were almost strangers, had caused some little anxiety to Miss Carrington, who had only just passed her twenty-second birthday ; but having gained considerable experience during her residence with her aunt, and being of a calm, thoughtful disposition, the large garden party had been a great success, particularly as all the neighbourhood had been exceedingly glad when Mr. Carrington had been appointed to the living, instead of a remarkably disagreeable old gentle man, to whom many had for some time feared FORRESTON. that the parish would be entrusted on the death of the former rector.

Almost every invitation had been accepted, and the neighbourhood was well represented — from the lord of the manor (a handsome old bachelor of between fifty and sixty) to the three Misses Spinet who kept the boarding school for young ladies in the little town just visible through the trees on the right. Some of the guests were pacing to and fro on the lovely terrace walk ; others were busy with archery or lawn tennis ; others, again, as we before remarked, were sitting chatting pleasantly under the large cedars and elms that half shut off the quiet church and churchyard from the more cheerful Rectory. But already, as we look on, the guests are beginning to depart — Mrs. Norton, with her six blooming daughters, either of whom she has thought, more than once during the afternoon, would be quite in her place as mistress of the pretty Rectory ; the Rev. Charles Jowling and his gentle wife, with their two somewhat awkward but well meanine O FORRESTON RECTORY. 5 sons ; and little Miss Flipp, the active little lady who has in more ways than one kept the parish together during the long years of old Mr. Probert's illness ; yes, there was but one Miss Flipp, yet so unexpectedly did she appear, first in one place and then in another, that a stranger might well have been excused o **"*■ in thinking that there were at least half-a-dozen of them.

But the last game of tennis is ended, and again Mr. Philip Blair has found his way back to the group beneath the cedar trees, and is bending in earnest conversation with lovely Alice Beverly, who lifts her clear grey eyes and meets the brilliant glance of his dark blue ones, rendered still more striking by the curling waves of his black hair. But the gentle lady at her side soon regains all the daughter's loving attention, as she remarks that she thinks the pony carriage is waiting, and at once the Rector and others are in attendance to see that she has every assistance, while several sweet girls are anxious to arrange comfortable cushions, for the gentle mother (now almost an FORRESTON. invalid) is as great a favourite as her lovely daughter Alice. One assemblage of the younger visitors seems very unwilling to depart, their whole attention being engrossed by some gold fish sporting about in a large old stone fountain on the eastern side of the terrace.

This beautiful old ornament had for years remained almost hidden in weeds, while the marble statue of a nymph, apparently keeping guard over it, had disappeared completely under the untended growth of years. Care and a little attention had rendered the mingled boughs of a Gloire de Dijon rose and the twining sprays of some clematis a charming canopy, laden with sweet buds and blossoms, which were reflected in the water beneath, near which was standing a number of merry boys and girls, not to be recalled from their amusement until genial old Dr. Noble (who had been churchwarden to the former rector for many years, and had likewise promised to fulfil the same duties for Mr. Carring ton) had, with a determination to make things go smoothly in the Rectory garden as well as in the rest of the parish, hurried up, and, collecting FORRESTON RECTORY. the younger members together, had succeeded in dealing them out to their respective friends amidst the laughter and thanks of the more responsible elders.

" A capital party, my dear sir," exclaimed the Squire as he shook hands with Mr. Carrington ; "just what we want to bring the people together a bit ; if jtou and your good sisters will do this sort of thing, we shall soon find a difference amongst the people. Ah, if it had not been for our two friends here, Miss Flipp and Dr. Noble, we should have become heathens long ago, or taken to worshipping mistletoe." Miss Flipp pretended to be shocked, while the Rector laughed. " Ah, it is all very well to laugh," continued the Squire ; " hut you don't know what it is for a parish to be given up for years to the care of a man who is nearly ninety. Which of us would trust the cooking of our dinner to a person of that age ? If I had my way, clergy men should all retire at seventy. Depend upon it. to hold a living after that age comes little short of getting money under false pretences, FORRESTON. and constitutes one of the greatest weaknesses of our Church. But, farewell! I must overtake my brother and nephew, who, I see, have already taken their departure."

