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IniuHcci liloud cdihjui inl iii!if,'ntv tiHrii, and a Hiif,'K"Mtiuii ti'iidiiiK to iiiuki- iiiarruii^cH more Iiajiyy i>la.( a leading iiart in lliiH atory, wiiich ccrlauily Icnd.s hi i1;c i..:liHiiTi'j;foa<;liiiiLr tlio iincoiiirs^cd hi)riu,r.H or' wcxiial iitlraction call to /nind llio iiiaK|.i'ri)io(U' of Tiioiua.s Hardy, '.Iinlc, tiio ( o.?. nrc' ' HoiiHcsof (HaHW' is i.ot a'l(In^^:■iod lo (lio callow young person, but to men and v.-onnn of tliou^lit."— :l''o- roiito Cuaada alobe. " III' li;i3 mailo IdH Btory so actively fertile that all rcadcr.s will enjoy it for tlio talc it.solf, aliliouuli it.-* valno lies in the viialiiy and irnili of ttic ideaw cmliodied. Iln.a.iii naiiiiM* as we know ii, sjioaks cveryw'icre. Tiio book is an interesting study of human life-"— />oaY(ju Jdctf. " Jlv lias sought witl. some success toframc In fiction a little of the pliilosojihy of everyday life, and has drawTi his studies fi'om his cxi)erieuce in a family ])rac- tic(< of medicine."— 7'/ii7i«, 'limes. "' Houses of (llar.s ' is a book that will almost c(^rtainly make a success on this Bide of tlio water as well as on tlie other."— y>u/Kio/t, JJnf/lund, 'J hiu » and Kclio. "The work is heartily recommended toall who love that which is interesting, en- tertain'nt? to ta'.k about, and aitove all, that wlii. h ilies not i'ollow flit bDUteu path In fiction, bul is original and iww."— Cleveland Ua:tUc. "The story is clear cut, with lnterestin:r characters and ontcrtaining dialogue. It is ill many ways out of the ordinary a;ir study of i)rofound interest."— ^ [ban.!/ Tivirs-Unioi:. " rie ha.-i t ikon his cliaracters from real life, with no alteini)t to gloss over their raul.saoil i.iiiierfei;tion8."—C'o;n )/(,'/-('/.(/ Aiivi'rtim'r, Nov \<)rk. ".VI! i!iis goes to (support the artru'-ient that jjcople sliouldi;"! ir.arry unh'ss there is an ailinity Itetween tlu'Oi, and tliat a kno\vled);(< of the principles ui animal mag- uetiam would guide men and women to harmonious h;arriages."— i>feing exceedir. ;Iy v, . i; written and mrst profoundly lek."— .t?«rrica*t Jiouk JieiwrUr, nmaha, 2'//i'»- and Xexvs- uian, y. y- 'Tliat the book la Interesting from cover to covi r is proved by t]:e old time teat that the roaxler who begins it will saerilice hours oi sleei) to llnish it."~- 1! uuiilton (('aiiiden) Times. " The antho.' is a man of much ability, with an open ndnd on many snt)Jccts, and 'Houses of (Hass' will beread tlirougli by all who lake hold of ihe book."— /7tt- ni'iir Mail Kiupire, Toronto, Canada. " More imiiortant than most Iwoks." —Pkiladflpli ic /'em. "Thereare passagesiu 'Houses of (ilass' ascc.ldly sarcastic as Swift, sometitiu\s the author is hh seiitimentalas t-'terne. ami once or twice the pathos is not surpassed by eveii Dickens."— />(a«ler, and encliain h;s interest from first to la8l."--J/(/uf, S. i'. HOUSES OF GLASS. ^ ROMANCE, BY WALLACE LLOYD. (DR. JAMl^s a.tr.,„ \ JAMES ALGIfi.) "But the greatest Of these is charity;' ^^ TORONTO : ^■- ■'■ GAGR & COMPANY, L.m.tbo 1899. m^r'Si 1813 J t f"^ . y k Entered according to Act of Parliament of Canada, in the office of the Minister of Aprieulturc, by Thk W. J. Gagk Comi'ANY (Limited), in the year one thouaand eight hundred and ninety-nine. ^V!l PREFACE. In endeavouring to frame in fiction a little of the philosophy of everyday life, I would crave tlic reader's indulgence ujxmi the methods I have employed. In a task of this kind, I felt that I could best serve the cause, not by startlini^ events and strikin<^ charac- ters, but by a closer analysis of those conditions and occurrences, which form the warp and woof of life. Believing, that truth after all, is stranger than fic- tion, I have not gone afield for highly coloured heroes and villains, but have taken characters from real life — men and women, with all their faults and imperfections. Venturing thus on the uncertain sea of public opin- ion, I have no guiding star but my own conscience, no compass but my own experience, and no excuse but the importance of my theme. From the cradle to the grave there is no step fraught with such momentous consequences to ourselves and to posterity, as the joining of our hands in holy wed- lock. In these days of divorce, when incompatibility of temperament and dissimilarity of religious faith are legitimate pleas for the severing of sacred ties, it be- hoves us to cultivate more fully the spirit of benevo- lence and charity. The frequency with which " lack of affinity " is brought forward, points clearly to the duty of investigating the magnetic relations of the sexes. We cannot surely show greater respect for the laws of society than by endeavouring to harmonize them with the laws of nature. [3] 4 PREFACE. A union based on tlic moral, physical and spiritual affini'y of man and wf)man, is the only one which na- ture stamps as ,t;ciuiine, and any violation of this prin- ciple brinies with it its own punishment Duiin^ twenty years of active professional life, I have nad the grand privilec^e of occasionally bringing together separated husbands and wives, and restoring harmony to unhappy homes. The hope of stimulating philosophers, scientists ana thinkers, and furthering discussion and investigation, has cheered me on. ii a word, a hint or a thought, which I have dropped, will bring hope to any hearth, or sunshine to the heart of some poor suffering crea- ture, then I shall feel that my effort has not been in vain. To honest, earnest men and women, who have at heart the welfare of our race, to husbands and wives, to fathers and mothers, do I dedicate this work, in the hope that through all its obscurity, they will grasp the spirit in which it was written, and view with charity its many mistakes and imperfections. Wallace Lloyd. 4 I i CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. New Arrivals . II. disenchantment ■ • III. Getting Acquainted IV. Gore P'arm V. Two and Twenty Years After VI. Broadview and its Proprietor VII. Adaptation VIII. A Child of Nature IX. An Unwelcome Guest X. An Interview XI. Retrospection on Wheels XII. Mother and Son XIII. Gowanstone XIV. -When the Cat's away the' Mie Play." XV. A Lucky Hit ...'