Delaware Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1843-1874, 1873-02-20

Eve, but dare say 1t was only dog, after
an"
Lady 1recoltrick leaned back In her chair
md Laughed softly: "Yes,it was only one of
our hounds. Sir John had just gotten them
hen, and some one was so careless as to fas-
ZEN them out OH the balcony. II was before
he oolored glass was put in; and when poor
Martha saw the creature glaring In al her, she |
was sadly frightened. 1 remember none OF
The maids would 90 through the galleries for
mouth atterward. ButI should not fancy that |
YOU would be easily frighted.
II should no. be so now, my lady," replied !
Dolly, stoutly. "At any ratio, trust neither Of |
us will be tested tonight Aud here we are at
the "Cedars' at last.
The day passed away very quickly for Dolly
for Lady Trecottrick played very sweetly OH
the harp ami still sang with much sweetness of
expression. Then the portraits Were TO be seen
a new one Of her son, Allan 1recottrick,
which was very handsome, spirited-looking
picture, with lis mothers blonde hair and
sweet smile. Afterward the conservatory was
explored; and when the night set in rainy and
dark, Lady Trecottrick amused herself by re-
liting TO her eager-absorbed listener some ofthe
fetes she attended In Naples.
There was one given by tle Count de Florac,
10 which was To have gone as ali English pea
SAINT eirl-a gleaner-but the costume did not
accord with my colorin1. l fancy it would just
suit you, Dorothea; will you try II on?"
o; my lady" exclaimed Dolly, in
surprised delight
'You won't think it sin to wear bright col
ors for few minutes? But no, am sure Ma
t'lre never meant you for Quaker:'' and she
rang for Felecie to bring her the fancy costume
she first ordered for De Flcracs ball.
II was brought up, and Felecie exerted all
her skill to amuse her lady by arraying Dolly
The suit consisted of lower skirt of a delicate
corIl-colored silk, embroidered with intense
scarlet peoples, greening leaves and corn-hOw-
ers, with ears Of wheat here and there. The
boddice and upper skirt We're of the richest
black velvet edged with creamy tinted laces. A
cluster Of peoples and corn.towers formed a
bra; kno', and the jewelry was Of coral carved
III bell-slaped sprays OF flowers.
Dolly's dark hair cmled, and it WAS let down
over her neck and shoulders behind, though
d. avn away from her brow and temples In front
Only few light airy curls escaped here and
there, and gave and indescri5sble arehGess to
the expression Of the dark eyes underneath
Lady irecottri.k clapped her little ha.,ds sCf =
y, and Frlccie exclaimed 10 lie, il French,
"Bcite Ia merceUte uJ,Ot,uitaf fdtirM r."
Just then the richly -caryed cutk un the / IL
mantel struck twelve.
why, you little witch" exclaimed Lady
Irecottrick, show fast you have made the time
fly Tonight But for the doeful sound Of the
dear Naples again"
low rafting noise was heard, as If some
one were at the hall door, and Instantly the
deep lay OF tile wof-hounds Numbered long
anu terrible response. Felecie turned white
with fright, and dropped laces and feathers on
the iiour indiscriminaely
Don't you hear, my lady? 1t is the hounds
lhey surely hear some one" exclaimed Dolly
alarmed
"Fie, my little heroine thought YOU we've
going 10 be SO brave, child. Ii is only the rain
aud the wind"
Dolly glanced furlisely around in the dark
corners ofthe great room.
Come, Felece, finish the great toilette puI-
stunned my lady. ''See some of those bull os-
ttlch plunies there-the very smallest and light
est. NOW that spray Of scarlet peoples and
these long buds. All that is perfect" and the
lady stepped back few PAGES to admire the re
suit Of or directions.
An unmistakable shower of blows descended
upon the great oaken doors Of the hall, aud
again, in spite the roaring wind, the fright
ehed women heard the deep bass growl Of the
hounds.
