The Hallam Succession

wisely in that

nd above will

arments, O my h

d thee. Now th

ength; and gar

of yore thou s

hope. Full man

, eddying to it

ther where the b

elt and wept fu

r at last, the

to us from som

se tears are dea

ope, true souls,

the Hallam estate, deducting only from it the regular cost of collection. Whaley Brothers had hitherto had the collection, and had been accustomed to deposit all proceeds in the banking-house of their brother-in-law, Josiah Broadbent. Elizab

ed them of wronging her, as soon as there was no man to overlook matters. They declared that they had done their duty as faithfully as if she had been able to check them

k at the affair in a merely business light. With some of the older tenants her interviews were scarcely more pleasant. They had been accustomed to meeting one of the Whaleys at "The Rose and Crown Inn," and having a good dinne

get out o' t' Whaleys' hands. I've been under their thumbs mysen; and I know what it is. I'm bound to do right by Squire Henry's daughter, and I'd like to see them as is thinking o' doing wrong, or o' giving her any trouble-" and as his eyes traveled slowly round the company, every man gravely shook his head i

h, in cases of extra expenditure, she must rely. For she had no idea of letting either the house or grounds fall into decay or disorder. She calculated on many days of extra hire to look after the condition of the timber in the park, the ca

ounded by small stings; and Elizabeth brought home with her from her necessary daily investigations many a sore heart, and many a throbbing, nervous headache. All the spirit of her fathers was in her. She met insult and wrong with all

as more convenient for people to assume the Whaleys' position to be the right one, than to continue civilities to a woman who had violated the traditionary customs of her sex, and who was not in a position to return them. But in her home Martha's influ

oth Richard and her brother hurt her deeply. She thought she could have trusted Richard if their positions had been reversed. She was sure she would have helped and strengthened him by constant hopeful letters. For a month or two she watched anxiously for a word;

going to impose upon them, nor yet suffer herself to be imposed upon. The women found her sympathizing and helpful in their peculiar troubles, and there began to be days when she felt some of the pleasures of authority, and of the power t

e hearth-rug for Miss Hallam's tea. Suddenly the bell of the great gates rang a peal which reverberated through the silent house. There was no time for comment. The peal had been an

die waiting for you. Here's a lady

hey did so, Elizabeth heard a shrill cry, and saw a little face peering out of the open door of

lasped the little fellow to her breast, and carried him into the

time she recovered her consciousness and, opening her large, sad ey

am come here to die. Do not se

home. You are very, very welcome to

ournfully. "I had not done well for the family-they were disappointed. I was interfering with my younger sisters-I had no money-I was an eye-sore, a disgrace. And little Harry was a trouble. The younger children mocked

; and no one shall ill

ess of death is passed. The

e time when Elizabeth, having conquered the first great pangs of her sorrow, was needing some fresh interest in life. She adopted him with all her heart. He was her lost brother's

t die." She was, indeed, unable to bear his presence long at a time; and his short visits to the silent, darkened chamber were full of awe and mystery to the sensitive child. In a month it became evident that the end was very near. She

n her hands, gave it one long gaze and kiss, and shut her eyes with a painful, pitiful gasp. Elizabeth hastened to her side; but she knew what was passing in the mother's heart, and

yn, why do

sted life, love; what

ber a single h

ildhood,

us when we were well, and neglected us when we were sick. I remember when I had scarlet fever, they used to put a little water and jelly on a chair

o remember my little sisters, my brothers who had no money and very few brains. It was to be my duty to sacrifice myself for them. Antony saw me; he thought I should be of service to him. My father thou

ny was ki

stand now; he also had many sorrows. It was in those days I first began to pray, Elizabeth. I found that God never

r Ev

watchin

ry

e sun shine

e, an

the shining

l come to-nigh

ve no f

the water, Christ Jesus stretched out his hand-a gentle, pierced hand, and immediately I was on the shore

hand pierced for her salvation, and the weary was at rest. Elizabeth had promised her that she should be laid in the church

various trials, Elizabeth had longed for his support. She had even thought that it might be possible to tell him the full measure of her sorrow. At Evelyn's funeral she missed him very much. She remembered how tender and full of grace all his ministrations had

ed over the service. The ceremony was so pitiably desolate that Elizabeth wept at its remembrance for many a year; and between her and Martha it was alwa

st year an opinion had gained ground, that she was saving in order to pay her brother's debts. As there were many in the neighborhood interested in such a project, this report met with great favor; and while the hope survived Eli