.* XVI. Aftermath • • • , XVTT. A Disag-reeable Surprise XVIII. " When Gree^ Meets Greek ' will tAGW 9 15 20 25 30 42 48 53 60 66 72 77 82 88 96 103 II I 116 ^SJ i^Mt^B^^' ' i^» iiii*a3^«;jrj^'jfcfgX'j-''>8)';Wy""'^^ ' } CONTENTS. Cmaptkr Pa(,e ! XIX. The Honc}'moon . . . . 121 : XX. The Home Coming , I-^" XXI. A Vacant Chair . . . . '3-^ * XXII. Motley and Monarch 137 1 1 XXIII. An Evening at the Doctor's . 142 I- XXIV. A Broken Pane . . . . 150 XXV. Marion's Debut . . . . ^s(> ^ XXVI. Purer Light .... 163 XXVII. A Touch of Nature 169 XXVIII. "Uneasy Lies the Head that Wear? a Crown "... 174 XXIX. An Old Acquaintance 180 XXX. " Multum in Parvo " . . 185 XXXI. A Friendly Call 190 XXXII. Crossed Wires .... 196 XXXIII. " The Land o' the Leal " . . 201 XXXIV. Dr. Bcnnefs Spectacles . . 205 XXXV. A Difficult Problem . .214 XXXVI. The Deep, Dark Valley . .219 f XXXVII. A Stranger in a Strange Land . XXXVIII. A Needle in a Haystack .232 -I XXXIX. Jake Fetterly's Conversion • 237 XL, The Spider and the Fly . 245 XLl. Cupid's Capers i, • 252 1 XLII. A Legacy and a Lover • -59 ; 1 XLIII. A Tempest of the Soul • 264 1 XLIV. Ways and Means • 269 1 XLV. Where Paths Divide . • 273 1 XLVI. Gotham's Griefs • -77 1 XLVII. Propriety's Holiday . • ^^3 i XLVIII. The Skeleton of the Feast . • ^9° m XLIX. Vicarious Atonement . 296 1 L. A Crown of Thorns • 302 1 LL A Documentary Diagnosis . 306 i f^T^iiiffy. CONTENTS. Chapter LII. LIII. LIV. LV. LVI. LVII. LVI 1 1. LIX. LX. LXI. LXII. Lxiir. LXIV. LXV. The Warrcs of Sin GiKlirm a Grief . Tlic Rose and Its Thorn A Thunder.Bolf from a I^hie Sky The Evils of Procrastination Oil on Troubled Waters Adversity's Jewel Bill Niger's " Ketch " . [ A Welcome Visitor . Sapping and Mining A Lay Sermon . Turning Towards the Sun . Reconciliation Christmas Chimes Pack 3 '9 3^5 328 339 344 348 354 360 36S 377 3'Sr 391 HOUSES OF GLASS. CHAPTER I. NEW ARRIVALS. One sultry summer afternoon, a rrroun of people were gathered at the door of the post office at Graze- lys Mills. In fact, this little assembly represented two-tiiu-ds of the entire population of the village if indeed, a few scattered buildings in the heart of a wilderness really deserved that name. One solitary store, an inn, a blacksmith shop and a schooI-hoLise, made up the list of public buildings, and these, with a few dwellings of the most primitive kind constituted the entire settlement. All the buildings were constructed of logs, with the exception of the hotel, which had the proud distinc- tion of being composed of lumber, rough and un- planed though it was. But the inn had other marks of distinction, which made it a trito;i among the wi/mo-ws. It was fully twice as large as the other buildings. It had an up- stairs, a full complement of windows, brick chimneys and panelled doors. In view of all this grandeur, the inhabitants considered that it was fully entitled to the imposing signboard, which swung from a huge post m L7i^' ,^"J^:;nnounced, " The ]5ay Horse Hotel, by E. make Ihis very signboard, with its gilded letters was admired by all and sundry, and what purported to be a rampant steed, immediately over the name, was 19} 10 HOUSES OF GLASS. considered by the juveniles of the village to be a tri- umph of the painter's art. Indeed, the hotel had a modern appearance, which contrasted oddly with the store adjoining; it. The latter building' was low and long. It had seve- ral front doors, and had evidently been extended from time to time, either in proportion to the growth of the family or the increasing revenues of its owner. At the end adjoining the inn, was a window of many panes, on whose sill there sat several yellow cans ot mustard ; a box labelled starch, and a venerable glass dibli covereii with dust. These were flankjd right and left with bottles of castor-oil and pain-killor, while from a nail at tiie door hung a pair of cov/hide boots and a wasli board. Out of compliment, no doubt, to the prosperity of the place, the whole front, signboard and all, had been whitewashed so extravagantly that one could scarcely trace over the door, the words " Post Office," The two buildings were connected by a rough plat- form running along the front, forming a sort of side- walk, and halfway between them was a solitary tie post .for the convenience of travellers and customers. About half a mile down the river, which followed a circuitous course through the broad valley, was a re- cently-erected saw and grist mill; the importance of which industry had lately changed the name of the place from, *' Langtry's Hollow" to " Grazely's Mills." Despite its primitiveness, the little hamlet was a very important feature of the district, being widely known amongst the settlers for miles around. In many cases they were forced to make a journey of several days on foot or with an ox team to get a grist from the mill. Mr. Grazely, the proprietor, was considered a great man, for with the exception of a small mill, built by a man named Go wan, about thirty m.iles up the river, there was not another industry of the kind in the county. There was one other resident of the village who was almost as widely known as Grazely. A citizen, who not only rivalled the mill-owner in his greatness, but detested him with all his heart. NEW ARRIVALS. TI This was Ml*. Lans^try, postmaster, and first settler in the place Diversity of talent was his strong pcint. He was merchant, bailiff, mas.nstrate, apothecary, local preacher and veterinary surgeon. Not satisfied with alleviating the ailments of the cquineand bovine races, he occasionally t-.ied 1; is hand on the nobler animal, man He could cure fits, worms, and colic. Indeed, some enthusiasts went: so far as to say that he could relieve pain of any kind Whether he had ever relieved any of his patients of the burden of life, it is impossible to say. but if such was the case, it neither shook liis con- fidence nor disturbed his consciencco