MARCH 15 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
473 
fiitrarg UtistfUattg, 
Ouk request, for tho words of “ The Sexton” lias 
brought us many replica from subscribers who 
have kindly been at the trouble of sending us a 
copy of the poem. . One correspondent, writes that 
“the poem was made familiar to Ohio people by 
the charming manner In which It was sung by 
J. M. Iloulard, when with the Alleghanlans sev¬ 
eral years ago.” 
THE SEXTON. 
AH HUNG IfV Mlt. HCKHKI.l,. 
Nigh to n grave that, wan newly made, 
Leaned a ttoxtou old, on liln earth, worn apadn; 
IIIh work wjib done, and he panned to wait 
Tho funeral train through the open gate; 
A relic nf by gone day* wan he, 
And Uih lof'U h wore uh white aa tho foamy Boa— 
And thoBe words came from hlH 11 pH bo thin, 
" I gather them iu ! I gather them In 1” 
“ I gather them In ! for man and boy, 
Yoar after year of grief anti Joy, 
I’ve bnildod tho haUHoa that He around 
In overy m>ok of this burial ground. 
Mother and daughter, father and hou. 
Come to my solitude, one by one 
But come they HtraugerB, or come they kiu, 
I gather them in ! 1 gather them In! 
“ Many are with me, hut, atlll I'm alone ! 
I am king of the dead and I make my tlirono 
On a monument Blab of marble cold. 
And my sceptre of rule Ih the spade r hold. 
Como they from cottage, or oomn they from hall 
Mankind are my subjects—all, all, all! 
Let them loiter 111 plenmtre, or tnllfuUy Hpin, 
I gather them In ! I gather them In ! 
" I gather them In, and their final rent, 
Is here, down here, iti the Kurth'n dark brcaHt!" 
Aud the Sexton ceased—for tho funeral train 
Wound mutely over that solemn plain; 
And I wild to my heart, wljen t, I tile l« told, 
A mightier voice than the Sexton',, old 
Will Houud o'er the lost trump's dreadful din 
“ I gather them In! I gather them In!” 
♦ » »- 
WEAKER THAN A WOMAN. 
CHAPTER XXXVIII. 
(Continued from page 159.) 
Afterwards, when Lady Chevenlx had gone to 
give orders about her Journey, Miss Ilethcote said 
suddenly to Felix — 
“ I shall go away much happier for loavlng you 
here.” 
“ I shall be here for a few days only,” returned 
Felix. “ Why should you be happy about my be¬ 
ing hore? 1 do not understand.” 
“ I may speak freely to you," said Miss Heth- 
coto; “ you know them, and you belong In some 
measure to them, I may tell you that Lady 
Chevenlx Uves in mortal fear of her husband.” 
“ Why ?” asked Felix. 
“ He has been very violent to her many times. 
It Is not, long since she had to send for Mrs. Ilayo, 
being afraid orioslng her life. She has refused 
to be left alone since then. That Is why I am 
glad yftu are here. 
“ But,”said Felix, "lie loves her—he must tove 
her.” 
“ 1 say nothing about that, lie may love her, or 
he may not; but, when he Is half mad with drink, 
she has reason to he alarmed." 
“ I cannot think that, even then ho would hurt 
her,” said Felix. 
“ Well, If Is very pleasant to have such cheerful 
views of t hings. I should be glad If I could share 
your faith, but unfortunately I have seen bruises 
on her arms and marks on her face, such as, lr i 
had been a man, would have made me feel Inclined 
to call Hlr Owen out. ” 
She saw the handsome face of tho man before 
her grow pale with emotion. She saw his strong 
hands tremble and his fingers clench tightly. She 
talked until the storm of passion hnd passed over 
him. 
“ I cannot bear to think of any woman being Ill- 
used,” he said; "It Is one of the things that Irri¬ 
tates me and makes me angry with an anger that 
frightens me. But Lady Chevenlx Is so gentle, so 
amiable, I cannot, understand any man being un¬ 
kind to her." 
