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Owen Hartley; or, Ups and Downs: A Tale of Land and Sea, a fiction by William H. G. Kingston |
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Chapter 11 |
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_ CHAPTER ELEVEN. Owen did duty as a midshipman on the voyage home. He confided to Mr Leigh the strange account which Ashurst had related just before his death. Mr Leigh was more inclined to believe it than Langton had been. "At all events, Hartley," he said, "it is a matter which must be looked into immediately on our arrival in England. I am glad you have mentioned it to no one else, and as Lord Arlingford is not aware that his brother had confessed the truth to you, he will be the less prepared to resist your claim. If you can find an honest lawyer I would advise you to put the matter into his hands Langton and your other companions on the raft can prove Ashurst's death, and I can give evidence of the extraordinary animosity he always exhibited towards you." "I hope that it will not be necessary to mention that subject," said Owen. "I would rather not have to refer to the poor fellow's ill-treatment of me. In regard to a lawyer, I know of one in whom I have thorough confidence. He will by this time, I hope, have set up for himself, and I could not place the matter in better hands." Owen had frequent conversations with Mr Leigh and Langton, but no one else on board had any idea that the apparently friendless young midshipman was the claimant to a title and handsome estate. Owen maintained his usual demeanour, and endeavoured to think as little about the subject as possible. Should he be disappointed he would place himself under Mr Fluke again and return to the counting-house, or remain in the service, trusting to his own good conduct to make his way in it, which he hoped to do, although he had lost the promised patronage of Captain Stanhope. The "Kestrel" met with much heavy weather. She encountered a gale off the Cape, and another in the Bay of Biscay, when she was "hove to" for several days. The voyage home thus occupied a much longer time than usual. At last, however, the white cliffs of old England were sighted, to the joy of all on board. As she had been fitted out at Portsmouth, she returned to that port, where she was immediately paid off. Mike's mother was living at Gosport, and he took Nat to stay with him until they should get another ship, as both had made up their minds to remain in the navy. Owen having obtained from Nat his grandmother's address, thoughtfully wrote to tell her of her grandson's safety, promising, as soon as he had the means, to send him down to see her. Mike promised not to go to sea again without communicating with Owen. Mr Leigh and Langton accompanied Owen up to town, where they intended to remain for some time. Leaving them at the lodgings they had taken, he set off to Wapping. He arrived at Messrs. Kelson, Fluke and Company's office a short time before the usual closing hour. Owen still wore his midshipman's uniform. During the three years he had been absent he had grown into a tall young man, his handsome countenance well bronzed by tropical suns. He stood at the entrance for some seconds without advancing. No one seemed to know him. Looking round he saw many of the old familiar faces still there. Mr Tarwig was at his desk. Several of the clerks glanced up at him, but supposing that he was a stranger, went on with their work. He advanced to where the head clerk was sitting, and putting out his hand-- "I suspect you do not know me, sir?" he said. "What is your business?" asked Mr Tarwig, putting the usual question to a stranger. "I have come to see Mr Fluke, and to resume my duties in this office if he wishes it," answered Owen. Mr Tarwig opened his eyes wider than he had ever opened them before. Then starting up, in his eagerness kicking over his stool, and very nearly toppling down on his nose, which he would have done had not Owen caught him by the hand, he exclaimed-- "Bless my heart! Can you be Owen Hartley? We had given you up for lost long ago. But are you really yourself? Yes, I see you are, only double as big, and a naval officer to boot. Well, it will put new life into the old man, for he grieved sorely for you. Well, I am glad, that I am." Here Mr Tarwig wrung Owen's hand in a way very unwonted with him when greeting a fellow-mortal. "Mr Fluke will be pleased," he continued; "but he went home to-day an hour earlier than usual. He did not feel quite well, and he wanted Kezia Crump to give him something to do him good." "I will follow him at once then," said Owen. "I can easily get to his house before dark, and I should not like to let another day pass without seeing him." Owen, however, found it difficult to get away before he had answered the numerous questions which Mr Tarwig put to him. None of his letters had been received, and it was therefore supposed that he had been lost in the "Druid," which