But Mr. Lang- try's talents were not confined to profession.d lines, for he could put a rung in a chair, a pendulum in a clock or a patch on a shoe. His neighbours had truly great cause to wonder hov/ any single head could contain so much If he did oc- casionally mix molasses with his mail matter, or politics with his preaching, the settlers were not too fastidious, and any one of them would have told you that Mr. Langtry was the smartest man in the district, The strong feeling of jealousy between him and the mill-owner ripened into bitter hatred when the place changed its name. Every letter and paper the post- master took from his mail bags, reminded him of his hated rival Yet he had some advantages over the mill-owner, and he made the most of them. He could preach a fairly good sermoU; play on his melodeon all the necessary hymns, and lead the singing with a fine baritone voice. Every Sunday after church, his popularity ran liigh, and held good till about the middle of the week. Then it took a sudden drop till by Saturday night his rival was generally a full length ahead in the race for public favour. Mr. Gra/.ley was young and unmarried, he gave em- ployment to several men and was not "stuck up. ' Langtry had knowledge, which was useful to the communit)', but Grazely had horses. The mili-owner not only had a multiplicity of horses and waggons, but he actually owned the stage, and drove a buggy with JSSSHRB'^-wj^'Sa m . 12 HOUSES OF GLASS. a top to it like those they had in the city These fea- tures, and tile lium of his saws, gave him the privilege and prestige of naming the place On this particular afternoon, the stage was away late, causing many conjectures to be offered as to the cause of delay. The narrow, white road (called the State Line), in its gradual slope into the valley, was almost hidden from view by the trees, which in some places formed a canopy overhead, so that from the post-office the eye could only trace its course by a long, straight gap in the giants of the forest. This had been watched ior an hour past, till every- body was tired waiting^ The maidens in their pina- fores giggled aside by themselves, the boys cut whistles and traded knives, and the old timers seated on sundry barrels and boxes, discussed the ' p'ints " of Grazely's new team, or aimed tobacco juice at flies. A yoke of oxen, hitched to a " jumper " containing some sacks of flour, were drowsily nodding their heads and switching their tails, and a pair of fat hogs were wallowing contentedly in the shadow of the water trougho The screeching of the saws over at the mill was soft- ened by distance into a cooing song, and acted like a lullaby on the little gathering. The maidens subsided, the boys quit blowing their whistles, and Phil Snider, the most talkative man in the settlement, was snoring against the tie post. At last, after several hours of waiting, the peaceful elysium was broken by a shout of — " here he comes." The slumberers were astir in a moment, like a hive of bees. The men gave an extra hitch to their trowscrs^ re- adjusted their broad brimmed hats and exchanged exhausted quicks for fresh ones. The postmaster rushed to the door, glaring with an air of stern authority through his spectacles, and every- body was on the (/i/i vi^w. So slowly did the cloud of dust come down the slope, that some one suggested the approaching vehicle to be an ox team. NEW ARRIVALS. f^ " No sirce," exclaimed Snider, annihilatirif^ a fly with his deadly aim, '' that's Bill's dust all ri^dit and I 11 go you ten to one he's got a load on/ The vehicle's unusual tardiness served only to heighten the general curiosity, and when at last the stage burst from its canopy of leaves, it was greeted with a perfect storm of exclamations There, in the front seat of the big yellow " demo- crat/ sat a lady and a gentleman, the ff^rmer holding in her arms an infant, which she was endeavouring to protect from the rays of the sun with a shining black parasol, Away up in the rear, upon a throne of trunks and boxes, sat Bill Innes, the driver, proud as an emperor. With a calm dignity peculiar to iiimself, he held the reins high above the heads of his passengers, and, as the team with a spurt (specially prepared for the occa- sion) came dashing up to the tie post, he jauntily shied the mail bag at the head of the postmaster. Strangers at any time caused great excitement, but here were species of the gcniis homo hitherto un- known. The gentleman had flowing mutton-chop whiskers, a white waistcoat, kid gloves and eyeglasses. Not honest spectacles with wires at the sides to fasten to your ears , but glasses that sat on his nose, and were attached to the button-hole of his vest by a black cord. The lady was tall, plump and dark , while he was fair and slender. Then her attire was out of all reason. Her cape was a mass of beads neither good for wind or weather, and in some places where the dust had failed to settle, her dress glistened in the sun. But it was her bonnet, fearfully and wonderfully constructed, which marked her as a bird of plumage hitherto un- known in an American forest. All the open doorways in the village were tem- p>)rarily transformed ir»to frames for living pictures, where buxom dames and grey-haired grandmas, gazed with wondering eyes at the new comers. Thev cas- ually noticed that the baby was in long clothes and that the mother was a trifle awkward in handling ito 14 HOUSES OF GLASS. Mrs. Dorris (the village midwife), gave a profes- sional nod to her neighbour across the way, and shouted, '* her first I guess." The group at the post office stood rather on the defensive, against what appeared to them a common enemy. They huddled together at one end of the j)latform, and defiantly awaited developments. Two or three of the more inquisitive ones crowded up to Bill to inquire who the swells were, but the driver, with an authority which no one thought of resenting said, "hold yer jaw will ye. Here Jim, Hank, give me a hand to rub the mares down! I'm afraid they're overheated !" Left to