The Huntington argus. [volume] (Huntington, W. Va.) 1872-1905, 1873-06-07
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CATCHING LARks'
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iect nearest her thoughts
Joseph" she said, 81 think .. new fs...
tening ousb, 10 be put Or. that wiraow in
the room next mine. rarHF rfs
Joseph did not answer Immediately. and
there was something old in his manner.
which seut tkril! suspicion through
Madges mind. .rgl ann
Fastening M,ss2 Amt there a fasten-
ing' Well, Ill see about it, but don't
know as it matters much"
81 certainly think you had better see
about it, said Madse with emphasis. at
il is not at all safe" rrgr-TH D
II hope you won't be alarmed mis-"
sald Joseph, more politely. "My mistres.
has lived here for many years. with more
vsluables in the house than any one out
side it has u notion Of, aud we're never
been troubled with burglars yet
Madge would have added something
more, but she heard Miss Thorneys sun.
day silk rustling down stairs, and so held
her peace, feeling, however, more uncom-
to be tr listed, what would become of theml
aud she knew very well that no suspi-
cious OF hers would he listened to 10y her
cousin. 'EN"h ~
While they were sitting at their stiff
breakfast in the gloomy dining room at
Monks Dene, Robin was despa,ching his
coffee and egg in one ofthe old rooms OF
her uncle's house. 1t was very funny and
delightful old house, he thought, though
he did not mean to live there IL stood
near the church. at one corner Of a large
open square, with the market cross in the
middle, which formed the center Of the
little town There was pair OF tall iron
gates, thanked BY stone pillars and balls;
then came little paved court, and then
the house itself, old red brick, with plas-
tiers and ornaments 1t had large square
hall, with Fireplace, great many rooms
psnelled in white, OF which the boards
cracked dangerously, and a vide, sh allow
stepped staircase, with heavy carved oak
banisters. 1t had been stately house
once, but was all fallen to ruin now from
long neglect the rats as Robin told his
friend, lad had it all their own way for
fifty years Yet Robins uncle, and now
Robin himself, owned nearly the whole OF
Abbots Dene, besides a great deal Of land
in the country. The old man, WHO had
lived there with one old woman to keep
house for him, was as great an oddity as
Miss rhorney, and still greater miser
But though he starved himself, and lie,
his house tall to pieces, he was not bad
landlord, and the little town had Ihriyen
under his shaky rule.
Robin had been very busy all the week
with his unce's lawyer, inspecting tile
property, and planning all kinds OF i'm
provements Mr.. Minkins and his vile,
who had four grown-up daughters, were
very anxious that the young heir should
make their house his headquarters Tor
the present; but he chose to trust himself
to Old Nancy's care, and live in the old
tumble down mansion, 50 that Mrs VII
kins had to content herselfw,h sending
in everything nice she could think Of, and
getting hun to dine with them as often as
possible
Does old Miss Thorney Of Monks
Dene ever come to church, Nancy" said
Robin to the old woman, us she cleared
away his breakfast.
Law bless you, yes Every Sunday OF
her life. --.
Isn't it long walk for herr Or per-
haps she has a carriage2'
40, sir She gets ay every Sunday
from the Swan. She's got niece Of SUM
NUT with her now shes one before as ran
sway"
"Niecel" repeated Robin
No; that one warnt niece, As knows
on No relation, but she jn.t came 10 be
companion, Ike She iiin't stand q
above Fix weeks aud then She was zone
They thought shed tnrowed herself into
the water and they dragged the stream
but she WASH Z there, bless you Shed run
away"
What became Of hcry asked Robin.
rather ahsently
oh she got married The young man
came to fetch her from Lonon. they -ad
Mss Thoruey hasn't had one since. Oh
this here
Robin took lis hat aud went ont into
the sweet shady Old garden with IFS high
rel Falls What an abominable shame
What were! her relstions doing. 10 4eid her