L10,000. Why, then, doesn't

ve given up that notion long sin'. He knew well enough what were coming, and so he left Hallam to t' lass. It's a black shame a' t

s manner was influenced by his feelings, although he had no intention of allowing simple gossip to prejudice him against so old a friend as Elizabeth Hallam. But she felt an alien atmosphere, and it checked and chilled her. If

e felt mortified by Elizabeth's reticence. People had confidently expected that Miss Hallam would explain her conduct to him; some had even said, they were ready to resume friendly relations with

rous as it had ever been in her father's time. But socially she felt herself to be almost a pariah. The rich and prosperous ignored her existence; and the

s wouldn't treat her like t' dirt under their feet," said

set up wi' Miss' fair words-not I, indeed!" said another; and though people may not actually hear the syllables which mouth such sentiments, it see

n and a large number of servants to care for, and her time was filled with many sweet and engrossing interests. Besides, though she fully believed in Elizabeth, she did also feel for her brother. She thought Richard, at any rate, ought to have been treated with full

ful. And the boy grew rapidly, and was very handsome and interesting; and no malignity could darken the sweet, handsome rooms or the shady flower-garden. However

as long on wet or cold days; the boy was subject to croupy sore throat; and her heart sank at the prospect of the social ordeal through which she must pass. It may be doubted whether people are really ever made better by petty slights and undeserved scorn. Elizabeth had tried the discipline for three years, and ever

ption of the green, desert place, and the weary multitudes, and the calm evening, and then begin to wonder, in his childish words, "How the Saviour looked" at the boy-what he said to him-to fancy the smile of Jesus

he was able, her reasons. It was a lovely day, and the child walked by her side, or ran hither and thither after a blue-bell, or a primrose; stopping sometimes behind, to watch a pair of building robins, or running on in advance after a rabbit. There was in Elizabeth's heart a certain calm happiness, which she did not analyz

ss Hallam; I was

ory. As the park is so pleas

ou any idea why I wa

st or cruel, I suppose. No one ever c

fault i

ave done no wr

e been during the

l. My worst enemy

the kind and hospitable ways of your ances

give an account of myself, and of my motives, to every man and woman in the parish? O! I have been cruelly, shame

eople know nothin

icked to judge w

owe societ

nsist that I wear my

friend; I have know

eth Ha

so! You would have said to all evil speakers, 'Mr. Hallam has doubtless just reasons for the economy he is practicing.' But because I was a woman, I was suspected; and every thing I could not explain was necessarily wicked. O, how your doubt has wounded me! What wrong it has done me! How sorry you would be if you knew the injustice you have done the child of your old friend-the woman you ba

do in the future I shall trust in you. Late as it is, take my sincere, my warm sympathy. If you choose to make me the sharer of your cares an

him all over the house and grounds, and made him see that every thing was kept in its old order. He asked no questions, and she volunteered no information. But he did not expect it at that time. It would not have been like Elizabeth Hallam to spill over either her joy

for the child, and had him frequently at the rectory. Very soon people began to say that "Miss Hallam must hev done abou

he was amazed to see Elizabeth coming through the rectory garden, fighting her way, with bent head, against the wind and snow. At fir

r has brought you throug

friend! Rejoice with me! I am a free woman again. I have paid a great debt and a just debt; one that, unpaid, would have stained forever t

brow reverently, and knelt down with her, and the thin, tremulous, age

d God of Israel; fo

ed his

a horn of salvation

rvant

outh of his holy prop

he worl

aved from our enemie

that

y promised to our fa

ly cov

he sware to ou

unto us, that we, bei

ies, might serve

hteousness before hi

i

ll be called the prop

the face of the Lor

salvation unto his p

heir

mercy of our God;

igh hath

m that sit in darknes

our feet into th

racelet my brother gave me at his marriage for it. I give it gladly with my whole heart. I have much to do yet, but in the rest of my work I can ask you f

