The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1875-05-05

beauty of a statue that chills you when
you touch it. He thought he would look
at her that evening and see il he could
trace no change, such as there was in him
self He did look, when the room was
brilliant with soft light, and she sat Lam
guidly turning over a book of eDgravings
with Cecil. They formed strange con-
trast; the cold, proud, indifferent beauty
of the one face and the eager animation Of
the other. The girls one hand rested on
Lady RaInham's shoulder, caressingly,
for the tie between these two was more
like the passion OF first friendship than
the affection OF mother and daughter.
Suddenly Cecil pointed down the page and
said something in a whisper, and Lady
Rainham turned and looked at her with a
smile.
AS he saw the look, just such a thrill
went through Sir Hugh's heart as he had
felt when she came to him twelve years
ago to give him his answr. No, time had
not done her so much wrong as it had to
himself, and there was one hope in which
she had never disappointed him-her
care for his daughter.
"For her sake" he said that night
when Cecilia was gone, ~ am always
grateful to you"
But he did not wait for any reply. He
never did. Perhaps he might not have
got one il he had; or perhaps he thought
the time had gone BY for any change to
be possible.
Lady Rainham looked from the window
the next morning and saw Cecil under a
tall laurel, reading something. And the
sun had come out; there was a twittering
of birds in the shrubbery, and the sky
was all fecked with tiny white clouds.
1t was Valentines Day, and Lady Rain
ham knew that the girl was reading over
again the one which Sir Hugh had hand.
ed her with such troubled face at the
breakfast table. What did that unquiet
expression mean; and why did Cecil,
when she saw it, look from him to her
self, Lady Rainham, fold up her pack ct
hurriedly and put it away?
1t meant, on Sir Hugh's part, that he
knew what it was and didn't like it, that
he could not help thinking of his life,
doubly lonely, without the child. But this
never occurred to his wife Presently
some one joined Cecil in the laurel walk,
and though of course Lady Rainham
could not hear their words, she turned in-
stinctively away from the window.
Cecil was saying just then, mo, it isn't
likely. Who should send me Valentines
They're old-fashioned, vulgar, out OF date
Charlie, mind l won't have any more"
"Why notT'
"Because-Tm serious now-for some
reason or other they don't like my hav.
ing them" said Cecil, motioning towards
the house. sand it's a shocking thing t.
say, but I'm sure there's something no
straight between papa and Lady Rain
ham, some misunderstanding, you know
I'm sure that they are dreadfully fonC
of each other, really, but it's all so strange
do 30 want to do something that would
bring II right, and II shall have moth
ing to say to you till it is right"
"Cecil!"
81 mean it. am sort Of go-between
no. not that exactly; but they both carr
for me SO much. They don't freeze VI
when I'm there. can't fancy them with
out me; it would be terrible"
But Cecil, you promised"
mo, l didn't. And if had, shouldn'
keep it, of course; that is, you wouldn'
want me to- 1t would kill papa to los
me, and as to. Lady Rainham, why neve
cared for any one so much in all my life
didn't know it was in me till she wok
it up. You remember what used to sa,
about her eyes. They are just like that
like beautiful deep pool; all dark, 20,
know, till it draws you close and make
you want to know so much what is un
derneath."
Here Lady Rainhamz came to the win
dow again, but the two figures had passe
out of the laurel walk, and she saw then
no more.
In the afternoon Cecil went as usual T.
her fathers study, but he was stoopin
over book and did not notice her. HI
was. in fact, thinking the thought tina
had troubled him in the morning, but Ceci
fancied he was busy, and looked about /
see what mischief she could do. 1t fiashe,
upon her that here was a fine opportunit
for the old chest, and 30 she seated her
self on the carpet and began her rummage
Presently Sir Hugh, hearing the rustic Q
papers, looked round.
II should like 10 know who is to be m
fairy, Order" be said, amongst all tina
mess"
81 will, papa. shall give tap wit
my wand, and you will see it all com
straight. But look here. Isn't this t
mammal 1t has never been opened, an
it's like valentine"
Sir Hugh looked at the large mis-
Neville" on the envelope, and knitted hi
brows in vain effort to remember any
thing about it He couldn't 1t was yer
strange. He fancied he knew the writ
ing. but yet could not tell whose it was
certainly not his own-nor recollect any
thing about the packet. He considered
, little and then said. "You had betts
take it to her."
! He took pen and wrote on the cove
, "Cecil has just found this amongst my oil
papers l have no idea how or when
came into my possession, neither can
make out the hand. though it doesn't seel
altogether strange. Perhaps you ca
solve the mystery"
pTER III