The Village by the River
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H. Louisa Bedford >> The Village by the River
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11 [Frontispiece: Paul . . . was holding it closely
upon the burning skirt.]
THE VILLAGE BY THE RIVER.
by
H. LOUISA BEDFORD,
AUTHOR OF
"MRS. MERRIMAN'S GODCHILD," "RALPH RODNEY'S MOTHER,"
"MISS CHILCOTT'S LEGACY," ETC., ETC.
ILLUSTRATED BY W. S. STACEY.
PUBLISHED UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE
GENERAL LITERATURE COMMITTEE.
LONDON:
SOCIETY FOR PROMOTING CHRISTIAN KNOWLEDGE,
NORTHUMBERLAND AVENUE, W.C.;
43, QUEEN VICTORIA STREET, E.C.
BRIGHTON: 129, NORTH STREET.
NEW YORK: E. & J. B. YOUNG AND CO.
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER
I. WHAT THE VILLAGERS SAID
II. AN UNLOOKED-FOR INHERITANCE
III. FIRST IMPRESSIONS
IV. OPPOSING VIEWS
V. A QUESTION OF EDUCATION
VI. A VOTE OF CONFIDENCE
VII. A MOMENTOUS DECISION
VIII. AN OUTSTRETCHED HAND
IX. A CRISIS IN A LIFE
X. RIVAL SUITORS
XI. A FRIEND IN NEED
XII. KITTY'S CHRISTMAS TREE
XIII. THE CALL OF GOD
XIV. A CHANGE OF MIND
ILLUSTRATIONS
Paul . . . was holding it closely
upon the burning skirt. . . . . . . _Frontispiece_
"I've come after some roses."
Before he could regain his feet, a hand was on his collar.
THE VILLAGE BY THE RIVER.
CHAPTER I.
WHAT THE VILLAGERS SAID.
"Well, it were the grandest funeral as ever I set eyes on," said
Allison, the blacksmith, folding his brawny arms under his leather
apron, and leaning his shoulders against the open door of the smithy in
an attitude of leisurely ease.
The group, gathered round him on their way home from work, gave an
assenting nod and waited for more.
For convenience Allison shifted his pipe more to the corner of his
mouth, and proceeded--
"Not one of yer new-fangled ones, with a glass hearse for all the world
like a big window-box, and a sight of white flowers like a wedding.
Everything was as black as it should be; I never see'd finer horses, in
my life, with manes and tails reachin' a'most to the ground, and a
shinin' black hearse with a score of plumes on the top, and half a
dozen men with silk hatbands walking alongside it, right away from the
station to the churchyard yonder." And Allison threw a backward glance
over the billowy golden cornfields, which separated the village from
the church by a quarter of a mile, where the grand tower reared its
head as if keeping watch over the village like a lofty sentinel.
"There were lots of follerers, I expect?" suggested Macdonald, gently.
He was a Scotchman, and worked on the line, and he shifted his bag of
tools from his shoulder to the ground as he spoke. "A gentleman like
him would leave a-many to miss him."
Allison stared across at the river which ran swiftly by on the opposite
side of the road. The long village of Rudham skirted its banks
irregularly for a mile or more. The blacksmith had plenty of news to
communicate, but he was not to be hurried in the relating of it.
"I'm tryin' to recolleck," he said, knitting his brows, "but I can't
mind more than two principal mourners. And the undertaker, when he
stopped to water his horses at the inn, told Mrs. Lake as they was the
doctor and the lawyer; but, relations or no, they did it wonderful
well! Stood with their hats off all in the burnin' sun, and went back
to look at the grave when the funeral was over."
"The household servants was there--leastways the butler and footman,"
said Tom Burney, a dark-eyed, gipsy-looking young man, who was one of
the under-gardeners at the big house on the hill, "but not him as is
coming after."
"The question is who is a-comin' after?" said Allison, in a tone of
sarcastic argument. "Maybe you'll tell us, as you seem to know such a
lot about it?"
Burney coloured under his dark skin, and gave an uneasy little laugh.
"I know what I've heard, no more nor less," he said; "but it comes
first-hand from the butler of him who's gone."
Allison gave an incredulous sniff; he was not used to playing second
fiddle, and the heads of his listeners had turned to a man in the
direction of the last speaker.
"He hadn't no near relation, not bein' a married man," went on Burney,
enjoying his advantage; "and Mr. Smith--that's the butler--came and
walked round the garden until it was time for his train to go back to
London."
"He don't pretend as the property's left to him, I suppose?" broke in
Allison, jocosely.