Chapter II. Glenthorp

Glenthorp, a pretty house on the outskirts of Forreston, looked very calm and peaceful in the evening light, and yet much care and sorrow had found their way into that apparently happy home. Mr. and Mrs. Beverly had lost their only son before he had reached his eighteenth year, and about two years before the death of Mr. Probert (the former rector), poor Mr. Beverly had caught cold while taking relief to some distant cottages during a very severe winter, and, after a few days of terrible anxiety for his wife and daughter, had passed away from this life for ever. Gentle Mrs. Beverly appeared quite unable to sustain the terrible shock ; and, although she tried bravely, for her daughter's sake, to recover her lost health and spirits, those who knew her best could not help observing that she became FORRESTON. weaker day by day, and that it was an increas ing effort for her to take part in the little interests and pleasures of life.

Poor Alice did not dare to think of this, or of what her own fate might be, should the gentle, loving guardian and companion be taken from her. She had to-day arranged a comfortable seat for her mother in a little arbour overhung with honeysuckles and roses (that had been built there some years before by her father, who had always taken great delight in his pretty garden), and, seated at the other side of a small table, on which rested silks, and wools, and several pieces of fancy wrork, was talking with her companion about the garden party which had been given at the Rectory the clay before. " I am so glad Mr. Carrington has sisters," remarked Alice, " and I think Miss Carrington is one of the sweetest girls 1 have ever met. It must have been very trying to entertain so many people, without even knowing which families were friendly towards each other.

I heard Mabel Carrington asking Laura Fane and GLENTHORP. Lucy Ashford to join in some game, and, you know, mother, the Fanes think themselves so much above the Ashfords. Why, Colonel Fane would not hear of sending Laura to school, because she would make friends with the other girls, and Mr. Ashford wTas quite thankful to be able to send Lucy to Miss Spinet's." " On an occasion of this kind there must be a little allowance made, my dear. The Rector was obliged to ask many who are not exactly equals, but, I think, there seemed an absence of any feeling of superiority. I could not help being struck with the genial way in which the Squire entered into the spirit of the entertain ment, but he is always happy and cheerful when his brother John is with him, and what an ex ceedingly handsome man Philip has grown.

His uncle may well be proud of him. I don't think I ever saw a finer figure," added her mother, without noticing the heightened colour in her daughter's fair face ; " but I understand that he and his father have been drawing rather extensively on the Squire's income lately. It seems a great pity, for the attachment be- FORRESTON. tween Mr. Blair and his brother has been quite a proverb in the county, and yet, money has been the cause of many disagreements and troubles between relations." " It is, indeed, a pity," replied Alice ; " but I am glad to see that Mr. Blair and our new Rector seem to understand each other so well. Dear old Dr. Noble will help on all the good work, but I fear that Miss Flipp will find that she or the Rector will have to give way. She has managed so many things for so long, that she will scarcely like any changes now.

But you look tired, dear mother. Come into the house and rest on the sofa for a time." " Yes, dear, I will. Seeing so many old friends yesterday was rather trying, and re minded me of happy days gone by ; but, my Alice, you, too, are looking worn and pale. You must trust me to Rebecca's care for a short time, and take a little walk. It is so cool and pleasant now." And, in a few minutes, Rebecca, the faithful maid, who had been with Mrs. Beverly through all her troubles, had taken the place of attendant ; and Alice, with her pretty GLENTHORP. 13 shady hat, half hiding the gleaming gold hair, had passed out through a little wicket-gate that led to a grassy walk, winding round the hill, on the outskirts of a grand old wood, that, stretch ing round the western side of the hill, adjoined the park, and formed a background to the garden and pleasure-grounds of Mr. Blair's beautiful old home.

Forreston Hall was so undeniably the chief house for many miles round, that it was always knowm by the name of Tlie Hall — a splendid old stone-built mansion, surrounded by a spacious park, and possessed of almost the finest shooting and fishing in any of the western counties. On the death of the former Squire, the pro perty had descended to Edward Blair, who, being only one year older than his brother John, had himself thought it almost unfair that he should be possessed of so much, while his brother had to be contented with a much smaller portion. Edward remained a bachelor, while John had married the only daughter of a neighbour — Colonel Staunton — who died young, leaving him FORRESTON. with one little son, Philip, now in his twenty ninth year. Brought up to think only of his hunting, shooting, and other amusements, John Blair now found that it was much easier to spend money than to obtain it, and he and his son, chiefly from want of business training, had spent far larger sums in one way and another than they at all realised.

