The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1875-08-04


reverie. "What-what can be the mys-
terry OF this mans life?" she murmured
to herself. "IfI dared-but no, no, l
dare not answer that question r
1t was difficult 10 recognize the gloomy
and bitter Horace Margrave of half an
hour before in the brilliant and versatile
visitor who sat at Sir Lionel's right hand,
and whose incessant flow of witty psrsi.
fags kept the crowed dinner table in a
roar of laughter. Ellinor, charmed in
spite of herself beguiled out of herself
by the fascination of his animated CONVEX.
sation, wondered at the extraordinary
power possessed by this man. $50 Bril-
liant, so accomplished she thought;
$50 admired, prosperous, and successful;
and yet so unhappy
That evening the post brought Ellinor
letter which had been sent to her town
house, and forwarded thence to Sir
Lionels.
She started on seeing the direction, and
taking it into the little inner drawing
room, which was still untenanted, she
read it by the light of the wax candle on
the chimney-piece. She returned to the
long saloon after re folding her letter, and =,
crossing over to small table at which
Horace Margrave sat, bending over a
portfolio of engravings, she seated herself
near him, and said
"Mr. Margravel have Just received
letter from Scotland"
From Scotland !"
Eyes. From the dear old minister,
James Stewart You remember him?"
"Yes; a white-headed old man, with
family of daughters, the shortest of whom
was taller than me. Do you correspond
with him?"
"Oh, no. 1t is so many years since l
| left Scotland, that my dear old friends
seem one by one to have dropped of. l
should like SO much to have given them
new church at Achindore, but Mr.
Dalton of course objected to the outlay of
money; and as that is point never
dispute with him, l abandoned the idea;
but Mr.. Stewart has written to me this
time for special purpose.
"And that is p
ITO tell me that my old nurse, Mar
garet Mackay, has become blind and in
firm, and has been obliged to leave her
situation. Poor dear old soul She went
into service in Edinburgh, after my
poor fathers death, and entirely lost
sight of her. should have provided for
her long before this had l known where
to find her; but now there is no question
about this appeal, and l shall Immediate
ly settle hundred year upon her, in
spite of Mr.. Dalton's riged and praise>
worthy economy"
~ fancy Dalton will think a hundred
a year too much. Fifty pounds for an
old woman in the north of Aberdeenshire
would be almost fabulous wealth; but
you are so superb in your notions, my
dear Ellinor; hard-headed business men,
like Dalton and myself, can scarcely stand
against YOU"
"Pray do not compare yourself to Mr..
Dalton" lid Ellinor. with quiet scorn.
"Pm afra id, indeed, must not" he
answered, gravely; "but you were say
ing"
THAT in this matter will take no re-
fusal; no pitiful and contemplate excuses
or prevarications. l shall write to him
by tomorrow post l cannot get an
answer till the next day. fthat answer
should be either a refusal or an excuse,
| know what course to take"
And that course-
81 will tell you what it is, when 1 re-
ceive Henry Dalton's reply. But am
unjust to him." she said, "he cannot re-
fuse to comply with this request. ;"
Three days after this convention, just
as the halfhour bell had rung, and as
Sir Lionels visitors were all hurrying of
to their dressing-room, Ellinor laid her
hand lightly on Horace Margraves arm,
as he was leaving the large drawing
room, and said
"Pray let me speak to you for a few
minutes have received Mr.. Dalton's
answer to my letter."
"ADd that answer p he asks, as he fol-
lows her into the little room commune
eating with the conservatory.
rs, as you suggested it might be, a
refusal"
"A refusal (" He eleyates his dark,
arched eyebrows family, but seems very
little surprised at the intelligence.
Eyes, a refusal. He dares not even at
tempt an excuse, or invent reason fol
his conduct Forty pounds a year, he
says, will be a comfortable competence
for an old woman in the north Of Scot
land, where very few ministers Of the
Presbyterian church have larger income
That sum he will settle on her immedi.
ately, and he sends me cheque for the
first half-yesr. But he will settle no
more, nor will he endeavor to explain
motives which are always misconstrued
What do you think of his conduct"
As she spoke, the glass door, which
separated the tiny boudoir from the con-