The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1879-07-05
ADRLA.
AN ENGLISH STORY.

were no horses ana dogs at MalS"ic' ~
,lcnce, but because | never took up my aoou
anywhere without them. Turk, my pure
blooded Arabian, was the only morse hau w
Nv carol 10 ride: and Flo, my hound, was
creature SO magnificent as to challenge uniVei
sol admiration. She knew more about ny
wbms. understood my moods and humors oet
ter than ANYBODY in the world.
I'plapds Park was my sister Margaret
home II was a magnificent place, but sh'
never had been happy there. her marriage
was one of convenience. DR.. Severn, ner nus
hand would have been the most ordinary OF
men. but TOR one marked, distinguishing trai'
-obstinacy Margaret was the falrcst gen
tlest creature | ever knew.
I had come to them because l had suffered
Greatly from recent Illness and was much re
duced. The situation of Cplands Park was
particularly salubrious.
"Oh, a few weeks here Will SET me up all
riphtr' said |, carelessly, but holding her face
between my hands to mark the little ne" lines
of care there.
"Well, sit down here in my pet easy chair,
John while 90 and see that your room IS all
ready. And" added my sister, as she disap
reared. "rll send Adria up to talk oyou:'
AS relapsed into Margarets pet easy chair,
Il wondered who "Adria " was.
The door was open, and overlooked the gar
den. The flowers were in blossom, and the
bees were buzzing over the mignonettc bed
saw nv little nephew, Phil. running along
,be Gravel walks. and called to him. He came
and climbed upon my knee.
"Have you brought Turk, Uncle john
"Yes, my boy
And Flo?'
And Flo, Phil"
-Then won't we have some good fun said
Phi,, with considerable emphasis.
Ru. the child was tired and, with his rosy
cheek against my brcat, the white lids droop-
ed over the blue eyes, and the little fellow was
fast asleep As | sat eagerly watching the
bees, suddenly heard voices.
Il told you so before, Uncle Severn. We
had talk about this month ago; don't you
remember"
The voice was young gifls.
Something was saia-yes. But my attcn.
zion has been called more closely to this mat
ter lately. Adrla.'
But when told you that | didn't wish to
marry this man | expected the subject to be
dismissed iOrever,'
The words were uttered in tone Of ringing
pmpatlence.
FLUSH! hush" said the doctor soothingly.
e." You are getting exceedingly irritable lately,
Adria; | think your nerves are out OF ORDER
NV nerves will do very well, If you will
never mention Charles Rcdman's name to me
again"
There vas the rustic of silk, with Il iootstep
upon the terrace. A lady swept by the door,
looked n paused, and hesltated.
Capt Fame did not know you had come.
You have been ill; pray let me relieve you of
that happy child"
let her take the boy, for the sake of having
those pencied features and that wealth OF
brown HAIR brought so near my face She was
proud beauty, but it was a pride that liked.
Everything about her--her rippled HAIR, her
hazel eyea, with their black, curled lashes,
her white throat, her dress OF rose-coored
cambria, her dainty silk apron-was artistic
ally pretty. / irrcvcrcntly thought that she
looked like some pink and white contcction-
cry, good enough to eat forgot that Marga.
ret had Promised to send her to talk to me,
but talked, invountarily for half an hour
At the end OF that time my sister appeared,
followed by "A footman with refreshments for
her invalid.
Il am glad you and Adria are getting ac-
uuainte0 30 nicely" she said
But or Margaret's appearance, Adria fell in.
to an absorbed revcrie, evidently considering
mo off her hands, and giving way to "A natural
inclination. She sat knitting her white brows,
and staring-I use the word advisedly-out at
The window By.and-by, Phil rolled off the
sofa, and naturally woke up crying. The ease
and grace with which Adria Eaton rescued and
soothcd the frightened child gave her place
in my heart forever.
She wac it seemed, an orphan niece of Dr.
Severn, ana was, hcncctorth, to have home
at Upland Park. | rcvolvrd the fact with IN.
tcrest
In the course of week was on very fair
terms with Miss Adria. She talked and sang
delightfully."-, and | did not wonder that she
was the belle of the ncighborhood, AS Marga
ret told nc But who saw her day by day
in the home circle, found her swceter, think,
than any man she danced with could fancy
her to be Her quic, tones, her simple and
exquisite morning toilets, her tondness for lit.
tie Phil and the baby, showed traits of charac
ter utterly unlike those which made her pop.
ular at bal and party.
Returning from a walk one morning with
little Phi | spied Adria Eaton in the lane
She wore white dress, and swung her straw
hat by it. cherry ribbons; and beside her walk.
ed the most viIlainously handsome man ever
saw
There Mr. Redman," said little Phil,
pointing
| put down his chubby torc-fnger, passed
the pair With bow, and proceeded into the
garden.
In half an hour Adria came H. much dis.
turbed. She passed Phil, who was putting
Flo into harness of Ids mothers scarf, and
even the baby little Maid, who coocd for a
cares without word There was-I was
rather shocked 10 see it-a look of passionate
irritation on her face. She went up to her
room, ano vas alone until late in the afternoon
Then She Cnme down, composed in manner, but
with some visible trouble about her
She tool Margarets infant then, and sank
down upoC lounge was somewhat sur
prised 10 few moments to see that both she
and the child were asleep
" am glad of it," murmured my good sis
ter | dc not know what ails Adria; bu
she has not slept well for weeks past Amos
at any time | awake can hear her walking il
her room
There ,s more the matter with her thar
you expect said DR.. Severn, behind us.
You don't think Adria is ill, doctorr" sale
Margaret anXlously.
Not physically"
Something on her mind them"