“ I can understand anything sir Owen does,” re¬ 
joined Miss Ilethcote. " Mr. Lonsdale, you will bo 
kind to her7" sfte pleaded. “ Believe me that a 
peasant-woman working In the fields, or a factory 
girl In a mill, Is happier than Lady Chevenlx of 
Garswood.” 
“ I utn grieved to hoar It,” he said; and then 
Miss Hetheoui left him. 
she went away early the next morning, never 
dreaming of what, would happen before she saw 
Garswood and Its mistress again. 
CHAPTER XXXIX. 
On the morning after Miss llethcote’s departure 
sir Owen did not come down to breakfast,; but, 
Felix met his valet, with some BOda-water and 
brandy. The young lawyer descended to the 
breakfast-room, where Lady Chevenlx awaited 
him. She looked very fair and young In her pretty 
morning-dress. She was so pleased lo see him; 
her face brightened, her eyes met his with such a 
glad light.; she could not be cold and formal to him. 
“ How true you are to your colors, Lady Cheve¬ 
nlx I” he said. “ Blue and white 1 hardly remem¬ 
ber to have seen you wear anything else.” 
“You will own i,hat they are pretty colors, will 
you not?” she asked, with a smile—one of those 
charming smiles that stir a man's heart and pulse. 
lie sat down at the breakfast-tattle with her, aud 
he asked himself biul fate ever placed another man 
In such a predicament before. 
" See,” she said " I remember your tastoH. You 
like tea better thau cofTee, and you like fruit. 
Those strawberries have Just been gathered; they 
have tho dew on them.” 
She talked to him during breakfast, so gaily, so 
kindly; but, when he looked at her, there was 
something almost pathetic In her eyes—something 
that,, In spile of her brilliant, beauty, was half sad. 
Then, whon they had finished breakfast, a servant, 
came In to say that, sir Owen would Join them In a 
few minutes, and would take Mr. Lonsdale to the 
strong-room. 
The long French windows were open, and great 
heavy red roses came peeping In. Lady chevenlx 
went to them; Felix followed her, and they stood 
talking together. In some vague way tho years 
seemed to have fallen from them, the terrible past 
fora few moments was forgotten, lie was like the 
Felix of old, she like beautiful Violet Ilayo. They 
had Just a few happy minutes, during which they 
spoke only of the roses before them and the pleas¬ 
ant prospect. Then sir Owen came In, and It was 
as though tho whole face of the heavens had 
changed. 
Tho Baronet, and his legal adviser went away 
together, and Felix spent, the whole of the day In 
the strong-room, reading documents and papers of 
all kinds. He did not see Sir Owen and his wife 
again until dinner, and thus the Hist day of his 
visit passed quietly enough. 
fin the second the tenants come to dine at, the 
Hall, and the grand banquoting-room In the west¬ 
ern wing was thrown open. The dinner passed off 
well, and the tenants drank sir Owen's health with 
noisy cheers. Nor wore they much less enthusias¬ 
tic about, FclLx, when his health was proposed. 
After a pleasant day they left Garswood early In 
the evening. 
Lady Chevenlx had been alone all day ; tho ser¬ 
vants were In attendance on the numerous guests, 
and In the evening she asked for tea, thinking that 
Sir Owen and Felix would like to Join her. sir 
• bven, who had drunk more brandy In a. tew liours 
than another man would have drunk In a week, 
made some observation aliout. her ladyship’s tea 
which, when repeated by the root,man In t he ser¬ 
vants’ hall, caused great amusement. Felix was 
sorry to decline, but he had some hours of hard 
work yoi in the strong-room ; the leases were all 
to lie signed on t he morrow. 