I have a book for Harry, and I

raciously put it aside: "There has been a mistake, Mr. Whaley. Let it pass. I wish you to communicate with all the creditors of the late firm of Antony Hallam. Every shilling is to be

have two girls to help you, and Peter Crag shall bring a pony for Harry, and we'll be as happy as nev

ugh life an easy one; t' road to heav

any have reason to sing, as they go through l

John Wesley, and the men like him, be up early and late, be stoned by mobs, and perish'd wi' cold and hunger? Not as they needed to do it for their ow

seems as if the other road

road to Jerusalem aren't t' same. You may go dancin' al

n't help wo

called Methodists-as mak's it narrow enough to prevent lost sheep. But it isn't all t' Hill o' Difficulty, Miss Hallam. It isn't fair to say that. There's many an arbor on t' hill-side, and many a House Beautiful, and whi

thoughts to sleep on, and to-mor

ow, them as bodes good are t' like

the knowledge that the duty had begun. Fortunately, she had in this sense of performed duty all the reward she asked or expected, for if it had not satisfied her, she would have surely been

t wont pay her to hold

her, and nivver a swee

e it hot enough for her. Bless you, Josiah! women fo

very penny, and I tell'd her so las

d gumption! Whativer

ped like two pistols; and says she, 'Marmaduke Halcroft, you'l

I, "all the same, I'll

oing on five

ut you'll get it;' and wi' that, she laid her whip across her mare in a way as made me feel it were across my f

many words as she wants; I'm none flay

really inclined, as yet, to renew civilities with her. They argued, in their own hearts, that during the many years of retrenchment she could not afford to return hospitalities on a scale of equivalent splendor; and, in fact, poverty is offensive to wealth, and they had already treated Miss Hallam badly, and, therefore, disliked her. It was an irritation t

ustrious character than they would have demanded from a man. "For whativer can a woman need wi' so much brass?" asked Squire Horton, indignantly. "She doesn't hunt, and she can't run for t' county, and what better

t her Hallam to prevent Antony

bone. He'd hev paid ivery shilling afore this if he'd been alive. Yorkshire squires like their own, but t

them, but they draw back their hand from us; an antipathy estranges them, they pass us by. What avail is it to tell them that appearances deceive, that calumny has done us wrong? What good is it to defend ourself, when no one cares to liste

cessity for a true Christian life; for faith needs a soil that has been deeply plowed. The seed cast upon the surface rarely finds the circumstances that are sufficient for its development. And blessed also are those souls

rry ride by her side; she was so proud of the fair, bright boy. She loved him so dearly. He had just begun to study two hours every day with the curate, and to the two women at the hall it was a great event every morning to watch him away to the village on his pony, with his books in a leather strap hung at his saddle-bow. They followed him with their eyes until a tur

such a morning. They took a circuitous route home, a road which led them through lonely country lanes and across some fields. The robins were singing a little, and the wrens twittering about the hawthorn berries on the bare hedges. Elizabeth and Harry rode rapidly, their ho

oy, and make him sick. What dainty have you ready for hi

to see her joy. For there, with glowing, tender face, stood Richard. She asked no questions. She spoke no word at all. She went straight to the arms outstretched to clasp he

ected womanhood, was infinitely more charming and lovable than he had ever seen her before. He told her so in glad and happy words, and Elizabeth listened, proud

ons. Those could come afterward, but this day was too fair for any memory of sorrow. When Elizabeth came down to dinner she found Harry standing at Richard's knee, e

unt;" then he bowed to Richard, and, gently remov

is called He

my brother's

alled at the rector's as I came here. He insists upon my staying w

e is right

Phyllis and her husband. I

them more. When d

egislature this year. He seems to vibrate between the Senate a

ame and Elizabeth made tea for her guests, and after a happy evening, she watched them walk away together over the familiar road, down the terraces, and across the park

till I said a word to you. God gave you a glad surprise this morning; that's his way

nk I have; and w

his will as we think for. T' devil hes angels too, princes and powers o' evil; and

think such a stra

phabet can put it, Miss Hallam. Turn up t' tenth chapter o' t' book o' t' prophet Daniel, and read t' twelfth and thirteenth ve

thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words. But the prince of the kingdom

ng, and his eyes like lamps o' fire, and his arms and feet lik

ble teaches us that evil as well as

em. Are Christians filled wi' t' Spirit o' God? 'Why,' said Peter to Ananias, 'Why hath Satan filled thy heart?' Doe

od angels around me; but we may well 'work out our salvation with fear

're going to do. After we hev got t' good thing, after we hev done t' great thing, it'll be a varry good time to talk about it. Many a night I've thought o' t' words on my little Wesley tea-pot, and just said 'em softly, down in