ship had never been heard of since she had sailed. "You may depend upon having your old berth here as soon as you like," said Mr Tarwig; "but I am afraid, Mr Owen, seeing you have become an officer in the navy, that you will not be so willing as formerly to take it, though your hand, I'll warrant, has not lost its cunning." "I intend to act as Mr Fluke wishes, and therefore cannot say what I may do," answered Owen, feeling, however, that he should be very unwilling to go back to his old occupation. For once in a way all the clerks in the office were idle, as Owen went round to shake hands with them. He then hurried off, and walked at a quick pace through the well-known streets. As he passed the spot where he had first met Reginald Ashurst the whole scene came vividly before his mind, he could even picture the countenance of the elder brother, whom he now knew to have been Lord Arlingford. On reaching Mr Fluke's house he hesitated for a moment to consider whether his unexpected appearance might not injuriously agitate his old friend. "I must leave it to Kezia to tell him. I can safely do that," he thought. "She is a strong-minded woman, and glad as she will be to see me, she, at all events, will not go into hysterics." He rapped at the door, hoping that Kezia would answer the summons herself. He was not mistaken. She opened it and stood gazing at him, looking exactly as she had done when he last saw her. "Speak, speak, who are you?" she at length exclaimed. Scarcely had Owen opened his lips to pronounce his name, than she threw her arms around his neck. "I knew, I knew it!" she cried out, and burst forth into an uncontrollable fit of crying, followed by one of laughter, as she hugged him again and again to her bosom. Strong-minded as Mrs Kezia was, she possessed a woman's affectionate heart, and if she had never been in hysterics before, she was undoubtedly on this occasion. She very soon gained the mastery over herself, however. "What a fool I am; but you will not tell him of it, Owen," she said, "or he will be putting his back up at me." Looking out into the garden, where Mr Fluke was in earnest confabulation with Joseph, Owen promised Kezia to say nothing about the demonstrative way in which she had received him. "I should be very ungrateful if I did," he added. "And how is Mr Fluke? Shall I go to him, or will you tell him I have arrived?" "I will go to him," she answered, "for though he has got a heart of some sort, it may be like his outside, a little withered. He took on sadly when he thought you were lost, and as he has been rather shaky lately, it might upset him if he were to see you suddenly." "Do, then, my dear Mrs Kezia, tell him that I have come, and am the same Owen Hartley that was when I went away, although I have got some strange things to talk to him about," said Owen. "Well, then, go into the parlour, and wait until I fetch him," said Mrs Kezia, and she hurried out into the garden, nearly falling down the steps in her eagerness. Owen would have liked to watch her while she communicated the news of his arrival. He had some time to wait before he heard her voice calling him. He at once went out; Mr Fluke was at the further end of the garden. "I got him down there before I told him nat a young gentleman had come to see him, and that although he was a good deal bigger than Owen, and dressed in a naval uniform, that to my mind he was no one else. Even now he is not quite certain whether or not he is to see you." "You have acted prudently, as you always do, Mrs Kezia," said Owen. Mr Fluke looked at Owen, and then began to walk towards him, increasing his pace until he broke almost into a run. His limbs refused to obey the impulse of his feelings. "Can it be? No! It is impossible! But yet, I don't know. Yes! It is Owen Hartley. It must be! Owen, my boy, are you really come back?" These expressions burst from the old man's lips as he hurried forward. He grasped Owen's hands, gazing up into his face. Owen was now upwards of a head taller. "Are you yourself? Don't mock me, Owen." "I am indeed myself," answered Owen, smiling as he spoke. "Most grateful I am for the kind way in which you have received me, after I had played truant so many long years; but I could not have come back before, unless you had sent for me, and I have received no letters since I left home." For a few minutes they stood talking, when, after Owen had exchanged greetings with Joseph Crump, he accompanied Mr Fluke into the parlour, where Kezia was busily employed in preparing supper. "You need not be afraid of depriving him of his supper by not eating as much as you want," she said, nodding her head to Owen. "I've got plenty for both of you." Then turning to Mr Fluke, she added, "You must get off your boots, here are your slippers, and then Owen will tell you all about himself, and I'll warrant there will be something worth listening to." Kezia was as good as her word, an ample supper being placed on the table. Mr Fluke ate but