Chapter XXVII: Conclusion

On a dark, stormy day, in the winter of 1845, at ten o'clock, afternoon, a tall, stout, elderly man, muffled in fur, rang at the door of Mr. Lansdowne.

The house was large, of brown stone, and situated on H---- Street, in the city of P----.

As the servant opened the door, the hall light fell upon a face of strongly marked features, irradiated by an expression of almost youthful cheerfulness. To the inquiry, if Mr. and Mrs. Lansdowne were at home, the servant replied, that they were absent, but would return shortly.

"Miss Adèle is in the drawing-room sir", he added, immediately throwing open the door of that apartment, to its widest extent, as if to insure the entrance of Mr. Norton, for it was no other than the good missionary of Miramichi. He was still the warmly cherished and highly revered friend of the entire family.

Adèle, a young lady of sixteen, was sitting on a low seat in the drawing-room, beneath a blaze of waxen candles, intently occupied with a new book. She gave a start, on being recalled so suddenly from the fancy land in which she was roaming, but after a moment of bewilderment, flung aside her book, came quickly forward, put her arms around the neck of Mr. Norton, who bent down to receive them, and welcomed him with a cordial kiss.

"Every day more and more like your mother, Miss Adèle", said he, as, after returning her salutation, he held her at arm's length and surveyed her from head to foot.

"Papa and mamma will be home soon", said Adèle. "They went to dine at Mr. Holbrook's. It is time for their return".

"All right, my dear. And how are you all?"

The young lady led him to a large, cushioned arm-chair.

"How did you leave mamma Norton, Jenny, and Fanny?"

"All quite well. And they sent love;" replied the missionary.

"How is Gray Eagle?"

"Ah! Gray Eagle is good for many a trot round the parish yet".

"I have not forgotten how he shot over the hills with me, last summer. He began his scamper, the moment I was fairly seated on his back. I hope he has sobered down a little since then", said Adèle.

"Yes, I remember. Gray Eagle knew well enough that the little sprite he carried, liked a scamper as well as himself. The animal is quite well, I thank you, and is on good behavior. So are your other acquaintances, Cherry, the cow, and Hodge, the cat".

"I am glad to hear it. I had a charming visit at Rockdale last summer. Johnny and Gabrielle are wild to go there. But mamma and I, and all of us, were so disappointed because you would not consent to Fanny and Jenny coming to spend the winter with us. Mamma says she does not quite understand yet why you objected".

"Ah! well, my dear, I'll make it all right with your mamma. The fact is, I wish to get a few rational ideas into the heads of those precious little ladies before they are launched out into city life. Just a little ballast to keep them from capsizing in a gale".

"Mamma says they are both very much like you", said Adèle, archly.

"True, my dear. That makes it all the more necessary to look after them carefully".

After a few moments of chat, Adèle left the room to give orders for hastening supper.

During her absence, Mr. Norton, with his eyes fixed upon the glowing grate, fell into a fit of musing. Look at him a moment, while he sits thus, occupied with the memories of the past. Twenty years have passed since he was introduced to the attention of the reader, a missionary to a remote and benighted region. He is now sixty years old, and very few have passed through greater toil and hardships than he has endured, in asserting the claims of the Redeemer to the gratitude and love of the race. Yet his health and vigor of mind are scarcely impaired, and his zeal continues unabated.

Beginning his journey early each spring and returning to his family late every autumn, he had spent sixteen successive summers in Miramichi, engaged in self-imposed labors. Each winter, he wrought at his anvil, and thus helped to maintain an honest independence.

Four years previous, a parish having become vacant, in the town where he resided, it was urged upon his acceptance, by the unanimous voice of the people. By his efforts, a great change had been wrought in the field of his past labors and a supply of suitable religious teachers having been provided there, he accepted the invitation as a call of Divine Providence, and had ministered to the spiritual wants of the people of Rockdale since.

Business called him occasionally to the city of P. His visits there were always regarded by the Lansdownes as especial favors. The two families had frequently interchanged visits and had grown into habits of the closest intimacy.

Having been in the city several hours and dispatched the affairs which drew him thither, he had now come to look in upon his friends for the night, expecting to hasten away at day dawn.

There was something in his situation this evening, thus housed in warmth, light, and comfort, protected from the darkness and the storm without, and ministered unto by a lovely young maiden, that reminded him of a like scene, that had occurred, twenty years ago. He vividly recalled the evening, when, after a day of toil and travel on the banks of the distant Miramichi, he reached the house of Dubois, and how while the tempest raged without he was cheered by the light and warmth within, and was ministered unto by another youthful maiden, in form and feature so like her, who had just left him, that he could almost imagine them the same. A glance around the apartment, however, dispelled the momentary fancy. Its rich and beautiful adornments afforded a striking contrast to the appointments of that humble room.

