The Argosy — page 214: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

The Tenant of The Cedars. 197 I laughed, and assured him that my “line” was nothing half so agreeable ; and when I had finished, paid for my modest refreshment, and set off hopefully on my way. It led through the village and along the high road, and in about ten minutes I came to the ivy-covered park wall, which was plea- santly shaded by trees. Presently I found myself opposite the lodge-gates, my summons at which was answered by a neat, comely woman of middle-age, to whom I explained my errand, and exhibited my credentials in the shape of the house-agent’s card. ‘The cottage is right on the other side of the park, sir, close to the stream,” she said, as she admitted me. ‘‘ I’m sorry I can’t show you the way, but Foster’s out, and I’ve no one to leave. However, you can’t miss it if you keep to that path,” pointing to one which branched off to the right of the main avenue. ‘ There’s a man living in charge who will show you over the house.” “‘ Has it been long unlet ?” I enquired. ‘‘ Nigh upon three years. The last tenant only lived there six months—a lady named Lestelle.” [Phat is a French name?” ‘Ves, sir, she was French, and had been a singer, I believe.” “ Lestelle,” I repeated thoughtfully ; ‘‘was it Léonie Lestelle, I wonder, who took the town by storm a few seasons ago? But that is hardly probable.” ‘‘ What was she like, sir?” my companion enquired, looking in- terested. ‘‘ Young and pretty ?” ‘* More than pretty. She had one of the loveliest faces I ever saw, and a voice that matched it.” : “Tt must be the same,” Mrs. Foster exclaimed; “that’s just her description. A beautiful young lady she was, and so gentle and sweet-spoken it was a pleasure to serve her.” But what brought her to The Cedars?” I questioned. ‘' When she disappeared from London society about four years ago, it was supposed that she had returned to France. Was she living alone ? ” ‘‘()uite alone, except for the servants—an elderly woman who did the housework, and a man named Underwood who attended to the garden and went of errands. It’s him that’s been living in charge of the house for the last two years. He used to be one of the under- gardeners at the Hall, but was dismissed because he was always quarrelling with the other men. A sullen, ill-conditioned fellow he is—though I ought not to say so, perhaps, as he’s a cripple and de- formed,” she added, with compunction. ‘“ He has a hard life of it.” “ How came Mademoiselle Lestelle to take him into her service ?” “It was out of kindness, sir, because no one else would employ him. Her patience and sweetness conquered even him. I believe he worshipped the ground she trod upon, and he was like one frantic when she was—when she died.” ECORnNICOOOKS.E®