section 12 of a bunch of keys where they were found and what they might have unlocked a Christmas book edited by Tom Hood this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org the key of the study part one by W. J. Prowse there is still upon the table of the study a plain old writing case with here and there some dark stains upon it that have been there for years which no one has a face or will seek to a face as the dull night closes in and the thickening gloom of the shadows fills the room a big man bearded and brown sits weirdly by the hearth smoking and gazes intently at the fire pictures enough he sees there but in not one of them any hope for the future in not one of them any consolation for the pictures are all pictures of a past whose soul and life have gone out of him leaving him in middle-aged thus lonely and this miserable and yet as he looks he seems to see wistfully regarding him from the very heart of the fire a face no longer indeed bright and cheerful but somber in its melancholy beauty which might make him very happy even now but for stern restrictions and restraints soon the image fades away and in its place comes out of an old man gray-haired with an awful look of pain in the dark eyes and he turns with a dull sob from the fire to the table with the writing case no need to tell him what the stains mean for there again passes through his soul the misery acute and sudden of a night long ago outside the old house the wind is rising we change the scene the theatre is full and there's a burst of plaudits as the great actress sweeps upon the stage with her long black tresses blowing negligently behind with her dark eyes fixed in solemn and again there's a burst of plaudits when the wonderful voice the voice that seems almost breaking with its heavy burden of passion long suppressed fills the great house with the glory of its sound she can play upon a thousand hearts as the artist upon his violin can touch what string he likes and make it vibrate tremulously it as well but as for her own heart can she rule that when the play is over when she has reached her home see how rarely she too sinks into her chair by the fire side once only she rises herself from her dull lethargy it is when her husband enters the room and then petulantly not with the strong sweet accents that have so sovereignly swayed the crowd but with almost the peevishness of a sick girl she tells him she is weary and implores him to be gone for her too there are pictures in the fire from once had they started this broken man this broken woman the story is a long one it takes us back 20 years of the three persons named only two then knew each other the third you perceive the husband intrudes let us get away from that lonely study in which the soldier still broods over his grief let us get away from the actress's home where she mourns over the past let us get out into the open air and take the story up where it began just 20 years ago captain Grant who had served with much honour in India and elsewhere was in a widower 45 years of age and with one son Donald a lad of 18 he lived in an old house that had been inhabited by his family for many generations Margyle sure not far from the shores of Law Hall and his life was happy enough for after much hard fighting in many wounds he was yet alert and hail and saw his son growing up from a glorious boy into a glorious man the youngster had never left that lonely but beautiful region nor had he yet felt any desire for a different life there was no keener angler no sure or shot in the whole county the mere physical enjoyment of existence was vouchsafed him in full measure and it was spiritualized to by an intense love for natural beauty the mystery of the lonely town the weird wonder of the mountain mist the glory of a highland cataract roaring and flood the luxury of the purple heather all these thrilled him with a vague delight which was the more powerful because he had as yet no morbid anxiety to know its source very noble was the love between father and son both were so proud of each other both could trust each other so thoroughly as they strode along over the moors gun in hand you could hardly see two finer types of manhood the father knew no reason why his happiness should be disturbed for it was then purist when his son shared it with him captain grant had lived hard in his time his youth had been stormy and passionate but at length he was won over to a better life by the lady whom he married and there had since been only one heavy cloud upon him it was that which darkened his home when she died but now this had also passed into a tender and gentle memory which lent an inexpressible charm to his affection for his son to keep the son out of temptations under which he himself had often fallen to rear him into a gallant gentleman pure and truthful and brave these were the captain's aims and for 18 years he had no fear of their realization of late however there was something in the lads manner which to eyes that saw keenly because love lent them force to noted a critical change and the captain beheld it with a certain glee if also with a certain fear he knew its meaning to this good gentleman he knew that his son must have discovered the existence in our charming world of a beauty which beats that of tarn more land and stream now the captain having had his own experiences in these matters was not surprised to find that the boy was often melancholy without seeming cause that he grew in fact a little less earnest about salmon and grouse and a little fonder of long walks that either rod or gun noticing the change the worthy old warrior did not ask himself the question what is it the worthy old warrior only asked himself the question who is she where upon taking cancel with himself alone as became a good gentleman who had seen much of the world in its ways he revolved within his brain the names of all the eligible young ladies in the district whom his son had seen he knew enough to believe that an early marriage to a true helpmate is the grandest happiness that a young man can have and is also his status shield against evil and sorrow if Donald were in love with Lucy Stewart or Flora Lennox or any other Scotch maiden whose father's landslain near his own and whose blood was as pure as that of the grants themselves why there could be no earthly cause to prevent Donald after a few years from marrying her he could have wished that the lad would tell him at once but he knew that young love is seldom confidential at its commencement that it broods upon itself and finds something very sacred in its secrecy so without any serious misgivings the father waited until his son who hitherto had kept nothing hidden from him should ask his aid in this matter also in which position of affairs there existed the elements of great happiness for both of them if Donald had selected an eligible young lady if on the contrary Donald had not well there was the chance of an awkward explosion for the captain with all his affection had in him great faculties of anger and the fierce family pride of a Highland Squire but as yet he had no reason to believe that Donald had made any unworthy choice the lat had been kept free from the dangers of the city and the captain knew from clear bright eyes which met him so frankly and so lovingly every day he knew from his son's ruddy cheeks from the eager exuberant health that seemed to breathe in his every movement that Donald was as pure as a girl in her nursery whilst he was as strong and as brave as became the son of a soldier without laying traps then for the lads secret he watched that magnificent young animals movements with the curiosity which was not absolutely free from a certain sense of amusement Donald Grant went up Glen Orchie early one September morning the Glen is one of the loveliest in Scotland there is nothing grand about it none of the savage sublimity of Glencoe for instance it grows very fine it is true as it widens out towards Lochaw with the rugged outline of Ben Louie on the one side and the massive bulk of Cruichan on the other but to anyone who comes upon it after traversing the loneliness of the Black Mount or the wide waist Merlin that stretches away from Glenetive up to Lochranuch it is apt to seem tame. Wander down the Glen quietly however following the course of the stream and you soon begin to recognise a peculiar and delicate charm about the valley you have had your fill of ruggedness and desolation and there is a wonderful sense of rest and peace in the rich woodlands that border the stream not that the Orchie is a tame and sluggish river winding on past melancholy willow so slowly that you can scarcely tell which way it is going if indeed it is going at all no it is always brisk and rapid and when a night's rain has helped it it rushes down to Lochaw with all the speed and glory that Basima Highland River thus coursed it when Donald went up along its banks the morning was exquisitely bright the mists that had been thronging around Cruichan for days had passed away in frantic wreaths and curls and in the clear air every crack of the grand old mountain seemed distinct and close striding along the lad was soon some miles up the Glen and close to the Falls the sunshine played marvelous tricks amongst the pine trunks and seemed absolutely to glow and burn where it struck upon the red berries of the mountain ash musically murmured the Orchie swelling into a more solemn song as the lad drew near the great boulders over which the river rushes to the deep pools beneath and the sky was flooded with light and the air was flooded with music and the heart of the lad was flooded with love as he paused near the cascade and looked around him he seemed a natural part of the glorious scene the place would have been lonely perchance something of its charm would have gone out of it had it lacked that tall young fellow with the keen bright eyes that glanced about so eagerly with the long golden hair that danced so merrily with the manly form the broad shoulders the long arms with a bonnet on his brow gave its prigs of heather on which the dew was still wet with the long folds of the kilt falling into new shapes at every movement of the supple limbs health and strength and highland air and 18 if anybody could not be content with these he would be hard to satisfy yes but there is something wanting still such a glorious young lover needs a mate it all depends upon circumstances whether the reader will believe that at the distant glimpse of a gown the sunshine became at least 20 times more bright and beautiful that the mavis and the Merle and the throttle and a host of other choristers all began to sing away as if for dear life almost choking their delicate little throats and their wild and ecstatic hurry to pour out the largest possible number of notes in the smallest possible number of minutes that the waterfall suddenly glowed with the kaleidoscopic iridescence of exuberant colour compared to which a hundred double rainbows would have seemed like a dull cloak of hot and gray that there went rushing through the boys veins a torrent of passion to which Niagara is Dutch and that then his soul reached a serene elevation to which the top of Kimberazo is the bottom of a coal pit yes if the reader has ever been deliciously mad he for we must not talk of she will understand all this yes he knows that it is impossible to grow extravagant or hyperbolical about that young lady poor Donald Grant Mary Horton was not a young lady no but she was very beautiful and looked all the more so perchance because her beauty was so different from his own the subtlest harmonies whether of sight or sound are those that spring from contrast the lad was handsome with the ruddy colour of the north his long hair was golden but with a glow in it warmer than that of gold the girl again had the dark dresses the deep eyes eloquent fiery intense of the south his was the grace the beauty of aggression hers as passionate as his seemed pleading and submissive as he stooped down so that they looked each other fairly in the face he seemed like some Norse rover who had traveled let us say in Spain and did not intend to return to Norway alone their eyes met they told each other so much more than the few stammering words of greeting that the girl turned her head aside trembling a little at the eager glance which seemed to devour her secret with an almost cruel triumph she was not a lady as we have said she was the orphaned daughter of very poor people she was melancholy fact must be admitted only a lady's maid a clever girl was Mary Horton too romantic no doubt had chiefly nourished her