themselves, the strangers dismounted from the vehicle as best they could, and stood on the plat- form a few moments, evidently awaiting some one to greet them. T^inally the gentleman spoke. " Is this Grazely's Mills>" " Taint nuthin else," replied Snider with a wink that exploded the juveniles, and relieved to some extent the uneasiness of the villagers. The lady's large black eyes flashed through her veil, and the gentleman glared through his glasses. Turn- ing to a bright-looking lad, the stranger handed him a piece of silver and asked where the inn, or public house was. The boy looked astonished. " Why right there," he said nodding his head towards the open door. " Don't you see that sign," and he pointed proudly to the cinnamon-coloured steed w^ith its forefeet in the air. " Thank you, my boy. You are a gentleman. Gen- tlemen arc always civil to strangers." This last re- mark was made with a meaning glance at Snider, caus- ing the village Nestor to slink back into the crowd. Turning again to the lad the stranger asked where the landlord was. *' Gone fishing." *' Well, where is the landlady ?" "Gone over to Charley Walker's, cause the baby's got the measles." The gentleman smiled at the boy's precocity, but the 1 1 DTSKNCHANTMENT. 15 1 4 lady huj^<;cd her baby tighter, and raised her veil to kiss it. Fortunately for tht'm, l^ill at this mcmciit came round from the stables, and took the situation in at a glance. " Sorry to keep you waitin', mam," he said deferentially to the lady, " but my team had to be seen to at once." '* Come right in and make yourself to home. The folks don't appear to be in, but the}-'ll show up presently. I seed Julia and Sally lookin' out the top windows a minnit ago." "/in' this the only public }iousc in the place," in- quired the lady. "Yes, mam," responded Bill 'vith a polite bow, " and for twenty miles around. lUit don't you git scared. If you never get worse bed and grub than Ted Blakf '11 ;.',!ve ye, you'll get through the world slicker'n most oi us. Leastways that's how I've got it figgercd up." CHAPTER II. DISENCHANTMENT. |r, ien- re- LUS- lere he The excitement caused by the advent of the strangers kept steadily increasing all afternoon, and before sun- set it was at white heat. The villagers might have overlooked the fact that these new arrivals did not look like any other persons who had ever come to town, but the quantity and for- midable appearance of their baggage was something beyond their comprehension. The trunks, which were piled high on the stage, bore no resemblance to emi- grant boxes. They were rivetted and shod with iron, and consequently must contain something of unusual value. Nobody could guess who the strangers were or what their business was, but everyone agreed that the trunks meant business, and were made "a purpose." mmtmsmirmmim wwt^ i6 HOUSES OF GLASS. They were fairly covered with red and bhie tickets. IMiil Snider climbed up on the \vai;on to read them. "Boscastle to London. Gee whiz, they're British- ers I " You mij^ht a knowed that by the eyeglasses," said another. " London to Liverpool," " Liverpool to New York," and so on till the strangers were traced from starting point to destination. That evening an informal meeting was held in front of the post-ofifice, to discuss the situation, and the town fathers were all on hand to lend their assistance. Neither the landlord nor the stage-driver had given the faintest clue, but Air. Langtry was expected to offer some solution of the mystery. " It is quite certain," said the postmaster, " that the gentleman is not a United States Government official, as some of you have suggested, and it is equally certain they are not ordinary emigrants. Boscastle is in Corn- wall. I know the place well. In fact, I was born within a few miles of it. But what can be their object in coming here, I am at a loss to say. I shall probably be able to tell you all about it to-morrow before mail time," and with a bow, Mr. Langtry returned to his sanctum. This, however, did not satisfy the meeting, and the investigation went on. " Perhaps he is some timber speculator." " Not he," said one of Grazely's sawyers, '* he don't look sharp enough." '* He's sharp enough for Phil Snider, I hear," ex- claimed the landlord with a laugh which went through the whole assembly. "That's all right. Ted, but mebbie I ain't t/rroo with the i/i^^^/ yet," growled Phil. "He's a sort o' ' smart Aleck,' just a leetle shade too fresh." "There's two of a kind then, Phil," laughed Blake. " Julia," he shouted to his wife standing in the door- way, " where's Bill Innes gone ?" " He took the girls over to the party at Binkley's," replied his spouse. " 'Tain't any use if Bill was here," said Sweeney. DISENCHANTMENT ITc tol]) with nothing particular to admire about it, but she hx/ajd at it fondly for a long time. Diving into her satchel again, she drew forth her marriage certificate. After reading it over she care- fully placed it in her purse beside her other valuables. " There are not many would be so good and true as William. Poor fellow, he have no idea what are before liim, but if he be only contented us will get along. No matter, us will go and see the farm. I shan t tlinch or give in." Her attitude was now full of a determination which almost amounted to defiance. The resj)onsibility of her position seemed to make her grave be}-ond her years. She was young and strong, and her self-reli- ance had been fully developed by her past life. She was already recovering from the sh(jck of disappoint- ment. Hope was again asserting itself. Then she opened the windcnv to get a breath of fresh air., and looked out into the night. It was a clear, beautiful, balmy night, but everything looked so strange and terrible, that her courage seemed to leave her. Even the nioc^i appeared to have risen in the wrong direction, and there, in its pale light were the relentless dark-green wooded slopes stretching away to the southv/ards. Forest, forest everywhere as far as the eye could 20 IIOUSKS OF GLASS. rcacli, nnfl in her morbid