When tho visitors were all gone, he returned to 
the strong-room and resumed his work. Lady 
Chevenlx went, to him to persuade him to let her 
send some tea there, and he consented. He looked 
at her, us she stood In that darkened room, In her 
evening-dress of white silk and trailing lace. Bhe 
wore a superb suite of opals, which shone with the 
" lire that lives Ih gems.” she looked like a dream 
or beauty In that dun, gloomy room. 
She sent, him some tea, and asked him to come 
to the druwlug-room when lie had finished, and he 
promised to do so. When She returned, Sir Owen 
lay on one of the couches, fast asleep, 
Bhe was thankful to see him asleep, and hoped 
that he might wake up quite himself, she drew 
down the blinds and darkened the room. Who 
could toll what she suffered lu her heart, this fair, 
stalely woman, who shrank so keenly from all 
stigma of disgrace, her dally, hourly dread lest her 
husband should do something that would entail 
everlasting slnirne Upon them, lest any one should 
see him In those moments when he was quite unlit 
to he seen ? What a double life she lived, this bril¬ 
liant and beautiful woman—bofore the world all 
gaiety, smiles and animation, In her own heart 
always a terrible weight of anxiety. 
For tills evening at least she was safe. Mm 
thought he would wake up himself, and then they 
would spend a happy hour with Felix; so she 
watched lest sound or light should disturb him 
until Mr. Lonsdale Joined them. 
Ho awoke at last, but the sun hud long set, and 
tho fragrant silence of night lay over the earth. 
Bhe had cooling rrult. that was pleasant to eye and 
taste ready for him, she had everything that was 
refreshing, hut, no stimulant. He pushed aside 
tho purple grapes and the crimson st rawberries. 
“Where Is the brandy?” he asked her. “The 
Idea of offering a man such things as those!” he 
exclaimed. “ King for tic brandy !” 
Bhe dared not refuse—moreover, refusal would 
have boon of no use. She rang the bell and gave 
tbe message, but, before the brandy came, with 
sweet womanly tact she had lured him from the 
room, hoping that he would forget It. she walked 
through the long corridors for some minutes, talk- 
lug to him; then ho suddenly remembered Felix, 
and said that nothing would satisfy him unless he 
left his work and joined them. He went to per¬ 
suade him, while Lady chevenlx ordered the lamps 
m the drawing-room to be lighted. 
The two gentlemen returned together, and they 
played for some time at erlbbage, a game for 
which Blr Owen had a great liking. Suddenly ho 
remembered the brandy, and asked for It. Lady 
Chevenlx dreaded Its coining; she said the eve¬ 
ning was warm, and bogged of him to lake some 
leed cup Instead. He laughed at her. 
•• Liston to her Ladyship 1" he cried. “ Iced cup j 
The very name of It makes me shudder, l want 
brandy nothing else.” 
Bhe remonstrated again, but very mildly. She 
felt she could bear anything better than this, that 
the man she had forsaken should see in his true 
colons the man she had married. 
Those last words proved too much for sir Owen, 
lie swore roundly at her. What business of here 
wjus It, he asked, lr he wanted a sea ot brandy V 
Let her remember herself remember from what 
position he had taken her, and not. attempt to dic¬ 
tate to him; ho would not endure It. She tried to 
soothe and conciliate him; she might, as well have 
tried to soothe a panther. 
The brandy was brought, but even then he did 
not. recover his good-humor. Felix was miserable. 
Hi. 1 longed to pul down bis curds and say good¬ 
night, but he saw the face of Lady Chevenlx grow 
lug white, and he was afraid to leave her. Miss 
llQthcote had told him of sir Owen’s violence. He 
would not leave her M) the mercy of that violent 
man; yet every moment he remained with them 
was a torture to him. Blr Gwen had no modern, 
tlon. In vain his wife and Felix engaged him with 
cards and In conversation. Despite everything, he 
lined and replonishod his tumbler. At length tho 
alcohol began to take such an effect upon him that 
Lady Chevenlx deemed It prudent to rise. 
“It Ls growing late,” she said, “ we had better 
put aside tile cards.” 