brain upon novels and saw and Donald as fine a young hero was any Reginald to cursey or Alarid to Bowen who had ever for love's sake married a damsel of low degree poor little girl with such splendid possibilities in her with such eyes such a voice she was not over safe in a world where men are selfish often in the very degree of their passion she knew this too in a dim way and her dreams were often sorely troubled when the ladies whom she served had dismissed her for the night were these novels true that she had read so eagerly she hoped they might be but but but she could hardly hope that the gentleman would be true to her besides was she fit for him fit to be his wife there again poor little Mary knowing her own deficiencies felt herself very helpless and forlorn it is lucky for girls that they can cry and yet she was safe enough with Donald Grant had that young gentleman been able to do so which he was not he would then and there have married her offhand would the Union have been a happy one after all well there would probably have been troubles and difficulties and sorrows which the young heads had never thought of meanwhile it was very sweet to be thus alone together two hours after this an observant an intelligent Scottish man of the menial persuasion received from Captain Grant two things number one a guinea for valuable information number two a kick for having played the spy he accepted both with serene imperturbability no one in the captain's house had a pleasant time of it that day and at dinner Donald could see that something had crossed his father whilst the father could see that his son was ill at ease the captain suffered least for his morality after all was little more than the conventional code of honor prevalent amongst men of the world whereas the poor lad was horribly an earnest nay if we were to anatomize the old campaigners feelings very deeply we might discover that the amaret for he could not believe that it was anything more serious really vexed him very little boys would be boys this girl who is said to be so pretty must be easily got out of the way and so on and so on wronging all the while two people one of whom was inexpressibly dear to him and both of whom were pure perhaps thought he it was not worthwhile to open the campaign and force he would get Donald out of this dangerous neighborhood of course calf love was not at all unnatural and did not usually last very long thus mused the old campaigner and on the whole resolve not to commence the attack just yet but to remain within his trenches imagine the veterans dismay when of a sudden the enemy dashed into his lines I I want to speak to you sir very seriously quoth the audacious Donald the shock was over the surprise was over it had been a severe one and the captain was annoyed to find that in the confusion of the attack he'd absolutely spilled a glass of claret but now he was on his guard and a great deal cooler than the assailant the rebel force was evidently embarrassed there was plenty of pluck about it but very little discipline in fact it had once endeavored to deprive the inevitable conflict of its most sanguinary features you have always been a very good father to me sir cries rebel not at all in a determined manner well my dear boy I hope so answers British veteran seeing his advantage and quietly massing his forces against the weakest point of the enemy's line I hope so Donald surely that's not the very serious business no sir but but you know sir I'm past 18 delightful age replies the captain and really paternal vanity apart Donald I never met with a finer young gentleman at that period of life come my boy out with it it can hardly be very serious after all I fancy not likely to prevent you from trying the deep pool with me tomorrow morning a by this admirable strategic maneuver the great tactician indicated without ostentatiously announcing his knowledge of the enemy's movements indeed sir it is very serious now Donald had carefully rehearsed a clever speech and had Donald's father committed the enormous mistake of being angry that speech would doubtless have been delivered but as matters befell Donald not without an unpleasant suspicion that he was rather mismanaging a case which had seemed delightfully clear early in the day could only stammer forth the fact is sir I'm in love and to his utter discomfort sure replied the captain my dear dear boy do you think I didn't know that already there was nothing for it now but a plain confession and a plain confession it was which the father heard with a growing pain as the son went on with the growing earnestness but then the captain changed his tactics and fought sternly the danger was more serious than he had thought and as his last word he uttered an absolute and peremptory no God help me then cried the lad I must do my duty indeed sir if you could only see her if you could only know how good she is be good enough Donald to remember that you are talking to a gentleman and that I can't go to look for my son's wife in a servants hall I deal with you plainly I will not have the thing spoken of again Donald it must cease sir now and forever and hear the battle ended for with a stormy sob the boy rose from his seat and left the room he was miserable enough but he was not half so miserable as his father who still sat at the table with strange pangs torturing him and a dreary fear of the future at his heart this boy whom he so loved of whom he was so passionately proud this boy to fling away the prospects of a life for a pair of black eyes he would not have it and yet how nervously he shrank from another unkind word then when it grew late he went sorrowfully to his son's room the boy was asleep but sleeping uneasily and at times indistinctly muttering words whose meaning the captain fancied he could guess then the captain's heart yearned again towards his son and as after he had silently and solemnly blessed him he prepared to go a gentle smile passed over the boy's face he woke and saw his father beside him then first air he was quite conscious he lovingly held out his hand for the familiar farewell clasp and then remembering turned away his head crying bitterly but not so bitterly as his father who cut to the very heart by the sight of this sorrow bent over the boy's bed and kissed him so that their tears mingled and their souls to and besought him and the broken tones which are so terrible to hear when a grown man utters them to be wiser and what he could not have done by mere persuasion nor by mere exercise of will he did by this great grief of his and though the lad groaned as he gave his promise he promised that he would in all things obey his father as before then there was peace between father and son but after a civil war you don't find people settling down quietly to their old avocations the old order can't be restored by a proclamation the struggle has left wounds that throb and wrinkle heart burnings which cannot be stilled when the two next met there was a difference in their bearing the old and tired utter confidence and love were gone and it's said there were other feelings stronger and more intense but less pure less spontaneous each knew that this change had come over their relationship each was angry with himself grieved at the other each was determined not to show this embarrassment and hence both much against their will and wish were really awkward talkative at the wrong season silent at inconvenient moments Donald had given his promise and never dreamt of breaking it but there was a wild tempest of passion raging within him and stormy against his resolution you can hardly expect 18 to sacrifice its first dream without something in the nature of an explosion now young love is generally selfish but let us do the boy the justice to own that so far as he knew he was angry and wild simply because he had promised to abandon her what seemed his grievance was the thought of the sorrow she would have to go through she went through it very well women fret themselves abundantly over imaginary sorrows give them a real grief inflict upon them an actual pain and they bear it much better than the Lord of creation who is rather given to cry out in a lordly way when his pangs become acute there was one more meeting between the lovers whereof the captain had full cognizance for the son was morally a prisoner on parole and he was a gentleman and at this meeting with many tears many sobs with wild fiery glances of passion and unutterable murmurs of regret the two gave up their dream it was in the evening that they met and at the old tristing place but the brightness of Glen Orkey was gone sorrowfully they parted and as each went homeward the solemn mists of the night rose in the valley and hung heavily about the mountain range slowly they walked away nor for some time could either bear to look crowned but at length Donald turning saw the girl dimly and obscurely fading into the mist and wandering alone up the gloomy valley into the great darkness that lay beyond and a chill touched his blood and a dreary vision of long separation of tender yearnings for reunion never to be fulfilled a vision of a life barren and purposeless henceforth pass before him quarrelously seen the river to mourn as he walked along and still the mists thickened he reached home his father waited for him with a stern anxiety and the fear that his last interview might have led the boy into forgetfulness of his promise but in the forced deity of the sun in the strange light which gleaned from his large eyes I and worse than this in a tone of polite submission which he had never heard before from Donald's lips the captain knew that it was all over that for good or evil the trial had been undergone and that the youngster had passed sentence upon his folly for good or for evil could there be any doubt of it of course it was for good and now Donald must leave the place must see something more of the world must have something to keep his mind from brooding over his grief they would go to London they would see the great city together his own knowledge and experience would keep Donald free from many dangers the boy acquiesced with a gallant air of cheerfulness which did not deceive his father and then filling a huge glass drank as a toast laughingly goodbye to Glen Orkey yes goodbye to Glen Orkey and to all the old happy life to the morning plunge in the burn to the midday rest on the Murland goodbye to the old peacefulness the old perfect trust father and son had been one and were two that was all except indeed that poor little Mary Horton's heart seemed breaking when this cruel cruel end came to her poor romance London had upon Donald Grant the effect which London frequently has upon young gentlemen who have warm blood in their veins and a touch of fire in their nature London first repelled him then attracted him then satiated him then wearied him and as he went through these various phases and conditions in the order named he naturally got a good deal altered from the lad who was ready to sacrifice all for love except his duty to his father he had often seen the sunrise in the Highlands he got to be familiar with the rising of that luminary in London the difference being merely this that he himself in the Highlands used also to rise and that in London he had not been to bed Babylon has many cunning lawyers and artfully meshed nets she catches young folks in her toils very easily but it is not only young folks that she catches Captain Grant was to have guided his son but who was to guide Captain Grant we shall see by and by how it went with him meanwhile this at least was certain that his boy was no longer a boy that he had grown into a man and a man who was not happy no when the London fever began to run into its later stages Donald had a profound contempt for his own weakness he had wasted much and learned little his heart was growing weary he had tried to fill it with poor semblance of love to no purpose although the affection for his father had not become weaker it had undergone a change it was a sad time for Donald when he began to see that his father after all had false narrows which were not all of them of the generous kind so readily pardoned in youth and so seldom repeated in age the town life pulled upon our young Scott who tired of wasting his ears in a dull round society bored him and when he went into the wilderness to kick up his heels he found that Bohemia was quite as tiresome as society what to do at any rate to get away to travel to work to fight to live a life with some real excitement about it Captain Grant on his part could not but feel that it was he who had changed