The Portage County Democrat. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1860-02-29

4
ne was appointed ambassador to Paris, and b
departed on his mission without even line Z
r word to me, his only child. He wrote to Mii
Mac Nab letter which saw. He warne
q her that was growing up, and needed stricte
watching than ever. He besought her not t,
let the curse he dreaded break out in the sec
ond generation and concluded by cold mes
sage of formaladviee to me. q Il 5aaH q
do not think that l am naturally cruel an,
cold, though I felt a strange pang of relic
when knew Lord Evesham to be abroad. -
His sudden arrivals had always discomposee
my nerves and set my sad heart throbbing.-
Miss Mac Nabs failing strength was also
cause OF some relief from the constant over
looking which had wearied me. / began tt
walk sometimes in the gardens without her
while she read in her easy chair, or write inter
minable letters to asister, whose marriage wa:
kind of miracle in the family, there being five
or six spinster sisters and only one wife, who
was looked on accordingly with intense respect
and regard: She was still careful Of my pro-
gression and procured as masters for me, in va
rious accomplishments, the Oldest and uglies,
persons she could fnd in their professions
'fhas | grew into young womanhood with
keen sensibilities and without friend. .-ir.s
The Learest house to Deansdale was little
place called Audey End. which indeed stood
within our park fence. having been a jointure
house Of the family, or residence for spinster
daughters. which sUsse oversight or acc ident
had now alienated from the elder branch
The place had never been Inhabited within nv
recollection, and the drive to Audley End,
being wild and picturesque. was one I ofien
took. Sometimes | wandered, by per mission
of the old man who kept the house, through
the deserted gardens. whose living prettiness-
for the old man kept them up with the help
of two or three country lads-formed strik
ing contrast to the wild overgrowth and state
ly proportions of Deansdale. Miss Mac Nab
did not care much for Andley End, but as she
continued to lose her strength, she left me-
against her will, much to myself in my out
door exercises and went there more and more
frequently, attended always in my drives by
Christopher, the old servant who had waited
on me from babyhood. One morning found
the old man at Audley Eid sadly perple xed;
l. inquired the reason. My Lady said he,
touching his hat, have kept the place rev
enteen years, and almost look on it as nv own.
This morning | got letter from foreign parts
warning me that Master Montague is coming
home, and 1 am to see the house prepared for
him. Rather vexatious, that to an old man.
Who is Master Montague, then I I in
quired, for had never heard of the wner of
AudIey End. e-as -a= H-5 l1 7f 77
Master Montague, my lady what, havn't
you never heerd of him? Why, he's your own
fathers cousin in some way-leastway his
mother was your fathers cousin-and some
folks say the Earl was very sweet upon her;
but suppose. she liked Mr.. Montague the
best s.-. -.s-.g g-ss .....s,-..g u 10 a@a
lis Master Montague a young child 2
pursued. tas s1l Haa8
Lord love ye, no my Lady. He's about
thirty odd, suppose l s-la
- o. quite middle aged man. I said, sur
prised, for thirty seems old to young girl of
seventeen. oi
I avoided Audley End for the future though
did not mention our expected neighbor to
Miss Mac Nab. Ifelfit was my place to shun
any meeting with stranger. r,
One morning as sat on the south terrace,
making sketch of DeansdaIe for my father
who loved drawing. and might. hoped be
propitiated by my progress in the art-I was
startled By soft low voice. which said, almost
in my ear. Those fingers are guided by an ar.
fists taste, but, pardon me, your drawing is
little out here. Look and the pencil was
taken from my hands by fingers as white but
longer than my own. The tone of authority
to which was so accustomed forbade me to
move until the correction was finished; then l !
looked up to thank the stranger. aud met the
free open gaze of handsome sunb urnt man,
whose clear bold eyes seemed searching for
some secret in mine. was quite amused to
strangers. and his very glance set my cheeks
on fire. He stayed but for few minutes,and
then apologiziug for having been tempted by
the beauty of the park to stray SO near the
mausion, he sruck off over the turf. could
not but notice. and admire as he went, the |
1.-THE gracefulness of his figure. A beautiful
pointer which had snufed round me while the
gentleman mended my drawing, followed his
master at a bounding rate and as my eye
the pair, growing smaller and smaller
through the lengthening perspective, felt sure
this elegant foreign looking gentleman was our
new neighbor at Audley End His ipresump I
ton in addressing me as he had done. did not
yex or shock me; for was so totally unused
to the world, and SO habituated to correction
and CONTROL Miss Mac Nab was on the sofa !
with headache aud did not mention to her
that sad seen anybody. -
A day or two afterwards strolled through
the shrubberies to the bank of the winding
stream which made the grounds of Deansdale
30 beautiful. l sat down under the willows,
and as fell into thought, began to sing.
know not how long had sung when, looking
up, I saw my neighbor and his pointer in a
small boat. he gracefully raised his hat ,and
bidding the pointer keep down flor the dog
Knew me again, and offered to swim ashoreJ,
he pulled his boat in, and said, play.ully-'I
have found Lorely then, after long and wea
y search s..-....-....-.5 aE.n (
LorelyP said I, inquiringly. -, -fs''t
Lorely, repeated he, in his positive tones,
Ind looking straight into my eyes. Redeemed