Sad, indeed, if, after such strong attachment to one another for so many years, money matters should cause any disagreement between the brothers, and yet on several recent occasions there had been something very like a quarrel, although as yet few had been aware of this circumstance except Peter Bucket, the old butler, who loved his two young masters (as he always called them) more than anything else on earth. But we have left Alice Beverly just starting for her wralk. She wandered on for some distance, her mind entirely engrossed with sad thoughts of her invalid mother ; but gradually she felt the influence of the bright surroundings, the golden sunshine dancing through the branches of the GLENTHORP. 15 overhanging trees, the wealth of lovely wild flowers strewing every bank and glade, while a joyous chorus of bird voices echoed through the woods.

At length she seated herself on a low stile which separated a sloping meadow from the woods above, and, sketch-book in hand, wras quietly contemplating a singularly pretty view, with the hope of making a picture of it on some future occasion (for Alice had devoted her time to sketching more than usual lately, finding it an occupation that did not interfere with her mother's comfort), when she was startled by two large dogs bounding from the wood, followed by Mr. Philip Blair, who was much distressed at seeing the evident alarm which the sudden appearance of his boisterous companions had caused Alice. " Ten thousand pardons, Miss Beverly," he exclaimed. " I hope you were not really frigh tened. Down, Sultan ! down ! " he continued to one of the dogs. " They are both young, and I am anxious to train them a little before the first."

" They are beautiful creatures," replied Alice. FORRESTON. " I am exceedingly fond of dogs ; but they rushed out so suddenly, when all had appeared so quiet and lonely." " Ah ! they were not aware that there was a guardian angel keeping watch over these sylvan retreats ; but I understand you have had many cares lately. How is Mrs. Beverly to-day 1 It struck me she was a little overtired by so large a gathering yesterday." " She is better, I trust," replied Alice, " but I cannot help feeling very anxious about her." " You are well off in your new Rector," con tinued Philip, wishful not to dwell upon the subject of Mrs. Beverly's health. " I think if he can have his way, he will really improve matters here, especially with the assistance of his two charming sisters. I fancy you seldom see one so young as Miss Carrington with so much thought and experience ; and Miss Mabel too, with her bright laughing ways, is as engaging as her beautiful sister."

" I am so glad they are both young," said Alice, aware of a cold , sinking feeling at her heart, at hearing the beauty of the Rector's sister spoken GLENTHORP. of by Philip Blair, wondering to herself how she could let the words of one who was only an acquaintance affect her ; and more than once during the short conversation she found herself questioning why Philip Blair's opinion with regard to others should be a trouble to her. " I don't see how Mr. Carrington is to have a chance," continued Philip: " the old Rector never had a voice in anything — schools, services, choir ; in fact, everything in the parish has been in the hands of Miss Flipp, and unless you can manage to get up a match between her and your new Rector I don't see how matters are to go on." Alice laughed merrily, for Miss Flipp, a worthy independent little lady, who had all her life taken a great interest in parish affairs, was at least old enough to be Mr. Carrington's mother, if we may not say grandmother, which would be very near the truth.

"Well," he continued, "we look to you ladies to see that poor Miss Flipp is not dethroned from her place of power, but I must hasten home, or my uncle will be waiting dinner for me, so good-bye, Miss Beverly," and, calling his dogs, FORRESTON. Mr. Philip soon passed out of sight up the path way leading to the Hall, while Alice rose and slowly returned without continuing her sketch. Oh ! she thought, how much happiness comes to some people. Here was Miss Carrington beloved and admired by everyone. Yes, even Philip had as good as owned how much he admired her — good, noble, handsome, Philip Blair ! — and she thought of the well-shaped head, the brilliant but earnest dark blue eyes and massive waving curls, the quiet, fascinating smile that seemed to be still further set off by the short dark mous tache ; — but why should she feel that cold, aching dread, when she thought of how much he would some day be to others ?

Surely our gentle Alice was not one to give her heart away unasked ; and trying hard to overcome these thoughts, she hastened home to her patient mother.