Burney turned his shoulder slightly towards the speaker, and went on,
regardless of the interruption--
"Mr. Smith says as the house up there, and all the property, goes to a
young fellow not more than thirty, of the same name as the old squire;
some third cousin or other."
"Hearsay! just hearsay!" ejaculated Allison, contemptuously. "Who's
seen him, I should like to know? Seein's believin', they say."
"Mr. Smith has," said Burney, a ring of triumph in his voice. "He were
there when old Mr. Lessing died."
There was silence for a moment. The evidence seemed conclusive, and
Allison's discomfiture complete; but, as the forge was the place where
the village gossips gathered every day, it was felt to be wise to keep
on good terms with the owner.
"Seems as if it might be true," said Macdonald, casting a timid glance
at the blacksmith.
"If it is, why wern't he here, to-day, then?" asked Allison, gruffly.
"Not knowin', can't say," Burney answered with a laugh.
"Maybe he'll be comin' to live here," said another.
"He can't! I can tell you that much; there ain't a house he could live
in," asserted Allison. "His own place is let, you see, to the
Websters--whom Burney there works for,--and he can't turn 'em out, as
they have it on lease; and a good thing too. We don't want no resident
squire ridin' round and pryin' into everything. The old one kept
hisself to hisself, and, as long as the rents was paid regular, he
didn't trouble much about us; and there was always a pound for the
widows every Christmas. Trust me, it's better to have your landlord
livin' in London, and not looking about the place more than once a
year. Did Mr. Smith say what the young one looked like, Burney?"
The question was asked a little reluctantly.
"No; but he thinks he's a bit queer in his notions. He asked him
whether he'd be likely to want his services; and Mr. Lessing laughed
quite loud, and said, one nice old woman to cook and do for him was all
he should require now, or at any time in his life. Mr. Smith ain't
sure but what he's a Socialist."
"I don't rightly know the meaning of it?" said Macdonald,
instinctively, turning to the blacksmith for an explanation.
"It may be a good thing, or it mayn't," declared Allison. "I take it
that a Socialist means one as would take from those as has plenty and
give to those who has nothing. We're born ekal into the world, and
they'd keep us ekal, as far as might be. But it'd take a deal of
workin' out, more than you'd think, lookin' at it first; but I'm not
goin' to say that it wouldn't be handy to have a Socialist squire. He
might divide his land ekal among us, and there'd be no more rent to pay
for any of us. There now!"
A general murmur of approval ran round his audience, except with old
Macdonald, who gave a quaint smile.
"But it strikes me that such of us as have saved a tidy bit would have
to hand it out to be divided equal too. It would not be fair as the
Squire should do it all; it would run through, you see."
"Well, I've not saved a brass farthing, so I should come in for a lot;
and I'd settle down and marry to-morrow!" cried Burney, gaily. "But,
you may depend on it, whoever's got the place will stick to it. I must
be getting on to the station. Our people are coming back from abroad
this evening, and I'm to be there to help hoist up the luggage. It
takes a carriage and pair to carry up the ladies, and an extra cart for
luggage."
"It's not the luggage you're going to meet, I'll bet; it's the lady's
maid," said a young fellow, who had not spoken before. "If you married
next week we all know well enough whom you'd take for a wife;" and Tom
moved off amid a shout of laughter.
It was an open secret that Tom was head-over-ears in love with pretty
Rose Lancaster, the somewhat flighty maid of Miss Webster, who, with
her mother, was returning to the Court that evening. Absence had made
his heart grow fonder, and it was beating much faster than usual as he
stood on the station platform awaiting the arrival of the train, and,
when it ran in with much splutter and fuss, not even by a turn of her
head did Miss Rose show herself aware of Tom's presence. Instead, she
was looking after her ladies, lifting out their various belongings--not
a few in number--and ordering round the porters with a pretty pertness
as she counted out the boxes from the van. It was only when she found
her own box missing that she turned appealingly to Tom.
"Run, there's a good boy, quick to the other van!" she said,
acknowledging him with a nod. "It must have got in there, and the
train will be off in another moment."
Tom ran as requested, pantingly rescued the box, and came back smiling
to tell her of his successful search.
"That's right," said Rose, graciously. "Now you can help me on to the
box-seat of the carriage, if you like. I'm going to sit beside Mr.
Dixon."
Dixon was the coachman, and a formidable rival in Tom's eyes.
"I thought, perhaps, as you'd come along of me. I'm drivin' the cart
back for Berry, as he had a message in the village. I've not seen you
for such a time, Rose."
