The St. Cloud journal. [volume] (St. Cloud, Minn.) 1866-1876, 1868-01-09
ADRIAN A.

ADRIANA.
DY JEAN poNeGuR.
CHAPTER ".
Etheredge Court was not a cooped
up grand house, as good Mrs. Dayi.
had imagiaed, though its s1nall-pancd
windows had certainly somewhat pris
on-like look contrasted with the unpar
t'tioned sheets of glass one sees in more
modern mansions. Still there was nc
lack Of inlets through which the golden
sun might pour his rays, and if they
tell in cheokered light upon polished
floors, tracing quaint patterns of tire.
toll, rose, or more fantastic figures, or
fickering in diamond>shaped blotches,
tho effect was perhaps more beautiful
than an uninterrupted food of dazzling
brilliancy that wanted contrast to
heighten its beauty 4 Trees. Of aajcs-
tic growth waved their thick branches
as though to catch the 1light-winged
zcpAyrs that played among them, and
cast deep refreshing shadows athwart
the mossy velvet: turf as ancient as
themselves. There was an air of great
repose about the place; even the cav
ing Of the rocks led you to suppose that
they had been undisturbed tenants-at-
will for centuries. A peacock and his
mate gravely strutted along the smooth
terrace walk, or perchod upon the stone
bslastrade that bordcred it. Several
greyhounds wandered lazily up and
down in front Of the house, and a brisk
little terrier, Mr.. Etheredg ge's constant
attendant, was taking nap on the hall
mat. But at the sound of carriage
wheels the little terrier: became uneasy
in bis dreams, be slowly picked up enc
ear, and half opened one eye, aid as
the sound came nn4rer it appeared to
occur to him that he must be on the.
lookout, so he opened the other eve, !
stretched himself leisurely, rose, shook
his head, and then composed himself
into an attitude of easy watchfulness.
1t was not in accordance with the time
aud place for the terrier to testify his
sense Of an interruption by auy undig-
nited interruption. He was evidently
a dog Of taste and understanding, with
an appreciation of hormouics, and
though he felt it his duty to be at his
post, and to keep his quick bright eyes
wide open to whatever might happen,
BIC. also recognized that 1t would be out
+ Keeping to show that he was alive to
what was passing by any series of short
quick barks, or unnecessary rushing
hither and thither to attract attention
to the fact that carriage wheels were
plainly to be heard approaching. i. He
watched the carriage as 1t drove up, his
head resting on his forepaws, his ears
erect, and his eyes glistening, and save
for gentle wagging of his tail, might
have been the stuffed skin of some for
mer favorite. But he was a sagacious
animal, one who understood his epoch
and watched his opportunities, and no
sooner was the hand Of the servant on
the carriage door, than Snap was on his
legs, and in an instant more was greet
ing his master with every demonstra-
ton Of joy. ->iT 4
'Good old fellow" said Mr.. Ether
edge.
"Tbat dreadful dog still here," ob-
served Mrs: Braddick family.
"Hoo'oo do, Snap ?" said little Char
ley, putting his arms round Snaps
neck and kissing the tip of his nose.
"Wo do not kiss dogs, Charley" said
his mamma.
:"Charley does," said Charley dccid-
edly: Y.
"You will have enough to do, Miss
Linden, to put q stop to many absurdi-
ties these children have fallen into"
said Mrs. Braddick, turning to Adri.
ana !; but Adriana was caressing the
dog herself, and Mrs. Braddick felt a
twinge Of tho repulsion that Adriana
had experienced, and inwardly asked
herself whether: she had made wise
b ice Of a governess.
However, the inward interrogation
was 10 sooner made than dismissed, for
Mrs. sBraddickJ by no means allow
cd herself to b. the victim of mental
activity, and perplexing queries with
her soon died away. :
1t was not long before the party was
comfortably settled, and Adriaua was
we'll satisfied with the rooms assigned
to her and her little charges. ::
"Pearl and Charley will show you
over the house and grounds, Miss Lin.
den," said Mr.. Etheredge, 'they arc
quite at home here"
| 81, dare say you will wonder at such
las sname as Pearl fora little girl" inter.
posed Mrs. Braddick cit IS ono of her
papa's ridiculous fancies. Her real
hame is Margarita, which u.s., I think,
pretty enough, but be. c.wanted some ret
name. He suggested Meg, or Madee,
or Maggie, but Of course L could not
consent to any Of them, they are so OK
ceediugly common. Then he said a
bright idea had struck him, she should
be either Pearl Or Daisy; 1 did not see
anything very bright in lido you p
but Al Mrs. Braddick made no pause,
Adrians did not feel called upon to an. !
swer. "Therefore," continued Mn.
Braddiok, II chose Pearl, if it must be
anything, as Of course pearls are better
than daisies; but 1 never really got ac-
customed to the name until Mr.. Brad
dick gave me magnificent set of pearls
to inaugurate it.. he said; and since
then I've had pleasant association
with il, and always think Of tho txo to.