sparingly. Owen saw that he was eager to hear his adventures. He ran over them as rapidly as he could, dwelling only on the more important points. Occasionally Mr Fluke stopped him to ask a question, then said, "Go on, go on." When Owen got to the account of the confession made by Reginald Ashurst and his death, Mr Fluke paid the greatest attention. "Ah!" he exclaimed, "there is something in that. Lord Arlingford; yes, I remember there was some doubt as to who was the rightful heir, and that the name of the family was originally Hartley. How your grandfather or father never came to put in a claim, I don't know. It is just possible that they never heard about the matter. They were poor, and the other Hartleys had money at command. That makes all the difference. We shall now see what another generation can do; although possession is nine parts of the law, yet the chances are that the present Lord Arlingford has not much at command to dispute your claims, should he not have a right to the title and estates." As Kezia had supposed, Mr Fluke continued talking or listening until it was far later than he was accustomed to retire for the night. She at length came in. "I have given you an hour's grace," she exclaimed. "You will be fit for nothing to-morrow if you don't go up to bed." "She knows best," said Mr Fluke, looking at Owen, and taking the candle which Kezia handed to him; "every one obeys her in this house." After Mr Fluke had gone to his room, Owen gratified Kezia's curiosity by giving her an outline of his adventures. When he told her of the possibility of his inheriting the Arlingford estates she almost gasped for breath. "You, Owen, you become a lord!" she exclaimed. "It may be pleasant, and will be pleasant, if you do succeed; but have you thought, my boy, of the disappointment should you fail? I cannot say that I am the happier for what you tell me, except that I shall be glad for you not to have to go back to the office or to follow a sea life; but, Owen, whatever happens, you will not forget Kezia Crump?" "Indeed I will not," said Owen, taking her hand; "you have ever been a true friend to me, and the way you received me to-day proves your affection, which I shall never forget." The next morning Mr Fluke announced his intention of staying at home that he might have time to discuss matters with his young friend. Owen's first task was to write to David Rowe, requesting that he would come up at once to London at Mr Fluke's desire. Owen also wrote to John, giving him a sketch of his adventures, though he did not mention the object for which he wished to see David. In spite of slow coaches, within three days David Rowe appeared at Mr Fluke's office, where Owen had gone to meet him. "You'll want money to carry out this undertaking," said Mr Fluke, turning to David; "draw on me for all you require. From the report of your friend here I will trust you, and that's more than Simon Fluke would say to every man." "If our friend Owen has the right, we shall succeed, for right and might in this case go together, as you, Mr Fluke, supply the might," said David, slapping his pockets. David having received his instructions, set about the necessary preliminaries without a moment's delay. Owen begged for leave of absence for one day to fulfil his promise to Captain Aggett, by visiting his widow, who lived some way from London. "I am thankful, most thankful for what you tell me, Mr Hartley," she exclaimed, "that he died in peace as a Christian. Though I shall see him no more on earth, we shall, I know, meet in heaven." It was a satisfaction to Owen to feel that his visit had brought comfort to the heart of his kind friend's widow, to whom he was afterwards able to render the material assistance her husband had expressed his anxiety to afford her. Mr Fluke returned every day at an unusually early hour from the office that he might have more of Owen's society. Owen had mentioned his two naval friends. "Bring them here to dinner," said Mr Fluke. "Kezia shall prepare a feast, for they deserve it, and I'll show them my tulips." Owen found both Lieutenant Leigh and Langton, who had received his promotion, at their lodgings. They willingly accepted his invitation, when he explained who Mr Fluke was, and how much depended on him. Kezia took care to have a handsome dinner, and a man-servant to wait, and had, moreover, induced her master to put on a new suit and wig, so that when Owen came in he scarcely knew him. The two officers undertook to remain within call in case their evidence should be required at the trial. They had just taken their places at dinner when David Rowe was announced. Having paid his respects to the master of the house, shaking hands with Owen, and made his bow to the other guests, he took his seat. "I do not want to spoil anybody's appetite, and I hope good news won't do that," he said, "for good news, and wonderful news, I have to communicate. Have I your leave to make it known in the presence of these