the boy and he could not cheat himself into the belief that the change was really for the better after all hit he blundered he could not believe that he had kept Donald from disgracing himself by a marriage with one so far below him socially as Mary Horton but he was feigned to remember that there were other bonds of disgrace and that if his son was now more worldly wise he had purchased a knowledge which did not seem to make him any happier at the expense of much nobler qualities somewhat tarnished was this bright boy of his some of the London atmosphere had got into his lungs let us say and he did not breathe so freely their house grew to be a rather sad one and at length both felt that they would be better apart never an angry word passed or could pass between them but there were now reserves and suppressions which were perhaps worse than positive quarrels the captain was almost relieved after all when he knew that his son was willing to go to India the son was glad when he got a commission end of section 12 recording by Squeaky section 13 of a bunch of keys where they were found and what they might have unlocked a Christmas book edited by Tom Hood this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org the key of the study part two by W.J. Prouse and Mary Horton she too was in London but she had been obliged to leave her employment for the captain who could pity his son had no pity for her there were young men in the family that she served who might said the captain to her mistress be deluded as Donald had been then when they had removed to London they dismissed her not unkindly but plainly stating why they offered her some of money beyond her wages and the poor girl had to take it though her spirit rose against the offer she must maintain herself she could not leave her employer's home penniless so with a heart that was on fire with anger she thanked them what harm did she done she thought was it her fault if Donald had loved her and then had a word from his father forsaken her in her need it was cruel it was base it was a shame and then the current of her thought would change and she would cry to herself that Donald was right she was not fit for him he would have had to blush for her among his friends and she could not bear to think that Donald so proud as he was too she'd have to blush no it was all for the best and as for her she must provide for herself elsewhere she lost the greater part of her money very soon employment offices and dishonest advertisers were as plentiful then as now and this poor girl was easily swindled and as she drew to the end of her resources she fell ill and first her pride would not allow her to send for help to her former mistress who would have aided her and then the fever and excitement of her brain told upon her and she grew much worse when the poorer count of the poor they are very kind indeed but it is a stupid count of the day to claim for all the poor virtues which are not confined to any one class thank god sometimes the poor are cruel and mary hortons landlady happened to be one of these then a young girl who had seen her in her illness took compassion on her and she was moved to a hospital delirium came on and went away and she was left there a poor forlorn weight she was very pretty and she was destitute when she left the hospital over this part of her life let us pass if you please as swiftly and gently as possible it was very short and horrible donald meanwhile knew nothing of all this nay his father had not scrupled to deceive him in such sort that he thought mary fickle or at any rate forgetful and then struggled to forget himself it would have been better for them both had the truth been known the captain had ventured to play providence but his scheme was turning out very ill so that these two things happened on one in the same day captain grant received a commission for his son and going to his room found the gallant officer of the future huddled up on his bed with his boots on and with evidence signs of disorder and debauch upon his countenance thus far was he improved by life under the auspices of his prudent father mary horton left the hospital thus had her destiny been shaped by a man not naturally unkind but willful and headstrong in his own conceit and for the captain himself years seemed to have come upon him very suddenly he grew old before his time he was weary and tired and sorrow-stricken and worn out thus to sum up three people began a new life at the same time donnell grant who sailed away to india mary horton who once vanished into a highland mist and vanished now into a london fog captain grant who found his chief hope blighted and had to console himself as best he might there is no room here to deal with particulars you may elaborate every detail of an hour when you have to do with years you have to summarize often imperfectly often erroneously of the three folk with whom we are concerned the compter and do must be brief and hasty and then we bring them again upon the scene as another climax another crisis may demand the young soldier went away the chief sense in his heart was a desire for change he had tried london and it had tired him away in the east after passing through the usual stage of griffin hood he got to take an interest in his work the fellow would be indeed a dull one who in the first flush of manhood could find himself set an authority over grave and bearded oriental gentleman without a kind of feeling that herein in this great trust was involved as great a duty boggles who flukes from eaten into epaulets may forget this thing to young grant the old clan feeling stood instead of any definite reflection on the subject he accepted his regiment as in some sort his tribe loved his work and did it well the number of britains however who do their duty well is thank god so large that this would have done him little good in ray promotion though much as regards his own moral growth in development but there came stirring times at last and he got his chance he was known in his regiment as a man passionately fond of field sports and of the big game also as a man who read much also as a man who seemed to be very old for his age he stuck to his duties never kept a leaf from whatever social fun might be going on in his station or containment but he was hardly popular in honest truth two remorses at least weighed upon him he felt as if he had injured disappointed wounded his father and as if to sum the whole affair up quickly he had been very fickle and shamefully feeble in his conduct towards the poor little girl whom he still loved the look of donnell grant was a good deal changed the floored face had been baked by india into a ruddy brown long mustaches curled over his lips and there were dark circles under his eyes and stern lines on his forehead he did well in his profession rose to places of trust of a sudden there came upon india a dead calm an awful silence throughout the land there was at once an apparent quiescence and a marvelous activity a nervous electrical vivacity men who could read the signs of the times who could look out boldly and with clear vision toward the political horizon saw a great cloud gathering slowly the vague sense of an unseen danger the mysterious foreboding of an unknown peril filled their souls and at last the storm burst someday or another a poet historian will write a grand record of english resistance it was superb it was kingly it was worthy of a race destined to rule the earth little blonde ensigns charged with their white teeth clenched and their puny fists doubled right into thousands grim old bearded kernels awoke to chivalry civilians vied with soldiers in gallant endurance and the ladies god bless them so far from troubling this free heroic spirit breathed into it a great passion and fire in that struggle donald grant was fortunate enough to have a chance or two his own regiment turned against him would not take his life but stormly marched away to help their kinsmen he was one of the few officers whom they spared soon after he reached an outlying station that was besieged by the rebels provisions ran short in the fort privations and bullets removed the majority of the english leaders grant one day by this time a lieutenant saw that the only chance left and it was desperate lay in a sortie on a sunday the chaplain whose own physical strength was fast failing him but his courage never faltered administered the sacrament to the faithful little company who were beleaguered on the monday the sortie was made and when the odds seemed heavily against the english there was a sudden wavering in the enemy's line and a cloud of dust far away later there came a ringing cheer in the jolly manly tone of our race the station was saved and grant with a great sword gash on his face heard as he fainted a loud cry of victory then the women gathered around him nursing he soon recovered in days like those a man's superb vital force and pluck enable him to bear up against wounds very readily he fails only when the excitement is over and the reaction has set in recovering he gained fresh honors and when the great mutiny had been trodden underfoot by cullen cambell he came home if his life had for many years hung heavily upon his hands and had only become tolerable when at length a great national crisis gave him a chance judge how the years had passed at home with mary after a very short and terrible period she had found friends and worked from that time in many ways all hard enough but all honest by degrees she drifted towards the theater she was very handsome but with the beauty that would rather awe than attract she had admirers of course but she was quite indifferent to their admiration nay she had suffered so horribly that her temper had grown fierce and resentful she could not look upon her life with resignation she regarded it with intense and disdainful anger she despised herself even more than she despised others yet there were some of her friends to whom she was different in her bearing and one of those was a man older than herself one john lane who watched over her with a kind of canine fidelity he was merely a violin player in an orchestra but he had a little money from other sources amongst other things from lessons he was shrewd kindly a little selfish when mary after many tentatives in other directions tried the stage john lane saw that her ultimate success was certain he set himself to work for her rendered her many services made himself necessary to her and won at least her gratitude and affection when he asked her to marry him which at length he did mary was frank and honest in reply told him of her hideous troubles and also of the love which preceded them owned that her heart was untouched by him in the way that a woman should be by the man who seeks her for a wife but for the rest confessed that she liked him very much was grateful to him briefly would marry him if knowing all this he still persevered john lane pressed his suit they were married very quietly nor were they all together unhappy love on his part cordial liking and gratitude on hers were the elements of a tolerably peaceful married life but her heart was still hungry john lane was a good husband no doubt and she was true and good to him but her life seemed a waste at length john after infinite diplomacy so succeeded that mary was engaged at a leading london theater this engagement was to her what the indian mutiny was to grant it called forth her full capacity gave her something about which she could be an earnest before long she was recognized with her stirring beauty somber and passionate she swayed the hearts of her audience more potently than by winning graces and pleasant smiles on which most of her rivals depended as she swept across the stage you trembled for in her eyes there was a light which was terrible and the voice resonant and musical though it was could also give such point to a sneer such hideous emphasis to a sarcasm such rage of expression to invective that involuntarily you shuddered as before a woman who had some private grief some private wrong some misery upon which she brooded and which tortured her very soul and now for the third life for this after all was the saddest grand's father as we said tried to guide grant but who could guide grand's father the captain missed his boy very much the relations had grown somewhat cold and embarrassing but when donald was absolutely gone the captain's love seemed to redouble all their awkwardness their petty troubles went out of the captain's mind you could only think of the finest qualities of the lad forgot the sorry way in which donald had