fanc}-, the dark shadows seemed hiin<;ry to engulf her. Tlie noises downstairs hail ceased, and all the lights had disappeared. Some- thin*^ about the solemn stillness seemed to crush her with a sense of her own helplessness — a stillness,. broken only by the far off soncjof the whippoorwill, and the ([uiet swish of the river down at the sluice-w\ay. The same treacherous moon tliat shone so softly thioujj^h her own little window in far distant Cornwall, was smiling and mocking at her grief in this terrible wilderness. She laid her forehead on the rtnigh sill of the window, and gave vent to the first tears she had shed since the shores of old England faded into sea and sky. CHAPTER III. GETTING ACOUAINTED. On the following morning, Mr. Langtry was some- what surprized and very much gratified, when the strange lady with stately step came along the platform, and, first stopping to decipher the sign over the door, entered his establishment. He was astonished at the massivencss of her figure, which he mentally noted was about five feet nine, with a probable weight of thirteen stone or more. A young giantess with coal black eyes, and rosy cheeks, holding an infant in her arms. Yet there did not seem to be any masculinity in her shape or form, for her outlines were rounded and graceful, and her carriage was pecu- liarly dignified and lad}'-like. But when she spoke, the postmaster modified liis first estimate of her. " Be you the postmaster here ?" " Yes, mam," replied that functionary, bowing po- litely. "Can I do anything for you ?" " I have a letter here to read if you'm oblige me by "•"^m^m-iH ! GETTTNT, ACOUATNTEn. 2 1 hearkcnincT to it," and taking a paper from htr pocket she road, "To PosT^f ASTER, Gra/elv's Mir.i.s. '■Please deliver to Mrs. Jane I laiford the keys of Gore farm, aiui render her peaceable possession ot the said estate." Signed, " ].J.. FicjT & Co.. '' Agents liurcka Land Companv.^' " Let mc look at it." said the postmaster, reaching out his hand for the document. She drew back, and hesitated. " I don't wish to offend, sir, but vou'm better give mc the key f^rst. You sec my husband thinks they have rogued us out of forty pounds, and us don't know who to trust." '; '^\l [ -^^-^C'" I^iu-^i^^^l Mr. Lang^ry. " Yankee tricks eh ! Well, to tel you the truth there is no key at all. VVe fastened the door by a bolt inside and crawled out ot the window. The lady turned a trifle paler and leaned against the little counter for support. " It arc even worse than we thought, sne exclaimed in a despairir.- tone. Mr.Langtry now came out of his sanctum to cr.m- fort his visitor. " Don't let a little matter lil--e that annoy you, NIrs. Halford. The place is a L^ood one. 1 he timber abne IS worth ten times the nioney you paid for It. The forest may not look very invitincr to you, but every tree is as good as money. And novv let me welcome you to our little village and offer you the liand of a Cornishman." - wkTI'a/ P^^^^'J^^^'i^ surprise passed over her face. What ! You a Cornishman } You can have the letter — and welcome. .u"i^'^'!!^' 5 ''/'' ']'' ^'^"^^^^ican citi;^en, now, and I love the land of the free, but I was born at Tregoodwell, and though I was only young when I came out I can famty remember the name of Halford. Pshaw ' never mind the letter or the key. We will see that yov get possession Well, well ! So your husband is a Halford of Boscastle ! 22 HOUSES OF Gr,ASS. The yniin^ mother bent her head over her babe to hide the wave of colour wliicli s\vc[)t over lur face. " I don't think he are any relative. Halford are a coni- nrn)n name in Cornwall." How did he know where she had come from, she wondered. '* No matter, we shall be great friends, Mrs. Halford, I feel that instinctively. Milly," he shouted, " come here immediately. Here's a lady all the way from lios- castle, within a few miles of where I was born." As Mrs. I.angtry came waddlin;^ in she reminded the stranger of the fat woman at a Punch and Judy show. " Our new neighbour, Milly," said the postmaster, in- troducing them. " Her husband has bought the Gore Farm, Mrs. Halford, my wife." " You might come in and sit down," said Mrs. Lang- try, smiling and leading the way into the parlour. '"Sit down and rest yourself. Voii don't need to stand in order to grow big. Let the baby come to me," she continued, reaching out her arms to receive it. **No fear, it won't Ci'y. l^abiesand dogs like good people," at which remark her fat body shook with laughter. " Don't mind my wife, Mrs. ILalford," pleaded tlie postmaster, apologetically. " She is always laughing, even when there's nothing to laugh at." " Well, it are better than crying," responded their visitor, ** or growling, either," and they all laughed in chorus. Even the baby, as it was dandled up and down, seemed to catch the merriment from the fat lady s face. It gave a little crow of laughter and was rewarded by a shower of kisses. "What is the little darling's name ?" " Her are called Marian." "She's got your nose and eyes," said Mrs. Langtry, looking critically at the little face, " but I can't say whether she is like her Pa, for I have never seen him. When Charley was born," she continued, with sup- pressed laughter, " Mr. Langtry kept remarking how good looking the chdd was and wondering who he looked like. So I told him one day he needn't trouble himself as long as the boy didn't look like any of the neighbours." -^^.