The Second Macabre MEGAPACK®. Эдит Несбит

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СКАЧАТЬ he had learned that she was the partner of the first Protestant minister in the village, and at the death of her husband, had hired a room from his successor in the parsonage. Her proud and impetuous temper, caused her, however, to be continually at strife with the Curate’s wife, till one day, when the twin boys of the latter were quarrelling on the stairs, greatly disturbing her by their noise, she rushed out and attacked them so furiously that one of them pushed the other over the balustrade, who thus received a blow of which he ultimately died. Exasperated by her harsh conduct, the Curate insisted that she should immediately leave his house; when carried beyond all bounds, she exclaimed:

      “Yes, I will go, but in a different manner from what you imagine, for I will still visit it often; yes, as long as one stone stands upon another. You acquit me of the death of your son. I am innocent, since it was his brother who gave him the unlucky push; and as a proof of my innocence, I swear I that will bring misfortune on every family who may, in after time, occupy this accursed house.’ On the following morning she was found dead on the stone bench under the yew tree, while the dregs of a white powder in a glass at her side, left no doubt but that she had taken poison.”

      The minister was not a little shocked by this unexpected testimony; and although neither he or his wife had yet met with the least trace of the ghost, he could not hide from her his newly gotten and painful information, and while their thoughts turned continually on this one subject, they watched their children with an anxiety, which it is impossible to conceive.

      The twins grew rapidly into beautiful boys. William, who was quiet and of a thoughtful disposition, had the blue eyes and fair complexion of his mother; while the lively and unmanageable John resembled his father in his dark hair and skin.

      As neither showed any decided turn for study their father determined to allow them both to enter on a sea-faring life, several of his relatives having become distinguished in that line, and almost anxiously he looked forward to the time when the boys could be separated; since even in their sports their mother particularly watched them with intense anxiety, as though a dark fate hung over them, and although devotedly attached to each other, it seemed at any moment the fatal prophecy might be accomplished.

      These secret anxieties were greatly increased by the observations of their kind but ill-judging neighbors, who, when they visited them, would declare how much they rejoiced that no evil had yet befallen the twins; so much so, that Mrs. Drummond, loving her boys as she did, hardly shed a tear when the time came for them to separate, William, who was destined for the navy, to enter the naval school at Portsmouth; and John, who was intended for a merchant ship, to go to Liverpool. She even rejoiced with her husband, that they would thus, at least for several years, be safe from the curse of “the Gray Woman,” and they both determined, if possible, to prevent them from visiting home at the same time.

      In the course of a few years the wishes of the parents seemed fully realized; since the career of the youths lay in entirely opposite paths. William, who had already distinguished himself as a midshipman by his activity and love of order, had risen to the rank of a lieutenant on board a ship-of-war which lay at Plymouth; and by the command of his superior officer, had gone to Liverpool to lay in sea stores. John, in the mean-while, after making several voyages as chief helmsman, was now the captain of a merchant ship trading with Havana and North America; and while at Liverpool, his brother heard respecting him, that he was a most enterprising seaman, fearless of danger, and almost always successful in his undertakings, though it was hinted that he had already made a little fortune by smuggling.

      It was about twelve months after the above mentioned period, when the rich merchant, Samuel Barlow, sat in his small chamber attached to his counting room in Liverpool, busily engaged in reading a letter just received from a mercantile friend in Jamaica. His book-keeper and factotum, a spare man of about sixty, sat at a desk, noting down in a book whatever his principal dictated.

      “Seventy boxes of hardware. Have you that down, Nathaniel?”

      The writer bowed assent

      “This next is a singular item,” observed Mr. Barlow, “but shall be attended to.” He read as follows: “Having determined to marry, and being unable to procure a suitable girl in Jamaica, I wish you to send me by the next ship a young lady possessing the following requisites. She must be about middle size, with an agreeable countenance, neither below twenty or beyond twenty-five years of age, of a good constitution, and sound in health, so as to be able to bear the change of climate. This last requisite is particularly desirable, since by her early loss I should be subjected to the repeated trouble of looking out for another. With regard to property I am indifferent, only desiring that the said person should come from a respectable family; and with your endorsement, I pledge myself to accept and marry her in fourteen days after sight.”

      “This item will cost us some trouble,” said the book-keeper, pressing his hand to his brow. “Our best plan will be to insert an advertisement in the Liverpool Reporter.”

      “No, Nathaniel,” observed the principal; “that matter is already settled, since I will do the business entirely in my own firm. When does the Fortune sail? Tomorrow? Hum, had it been only a week later, we could have readily filled up this item. I will, however, write by that vessel to Hoskins & Co. So take your pen, Nat.” Mr. Barlow dictated as follows: “Sir, according to order, you will receive by the next vessel a girl of one-and-twenty years of age, of the family, size and constitution specified.”

      “Shall we mention her name?”

      “No! Hoskins & Co. might suppose we took advantage of them by sending my niece, and countermand the order. Should she, however, reach Kingston before they are apprised of the fact, they must comply with their promise, whether willing or not.”

      “What” cried Nathaniel, rousing from his usual apathy; “Is it Miss Eliza Barlow to whom you refer?”

      “Certainly!” replied the principal. “Why should I let such a good speculation escape us? Hoskins & Co. are a house of long standing, a respectable firm, one of the best in Jamaica; and why should not my niece marry that firm.”

      “But will it not cause some talk both here and in Jamaica!”

      “Not in Jamaica; since no one will be aware of her relationship with us. And what house here can find fault, if possessing an article which exactly suits, I should use it to fill up an order, instead of looking further? As for what those may say who do not understand business, I care nothing.”

      “That is all well and good, but what will Miss Eliza think? They say women have odd notions on such subjects, and perhaps her views may not coincide with yours.”

      “Nonsense!” exclaimed Mr. Barlow. “Hoskins & Co. are a house with whom any one would be glad to do business. However,” he continued after a pause of thought; “the girl may possibly raise objections, and were our aviso despatched, and a different article sent from what we promised, the same might be considered a breach of faith. Thank heaven! such a fault has never been committed by Samuel Barlow & Co. And as you, Nat, understand women better than I do, having courted that French Governess thirty years ago, though fortunately you did escape out of the net, I should like to have your opinion on the subject.”

      “Would it not be best for you,” replied Nathaniel respectfully, “to hold a consultation with Miss Eliza before I despatch the letter?”

      “Do you think so?” observed Mr. Barlow, impatiently. “I wish Hoskins & Co. had sent for twenty boxes of dry goods, rather than for this girl. However, we must know how the business stands before tomorrow; therefore summon my niece at once, and if she decides in the negative, as she may foolishly do, you must immediately put an advertisement in the Reporter. This will appear by eight o’clock, so that any person may apply СКАЧАТЬ