yielded to london and simply recollected the highland time they had lived so long together that the house was horribly lonely without donald and his letters when they came were certainly affectionate but to the father it seemed as though they were marked by a certain restraint as if their very affection were hardly free and natural but rather a mere matter of duty all this pained him bitterly what had he done he had kept donald from sacrificing his prospects in life had saved him from a ridiculous marriage yes this was true but at what cost was donald no matter what his prospects at all happy or contented the captain knew that he was not and so they prayed upon him this double regret that he had lost some portion of his son's affection and that he had not succeeded in his plans for his son's good he left london now and then for scotland but it was dreary and sad to tramp about with his keepers and without donald all their favorite haunts bridges ledges of rock and so forth only reminded him of his loss then he grew gloomy and drank by and by field sports had no longer any charm for him and his life grew to be without an object no doubt donald would return sometime or other but it would not be the same donald he wanted him back and yet feared to see him it would be sweet to go down to the old spots with him if the lad had not changed letters came frequently enough but they were not very long ones nor so cordial as those of a son should be and the father winced as he saw that donald was growing worldly wise after his fashion and that the fashion was not a good one he had failed obviously made a bungalow of his interference these thoughts haunted him perpetually and he grew to be very wretched a lonely man getting old too what use was he to anybody even to himself he had money but there were things which it could not buy him a useless old stages sir would the captain say to his few intimates nor were his associates of the best kind he disliked now those quiet english drawing rooms to which he used to introduce donald so proudly the sight of that kind of domestic happiness hurt him he saw parents who certainly could not love their children more than he surrounded by grown-up sons who are taking their place in the world and doing credit to their names so was donald too no doubt he was a capital soldier of course all the grants would be that but he was buried in india and the old man's heart was fierce and angry and yet torn by a wild craving to see his son again to live the good old life once more how could he bear this misery he asked himself how could anyone bear it lonely wretched old man he would go no more into houses where he saw such happiness which was given so readily to other people denied so cruelly to him few people who saw him walking quietly to his club guess what a furnace of passion was burning within him with what wild cries at night time he woke shouting for donald or how he hated the house his son had left long hours he would sit in the study brooding over this curse that had seemed to come upon him until he could not bear to sit alone anymore he went about amongst men to whom his nature would have been unintelligible calm cynical men of the world with their affections very much under their own control he needed excitement and he found it where such a man was likely to seek it at the gaming table he cared little for money lost or won what he needed was the morbid emotion of the gambler this he got and then steadily went downhill drifting onto a miserable old age losing his own self-respect and only happy sometimes in dreams the most reckless successes are not those of youth they are those committed by men who after living reputably for many years break loose again sailing homeward donald grant had many bad dreams but he never fancy that there would be any very great change in his father the stormy life he had led had somewhat tired him the struggle was superb while it lasted now that it was over and his nerves were no longer at full tension the chief desire of his soul was rest he had lived at high pressure but there's a time for all things as he paced the deck of an evening and watched the glory of the sunset thoughts of the old home rushed in upon him so that he yearned to see his father and then to go back into scotland with him and wonder about arm in arm he had seen grander mountains and crew again but he wanted now to watch the curl of the clouds around the old hill lanorki would seem very small after the great gorges of the himalayas and there was the memory about it of a deep sorrow still he would like to gaze again into salmon pool and see the mountain ashes once more and as for his disappointment that as he supposed could give him no further pain just one twinge per chance like the aching of an old wound might he suffer when he came to the spot where he parted with mary but it was very long ago doubtless she was married by this time if not did it greatly matter he'd gone away a boy he was coming back a man yet they leapt up in his heart the spirit of boyhood eager and exultant as he thought of the long long days that he would pass with his father of course father would be old hardly able to do much in the way of deer stalking well perhaps that too was all the better grant the thought himself how his father used to lift him in his arms when he tired how he took him to all the loveliest nooks about the country well this would be changed now would be his turn to guide and support and with the very tender love he thanked god that he'd been spared in battle and saved from disease to go home to his father thus and comfort him the captain knew that his boy was coming back but donald had started earlier than he first intended and would himself bring the first news of his actual return the old man winced as he thought of the meeting he looked in the glass saw his wrinkles but saw also that he had not been altered merely by time he grew very miserable and ashamed that he should have to meet his son thus to be afraid of him it was a bad ending to a life this he had made a very wretched business of it after all he was gray but venerable what that man who slinks into a gambling house and watches the turn of the game with eyes bloodshot and bleared he was almost the mockery of younger players the pity of a few men of his own time he could hardly call him venerable could he not break away from all this and make himself a little worthier of his son whose name had figured with honor and outrams on dispatches no it was too late or else he was too feeble still would donald but come and love him a little better than he feared they might go away together away from this horrible city that had so profaned and polluted both of them back to the old house father and son both had the same simple plan of life but it was all in the future and now just now until donald came the captain could not do much by himself besides and this was the drearyest thought this it was which brought tears childish tears to his eyes donald might be shocked at his utter wreck might find it hard to love him in the old way the poor man's nerve was gone there's only one means now by which he could ever rouse himself to action even to action that did but bring nearer the bad bad end as donald hurried on finding steam itself slow so great grew his impatience a strange morbid restlessness possessed him and nervous irritability he was petulant with his own servants moody and reserved with his fellow passengers there is little time wasted by the overland route but the hours seem to grow horribly long he could do nothing to get on faster and this sense of impotence absurd though he felt it to be annoyed him he slept little and never woke refreshed nay to the doctors it seemed as though he were lashing himself into a state of fever and one man cautioned him but got scanty thanks for the warning mersey at last and the train thundered along across france too slowly for his haste his overwrought brain seemed to pant and throb with every beat of the engines and with his head thrust out of the window facing the rush of the wind he could have shouted to the very stokers and sworn at them for making no more speed and now on a foggy day he crossed the channel peering out through the mist for the first english light and then again the train thundered and again his brain panted and throbbed it was a dull november evening when he reached london and the place seemed hatefully squalid to him as he drove home to his father's house and he noise seemed to drive him mad the very rattle of his cab wheels worried him the captain was not at home it was uncertain when he would return the servant said he might be late he was sometimes late wouldn't the gentleman call again oh it was mr donald yes would mr donald wait it was hard to have hurried as he had and get this for his welcome but a real disappointment troubled him less than his merely fantastic miseries nay now that he had got home and the life of his dreams could not be many hours from him he was almost pleased that a little time longer was left he walked out into the streets laughing at himself how ridiculous had been his impatience what a cross-grained evil tempered retch he had been on the journey well it was all right now he had but to kill a few hours his father might be late and donald thought of the old man again fancied him at his club smoking his honest cigar with some other old indians talking about himself very likely a gray haired man but handsome still and courtly proud of his son too what a life they would have how to pass the time he would not hunt for his father he did not want strangers at that meeting he strolled into a theater the first he passed and for a time the figures on the stage were mere puppets scarcely visible indeed for his own drama was what he thought about and he sat there indolently with half shut eyes and twitched now and then his yellow beard and played with as long mustache as idly but at length a sudden burst of applause roused him from his reverie the great actress of the night entered a strange wild thrill went through him like a sword thrust as he saw her the look of the man changed at once as he rose in his stall erect and eager careless of the cry to sit down and waited until she spoke it was her voice richer and fuller but hers and then as with a superb gesture she turned and saw him and with a spasm she seemed for just one second to reel upon the stage as though she would fall then conquering her pain by her courage magnificently declined but she never looked that way again all night and when lane carried her home she fell with a pitiful moan upon the floor and would not rise could she but faint no consciousness fiery intense never left her for a moment the whole love of donald's heart had yearned towards her again the passion long suppressed and rebelled and triumphed and in the hour when it arose he learned that it was hopeless that mary was married how brave she was how gloriously she had borne herself in that fierce momentary ordeal then there came a great bitterness in grant's soul a recollection almost angry of their old love almost wrathful of his father's conduct he shuddered at his own evil thoughts but he could not yet go home not yet for a little while moodily he walked about the streets he had not known what a place that love of his yet held in his heart still there was much left to live for and solemnly he blessed his father to whom he would say no word that should arise the recollection of their one dispute he turned homewards and then came the pang then came the culminating agony for as he approached the house he passed an old man who was staggering and steadily and as he turned aside to avoid him their eyes met they had wept together their love had survived sorrow even shame donald was in bed stupid and insensible neither waking nor asleep the old man sat alone in the study his head rested between his hands but when he raised it a little there was honest an awful look of wistful sorrow and a strange pitiful bewilderment his nerves were shattered nerves why his very heart was crushed he tried to plot and think but the blood rushed to his temples and his head seemed as though it would burst after a time he pulled his writing case towards him his hand shook for many reasons but with his faltering fingers he scrawled a few lines idly repeating words my dear dear boy after a little while i shall be better and we will see each other again and live very happily but i cannot face you for a day or two how the dull pain grew but not yet donald dear do not blame me when you read this but tonight i am going away the pain was worse he