He was roused from his meditations by the ringing of the street bell, and in a moment Mr. and Mrs. Lansdowne came forward to welcome their early and long-tried friend.

The good man, who loved them with an affection akin to that which he felt for his own family, had preserved a watchful care over their earthly and spiritual welfare. Sometimes he feared that their wealth and fame might draw away their hearts from the highest good and impair the simplicity of their religious faith.

After the first cordial greetings, in accordance with his habit on occasions like this, he indulged in a careful scrutiny of his two friends.

Time had in no wise impaired the charms of Mrs. Lansdowne. Experience of life, maternal cares, and religious duties had added a softer light to her once proud beauty, and her old friend might well be pardoned a thrill of admiration as he gazed and thought within his heart, that Mrs. Lansdowne, robed in black velvet, Mechlin lace, and the diamonds of the house of Rossillon, surpassed in loveliness, the radiant Adèle Dubois, arrayed in the aerial garments of girlhood.

When also his keen eye had wandered over the face and figure of John Lansdowne, it returned from its explorations satisfied. No habits of excess had impaired the muscular strength and vigor of his form. Nor had ungoverned passion, avarice, political craft, or disappointed ambition drawn deep defacing lives, to mar the noble beauty of his countenance.

"It is well with them still", ejaculated the good man mentally, "and may God bless them forever".

THE END.

* * * * *

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ADELE DUBOIS:

A STORY OF

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* * * * *

WAS IT A GHOST?

The Murders in Bussey's Wood, is not a "sensational" story, as many
suppose. It is a simple recital of all the facts that are or can be
known in connection with this fearful tragedy, by one who lived in the
immediate vicinity. The spiritual apparition was to him a reality.

A dual murder, so unaccountable, should not be allowed to die out
till Justice is satisfied.

In this sense this book has a mission.

PIQUE:

A Tale of the English Aristocracy.

11th edition. 1 vol. 12mo. Price $2.00.

Three thousand eight hundred and seventy-six new books were
published in England this last year, which is about the average
number of past years.

Thirteen years ago PIQUE was first published in London, and
up to the present time, notwithstanding the enormous number
of new books that have been issued, the effect of which is to
crowd the old ones out of sight, this remarkable novel has continued
to have a large sale.

This is the strongest praise that can be bestowed on any book.

It is not in the least "sensational", but relies solely on its rare
beauty of style and truthfulness to nature for its popularity.

It has the merit of being amusing, pleasantly written, and
engrossing.

The characters being high-bred men and women, are charming
companions for an hour's solitude, and one puts the book aside
regretfully, even as one closes the eyes on a delicious vision.
The American edition has taken everyone by surprise, that so
remarkably good a novel should have so long escaped attention.

Everybody is charmed with it, and its sale is immense, and
will endure for years to come.

FAITH GARTNEY'S GIRLHOOD.

By the Author of "Boys at Chequasset".

11th edition. 1 vol., 12mo. Cloth. Price $1.75.

This charming story fills a void long felt for something for a
young girl, growing into womanhood, to read.

It depicts that bewitching period in life, lying between FOURTEEN
and TWENTY, with its noble aspirations, and fresh enthusiasm.
It is written by a very accomplished lady, whose previous
book was universally pronounced to be "the best Boys' book
written".

A lady of rare culture, and wide experience, says,--

"'Faith Gartney's Girlhood,' is a noble, good work, that could only
have been accomplished by an elevated mind united to a chaste, tender
heart. From the first page to the last, the impression is received of
a life which has been lived; the characters are genuine, well drawn,
skilfully presented; they are received at once with kind, friendly
greeting, and followed with interest, till the last page compels a
reluctant farewell.

"'The book is written for girls, growing as they grow to womanhood.'
The story has an interest, far beyond that found in modern romances of
the day, conveyed in pure, refined language; suggestive, pleasing
thoughts are unfolded on every page; the reflective and descriptive
passages are natural, simple, and exquisitely finished.

"In these days, when the tendency of society is to educate girls for
heartless, aimless, factitious life, a book like this is to be
welcomed and gratefully received. Wherever it is read, it will be
retained as a thoughtful, suggestive--if silent--friend".

_Parents, give it a wide circulation_.

Margaret and her Bridesmaids.

BY THE AUTHOR OF

"The Lady of Glynne", "Mr. and Mrs. Ashton", "Valley of a Hundred
Fires", "The Ladies of Lovel Leigh", "The Challenge", "The Queen of
the County".

3d edition. 1 vol., 12mo. Cloth. Price $2.00.

This talented authoress ranks first among the successful female novel
writers of England. Her books are immensely popular there; edition
after edition of each has been called for, and the announcement of a
new one from her pen creates a new demand, and increases the
popularity of what has been published. By an arrangement with her and
her English publishers, all her books are to be brought before the
American public, where she is almost wholly unknown, except to the
readers at LORING'S CIRCULATING LIBRARY, and they are enthusiastic
over them.