"Come with you!" said Rose, with a toss of her head. "The ladies would
not like it; besides, we shall meet sure enough some day soon. I
mustn't wait a minute longer. You need not help me unless you like."
But poor Tom, under the pretext of making some inquiry about the
luggage, managed to be near so as to hand up Rose to her seat by the
coachman, who appeared far more absorbed in the management of his
horses than in the young woman who sat by him, upon whom he did not
bestow even a glance, preserving a perfectly imperturbable countenance.
"He's pretending! just pretending--the scamp!" said Tom, under his
breath, turning back to his horse and cart.
A strange man stood near stroking the animal's head and keeping a light
hand on its bridle. He wore a loosely fitting brown suit, and the hand
that caressed the horse was almost as brown as his clothes. His head
was closely cropped and his face clean-shaven, showing the clear-cut,
decided mouth and chin, and the white, even teeth displayed by the
smile with which he greeted Tom.
"You may be glad I was at hand or your cart with its cargo of luggage
would have been upset in the road," he said. "It's not a wise thing to
leave a creature like this standing alone when a train is starting off."
A quick retort was on the tip of Tom's tongue; he had no fancy for
being called to account by a perfect stranger, but, although the words
sounded authoritative, the tone was good-humoured.
"Thank you, I only left him for a moment; he stands quiet enough as a
rule," he said, taking the bridle into his hand.
The stranger picked up the small portmanteau he had set down in the
road, and prepared to walk off, then turned half-hesitatingly back to
Tom.
"Can you tell me where I can get a night or two's lodging? It does not
much matter where it is as long as it is clean and quiet."
Tom took off his cap and rubbed his head thoughtfully.
"Mrs. Lake's a wonderful good sort of woman."
"And who may Mrs. Lake be?" inquired the stranger, pleasantly.
"She keeps the Blue Dragon, but I couldn't say as it's exactly quiet of
a Saturday night. She don't allow no swearin' on her premises, but
some of the fellers gets a bit rowdy before they go home."
"Very possibly," replied his companion, dryly. "I don't think the Blue
Dragon would suit me; but surely there is some cottager with a spare
bed and sitting-room, who might be glad of a quiet, respectable lodger
for a bit?"
Tom threw a searching glance at the speaker; he was not quite sure
that, notwithstanding his gentle manner of talking, he was to be
altogether trusted.
"If you'd step up beside me I'll drive you to the forge," he said,
willing to shelve his responsibility of recommendation. "It's close
here, and Allison will help you if no one else can. He knows every
one's business."
"Just the sort of man I want," said Tom's new acquaintance, climbing
into the cart and seating himself on the cushion that had been intended
for Rose. His alert grey eyes took in his new surroundings at a glance.
No one could call Rudham a pretty village: it was too straggling, too
bare of trees, which had been planted sparsely and attained no
luxuriance of growth; but it was not wholly unattractive this evening,
with the setting sun turning to gold the varying bends of the river
which ran through the valley, and the cottages and farmhouses dotted
here and there with a not unpleasing irregularity, and in the distance
a softly rising upland turning from blue to purple in the evening light.
"Yonder's the Court, where my people live," said Tom, jerking his whip
to a big house more than a mile away that peeped out from among the
trees. "It belonged to the old squire who was buried to-day, you know."
"Ah!" ejaculated his listener, not greatly interested, apparently, in
the information.
"It's a wonderful fine place, and they say as he who's to have it won't
hold no store by it. Pity, ain't it?"
Tom's companion broke into rather a disconcerting laugh.
"Look here, my lad, by the time you're thirty you won't give credit to
every bit of gossip that comes to your ears; you'll wait to know that
it's true before you pass it on, at any rate. This will be the forge
you spoke of, and there's the owner, sure enough, standing at the door.
Thank you for the lift, and here's a shilling for your trouble."
But Tom thrust away the proffered tip with a shake of his head.
"No, thank you; you kept the horse safe at the station."
"So, on the principle that one good turn deserves another, you'll give
me a lift for nothing. All right and thank you," said the man,
dismounting and lifting out his portmanteau. "Good night."
"Good night," said Tom, with an answering nod. "I wonder what his
business is?" he thought, as he pursued his way. "Shouldn't be
surprised if he was the engineer who's to see to the laying down of the
new line; he's that quick, smart way with him as if he'd been about a
lot and knew a thing or two."