^smm-^- 1 by Jtry, say liim. jsup- Ihow be luble the OETTTNC Arnt^ATNTKD. t$ Tliiough the stranger was scMiiewhat shocked slie couu^ not help joining in tlie liearty laui'li, in(ire es- pecially as her hostess was fairl)' vibrating m In r chair. "Now, Milly, really you ought to be ashanicil, talk- ing so before a stranger." "Oh, never niiiul," responded the visit»ir. "Jokes go free. I think when I get - the shock of disappointment. He gladly accepted the su^rrres- tion, that he should go fishing, but she insisted that'he should not go alone. " Get the landlord to go with you, or you'll be lost in the terrible woods," she said. " Why, Jane, one would think I had never seen a trout stream or angling rod before. I cannot ret lost It I follow the stream." *' Yes, but how will you know when you'm <^oin'^ uu or down ?" t, t, i 26 ik)Usp:s of CI, •.n'^^. '' Goodness alive, the water can't run up hill," he replied, laui^hinij, as he hurried away to make prepara- tions. Mr. Blake, nothini]^ loth to be out of hearinijj n{ the jibes about the new railroail, i^ot ready his taclde and went with him. In spite of their promises to be back in good time, they kept everybody waiting a full hour, causing Ivirs, Ilalford much uneasiness. At last they appeared bearing a hnc catch of speck- led beauties. William was breathless in his praises of the sport. Mr. lilake was generally conceded to be the most .skilful angler in the district, but his guest had fairly beaten him, and in consequence was pleased with himsidf and everybody else. Indeed, he talked and laughed as ga}Iy as if this were not to be one of the most fateful days in his life. In his enjoyment: of the sport, he lost sight of the grim necessities of everyday life. Me forgot that ho had left the primrose path for- ever, and that his inheritance was toil. Soon evcrvthing was readv. The waggon with its load of trunks and sundries, was at the door. Mrs. Blake insisted on donating a day or two's cooked vic- tuals just to be neighbourly, aiul the landlord himself vowed eternal friendship for so good a sportsman as Ilalford. Both the buxom daughters, Sally and Julia, had lit- tle presents for the baby, and they all made promises to visit the farm at an early date. Iwerybody was so kind, so friendl}', and so thought- ful, that the strangers vowed the people of Grazely's Mills to be the kindest mortals under the sun. This very kindness acted as a buffer betweeii them and their new surroundings, making an impression upon them, never to be forgotten. To cap the climax Christina Langtry climbed up on the waggon, explaining that her ma sent her to mind the baby, and keep them company for a day or two. In lion(Hir of t!ie occasion, dressed in her Sunday best .she perched herself on the highest box. Her magenta stockings and copper-toed shoes dangled in mid-air, while she luxuriated under the shade of a faded para- GORE FARM. 27 up on mind two. best .iron t a id-air, para- sol, and waited for the excursion to start. She was evidently pr;)U(l of her projected trip to the country. .She was a mark of envy for tiio other juveniles of the village. Ik'fore leaving, Mrs. Halford ran into tlie post-office and grasping Mr. Langtry's hand said, " I are only a stranger here, but if us can ever do you a good turn we'm not forget this day." As ihey drove up the long incline to tin.- west, be- hind Mr. (irazely's spirited roadster, Mr. Halfortl was quite gay. " The greatest fisliing on earth," he said. " Never saw anything like it. If Ponsonb}" were here he'd go wild. A.d the game ! why I saw scores of partridge and hare... It is as good as having an estate of one's own. Better, because there are bears and wolves as well." Thus he rambled on, talking about his fishing rods, and his guns, with almost boyish enthusiasm, seem- ing to forget the errand he was on. But the young mother was abstracted and thought- ful. It was an important hour in her life, and she felt the gravity of the situation all the more keenh', because he did not. Occ.isionally heaving a deep sigh, she kept a sharp look out for the clearing. Nothing but forest, forest, forest, and yet they must be nearing the farm, for it was said to be only three and a half or four miles from the village. When they reached the upland, they could, through occasiiMial gaps in the trees, catch glimpses of t'.ie broad valley behind, and the village nestling by the river, Mr. Langtry told them it was the first clearing to the right hand side of the road, but so far there was noth- ing but virgin forest. For a time they drove slowly along a narrow, level stretch of road, where the trees formed an endless canopy (H'erhead, and they began to think, there must be some mistake, when suddeidy, they came to a gap in the forest and tliere in front of them was Gore Farm. In the middle of a clearing, which was still dotted with stumps, stootl a low, log house with one door, and one small window. At the end was a large chimney of rough stone, whose base widened out at the bottom, rrrr- 28 ITOUSER OF GLASS. i\nd i^ave an impression, that the house hafl been built to the chimney, instead of the chinme}' to the house. The only si^L;n of paint about the pLice, was on the door, which had been daubed witli bright red. Either the artist had merely been cleaning his brush or the supply of paint had run out, for the lower third was untouched, and even the upper part had been tre ited with a partiality which could scarcely have been intentional. Tlie bundle of rags which filled the space of a vacant pane in the window, and the bones of some dead animal in the foreground, gave the place a most d iabolical apper* '-ance. The young couple sat mute and motionless gazing at their future abode. Had they left their home and friends, crossed the trackless ocean and travelled thousands of miles for this ? This dungeon of desolation, this wretched hovel, this field of weeds and stumps ! Must they cast their lot in this dreary wilderness where they would see no human face, and hear no voice but the sighing of the forest trees, or the howling of v>'ild beasts? Must they immure themselves in this vast, leafy tomb, and bid the world good-night ? The horse stood champing his bit, impatient to be moving, but the driver kept a tight rein and sat in a dazed condition, scarcely knowing what to do. A sickening, dreadful despondency came over tliem, which seemed to chain them to the spot and hold them speechless. At last the sound of the waggon coming up behind broke the spell. Holding her baby tighter to her breast, the young mother clasped her husband's hand. In a moment her frame was shaking with sobs, and the big tears were coursing down her cheeks. Poor creatures ! From