gentlemen, Mr Fluke?" "Certainly, certainly, if you think fit, Mr Rowe," was the answer. "Then allow me to congratulate Lord Arlingford on his accession to his family title and estates, but I hope, as I do so, that he will not object to take the name of Ashurst. We have made quick work of it. From information I received, I was induced to go down and see the _ci-devant_ Lord Arlingford. I found him very ill and without a particle of combativeness, so I told him of all the information I possessed, and gave him his choice to contest the point, assuring him that we had unlimited supplies at command, or to yield at once, and save a family scandal. As he appeared inclined to take my advice, I promised him an annuity of a thousand a year, knowing from his circumstances that he was not likely to enjoy even so much as that should he retain his title. He immediately accepted my offer, acknowledging that your claim was valid. Of course I made my offer subject to the approval of the true Lord Arlingford. There must be a trial _pro forma_, legally to settle the point, but it will prove a very short one." It was some little time before Owen could recover his equanimity sufficiently to eat his dinner; but fortunately midshipmen are not given, under any circumstances, to loss of appetite, and he was very soon himself again. Little more need be said. Mr Fluke bore all the expenses of the trial, which proved without doubt that Owen Hartley was the rightful possessor of the Arlingford title and estates. Indeed, on the death of his cousin, which occurred while the trial was going forward, no other claimant appearing, Owen immediately came into peaceful possession. Mr Fluke insisted on paying off all the mortgages, so that Owen might commence his new career free of incumbrances. "Begin, my dear boy, out of debt, and never get into it," said the old man; "you'll never regret following that rule, whatever else you may be sorry for." Owen's first care was to appoint a good man of business to look after the estate, and, as may be supposed, he selected David Rowe, whose brother John became his head bailiff. His old shipmates, Captain Leigh and Lieutenant Langton, were his frequent guests whenever they came on shore. On the death of his kind relative, Simon Fluke, Mrs Kezia and Joseph Crump came down, the one to become his housekeeper and the other his head gardener. "I hope you will find no tom cat to kill at Arlingford, Mrs Kezia!" said Owen, laughing, as she made her appearance. "Please your lordship, I don't think there'll be any need," she answered. Indeed Owen had never the slightest cause to complain of presumption, nor had Lady Arlingford--for by this time Owen was possessed of a fair young wife, who ruled as mistress of Arlingford Hall. He placed his old nurse, Jane Hayes, who had lately married, in a pretty cottage, which he had built expressly for her. He did not forget Nat Midge. One of his first journeys was to visit Nat's grandmother. He found the old lady in great poverty, struggling to maintain her grand-children. "You will, I hope, see Nat in a couple of days," said Owen; "and though he may not have come back with his pockets full of gold, he has gained a sincere friend, who can afford to support you and his brothers and sisters till he is able to do so himself." Nat arrived, and escorted his family to Arlingford, where Owen had ordered a cottage, which had been vacant, to be got ready for their reception. Nat, who had had enough of the sea, was apprenticed to a carpenter employed on the estate, whose duties he ultimately was able to undertake. Mike Coffey continued in the service until he lost a leg, when he retired on a pension. His mother having died, he came, at Owen's invitation, to Arlingford. "I'm afther thinkin', my lord, of gettin' a wherry and settin' up as a boatman at Portsmouth," answered Mike to Owen's question as to the way he intended to employ himself. "How would you like to become my commodore?" asked Owen, pointing to a miniature frigate which floated on the lake near the house, and to a couple of boats drawn up on the bank. "With the greatest delight in the world, your honour--your lordship I mane," answered Mike. "The frigate wants re-fitting, and the boats will be better for a coat of paint. I had a look at them as I came along this mornin'. Thinks I to meself, shure the young master hasn't had time to see afther his fleet, so I was just goin' to offer to do the work, to show me love to your lordship." "I have no doubt that I shall find other work for you when that is finished, so I appoint you to the berth, and you can take up your abode with Widow Midge until you set up a home of your own." Owen, although he still retained his love for the sea, retired from the service and devoted himself--as is the bounden duty of every proprietor--to the improvement of his estate and to advancing the moral and spiritual welfare of his tenants. [THE END] _ |
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