Chapter III. Miss Flipp

" Now, Ann, you be sure you send my large music book down to the church, and tell Mr. Morris not to begin till I come ; then give these picture cards to Charlie Rudge when he calls — they are to be hung up in the school-room : I saw that the nails were all ready for them yesterday morning, and Betty Blake will call for her money for the clothing club ; and don't forget to prepare the patchwork for the girls' class to morrow ; " and with these injunctions to her old servant, Ann Pudge, Miss Flipp took up a large black bag, and tripped down the steps of her house in Stone Street, on her way to collect sub scriptions to the Sunday schools, and distribute notices of a missionary meeting that was shortly to be held in the parish. As she passed out of her gate, several faces looked rather blank, the owners having evidently been on their way to FORRESTON. ask some favour, but, seeing Miss Flipp passing swiftly up the street, realised that they would have to pay another visit.

Everyone seemed to know the little lady, and she had a word of caution or encouragement for most of them ; but after calling at several houses on her way, she eventually arrived at the Hall, stopping for a short time to inquire as to the health and wel fare of each individual member of the family at the lodge. Miss Flipp was ushered into a large, cool drawing-room at the Hall, furnished rather with a view to complete comfort than fashion ; glass doors opened on to a beautiful lawm laid out with care and taste, from which a wide flight of steps led to another spacious terrace below, while on the left the garden seemed to lose itself in a maze of choice and well-grown shrubs, backed by the magnificent old woods. Mr. Blair shortly appeared, having been taking a stroll with his brother in the grounds, and Miss Flipp at once informed him of the special pur pose of her visit, and, opening her black bag, commenced taking out several packets of letters MISS FLIPP. 21 and papers tied in little bundles ; then followed a small roll of yellow canvas in small squares, each neatly darned, the pattern work of the children in the schools; then various memorandum books, marked respectively "Sunday Schools," " Mothers' Meeting," and so on ; and eventually laid before Mr. Blair a list of the exact sums she washed him to subscribe to at least half-a-dozen different objects in the parish ; and while he counted out the asked-for amounts, so great was Miss Flipp's love of neatness and order, that, observing an antimacassar that had fallen from its place, the little lady actually, without seem ing to think of what she was doing, crossed the room and carefully arranged it upon the couch again, Mr. Blair wisely judging that it was best not to interfere or offer any assistance.

" I suppose there will be no limit to the entertainments and parties now your handsome nephew has arrived," remarked Miss Flipp ; " there is to be a grand archery meeting at Colonel Fane's on Friday, I understand, and the Hollands intend holding a very extensive ' at home,' I believe ; but in spite of so much gaiety amongst some of FORRESTON. our friends I fear there is sad trouble in store at Glenthorp." " Ah ! indeed," acquiesced Mr. Blair, in a tone of sadness, " I greatly fear you are right ; I was much distressed at the Rectory to see how sadly poor Mrs. Beverly is changed. Our good little Alice may be left in much trouble : a great deal of their money went at her father's death, and she is very young to be left alone." " Yes," rejoined Miss Flipp ; " it is the same old story over and over again ; girls are all brought up as though they were to be always under their mother's care ; and then trouble comes, and they find they have to fight their way in the world all alone."

"I suppose Miss Beverly has rich relations," observed Mr. Blair. " Ah ! altogether too rich," replied Miss Flipp, sharply ; " those who are well off generally require, or think they require, so many extrava gances and comforts, that when an orphan is left in a family everyone is afraid to offer her a home, as they think it will necessitate no end of expense, an extra room, a maid, a horse to ride, and I MISS FLIPP. 23 know not what ; besides the fact that they pro bably have to provide for her for life." " I suppose it is so," returned Mr. Blair ; "and yet how often do we find the poor people taking to their neighbour's children." "Ah! that is quite another thing," returned Miss Flipp, somewhat warmly ; " for when some little one is left amongst the poor, they have only to keep it until it is about twelve or fourteen, and it then turns out and gets its own living like the rest of them, while it does not require an extra bed, much less bedroom ; they just put a bolster at each end of the bed, and there the little things are — feet to feet ; and it matters very little whether there are five or six of them in a bed."