"Margaret and Her Bridesmaids" is the one chosen to introduce her
with, as this, she writes me, has enjoyed the greatest popularity in
England. This will be followed by "THE QUEEN OF THE COUNTY", and the
others, as fast as compatible.

It is the history of four school-girls.

The _London Athenæum_, the highest literary authority, says of it:
"We may save ourselves the trouble of giving any lengthened review of
this book, for we recommend all who are in search of a fascinating
novel, to read it for themselves. They will find it well worth their
while. There is a freshness and originality about it quite charming,
and there is a certain nobleness in the treatment, both of sentiment
and incident, which is not often found. We imagine that few can read
it without deriving some comfort or profit from the quiet good sense
and unobtrusive words of counsel with which it abounds".

The story is very interesting. It is the history of four
school-fellows. Margaret, the heroine, is, of course, a woman in the
highest state of perfection. But Lotty--the little, wilful, wild,
fascinating, brave Lotty--is the gem of the book, and, as far as our
experience in novel reading goes, is an entirely original character--a
creation--and a very charming one. No story that occurs to our memory
contains more interest than this for novel readers, particularly those
of the tender sex, to whom it will be a dear favorite.

We hope the authoress will give us some more novels, as good as
"Margaret and her Bridesmaids".

TWICE LOST.

A NOVEL.

By S.M., Author of "Linnet's Trial".

Read the Opinions of the English Press.

Another first-rate novel by a woman! The plot well conceived and
worked out, the characters individualized and clear-cut, and the story
so admirably told that you are hurried along for two hours and a half
with a smile often breaking out at the humor, a tear ready to start at
the pathos, and with unflagging interest, till the heroine's release
from all trouble is announced at the end. *** We heartily recommend
the book to all readers. It is more full of character than any book we
remember since Charles Reade's "Christie Johnstone".--_Reader_.

"Twice Lost" is an entertaining novel; the struggle between the
high-spirited, generous, half-savage heroine, and her specious,
handsome, unprincipled, _soi-disant_ father, is exciting; and the
sympathy of the reader is cleverly enlisted for the heroine, Lucia,
from the first moment. The personages have all of them a certain look
of reality, and there is a notion of likeness which insures the
reader's interest. We can recommend "Twice Lost" as a novel worth
reading.--_Athenæum_.

By far the cleverest book on our list is "Twice Lost".... This is bold
and skilful drawing, and it is a fair sample of the earlier half of
the volume. The combined vigor, ease, and perspicuity of the writing
is unusual.--_Guardian_.

Nothing can be better of its kind than the first portion of "Twice
Lost".... The caustic humor and strong common sense which mark the
sketches of character in this book, betray a keenness of observation
and aptitude for producing a telling likeness with a few strokes,
which need only a wider cultivation to secure a more complete success
than has been attained in "Twice Lost".--_Westminster Review_.

It is quite clear that the author has given a good deal of thought to
the construction of the story, with a view to producing strong
interest without the use of the common sensational expedients. To say
that "Twice Lost" is very well written, and very interesting, would
not be doing it justice.--_Morning Herald_.

There can be no doubt of the author's power. She holds her characters
and incidents well in hand, writes firmly, and often very happily, and
there are many passages which indicate power much above
mediocrity.--_London Review_.

Not very often do we meet with a novel so thoroughly good as "Twice
Lost". If, as may be assumed from both subject and style, its author
is a woman, she may at once be classed with the Brontë sisters and
George Eliot. She has the firm conception and distinct touch of the
first-class artist. Her characters are real and individual.--_Press_.

This is a well-written romantic tale, in which we find many pleasing
incidents and some successful portraiture of character. The character
of Miss Derwent, the companion and governess of the heroine, Miss
Langley, is very well developed in the course of the narrative. The
moral tone of the book is very good, and so far as religious matters
are touched upon, they are treated with propriety and reverence.--
_English Churchman_.

The characters are well drawn--the situations are new, the sentiments
are unsentimental, and the incidental remarks those of a clever woman
who is reasonable and tolerant.--_Globe_.

The plot of this tale is an original one, and well worked out.... We
can sincerely recommend this tale; it is quite out of the general run
of books, and is sure to prove an interesting one.--_Observer_.

We notice this story because its authoress will one day, we believe,
produce a powerful novel.--_Spectator_.

The reader is carried along with unflagging and exciting interest, and
the book is full of characters finely sketched, and of passages
powerfully written.--_Patriot_.

That the author of "Twice Lost" can write well, the book itself
furnishes sufficient evidence.--_Nation_.

This is a striking story. It has a freshness and originality about it
which are very pleasant.--_Morning Advertiser_.

Without being a sensation novel this is a most exciting and attractive
story.--_Daily News_.

A most romantic story, the interest being well sustained throughout,
and everything coming right at the end. Any one must be entertained
by it.--_John Bull_.