“Yes,"agreed Felix; “I am tired.” 
lie Imd no time to finish hlH speech. Blr Owen 
did not seem lo hear it. He merely turned with a 
scowl to his wife, and cried in a voice of thunder— 
“ Bit down ana go on with tho game I" 
Felix saw that she trembled lu every limb, yet 
she kept all sign of emotion from her face; nothing 
but Its pallor betrayed tier fear. Bhe sat, down, 
but the young lawyer’s spirit was roused, lie 
threw the cards Upon the table. 
" Lady chevonix is very amiable to goon play¬ 
ing,” he said; “ I shall not. It ls late, and quite 
time to leave off.” 
Without a word, and so suddenly that, there was 
no lime to prevent It, Blr Owen turned and struck 
Ills wife on the race. 
“Take that,” he said, “and mind that you do 
not I n tor fere with me again 1” 
Tho next moment a pair of strong arms had 
seized 1dm and had literally thrown him across the 
room. His face white, his whole body trembling 
with passion, Felix stood over him. 
“ If you touch her ladyship again, If you lay your 
cowardly hands upon her," he cried, “ I will kill 
you 1” 
Then he turned to Violet. She stood trembling, 
with a great rod mark across her lovely pale face - 
a mark that burned like a hot iron* 
“Oh, Lady Chevenlx,’’ he said, " 1 am sorry! I 
ought lo have been quicker, more on my guard. 
Are you much hurt? ” 
bhe ra ised her face with that terrible bruise on 
It to Ids, and he saw great, tears In her eyes. For 
a moment Ute old Impulse or love was strong upon 
him, and he longed to shelter me golden head, 
every hair of which was dear t« him, on his breast.; 
then he recollected himself and stilt! gently— 
“ t shall never forgive myself that this bus hap¬ 
pened. tf T hod been quicker -” He broke off 
abruptly, for his wrath was rising again. “ l shall 
kill him,” he cried, " ir ho touches you!” 
Bhe looked up at him ; the bruised face touched 
his heart, and ho turned away, sir Owen was 
lying just where he had thrown him. He went 
over to him; the Baronet had most composedly 
fallen asleep. 
“Thank Heaven," ho said, “that, I did not kill 
him-that. 1 did not. do him some deadly harm, 
shall I ring for the servants?” he asked Lady 
chevenlx ; and he never forgot her answer, 
“ If you would not, mind It," she said, “ I should 
be so thankful If you would place him In a chair; I 
do not like the servants to see sill that happens.” 
lie raised Sir Owen, who made somo violent 
plunges the while, and placed him In a chair. The 
Baronet fell placidly asleep again, and Felix went 
back to Lady chevenlx. 
“ You must apply something to your face,” he 
said, “or It will be black to-morrow.” 
She smiled and raised the. white lace that fell 
over her arm. He saw a long dark bruise, the 
mark of a cruel grasp that had held the delicate 
arm «s In an Iron vice. 
“ I am seldom without a mark," she told him; 
•• but i do not orten mid them on my face," 
lie looked sorrowfully at the graceful woman 
who had preferred money to love, and had suffered 
so terribly tor her choice; lie longed to say some¬ 
thing kind lo her, but prudence forbade him. Bhe 
held nut her hand to him, and he saw how It trem¬ 
bled. Bhe smiled, and he never rorgot tho smile. 
"Borne <lay,” she said, “he will most, probably 
kill me. lr he does, you will always remember 
that 1 I was sorry 1 had grieved you, Felix.” 
" 1 will remember,” ho returned gravely. He 
held her hand for one moment while he bade her 
good-night, and then she went away. 
CHAPTER SLI. 
Felix thought long and anxiously after his return 
from Garswood. He was glad Unit he had treated 
Blr Owen as ho did; he said to himself that ho 
should have been leai than a man had he not acted 
as he did. Yet It was not likely that after what 
had passed he could remain under sir Owen’s 
roof; neither did ho desire to do so. It was tor¬ 
ture to him to see Violet Ill-treated; ho could not 
bear It—nor could he Interfere to prevent It,. 