their dreams of an American Eldorado they had a rude awakening. But they must dry their tears, for the big, fat, shin- ing bays are coming up behind, and Christina is singing a rollicking song about " gettin' out de wilderness," a very anti-climax to their despair. Alongside the ugly slash fence Mr. lialford led his J )ehind young Mit her , were From a rude 1 GORE FARM. 29 beast till he reached an ot)-nIng, th/n turned into the clcarin<,^ carefully pickin|^ his way between the stumps. The teamster followed in his tracks, the load sway- ing and creaking over the rough, uneven ground in such a way as to fore: the songstress to abandon her vocal efforts and concentrate her energies in the direc- tion of hanging on. The house, or rather hut, contained three rooms, and, 'hank goodness, had a huge fireplace. Immediately after the light was let in the young wife's mind was engaged in planning her future house- hold. When she got her own furniture she would place a cupboard here, a table there, and further over she would hang a picture or an ornament. Is there not an inspiring constructiveness in planning and decorating even the humblest home ? Born in the httle maid who arranges her play-house, it seems to grow from year to year and reaches a climax when the young wife first feels the inspiration of her own fire- side. It is a sort of coronation which proclaims her queen, and, free from the glitter of pomp and power it kindles in her heart a glow which sheds its light on future generations, and blossoms into patriotism. Every sweep of the broom put strength in Mrs. Hal- ford's arm ; every rug she laid upon the rude floor gave fresh elasticity to her step, every pot and pan nestling in its corner gave a fresh hope, and every dish consigned to its rude shelf chased away a fear. Christina ar.d the teamster were both very helpful. The latter had surely kept bachelor's hall, he was so handy with everything. Once or twice she bantered him about it, but the stoical Mr. Watson never laughed and seldom spoke. He only worked and whistled. William sat outside minding the baby and was sur- prised to hear his wife's musical laugh. " Strange crea- tures ire women," he thought, "beyond all compre- hension. Crying one minute and laughing the next.'* Before long three busy pairs of hands brought order out of chaos, and cheerfulness out of gloom. When the logs were crackling on the hearth and the white 30 HOUSES OF GLASS. cloth spread for sii{)pcr, the younc,^ v.ifc hummed little snatches of song in the very gladness of her heart. Never '.v.)iild she forget the little evening meal in which they all joined. i lie glossy bays were contentedly munching their oats from a box at the open dov)r, a bird was singing and svvingingnear its nest on a tree at the window, and the long, soft shadows of evening were putting their fairy-like touches on the far off wooded hills; the baby was drinking contentedly at Nature's f(jnt, the kettle was singing on the hearth, and years afterwards the young mother looked back to that hour as the luip])iest of her life. Oh, gilded palaces and stately mansions, ye are beg- gars both whose bread doth turn to stone ! How little yc know of the hajjpincss of humble homes ! CHAPTER V. TWO AND TWENTY YEARS AFTER. Perhaps the only class of people who have many opportunities of seeing the beauties of sunrise, are those who enjoy them the least. The farmer in every portion of the civilized world, is forced by the nature of his calling, to work during his busiest seasons from dayliglit till dark, antl when he rises from his bed in the grey dawn of the morning, yawning regretfully over the shorliiess of his slumbers, he is noc usually in a frame of mind to enjoy the beau- ties of nature. His first waking hours are often tinged with bitter- ness at the drudgery and monotony of his everyday life. When Sunday comes, it is welcomed as a day of rest, and both in town and country the weary toilers take advantage of the opportunity, and sleep till the sun is high in the sky. -.'-lis TWO AND TWENTY YEARS AFTER. 3T becr- Yct the early riser on a balmy June morning is surelv repaid for Jns trou'ole, wlu-n sunrise is a perfect son«r Jf nature, full of j^lorious i)ron-!isc. '^ At least, so thou-ht a youncr man who was drivin- rapidly eastuard tiiis particular Sunday mornin- on one of the principal roads leading to Levisville, a tdi'riv- itig iScw England town. The rolling liiUs and fields of shaded green the yroods where spring had woven such wondrous chkrm- r.i leaf and blossom, the sparkling dew, the balmy scented air, the awakening songs of birds and chaindne tints of cioud and sky-all took part in transforming this weary, ^\ ork-a.day world into a land of beauty and bliss. ^ As our traveller nearcd the top of a long incline known locally as " the mile hill," the bright sunshine glistened on the wheels of his newly painted bucrcry brought more clearly into view his finely gn.omed grey horse, and showed the driver to be a young man ot about five and twenty. He was dressed in a neatly fitting coat and trowsers ot grey tweed, a spotless white vest, and a sailor-shaped straw hat, with a broad black band. The whole turnout had a spick and span appearance even to the shining black harness, which sat so beconv ingly on the glossy sides of his dapple grey '^teed Ihe care bestowed, both on his equipage and his per- son, indicated not that this early riser was out to enjoy the beauties of nature, but that there was a lady in the case. His closely fitting gloves, spotless linen, and smoothly shaved chin, gave him a clean and cool ap- pearance, and, fortunately for his toilet, the dew still he d in control the dust of the broad, white road _ Keaching the top of the hill, he came to a full stoi^ eitner to rest his beast, or to enjoy tlie panorama bo- iore him. Away to the eastward, the road ran down the incline and narrowed into a white line, till it seemed to reach lie sky while as far as the eye cc^ild reach, lav beau- t.