must bathe his temples before he could end the letter he rose from his chair then fell heavily forward on the table muttering donald's still as the blood trickled to the desk staining it and then he did not mutter anymore tonight i am going away he had written and now indeed he had gone end of section 13 recording by squeaky section 14 of a bunch of keys where they were found and what they might have unlocked a christmas book edited by tom hood this is a lipervox recording all lipervox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit lipervox.org recording by kate fallis three keys on a small ring of their own by c w scott chapter one the key of the dressing room when mr. everest announced one morning with his grave a face as he could put on for the occasion that aunt rachel had decided to come and live at riverside a very serious discussion ensued they had all expected it for some time past and though edith everest entirely agreed with her father in the course he had thought fit to adopt she quite as much as her little sister mabel secretly hoped that the evil day would somehow or other be averted and indeed it was a horrid shame as mabel expressed it to have to introduce an element of discord into that peaceable and unusually happy family circle mrs. everest had died soon after the birth of mabel the youngest girl and ever since then the father and his two daughters had lived together more like brothers and sisters than anything else the house in which they resided was charmingly situated in the heart of the very loveliest part of the thames's scenery and mr. everest invariably found it no easy task to tear his pretty nymphs away from their river home just when the water lilies were beginning to unfold themselves and the forget-me-nots to bloom in order to respond to the authoritative summons of the fashionable world and see the roses on their cheeks fade under the influences of glare and gaslight late hours and london ballrooms mr. everest was a very wealthy london merchant and though of course he could have lived on a far grander scale than he did at maple durham he was not at all anxious to take any step which his children would have objected to and indeed would himself have thought it a great hardship to be compelled to leave the dear old home each year slipped away merrily enough but there was one fact which seemed entirely to have been passed over or forgotten at riverside edith everest was no longer a child but had suddenly bloomed into a tall and singularly handsome young woman no wonder then that aunt Rachel shuddered when she heard that her beautiful niece was running about wild in the country and suddenly became painfully alive to the fact that there was no one at hand to form the poor child's character as she called it or to guide her safely through the intricate paths which winds round that great institution styled vanity fair mrs. Richardson or aunt Rachel was a widow of about five or six and fifty and a very great person in her own estimation she was certainly of the world worldly and though of good but certainly by no means distinguished family set up a god called aristocracy and worshipped it and was continually parading her hackney platitudes about birth family and gentle blood her manner no one could find fault with and her address was very ladylike though perhaps rather overstudied and she had the good sense so to control her temper which was not of the sweetest as to reserve the worst of it entirely for those immediately and closely connected with her on the death of her husband she came into a very large property both in land and money of which last article she certainly was not prodigal for indeed there were people unkind enough to declare that the worthy lady was not only a sparing woman but what they could not help calling a close fisted one the generous offer then of her services in edith everest behalf was not so disinterested as it might have appeared at first sight since on being installed in her brother's comfortable mansion in hide park gardens during the approaching season it was quite possible both to forget and forgo the cares and expense of her own establishment at retland gate be that as it may though both mr everest and edith were perfectly aware that aunt Rachel was a necessary evil they determined to do their best to make everything smooth for her when she arrived and made up their minds to enjoy thoroughly the last little bit of peace and quiet that was left them at riverside before the time came for their departure for town when aunt Rachel was really to arrive and edith was to be introduced into the very best society and Mabel was to go through a course of governesses and fashionable masters that last happy month passed too quickly for all of them and long before it was wanted came the day which had been fixed for their departure Mabel took her last peep at the swan's nest hidden by the rushes in the stream edith made her last sketch of the pretty house now almost lost among the fresh green trees and they all walked for the last time in the woods newly carpeted with prim roses and sweet with the early violets and then came the sound of carriage wheels and the lumbering of trunks and an inevitable farewell to dear old riverside it was some consolation to them all that aunt Rachel altered her plans so far as coming down into the country was concerned but when the everests arrived at Hyde Park Gardens they found her fully installed and she received them most graciously seeing that edith everest was a very lovable as well as an unusually beautiful girl and when to these charms was added the fact that she was likely to be a very rich eras it may reasonably cause some surprise that she found herself at the age of twenty with her heart still in her own possession changed to say there had really been no lovers but then edith was not quite like the ordinary run of young ladies who when similarly gifted seldom conduct themselves in a sensible manner to begin with she despised anything like a flirtation and what is more showed as decidedly as her sweet and gentle nature would permit how much she despised it to those who ever attempted this dangerous but at the same time very enjoyable amusement it was quite evident that love with her would be a great absorbing passion and it was equally certain that she could never teach herself to love those who knew her best felt that her heart when once gained would be a prize almost beyond all price besides she was too happy with her father and sister to think of tearing herself away from them and too contented with her present position to dream of throwing herself in love's way there was a cousin certainly one Arthur Oldham of whom she was excessively fond it would have been a difficult matter to define the kind of love she felt for him it was somehow stronger than a sister's love but it seemed to stop short of the actual reality they had been brought up together ever since they were children and many were the delightful days they spent together when Arthur was a little manly fellow glowing with all the pride and gentlemanliness of a full-blown public school boy and edith reveling in the glories of short frocks and mischief and after that Arthur went to Oxford and insisted upon spending nearly all the vac at Riverside and then the time slipped away again and he found himself in chambers at the temple pretending to read hard at law but really writing leading articles and papers for magazines and constantly running away from Saturday to Monday to the house down by the river where he always received the warmest of welcomes till he came to be considered quite a member of the family in fact he was ever called away by one low voice to one dear neighborhood and often in his walks with edith claimed a distant kinship to the gracious blood that shook the heart of edith hearing him there was no doubt whatever about his love for edith Everest and he very frequently reflected that he was not altogether behaving well in putting himself so far in a false position and in continually plunging further and further into the wood but the poor fellow could not help it he knew perfectly well that he ought to have gone abroad and taught himself to forget all about the girl that was so near and yet so far from him but then like many of us he had not the moral courage to carry his honest thoughts into execution and so they wandered hour by hour gathered the blossom that rebloomed and drank the magic cup that filled itself anew edith Everest had not been in london six weeks before she was really in love her father was naturally rather proud of his beautiful daughter and he used to be very fond of taking a stroll after church on sunday afternoons just to see the fine folks in the park edith and verib they went with him it was a duty walk at first with her as she never hesitated to say that she strongly objected the absurd custom as she used to call it of parading up and down to look and be looked at it was not long however before she looked forward to those sunday walks with feverish excitement times had changed with her the whole course and purpose of her life was somehow altered and all through the day there was one face that haunted her why was it that her heart beat so quickly and that her hand almost trembled in her father's arm on one of those eventful sundays there had been no bow no recognition no one had spoken to her but still she knew as well as possible there was one face in the crowd she had seen before and more than that she felt that its influence was very great indeed again their eyes met again a thrill of excitement seemed to rush through all her veins and again she moved on with the crowd and all seemed to darkness now she remembered it all she had been staying in Gloucestershire the year before and during her visit had taken the well-known trip from Bristol to Chupstow and so along the babbling why to lovely tin-turn abbey not forgetting a peep from the wind-cliff from which may be seen one of the loveliest views in all England the boat was full of excursioness of course and everybody as very often happened was discussing everybody else the usual newly married couple was soon singled out and heartlessly pulled to bits and so was the old snob from London loud of voice and fall as to his pockets with brandy flasks and banknotes the three young men quietly smoking short pipes on the paddle-box were evidently on a walking tour the tallest and handsomest of the three interested Edith singularly he laughed so loud and was so full of fun and at the same time seemed to talk so well and sensibly for she could not help hearing every word that was said that she took to him at once and somehow or other when there was a lull in the conversation Edith's eyes wandered away from the scenery and invariably met his which were constantly fixed on her wherever they went they met that day on the steps of the hotel at Chupstow in the little arbor on the topmost heights of the wind-cliff amidst the ruins of tin-turn abbey they seemed to be drawn together by a kind of fate and the last time they came across one another they could not possibly help smiling of course they never spoke and of course when evening came on there were many miles apart the same face that haunted Edith all that day now seemed to pursue her wherever she went in London at last they met at a public ball in London and were very soon introduced to one another they had a good laugh over what they chose to call quite a romantic adventure and soon became firm friends they danced repeatedly together that evening and talked long and earnestly about the chance of meeting again and even made arrangements about reserved waltzes and special quadrills in case they did what a singularly handsome and gentlemanly man Lord Roseworth is said aunt Rachel as they drove home from the ball in the early hours of the morning and who might he be replied Edith knowing well her aunt's particular hobby about well-bred people and imagining she had been wiling away the time and the enjoyment of a quiet tet-a-tet with some aristocratical bow why surely my dear child do know who that young man was with whom you were dancing so repeatedly and whose conversation seemed to please you vastly is his name Lord Roseworth a real life lord you don't say so I never knew that the nobility could be half so entertaining he is a most delightful man one of the nicest men in fact I've ever met aunt Rachel was delighted here was an opportunity what a chance to try her hand at matchmaking a match indeed that would do her such infinite credit she determined she would try Edith guessed the meaning of all the unusual