Moreover, he believed It to be quite Impossible 
that after the ./Toms Str Owen could continue his 
business relations with hluiself and his father; a 
man might forgive much, but kuocklng a person 
dowu was a serious matter. Bo, when t.he sun¬ 
shine came peeping Into his room, Felix had quite 
made up his mind that that would be his last day 
at, the Hall. 
Ills Ideas were confirmed when a servant, tap¬ 
ping at Ills door, said that Sir Owen would be glad 
to see Mr. Lonsdale lu Ids own room. That, he 
believed, was the prelude to his dismissal. 
" Never mlud,” said Felix to himself; “ If I were 
placed in such circumstances again, l should do 
the same, and perhaps more.” 
He went Immediately to the Baronet’s room. As 
he passed from one room to another, he could not 
help admiring the magnificence and luxury of the 
house; It was simply superb, and, the morning 
sun shining through the windows, made It more 
beautiful still. He little guessed what that, same 
sun would see before It sot. 
He entered Sir Gwen’s room quite anticipating, 
and indeed half hoping for, his dismissal; but. Ills 
heart was touched when he saw the trembling 
figure before him. sir Owen, (lushed and excited 
with drink, was bad enough; sir Owen In the 
morning light, trembling, weak aud haggard, was 
worse. Felix quietly awaited the beginning of the 
stonu; but, to Ills surprise, Blr Owen held out Ids 
hand. The young lawyer would not see It; he 
felt that he could never touch a hand that had 
been raised against a woman. 
" I am really very sorry, Lonsdale,” Blr Owen 
began. “ l am afraid I was too much excited over 
tho tenants’ dinner, and forgot myself. 1 am very 
sorry. 1 hope that 1 was not offensive to you ?” 
"He has torgotton what happened," thought 
FelLx to himself. “ I must tell him.” 
“ You were not offensive to me, Sir Owen,” he 
said, “ but you behaved with the greatest brutality 
to Lady Chevenlx. You Btruck her with such 
violence that, I was compelled to Interfere.” 
There was something ruefully comic about the 
Baronet’s face. < 
“ I ought to he much obliged to you, I am sure," 
he said. “ I love my wtfe very much, and cannot, 
understand how l could have so forgotten myself. 
But I am very unfortunate when l exceed my 
usual allowance of wine, l/msdale, You will 
shake hands and lie friends?” 
“ 1 am willing to forget my share in the business 
Blr Gwen. But excuse my shaking hands with 
you." 
The Baronetlaughed uneasily. 
"You aro very particular,” he said, and then 
turned the conversation. 
FelLx despite his disgust, felt, a great, pity for 
him; It. was not lessened when he saw his valet 
come to him with a bottle and a glass. 
“ Take less of that, Blr Owen,” he said, “ or you 
will kill yourself,” 
“ Well I have to die; and I may just as well die 
taking what 1 like as taking medicine. Borne men 
have more to live for than 1 have. I am very 
fond of my wife, but, she does not care much 
about, me; and I have uo child. I really believe, 
Lonsdale, that I should he quite a. different man W 
I hod a child.” 
“ You have plenty to live for, Blr Owen. You 
have your duty to do on earth; yet more, you 
must think of a future life,” said Felix. 
“ 1 can pay other men to do my duty ; and as to 
a future life—wall, 1 have not been able to decide 
about that yet.” 
“ It Is high time you did so,” Bald Felix gravely; 
and sir Owen laughed. 
“ 1 have no thought of dying yet, Lonsdale; In¬ 
deed 1 dare not die lr all that, the parsons say Is 
true, Let, us talk about, somet hing more sensible. 
Are you going to work again to-day 7” 
“ The work has to be done, and I suppose I 
must do It. Tim leases have to be signed this 
morning.” 