^ul ro l;ng fields dotted v ith farm houses and build- inn; o Here and there were patches of woodland, and 32 HOUSES OK CLASS. throuj^h the valley a ripplinj; strc:im snn;;- ilf-, rurrylln^ son<^, <4"listcninL; aiul L^i.uicini( in the niorniiu.,' sun. Witli ihc exception of a few cattle and siu;ep {.(raz- ing (juietly by the rtjaclside, lu^t a living object v.'as in si<^ht. Our traveller was evidently dec ply impressed with the view, ft)r, removing Ids hat, cither out of sc I'.inient or to enlarijc the area of his vi;;ion, he stood motionless in Ids vehicle, L;azini^ away into the distance. Just while he is in tins position, we have an excellent opportunity' of scannin;^ his features, ami of discoverini; what manner of a )'oun;.;" m;in is t!ds, wlu) is such a lover of nature as to apparentl}' f')r;.;et tlie errand whicli was cau.sinir him such haste »-ii!va few moments before. One could see at a jdance that he \\as no iXdonis. His features were too prominent and well marked. Yet that first lool* convinced )'ou tliat he was "some- body." His f.ice bore the stamp of intellectualit)- in a hiiTh detuee, and his jet black hair, combed straijTlit u]) from his massive forehead, g ive him a peculiar air of command. AlthouLjh somewhat ovcrr.hadovv ed b}' a pair of heavy eyebrows, his c^rey eyes were clear and keen, but not unkind. The heavy black mustache wlnk.ii adorned his upper lip did not hide tlie lines of firmness about his mouth, and his square chin only em})hasi/.ed his air of determination. A stronj.,^ face full of char;icter and individuality, thou.i^h pride and passion v.ere a trifle too apparent. His form bore the same cliaracteristics as his face. H;; was t>dl, lar^je-boned and muscular, but too anri'ular for sym.metrv. Like all other human beinL^i^ David Gordon's charac- ter and countenance had been lar<^fely influenced by Ids surroundings, ar.d iC one could read ari;dit, his life had not been a path of flowers. Awa)' back on the road which lie li>-id just travelled, la)- the town of Gowanstone where, sir.ee Ids boyhood, he hc'ul fought the wolf of want an.l map.;;.;ed to sup- port his widowed mother. i'iiUerprise, economy and deterniiiKiiion, luid at la^.t given him a victory o'/er ids lov.iy estate. •iwo A-:n T«Tr,-Tv vi;.'.::s ait.-k. 33 J ooi.Ic ,s,u,lth,it Gordon w,.,s on a fair «-nv to m-t nch riis nature uul not Ht him for the .s„i;or,linatc posjnon of journeyman miiler, but ho had b,)rno with shn.q.. and arro-« of outrageous fortune" until I " v.-as able to leas_^^ tl,e ('.■uMnstone Mills and beeomo n;,n.ster „,s cad of servant. Not onlr tin's, b n " v nat he had a competency, he had decided that in .1 e ■ear fnlure l,e would tal.e unto hin,selfa wife, ^o o,' ;us bright .Sunday n.H.rnin.;:, he w„s on his vas- to -ee tnc object of his alfecti(;ns " MVhat'Vd'w "'"'■ ''■■'';'*,' "'"Pf '■" ■■'••■ni:-.Htion. 1 ., c ", '"-'""" '" c.vpand o.ie-s sold Xo vondcr that Scotland an.l Switzerland are fan, us fo the.r p,atriot,s,n. There's inspiration in these ■■ Suddei,:y he remembered his err.md. Rcseatin,. i.niself n, h,s vehicle and spreading the liHtt ru, ovo? !us knees, he .saul softly, " Come, Dan. old'f, 11, -• , ', away ho went down the grade at a rattlii,..i.ac., p: ' )an seeme.l to enjoy the situation. The gay arch' o-' nis shapely neck, and a coyness about h^^V of l' ears denoted exhilaration of spirits, while the cl. t ; of si, oofs, and thedee,> l,„n,of ,i,e buggv, furni • le^ . SI ableaccompannnent to the snatcl e7 of son- in v.liich Ins master was now indnhdn<- " Davul Gonlon's heart was full of happiness for everv un, of he w eels was bringing him 1,'eaivr to'",;: , 1 c but it ""•\':™,"-"-'l'-' "-'-eks since l:e h,ul seen Lu but ,t seeme,''''i'''™'"" ^i''-' «-^'- to drive out to meet I, n,, but with a lover's eagerness he h.id started bUoie his ladylove had fini.shed her morning slum- necHt;''',,,"'''"'," ''"•"■ '"-' '"■'' ''" •'• ^""staut state of cn- f eetat, on and excitement. With ])an's stevadv sviu-r "!;,!i;:;^l ^■''^ ""-■ ">"^ -- i'a--> -ni, mo.iotJnou;. rcfni 34 HOUSES OF GLASS. It was now ncaring eight o'clock, with not a vehicle in siglit. At last, a cloud of dust on a distant knoll set his heart tJjoini^. David was no fop, but he hurriedly rc- adjur>lcd his neckwear, smoothed his hair, ami brushed a si^eck of dust i>ff his co.it sleeve. Grave and reserved in manner, he always tried to hide his emotions, but his chock icould turn pale in spite of him. As he ncared the approaching^ vehicle he found to his annoyance and disj.aist, that his excitement had been all in vain, for it contained, instead of her, whom he thouj^ht the most beautiful creature in the world, a farmer and his spouse ^oing probably to morning" ser- vices some distance away. " What's the use of wearing my heart in my mouth, when the chances are sh.e is asleep yet. " There is another rig coming, but I'll not be fooled t'Aice. "Six miles to Levisville " said a showy mile post, covered with advertisements. This caused him to give up all ho]ies of meeting her, when suddenly he spied a vision which sent his heart bounding into his throat. There she was at last, with her little brother and }-ounger sister, driving^ a fine big sorrel in a canopy top})od surrey, and while she held the reins her com- j)anions waved their hats, and shouted at his ap- proach. David, of course, had no eyes excepting for the driver. The enchantment of the divine passion was upon him. Love, with its magic wand transformed her into something more than common clay. Yet, even the severest critic would admit that there was some excuse for his raptures. She had an oval face, with a peach-like complexion, a mass of fluffy light brown hair blowing from beneath a dainty straw- hat, and a pair of bewitching eyes, whose colour it was im])ossible to determine. There was a subtle attractiveness about her face, which was not all beauty, a something which puzzled and excited curiosit}'. Her features were not regular enough for typical beauty ; indeed, in some respects they were contradictory. The austerity of her brow TWO AM) TWENTY YEARS AFTKR. 35 rfenier! the Jifnt of scnsuousncss ah