"Lodgings!" echoed Allison, slowly, as the stranger reiterated his
request. "It's not a thing we are often asked for in Rudham. I'd make
no objection to taking you in myself, but Mrs. Allison's not partial to
strangers."
"I should be sorry to inconvenience Mrs. Allison; is there no one else
you can think of?"
"Mrs. Pink 'ud do it; but she's a baby who's teething, and fretful o'
nights."
"And that would not suit me!" said the newcomer, with decision.
"I have it!" cried Allison, bringing down his big hand with a
resounding slap upon his knee. "Mrs. Macdonald's the body for you!
There's not a better woman in Rudham, and I know 'em pretty well in
these parts. Her husband's only just gone up street; he were talkin'
here not five minutes ago. There's only their two selves, and the
cottage one of the best in the place."
"It sounds as if it would suit me down to the ground. And if Mrs.
Macdonald could give me shelter, even for a few nights, it would give
me time to look about me."
"Thinkin' of settlin' in these parts?" inquired Allison. "There's no
house as I knows on vacant."
"I've no settled plans at present," answered the stranger. "If you'll
kindly direct me to Mrs. Macdonald's, I'll go and try my fate."
"Eighth house from here, set back a bit from the road, with a little
orchard behind it; and you can say as I sent you," said Allison,
feeling his name a good enough recommendation for any stranger.
The door of the eighth house set back a little from the road was
partially open as the new arrival made his way up the box-bordered
path, with beds on either side of it gay with flowers; and before he
could knock a neatly dressed middle-aged woman threw it wide and
surveyed him from head to foot.
"And what may you be wanting, sir?" she asked, quite civilly.
"A lodging for a night or two. And Mr. Allison at the forge seemed to
think you might be inclined to take me in."
"I'm not sure as my John will wish it. But if you'll step inside I'll
ask him," replied Mrs. Macdonald, motioning him to a chair.
"Unless they turn me out by force, I shall stay," he said, looking
round him with a pleased smile.
It was not his fault, but "my John's" deafness, that caused him to hear
himself described as a "very decent man, who spoke as civil as a
gentleman; and it was awkward to find yourself in a strange place on a
Saturday night with nobody ready to put themselves about a bit to take
you in."
"John will yield in the long run," sighed the unwilling listener.
"Mrs. MacD. rules the roost, unless I'm greatly mistaken."
Apparently his conjecture was right, for in another minute the woman
reappeared to say that she and her husband were willing to let him have
the front bed and sitting-room if, after due inspection, they proved
good enough for him.
"We're not used to grand folk," she said, a trifle awed by the sight of
the portmanteau. "I cooked for a plain family before I married my
John, and----"
"Then it's certain that you can cook for me; I'm not nearly so much
trouble as a plain family," said her visitor, laughing. "I'll carry up
my things if you'll show me the way, for I shall go no further than
this to-night. I dare say you can give me some tea, and then I'll go
out and order in some food."
"I dare say you eat hearty, sir; or we've some fine new-laid eggs,"
suggested Mrs. Macdonald.
"The very thing. You can't get such a thing in London; the youngest
new-laid egg is about a month old, I fancy. Thank you," (with a glance
round the dimity-curtained room, fragrant with lavender); "I shall be
as happy as a king."
When her lodger was safely established at his evening meal, and Mrs.
Macdonald was satisfied that she could provide nothing more for his
comfort, she went upstairs to tidy his room, shaking her head a little
over the various things that littered the floor and table.
"He's not so tidy as my John, but he's not got his years over his
head," she said, as she closed the portmanteau and shoved it towards
the dressing-room table.
As she did so the name on the label caught her eye, she could not help
reading it; and then drew in her breath with a sharp exclamation of
surprise. The next instant she hurried softly but quickly down the
stairs, took her astonished helpmeet by the arm, and dragged him into
the orchard, closing the kitchen door behind her.
"John!" she said, "who do you think has come to us? Who is it that has
come quite humble like for shelter under our roof this night?"
In her eagerness to extract an answer she pinched the arm she held a
little.
"It's not a riddle you're asking me?" said John, withdrawing himself a
pace.
"No, no, man! it's the young squire himself, for sure. Paul Lessing
is on his portmanter," she said looking round, for fear she should be
overheard by a neighbour. The news must be digested.
CHAPTER II.
AN UNLOOKED-FOR INHERITANCE.
