The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1886-06-05 00:00:00

knew nothing about it. She had heard of her grand-
father, and that was all; and she was looking for-
ward to a future in which dreams of the old Grange
had no share.

Already there had come to her the sweet dream
which "makes earth seem Heaven," when it comes in
the first flush of youth and happiness. The son of the
manager of the theatre, a young man of much promise
and good expectations, had already confided to Mrs.
Atherstone that he loved her sweet daughter, and she
had promised conditionally that she would act say
him nay if he continued in the same mind until Beryl
should be twenty-one. They were both very young,
and could afford to wait. Allen Temple was a well-
educated, gentlemanly young man, with means beside
what came from the theatre.

His mother had had money, and married the hand-
some actor who now held the reins of management in
Milhaven, for love. She had been sensible enough to
take care of her own interests and had so dispcGed of
the money which was absolutely hers that it could not
be lost in any unsuccessful speculation.
Iler son was independent, but liked the profession,
and followed it for its own sake.
Such was the state of affairs when Mrs. Atherstono
and her daughter returned to Milhaven, after Mr.
Whitlin's death.

They had no house, but intended to take one, and in
the meantime looked about for a comfortable place to
board for a time.

Mr. Temple recommended them to a house, newly-
established, not far from the theatre, kept by a Mrs.
Dalton.

"She hails from New York," he said; "and has
only just come, but her place is beautifully clean
and well-appointed. There's a little of the Grand
Duchess about her, but you won't mind that."
Mrs. Atherstone laughed and took the card, which
set forth that Mrs. Dalton was prepared to receive
boarders at a reasonable rate, who would find in her
house all the comforts of a home.

It was all that Mr. Temple had described it— a
roomy clean house, with a large garden, and Mrs.
Dalton herself was a decidedly ladylike woman,
dressed simple, but with great taste, and with the
manners, as the manager said, of a duchess. She was
tall and graceful, and her hair, which was snowy
white, was brushed back from her forehead over a
small roll, in a fashion very uncommon at the period
of our tale, when plain bandeaux were all the rage. A,
cap of good lace, and becoming pattern, surmounted
the white hair, and dainty ruffle of the same finished
her dress at the throat. Altogether a striking-looking
person was Mrs. Dalton.
" I prefer not to take ladies, if I can help it," she
said. "I have not a large number of servants, wild
my accommodation is intended for gentlemen only.'
"I hope you will lay aside your scruples in eizr
favour," Mrs. Atherstone:said. "Mr. Temple assured u;3 of
such comfortable quarters in your house that we shall
be sadly disappointed if you cannot take us in."
"Mr. Temple is very kind. I should like to oblige
hini, but "
"Perhaps you object to the profession?"
Mrs. Dalton laughed.
"I object I" she exclaimed. "Oh, dear no. Why
should I? But you do not look like :professional
ladies."

"We are," Mrs. Atherstone replied, with a smile,
"and pretty well-known, too. This is Miss Ather-
stone, of the Theatre Royal, and I was Miss Beryl
Joyce. I don't think I am quite forgotten ein the
boards yet, but I am going to ()ice it up myself, and
leave all the triturphs for my child. I Lope you will
find room for us, Mrs. Dalton."
A strange expression had come over the face of cne
lodging-house-keeper as Mrs. Atherstone spoke' and
she stared curiously at Beryl.
"No wonder the face
.puzzled ale," she murmured
to herself. _ _

"Are you any kin to Pierce Atherstone, of the
Grange, in Warwickshire ? " she asked.
"We are," said Mr. Atherstone, wondering. "My
daughter is his tv..nachile. I am the wiuu..
son. you 1,..0w the name, then?"
yes, and I know Pierce Atherstone," was Mrs.
Dalf,n's reply. "Come in, madame; I will find room
for you, for the sake of those old times and the Ather-
stonename."
_
(70 be continued.)