affection on separating for the night and now for the first time understood why she had been allowed to make herself conspicuous with Lord Roseworth that evening she determined however to flatter the good lady's vanity so far as to withhold from her all about the tin-turn abbey meeting in order to make her believe that she was ready to be guided by her aunt's sound advice after that Edith Everest and Lord Roseworth met constantly and aunt Rachel helped on the love-making wonderfully little Mabel Everest was woke up very early one sunny summer morning by someone entering her room her sister stood the foot of the bed looking very lovely but evidently just returned from a ball as her tumbled dress and faded flowers showed in a few moments the two sisters were clasped in one another's arms and both were shedding tears little Mabel's tears sprung from her heart and were very bitter but Edith's were tears of joy Edith Everest and Lord Roseworth were engaged to be married about this time everybody noticed how ill Mr. Everest was looking and remarked that he seemed vexed and anxious he was evidently working too hard and his daughters used to protest against the late hours in the city and declared it was high time for him to give up work and live quietly at home and enjoy himself if there was one thing he disliked talking about more than another it was his daughter's engagement both the young people were anxious that some understanding should become to on the matter for Mr. Everest had really never formally given his consent Lord Roseworth's appeals had been put off from time to time and aunt Rachel's advice had been quietly resisted Edith was not at all anxious to force the matter on her father as she was well aware that seemed a painful subject to him he did not like the idea of parting with her she thought and she loved him for it more than ever last however Lord Roseworth persuaded her to try what her influence would do so one morning she followed her father after breakfast into the study for the first time in their life the father and daughter seemed constrained Mr. Everest walked about the room uneasily and talked about the most indifferent subjects while Edith stood by the fireplace nervously playing with her watch chain at last she spoke out boldly and he was obliged to listen after the affair had been quietly discussed some little time Edith said quietly tell me my dear father your real opinion about the matter you know I will be guarded by you and everything have you any very serious objection not in the least my child not in the least and then it came quite close to her and when he had kissed her he said it is no use beating about the bush we have never hid any secrets from one another have we my child you must know everything one day or other so it may just as well be known at once Edith shuttered at those words and looked earnestly at her father as he went on it has nothing whatever to do with Lord Roseworth he is an excellent fellow in his way and would I trust make you a good husband but do you think my child he would care to marry a girl without a penny he thinks you are an heiress Edith and so you were I've ruined you as well as myself ruined father absolutely ruined you can't mean that yes Edith it is only too true everything has turned out badly with me lately I thought to make matters better by speculating madly now I've lost nearly everything if I were young and active as I once was I should not care so much but these last few years have aged me wonderfully and I am almost past work gods will be done my darling gods will be done great big tears rolled down the poor man's face as he spoke thus and looked imploringly at his daughter she bore up wonderfully and tried to comfort him and persuade him that all perhaps might be well you are always my right hand Edith and I am sure you will bear with me now besides you have courage and will always make your way my heart sinks though when I think of the misery I've brought on poor Mabel don't fret yourself about Mabel father we will take care of her and when she is old enough I'll find her a husband and make her as happy as I shall be you will take care of her a husband happy murmured the old man yes why of course matters are not nearly so black as they look lord roseworth has quite enough for us all to live upon for a time and I am sure his kind generous heart would be the first to feel for us my poor child my poor poor child sobbed mr. Everest he could say no more but he thought of the pain and sorrow that might be in store for this noble girl and moaned again in anguish at the misery he had caused promise me one thing Edith said her father before they parted to not breathe a word of all this just yet nothing is at all definitely settled but I shall receive a letter in a few days which will decide our fate meanwhile we will all go down to Riverside for a week and try to forget all about the misery and sorrow that seems threatening in the distance write one line to Arthur Oldham who has just returned from Italy and ask him to come down to us as usual on Saturday if you don't mind and if you can possibly contrive to exist without seeing Lord Roseworth for a week you will oblige me excessively send him a note however to say that his anxiety will soon be relieved the letter must come by the end of the week and that will settle everything accordingly they all went down to Riverside and Arthur Oldham came on the Saturday he noticed the fretful anxiety of Mr. Everest and his heart bled at the sight of Edith's pale careworn face he knew nothing of what had passed between the father and daughter and there had been no time for him to hear of Edith's engagement but he had heard something very serious at Marseille and felt he had a duty to perform Arthur and Edith walked together in the woods on the Sunday evening and he was determined cost what it might to tell her all I have something most important to tell you said he something which I am sure you ought to know but I never really felt such a difficulty in speaking to you as I do now nonsense Arthur said his cousin we must never have any secrets and I somehow fancy the day is not very far distant when I shall want your serious assistance the fact is said Arthur I heard from the very best authority at Marseille that your father's affairs were in a terrible condition and that the failure of his house was all but imminent Edith became deadly pale and turning away said it can't be true let us hope and pray that it is not said Arthur at any rate I felt that you of all others ought to know this and there is another thing which you ought and which you must know Edith no matter what fate is in store for both of us I love you with all my heart and soul and would work for you to the last day of my life Edith removed from his arm the hand which he was clasping passionately and said to him almost fiercely you've no right to talk to me like this I am engaged poor Arthur could hardly keep back his tears he struggled bravely to explain that he knew nothing of what had passed while he was away and to apologize for his hastiness but he utter they broke down and leaving his cousin as soon as he could had his dark hour unseen and rose and passed bearing a lifelong hunger in his heart but Arthur Oldham went up to London that night with Ediths as well as Mabel's kisses fresh on his lips they were both his sisters now and so they were all back again at pleasant Riverside but somehow or other a dark cloud seemed to be hanging over the once merry little family no one thought of alluding to the difference but it was very evident that both father and daughters felt that something was amiss Mabel who was of course entirely ignorant of the real cause of the melancholy fit which seemed so entirely to have taken possession of her father and sister tried to laugh it all off and to tease the refractory ones into happiness again but Ediths resisted all her pretty sisters and treaties to accompany her in the little boat along the backwater in search of water lilies and forget-me-nots for the drawing-room table and Mr. Everest could not be persuaded to shake off his gloominess and ramble with Mabel in the woods to hunt out new specimens for her fern case on the Friday evening after Arthur Oldham had left a letter arrived for Mr. Everest and Edith can try to get her father alone before going to bed in order to ask him about its contents well nothing is absolutely settled my darling after all said he but it will be necessary for me to go up to London by the very first train just tell the servants to call me by six o'clock and even earlier if possible I shall have a good deal of work to do before starting don't you think of getting up in the morning as they will get me my breakfast and I don't intend to rob you of any of the sleep which will do you so much good after all this worry it is not very likely I shall let you leave us in that miserable way you silly man said Edith kissing her father affectionately I shall get up and see after you of course at any rate try and get this horrid business over as quickly as you can and mind and come back tomorrow evening and let me know how you have sped Mr. Everest turned away his head and sighed bitterly but then seeming to recollect himself he moved to his daughter again saying well goodbye and God bless you my very darling child not goodbye not goodbye replied Mabel through her tears the tears were rolling fast down the poor old man's cheeks again and again he pressed his daughter to his heart and covered her face with kisses and so they parted for the night in the dull haze of the early morning Edith Everest was awakened by a dull heavy knocking which seemed to echo through the house she had passed a miserable restless night and had lain awake for hours fearful lest she should by chance oversleep herself and anxious about the events of the last few weeks nature however at last would have her way and towards morning Edith fell into a deep sleep at first the knocking was somehow mixed up with her dream and though she evidently heard it she was not conscious enough to be really disturbed at last a long piercing awful shriek rang through the half empty house and then the poor girl sat up terrified in her bed the shriek was still echoing in her ears as she began to collect her thoughts all at once the terrible suspicion flashed across her and it was the work of a moment to wrap a shawl hurriedly round her shoulders and to hasten downstairs outside her father's dressing room doors to the servant who had been appointed to call him ringing her hands and moaning loudly oh miss Edith for heaven's sake don't go in there something terrible must have happened to master he's lying on the ground and won't speak Edith pale as daft and speechless hurried past the servant and flew into the room a faint sickly smell seemed to pervade the apartment and as she entered her foot struck upon something which rolled away under the wardrobe nerving herself to the uttermost she waved away a whole crowd of servants that were hurrying into the room and then she shut the door and was alone with her dead father the first thing she did was to secure that suspicious something which had rolled away it was a little vile she next stooped to kiss the lips which but a few hours before had whispered god bless you in her ears but faint sickly smell was overpowering her and with difficulty she reached the door round which the whole household was now gathered your master has died suddenly she murmured it must have been heart disease and then she turned around and locked the door this done she went slowly back to her own room but her nerves would stand no more directly she had thrown herself on her bed she fainted away with the key of the dressing room tightly clasped in her hand end of section 14 section 15 of a bunch of keys where they were found and what they might have unlocked a christmas book edited by tom hood this is a libravox recording all libravox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit libravox.org recording by kate volis three keys on a small ring of their own by c w scott chapter two the key of the storeroom the next few weeks passed away wearily enough it is useless to describe the sorrow into which the whole family was plunged maybe at first was hysterical with grief and almost refused comfort from her sister she used to lie awake for hours at night weeping as if her poor little heart would break and persisting that her father could not be dead and that she must see him again or she would herself die edith behaved like the grand heroine that she was she knew that everything now devolved upon her and