A week before, Paul Lessing and his only sister Sally had started for a
three week's tour on the continent, with as light-hearted a sense of
enjoyment as any boy or girl home for the summer vacation. They were
orphans, with only each other to care for; and Paul had not feared to
take up some of their slender capital to enable his sister to complete
her college course at Girton. If she had to earn her own living, she
should at least have the best education that money could give; and
Sally had made the best use of her opportunity. Her name was high in
the honour list, and Paul decreed that, before any plans were discussed
for her future, they should dedicate a certain sum to a foreign tour.
"It will be a good investment, Sally. You are looking pale after all
your work. We will make no definite plan; it's distance that swallows
up the money, so we'll start off for Brussels, and move on when we feel
inclined, possibly to the Rhine, and so to Heidelberg." And Sally, in
the joyousness of her mood, felt that all places would be alike
delightful in the company of her brother.
Two days later found the brother and sister seated in the garden of the
_cafe_ that adjoins the park at Brussels. Even now, at eight o'clock
in the evening, it was exceedingly hot, and the boughs of the trees
overhead, through which here and there a star glimmered, were
absolutely motionless. The band which played was the best string-band
in Brussels, attracting a great throng of listeners; and every table
around them had its complement of guests; and the civil waiters who
flitted hither and thither had almost more than they could do to keep
the tables properly served. Paul was smoking and reading the paper,
but Sally needed no better amusement than to watch the various groups
about her, and to listen to the exquisite playing of the band.
"We want something like this in England, Paul," she said, laying a hand
on his arm--"lots of places like this out-of-doors in the fresh air,
under the stars and trees, where people can go and drink their tea or
coffee, and listen to music that must refine them whilst they listen."
Paul laid by his paper and laughed. "Yes," he said, "and when I get
into Parliament--if ever--I will do my utmost to make some of our
wealthy citizens disgorge a part of their wealth to put places such as
this within the reach of everybody. I confess there are
difficulties----"
"What?" inquired Sally, with childish impatience.
"Our beastly climate, to begin with," Paul answered with a little
laugh. "Want of space, and want of trees when you get the space. Then
look at our population in our big cities. Brussels is just a
pocket-town, if you come to compare it with London. Of course the
recreation of the masses is only one of the many vexed questions
concerning them that Government eventually must take in hand. If you
want people to be moral, you must give them a chance of enjoying
themselves in an innocent fashion."
"Of course, you could do a lot if you once got into Parliament!" cried
Sally, with the enthusiasm of her twenty years. "When shall you get
in? and where shall you stand for? and may I help in the election?"
Paul laughed louder than before. "There's a deal to be done before I
can even think of standing for any place. First, I must accumulate
enough capital to bring me in a small independent income. You know we
have not much now."
"You can have anything and everything that belongs to me; I mean to
earn my living somehow," declared Sally, sturdily.
"Thank you. I don't mean to start that way; and money comes in slowly
to a barrister, although I am getting on fairly well. Then I will
stand for any place that will return me, after learning my honestly
expressed political opinions. Each man has his pet hobby, and I feel
that mine is the bettering of the condition of the masses."
"That will make you popular," said Sally.
"And I don't care a fig for popularity. I want to help to leave the
average condition of the people better than it is at present. The
contrast between the very rich and the very poor of our land is
something too awful to contemplate."
His talk, which he had begun half in play, had ended in deadly earnest;
and Sally laid her hand mischievously over his eyes.
"Then don't contemplate it--at any rate just now, when I am so merry
and happy. You've not answered my last question. May I help in your
election? It would be such fun."
"I think not, Sally," Paul said smiling again.
"Oh, what a mass of inconsistency!--when you were saying only to-day
that you saw no just cause or impediment why women should not do
anything for which they have a special fitness. Now I feel politics
will be my speciality, and I would not canvass for any one unless I
quite understood their views."
"Well, my Parliamentary career is in the far future," Paul interposed;
"and certainly I should not give my sanction to your undertaking any
work of that kind at present. You are much too young, and much too----"
"Pretty, were you going to add?" broke in Sally, with a ripple of
laughter. "I'm afraid not: enthusiastic would be the more likely
adjective for you to use concerning me. Besides I don't think I am
pretty. 'My dear,' said that candid old Miss Sykes to me the other
day, 'you might have been very good-looking if all your features were
as good as your eyes.' Why do ladies of a certain age take it for
granted that they can say what they choose to the budding young woman?
It annoys me frightfully. Oh, Paul!" with a sudden lowering of her
voice, "talking of pretty, there's a perfectly lovely girl who is
seated with her mother at the third table from ours. Don't turn your
head too quickly or she will think we are talking of her; and then you
can keep your head turned in the direction of the band. Her profile
comes in between it and you."
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