“ I will sign them before I go,” said Blr Owen. 
“ I urn going out Hits morning, because I do not 
feel like myself. I am out of spirits; a cloud Is 
hanging over me. I shall have a good gallop, and 
see If 1 cannot clear away the heaviness.” 
Felix went to his work, which on this morning 
was In the library ; and before be had been there 
very long Lady chevenlx entered. 
“ I did not know that you were here,” she said, 
“ Bhall 1 lie In the way ? I have some letters to 
write.” 
He placed a chair for her, aud then looked at her 
face. Across the soft cheek was the mark or a 
violent blow. 
Presently sir Owen came In to sign the papers. 
He seemed very much ashamed of himself when 
he saw the bruise on his wire’s face. He took her 
to the great, oriel window, aud they stood there tor 
some time talking; them Lady Chevenlx came back 
to her place, and Sir Owen went out of the room. 
Violet, and FelLx went, on writing In silence, when 
there came a tup at tire door. Hlr Gwen's groom 
wanted lo know If he might speak to her ladyship 
for a few minutes. 
Lady Chevenlx hade him come In. The man 
stood before her cap In hand. 
“My Lady," he said, “I beg pardon; I must, 
make holdtoa.sk you to Interfere. Blr Gwen. h« 
will go out riding this morning. That Is all good 
and fair, my lady ; but ho will ride the new hun¬ 
ter Plantagenet, and he Is no more fit for It than 
a child.” 
“ You lmd better tell him so, Martin,” returned 
Lady chevenlx. 
“ My lady, I have told him, over and over again. 
The more 1 toll him, the more he will go.” 
Lady chevenlx looked helplessly at Felix. 
“ Mr. Lonsdale.” she said, “ will you go and try 
to persuade sir Owen not to ride that horse ? It Is 
a highly mettled animal, and ho has never ridden 
It yet.” 
Martin touched Ids forehead to Felix. 
“ If you could persuade tho master to stay at 
home this morning, you would do him a service, 
sir," he said, "indeed, my lady,” he continued, 
turning to Lady chevenlx, “Sir Gwen could hard¬ 
ly manage Bonnie Bess tiita morning, his hands 
are so shaky." 
“Thank you, Martin,” she responded; “It was 
very thoughtful of you to come to me. Mr. Lons¬ 
dale will follow you.” 
When the grootn had retired she went up to 
Felix and laid her hand upon his arm. 
“ 1 know that, you will do your best tor me,” she 
said pleadingly. 
“ You may he sure that 1 will,” returned FelLx 
and then he went away. 
Ho might as well have appealed to a rock. AIL 
that he said. Blr Gwen laughed to scorn. 
“ Something happen to me?” he cried. “Yes, 
I know what it win be. I shall come home cured 
of tho * bines 1’ 1 am going to gallop dull care 
away, and Phuitagenet shall help me." 
Felix looked attentively at the horse. 
“ I was never afraid of a horse yet,” ho said, 
“ but I would not ride that one.” 
Lady chovenLx, finding that Felix did not return, 
came to see how matters were progressing. She 
gave a little cry of alarm when she saw the great 
powerful hunter, and her husband preparing to 
mount him. 
“Owen," she cried, “do not attempt It! Pray, 
pray do not I” 
He felt rather flattered by hev evident anxiety, 
and touched her face with his lips. 
“ Good-bye, Violet. Do not moke a scene. I have 
said that 1 wlU ride Plantagenet, and I mean to 
do so; nothing on earth Bhall prevent me.” 
Felix Interposed. 
“ I should enjoy a gallop tills fine morning, sir 
owen,” he said. “ shall 1 go with you ?” 
" As my head-nurse, eh. Lonsdale? No, thank 
you. 1 can take care of myself very well Indeed.” 
For more than half an hour they reasoned In 
vain. They could never reproach themselves In 
after-days that they had not done their best; but 