her alone and so she battled with her scalding tears there is no grief so bitter as that which is not allowed to exhaust itself by weeping but still without a murmur edith everest whose young heart bled bore up against the awful blow which fate had leveled at her and at them all there was just one bright spark of hope which shown for her and all the bitterness of her despair now if ever was needed the comfort of that love which so enthralled her now was the time to test the affection which she felt she had secured and which she valued oh how deeply but weeks passed away and yet lord roseworth never came the news of mr. everest failure and sudden death spread like wildfire everyone had something or other to say about them and various were the rumors and absurd the gossip to which they both gave rise friends at least those who chose to style themselves so kindly bestowed a word of pity on the pretty penniless orphans as they were called but the whole affair was involved in too much mystery to allow them to alternate condescension with civility after the funeral edith and mabel came up to london until mr. everest's affairs were finally settled and the house in hide park gardens sold arthur oldham was more than a brother to the poor girls in the terrible time that ensued but lord roseworth studiously avoided the house in which he knew as well as possible edith everest was residing eventually it was settled that mabel should go to a boarding school at brighton and that edith should accompany her aunt rachel to moat grange in gloss disher wither that worthy lady was now compelled to retire since there were now no loaves and fishes to live on elsewhere she made a great parade about the disinterestedness of her conduct in taking compassion on the child of the man who had never shown her anything but true kindness and continually expressed her hopes that her extraordinary civility would be appreciated aunt rachel was quite unaware of the point to which matters had come between edith and lord roseworth or perhaps she would have looked at her nieces in difference to all her proposals in a different light edith herself soon began to have misgivings but she had too noble a heart to think him false he might have heard nothing after all it was possible he might have gone abroad and was still perhaps anxiously expecting mr. everest's answer careful all the time not to push the matter further himself according to edith's express wish still edith kept her secret and the day for their departure for moat grange was absolutely fixed the day before they started two letters were put into edith's hand as she was packing away all her little treasures before commencing her new life the thought of which made her absolutely shudder mabel had gone away to school and all her happiness seemed gradually to be fading away she brightened up at the site of the letters the handwriting on both of which she knew perfectly she thought she would keep the best till the last she sighed just a little as she opened the first letter which was from her cousin arthur oldham for she felt somehow that she knew its contents beforehand it ran as follows my very dearest edith i feel that i am a dreadful coward and i'm perfectly aware that i run the risk of incurring your displeasure by reverting to a subject which has ever been uppermost in my mind although you may this time have entirely forgotten it after what past one dreary sunday evening in the woods at riverside i have no right to pester you with renewals of that love which you must know i have felt for you all through my life still you are going away not indeed to a home in which you are likely to have much comfort for i feel that you too dread of the future which is opening for you you told me once you were engaged from that hour i ceased to dream that you could ever be more to me than you are at present to cease to love you was of course impossible from that hour to this i have refrained from asking any questions whatever and should have felt that it was clearly my duty under the circumstances to refrain from seeing you as much as possible in your great sorrow i saw that there was no one at hand to render you the assistance that at such a terrible time of course you needed i came edith for the sake of your dear father who was gone and still i loved you in all the fullness of my heart but that is all over now and still you are going away once more i tell you i have asked no questions once more i repeat it is impossible for you to stay this of course must be my last appeal it would be an impertinence to pester you any further you know your own heart best and i know it well enough to feel that with you it would be simply impossible to pretend to love and now either the dearest i have done your decision cannot fail to be honest if it is fatal to me why then i must fight with my grief as you have done and content myself with watching as tenderly as i can over the interests of one whom i am doomed to love to the end yours ever a oh poor dear boy she murmured when she had read his letter poor dear boy and she then turned to the other letter and eagerly breaking the seal read my dear miss everest i am afraid you will have thought me terribly wanting in politeness in not having come near you all this long time but the fact is my people persuaded me after all that has passed to keep away at least till this terrible business had blown over believe me i have felt for you in all your troubles and can but trust that by this time most of them have passed away i am very sorry to say that i am off for a long tour on the continent and i do not see any chance of catching a glimpse of you before i depart who knows when and under what circumstances we may meet again perhaps fate may be propitious and all will yet be well i trusted me meanwhile i can but say au revoir goodbye is a dreary word yours very affectionately are before she had got to the end of this heartless letter the color mounted to edith's cheeks directly she finished it she threw it on the table in disgust and this is the man i have loved she said to herself in one moment the fire which had burned so fiercely in the young girl's heart and which had been part of her very existence all through her trouble died suddenly out and then she began to despise herself for her credulity why did he write it all she said crumpling the letter in her hand i might have comforted myself with the hope that some mistake existed but now i know too well the worthlessness of the man and enforced into the degradation of acknowledging that i can smart under his cowardly insults edith's first impulse was to tear this letter into a thousand atoms but she reflected and thrusting them both into her bosom covered her face with her hands and sobbed bitterly in this position she remained for hours tormenting herself with reflecting on all the happiness of the life which was now quite gone and pondering over the dreariness of the existence which was just about to commence before she went to bed that night she made a silent vow and she prayed long and earnestly that she might have the strength to keep it aunt rachel had a double object in offering a home to edith evrest on the death of her father in the first place she liked to flatter herself into the belief that the world would think well of her for so doing and that she would gain a reputation for being a good kind charitable woman and then again she was perfectly aware of her niece's great attractions and reflected that her beauty might in one way or other do credit to the family of which as may be guessed aunt rachel was uncommonly proud besides edith according to her aunt's mode of reckoning would not altogether taking the bad with the good be a worthless investment since she inherited through her mother a decent little income which would be quite sufficient to prevent any vast amount of difference in the cost of the establishment at moat grange in this last matter however aunt rachel reckoned without her host mr evrest affairs at the time of his death were of course in very great confusion and edith knew enough about business to guess that many people would be great losers by the failure accordingly she gave directions to her father's solicitor to appropriate her little share of her mother's fortune for the benefit of her father's creditors this only came to aunt rachel's ears some little time after they were settled at the lonely house in gloss to share and by no means tended to soften matters between herself and her niece whom she discovered in a very short time to be a girl of determined spirit and not at all inclined to submit quietly to any offensive treatment the fact was that aunt rachel did not understand edith's peculiar character in the least and never was she more mistaken than when she tried to subdue the girls proud spirit edith was never violent and had the great gift of controlling her temper under any amount of provocation she was not long however before she showed her aunt who was likely to be victorious in the end if she commenced a series of pitched battles it happened as follows during her father's lifetime edith had of course been stinted in nothing she had been accustomed to employ the best tradesmen who naturally were in the habit of charging the best possible prices for their goods this was a very little consequence to mr. Everest who had the credit of being a wealthy man and it was always his particular whim to see his handsome daughter well dressed with regard to her millinery he used even to encourage a little extravagance it was impossible for edith to foresee at the time of her father's death the extent of the confusion in which his affairs were thrown young girls don't know very much about money matters it was necessary of course for her to procure mourning before she accompanied her aunt to moat grange so not thinking at the time of her altered position she procured all that was necessary of the same tradespeople that she had been in the habit of employing before she left london as has been mentioned before she gave full directions for the appropriation of all her little private store of money for the liquidation of her father's debts she entirely forgot all about her own the bills arrived in due course and poor edith at the time was totally unable to pay them they traveled after her to moat grange and eventually got into the hands of aunt rachel edith happened one morning to come into the little sanctum in which her aunt after breakfast used to have a long confabulation with her housekeeper very soon after the unhappy bills had been sent to moat grange aunt rachel as may readily be guessed was not in an enviable frame of mind she got up hurriedly from her seat directly edith entered and thrusting all the documents into her niece's hand set in a sharp tone what on earth is the meaning of all this edith edith was quite taken aback by her aunt's disagreeable manner and before taking the papers looked her full in the face as if astonished surely you understand me my dear just explain i don't really see what i've got to explain said edith the bills speak for themselves they are for my mourning would you know i was obliged to get obliged to get yes of course it was necessary i don't doubt that in the least but surely there was no reason for you to be so ridiculously extravagant edith winced but held her tongue aunt rachel snatched the bills out of her niece's hands and turning to the housekeeper was proceeding to make comments on several of what she called preposterous charges and actually asked her if she did not agree with her that miss everest was not in a position to deck herself out in absurd finery edith blushed scarlet but she checked the burst of indignation which started to her tongue and saying aunt rachel i have no right to dictate to you the manner in which a lady is usually treated but i will not be insulted before your servants quietly left the room and this is the treatment i am to expect and this is the house in which i am to pass my life thought she as she went upstairs to her own room and then she thought of lord roesworth and what might have been and bit her lips to prevent the bitter exclamation which was rising to them when she got to her own room in which she had a favorite seat at the window commanding a lovely view at which she was never tired of gazing she passed by a large glass and happening to catch a glance of her own face stopped suddenly before the mirror great big tears were rolling down her cheeks and she dashed them impatiently away only 23 she said to herself and there is not a day which does not bring with it these miserable tears will there never