Felecle screamed wildly and wrung Ler
hands. Dolly turned white a the linen sheets
put still Lady Trecottrck laughed, "Pshaw Z.
they will never get ia there. dare say those
lazy servants are last asleep, but the hall doors
are sIiei and then there are the hounds. No.
body dares meet them at night
lie noise at last ceased down below, but an
oniiuous sound was heard on the side Of the
mouse "Oh, my lady, my lady, the balcony
Windows! and Felecie went oil Into Mysteries.
Some one was climbing up the wall and
there was only the slight fastening of the win
iows-three OF them along the bacony-and
oy either one an entrance might be forced
Lady Irecottriek's courage gave way at last,
ana her shrieks We're 50 loud aud as many as
Felecie's.
"Oh, there he is, there ,"she exclaimed wild
ly-"Lt the window" as the dark outlines of a
mans form grew plainly defined against the
glass
Dolly had kept perfectly STILL though her
heart had almost stood still with fright But
she lnstinctlvely felt that everything depended
upon her GOODNESS and presence of mine. She
looked round for weapon. 1t was useless TO
ask question other weeping and teriitied.com-
pahlohs. She would not run away and leave
them, even TO arouse the men. That would
take loo long. At last she saw little Vene
tian stiletto richly carved and set with Jewels
and seizn! ii in her hand, she boldly advanced
10 tue window and threw bach the curtain,
amidst the renewed shrieks of Ftl Gle. "She is
gong to let him in. Ga, my lacy, she will let
him in She Las betrayed u.s.
, But to her own aniazement she was greeted by a
nearly ~ Of laughter from handsome young man OF
slighii! foreign air, who, with low bow, aid rails
ilig his hat, sad, " IL malemoisee would d. me the
honor to unaSten the Window II would be far more
comfortable within, maiemoselle :" and he look
"a with sirug at his dripping garments, from which
the rain moving in hundred tiny streams
decidedly treasured at the mschtyou- smile that ac
iompnnltd the words.
ALLAN Trecottrick at your s.tvice la d,inoislle'
Dut ~ he pronounced the words Lad Trccottrick
;ognized the familiar tones, and enchanting, "oh
Allan, Allan how could you Brighten no pr rushed
10 admit the invader herself. An explanation soon
followed, and at last Felece returned sufficient
h..rA tp Has
freshInents for the young traveller.
"why, Numbered atthe hall door till though the
was hoarse, and then thought should try my hand
ut climbing, and no riold ;" and he looked Dolly
with undlsguised admiration.
. Liauy iIecotttick was 100 much charmed at his
arrival even to dwell upon her fright Its possible
consequence, and beamed with smiles every one
IL was late that night or rather early In the
Ing, when the household retired to rest and when
Trecottrick would not need her now, the negativ
ed 80 warmly that at last his mother who thought
Allan perfect In everything, decided would never
do. and kept her at ''the Ccars the oil the
week.
After she left, Allan found lie had a great
natural taste for farming, and went to consult
Mr. Messenger SO often that even that worthy
gentleman began To wonder what change had
come over the lad "Such hartn- scar,m bow
to grow into so sensible u youth. | cannot
quite understand it,
Dorothea did; but though she snlled and
blushed, she wisely said nothing, and looked
down at her sewing in silence.
When Allan at last avowed his intentions
there was great opposition from both Sides
The Treeottric.is consented FIRST, for this only
SON was their idol and pride, and they under
stood that only marriage would content his
restless disposition with their quiet country
household.
A few coaxngs and tears soon won the con-
sent of the father to Dorothea's WISHES, but her
mother was more obdurate.
"Thou vert always too fond of the worlds
ways, Dorothea," said she, soberly, "and fear
much for thee child Friend EpLraim Strait
enough is agody youth, and will be the better
husband for thy souls good"
But Ehpraim lived al distance of twenty
miles, and al last even she consented to the
fathers of.-repeatea argument, "'The CedaIs'
Is so near our home that the might see thy Child