" Dear me ! is it possible ? Is that how they manage ? " and the good Squire, though half shocked, could not prevent a merry twinkle in his eyes, at the thought of the double rows of little heads. "Certainly; I have seen it myself many times," replied the lady, so used to the ways of the poor that she did not see the strangeness of them. FORRESTON. But after a moment's thought Mr. Blair con tinued : " I suppose our English cottages ought to be larger and better than they are ?" " I don't think that would improve things in the least," answered Miss Flipp. " They like this sort of thing, I feel convinced. Some years ago we tried very hard here at Forreston to enable large families to have larger homes, and what were the consequences ? Why, they put all the children into one room, and let the others out to lodgers, so that their own families were more neglected than ever." And with these words, Miss Flipp packed up her black bag, and, in a few minutes, was tripping down the drive on her way home.

Chapter IV. The Brothers

And old Peter Bucket was right. There was trouble brewing at the Hall. Yes, in spite of the outward appearance of plenteous comfort, a,nd the continual entertainments going on, pic nics, shooting parties, boating parties, and so on, there was a cloud ever darkening towards a storm between the two brothers. The old butler, who, years ago, had commenced service with the present Mr. Blair's father, and had, as it were, grown up with the two young men, having been used to the extreme attachment that had always existed between them, was the more able to detect the first indication of the ■coming quarrel. Philip Blair had lately heard of a particularly advantageous chance of obtaining a partnership in a very flourishing mercantile house, requiring very little time or work, but, at the same time, bringing in large profits ; and, with the intention FORRESTON. of securing this chance, Mr. John Blair, who had made considerable demands upon his brother lately, wTas determined to endeavour to get the large sum necessary for this purpose, although he knew that things were not in a particularly flourishing condition just at present, as Lawson, the steward, had mentioned to him that two of the largest farms were unlet.

Their visit was drawing to a close, and one morning, while Mr. Blair was having a quiet rest, preparatory to taking the chair at a grand dinner to be given to the member for the county, his brother John ventured to lay his plans before him, and concluded his explanation by making a request for the very considerable sum that he required. Whether Mr. Blair's temper had been upset by political differences, or whether he considered that he had already done more than enough, it is not possible to decide, but certain it is that he completely lost his temper, and so astonished and alarmed his brother, that he could only feebly plead that the money was required for Philip, and not for him self. " THE BROTHERS. But the more he said the more angry did Mr. Edward Blair become, and after giving utterance to several cruel and unjust remarks, he strode from the room, and, having hastily dressed, drove off in an angry manner to the town at wdiich the dinner was to take place, and in vain did poor old Bucket try to detain him in the hope that some better understanding might be arrived at.

Yet the old butler would not speak of the subject to the other servants, and used all his efforts to persuade them that nothing was wrong. Returning to the library, where the brothers had been seated during their angry discussion, he found Mr. John indignant, and deeply offended, more so than there was any justifica tion for, considering that his demands had many times been very exasperating, but the generous way in which Mr. Blair had always previously paid them, made him the more unprepared for the present decided and angry refusal ; and when Philip returned in the evening from some distant excursion, he found his father in the most miserable state, almost beside himself FORRESTON. with grief and anger, but fully determined upon leaving Forreston at once. With deeper regret than his father had any idea of, Philip at once prepared to obey his wishes, and when they retired to rest, the)-" did so with everything arranged for their departure by the first train leaving Forreston on the following day.

John Blair heard his brother return during the small hours of the morning, exhausted with all the fuss and excitement of political speeches, and long before he thought of rising, John Blair and his son were speeding on their way many miles from Forreston. Peter Bucket was far too distressed to utter one word of reproach or expostulation during his master's late breakfast, and the day crept on, and the sun was setting in glorious splendour in the west, before Mr. Blair could summon up sufficient command of himself to inquire for Mr. John, and then poor old Bucket, with a choking sound in his voice, and after twice commencing his words, informed his master that " Master John and Master Philip were gone ". THE BROTHERS. 29 Gone ! lost ! gone ! There always seems a ter rible solemnity about these words, but when two friends, who have loved each other deeply, have quarrelled, and one has gone, there comes a horrible feeling of all the peace and happi ness that might have been, and the hopeless helplessness of the present ; and Mr. Blair felt this in its fullest, most overwhelming sense.