be an end and then she threw open the window and allowed the soft wind to play upon her burning face she thought of the riverside days and of her poor dead father and how he would grieve to see her now and grieve more than ever to hear the secrets of her poor troubled heart and then she breathed a prayer that poor innocent mable might be spared such suffering and might be ignorant forever of such real misery as she had endured during the last few months again her thoughts sped on and lighted on the one she now loved next best in the world her cousin Arthur Oldham he too had suffered and had borne his sorrow nobly and she blessed him for it and then all these miserably pleasant thoughts died quite away and once more arose before her eyes the vision of the man she had loved so fondly but who like a miserable coward had utterly crushed her tender loving heart this was the bitterest thought of all and again the cruel tears came welling to her eyes and she sobbed as if her heart would break that same evening aunt Rachel had invited some of the people in the neighborhood to dinner the rector of the parish was to come and the eligible curate a comfortable looking solicitor from the neighboring town was also to be of the party and of course the family doctor who told such capital stories and was invariably asked everywhere their wives naturally came with them good sort of people in their way but uncommonly fond of small talk which to tell the truth was in the habit of drifting towards the end of the evening into foolish gossip or affectionate slander Edith Everest had not as yet been trotted out for the inspection of these worthies a real live lady was rather a rarity in those parts and Aunt Rachel flattered herself that the brilliancy of the niece would indirectly shed just a ray of luster on the aunt the guests had all arrived and were on the tiptoe of expectation to see Miss Everest of whom they had heard so much but she was late in coming down the ladies of the party began to be rather nervous and fidgety about their toilet they feared they would be eclipsed for to tell the truth aunt Rachel had been unwise enough to let falls and commonplace remark about great London ladies requiring an extra amount of time in preparing for dinner how foolish of her not to have thought for one moment about the scene in the storeroom at last the door opened but there was no rustling of silk aunt Rachel could hardly believe her eyes the solicitor's wife looked at the rector's better half and smiled triumphantly Edith appeared in a plain black merino dress which was simply relieved by a pair of white linen cuffs and a tiny white collar fastened with a small jet brooch a plain jet cross suspended from her neck by a narrow piece of black velvet was the only ornament to be seen aunt Rachel rose from her seat very agitated and after she had introduced her niece to her guests whispered hurriedly in her ear my dear Edith what can you be thinking of did you not know that I had asked some people to dinner this is hardly the way to appear is it I am sure your friends will excuse me dear aunt replied Edith in quite loud enough atone to be heard at any rate you should explain to them my dependent position and assure them that it is not now possible for me to deck myself out in absurd finery aunt Rachel dared not say another word and so Edith gained her point if Edith Everest fell in the estimation of the ladies of the party owing to the simplicity of her attire she certainly made up for the loss of their friendship by gaining the good opinion of every gentleman present she was unusually brilliant that evening and long before the gentleman left the dinner table it was unanimously agreed by them that Edith was certainly one of the sweetest women they had ever met the solicitor who was especially taken with the young lady's winning and agreeable manner happened to remark in the course of the evening that he was going to London the next day and asked Edith if she had any commissions for him as he would willingly execute them here was another trump card for Edith it was a bold game but she thought she might safely risk it thank you I am sure I am excessively obliged said Edith if it really is no trouble to you I will get you to transact a little business which is rather important I don't mind confessing I could hardly undertake it myself not indeed that I should be afraid to do so but simply through the fear of being cheated the fact is that I want to get rid of a diamond pair which my poor dear father gave me but which alas is of no use to me now there are some bills which I shall also have to ask you to pay for me there is nothing in the world I hate so much as being in debt the good solicitor who knew Aunt Rachel well immediately put two and two together the rest of the party also guessed the meaning of the sale of the diamond necklace aunt Rachel felt that everyone was thinking of her and she turned away to conceal her shame and so Edith Everest fairly won the second trick it was some time after this that Aunt Rachel's housekeeper who was exceedingly fond of Edith and used to confide in her all her little troubles came one morning in great distress about a letter she had received in which she was told that her poor old mother was dangerously ill and was begged to lose no time in coming to London Aunt Rachel had been consulted in the matter and had actually stated that it was perfectly impossible for her to go the fact was that Aunt Rachel could hardly have existed without this housekeeper she was a very old servant and knew better than anyone else the ways and eccentricities of her mistress what then was to be done would Miss Edith intercede for her she must see her poor old mother before she died she said or she would never forgive herself Edith promised she would do her best at first Aunt Rachel insisted that not another word should be said on the matter she paid the housekeeper her wages and she would be served besides there was no one at hand who could be trusted with the keys of office it was not fair of Edith to ask her aunt to try new hands or to encourage a system of petty robbery well there's only one way I suppose in which it can be settled replied Edith do you think you can trust me if you will only give me a trial I will work hard to prevent you noticing any change and promise to try and save you any annoyance I cannot help thinking that in such a case the poor woman ought to go to her home as you are so determined about it my dear I suppose she must go said Aunt Rachel but it will be very inconvenient to me all the same pair her way doesn't let her go perhaps she will not be wanted again a bright thought came into Aunt Rachel's head as she said this Edith certainly did her very best to please her aunt she was determined to show that she was not ungrateful for all that had been done for her and anxious to prove that fine ladies are not above working hard when the occasion presents itself she used to get up early in the morning and puzzle her poor head with dreary figures determined that in her accounts a most important matter in this instance she would not be found fault with all went well for several months in fact so well that Aunt Rachel studying strict economy as usual sent a private dismissal to the housekeeper that required wages and determined that the unpaid attendant should always be retained on the establishment some little time after the dismissal of the housekeeper the second scene between Aunt Rachel and her niece took place they were again in the storeroom one morning looking over the accounts together aunt Rachel was in an unusually bad temper all the various items in the book were carefully scrutinized and at last one was singled out as being an instance of horrible extravagance I really cannot endure this any longer said the old lady I shall be ruined if you go on in this reckless manner my dear aunt replied Edith if you will only refer back you will see that your expenditure is not a bit more now than it was in the days of mrs. Prebble I don't want to refer back and I won't refer back all I know is that a great deal too much money is spent you have had an excellent education and you ought to make use of it now in order to save my purse but I forgot you are not the first of your family who was thought fit to play ducks and drinks with other people's money at this cruel insult which clearly alluded to the failure of Edith's father Edith turned pale and trembled violently her voice was thick and husky as she said how much then do you consider I owe you owe me indeed it is all very well to talk of owing but perhaps you will be so good as to tell me how you intend to pay me with my wages your wages Edith looked her aunt full in the face and replied very quietly I mean exactly what I said I have heard accidentally that you thought fit to dismiss mrs. Prebble finding no doubt that my services were equally useful and far less expensive on this point however we must come to some understanding and at once I have been insulted twice and have borne it I will not submit a third time to a similar degradation I've quite made up my mind what to do I will either remain here receiving the same salary that you formerly gave mrs. Prebble or will seek occupation elsewhere mind in that case I cannot undertake to spare anyone's feelings if I choose to hire myself out as a nursery governess to those who know us both equally well and would I am sure give me a trial for old time's sake or if my inclination leads me to set up a shop in the neighboring town you will only have yourself to blame in the latter case I can assure you I shall not conceal my name my sister will never be ashamed of me and hers is the only love left me now I shall be excessively obliged if you will decide this matter before the end of the week so saying she took the key of the storeroom out of her pocket and having placed it on the table by the side of her aunt quietly left the room before the end of the week came Edith received back the key accompanied by a polite note begging forgiveness and agreeing to her stipulation thus Edith gained a triumphant victory but for the first time reflected that all hope of leaving Moat Grange was now cut off forever it was joyful news for Edith when her aunt told her one morning that she had made arrangements for Mabel to spend her holidays at Moat Grange here then was sunlight at last and another week she was to arrive and was to be accompanied by Arthur Oldham who had been specially invited to come and pass a week or so with his cousins aunt Rachel did not of course know what had occurred between Arthur and Edith Arthur and Mabel were always the warmest of friends and their friendship had been stronger than ever of late for Arthur used to run down to Brighton and beg a holiday for Mabel and then they would wander away and have a good talk on a subject which was equally dear to them both Mabel soon found out the true state of the case and resolved that she would take the earliest opportunity of pleading poor Arthur's cause with her willful sister the poor child simplicity was charming Edith thought the week would never end but the happy day arrived at last and the two sisters very soon found themselves alone in their snug bedroom at last when Mabel's tongue was nearly tired of talking and after Edith had said several times that it was quite time to go to bed the little girl put her arms lovingly round her sister's neck and told her that she had something of a very very great importance to tell her and then she told Edith all about Arthur's love for her and praised him and called him a darling fellow and related all the conversations they had had together often and often about Edith and how they were never tired of thinking of her shut up in the miserable old house from this she went on and built castles in the air and explained how they could all live together and shake off all misery and be happy once more and never separate again forever Edith trembled as she listened to the little girl's passionate energy for once she forgot all about Lord Roseworth and thought only of her sister's comfort and Arthur's unselfish love she had almost made up her mind and as she thought of the bright picture Mabel had painted she drew her closer to her heart and covered her face with kisses but Mabel's nerves were all unstrung and she burst into a flood of tears Edith hastily drew her handkerchief from her pocket to wipe them away a crumpled letter and a key fell at her feet in one instant the bright dream vanished both the letter and the key told its own story and so Arthur's cause was pleaded in vain end of section 15