The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1880-06-04
CHAPTER Nv.
ANTHONY.

Generat Hawkes. break1aSt-tlme was
ten. But Mabel passed a restless night
and woke early, with the strangest new
feeling of being able to do as she liked.
The first thing she did, therefore, was to
get up. and make her way downstairs
before eight, to the surprise and terror of
housemaid who was dusting the draw
ing-room. Mabel had no feeling of re-
sponsibility to Miss Wrench, or any one,
except the General, who had told her
last night that she was to be mistress of
the house, and to pour out his coffee.
She saw no reason why she should not
explore the place before breakfast, and
set forth at once from the drawing-room
window.
As Mabel walked through the garden,
the roses shook their petals at her feet;
the birds sang and hopped across her
path. 1t was not long before she got out
of sight of the house, and then she lost
her way, down among the little grassy
glens full of roses, with small paths lead
ing in all directions. She gathered one
or two rosebuds, and carrying them in
her hand as she went on, not caring
where, presently coming out Of one Of
these rose preserves into grove of oaks
bedded in fern, and going on slowly
through it to little. gate opening out
on steep, green field. There the sun
was shining in all his strength. She
looked back through the shady grove
through which she had just travelled,
then out again into the field, with the
first shade of doubt in her mind; ought
she to 60 any farther? But it was
scarcely half-past eight, and the attrac-
ton of the sunshine was too strong; she
felt like flower that had been brought
up in a dark place, and longed to bask
in it. So she went into the field.
She had not gone far along the field
for her progress was always slow,-when
a large black dog came rushing up, and
sprang at her so roughly as to almost
knock her down. She gave little
scream. and a tall man instantly ap.
peared, striding up the hill with long,
quick steps. He was an odd-looking,
smooth-faced person, in spectacles, per
haps about forty. As he came up
flushed and excited, Mabel forgot hel
fright, and felt inclined to laugh.
"Down, PrinceW exclaimed the stran
ger. II hope my dog has not hurt you. u
He took off his hat and stood still
with an air of the deepest anxiety, look
ing hard at Mabel through his specta
cles.
"Not at all. thank you; he only fright
ened me. I was silly" said she; ant
then she thought sshe had better turr
back to the garden, for the earnest gazt
o. her new acquaintance was almost EN-
barrassing.
"Now don't let me and my dog spoi
your walk" exclaimed he. ave
shall never forgive ourselves. Come tt
the other end of this field, and let mt
show you the prettiest view Of the Cas-
tie. You have plenty of time. Th'
General does not breakfast till ten,
know. Shocking, that an old soldie
should be so lazyP
Mabel regarded him with grave aston
ishment.
"Thank you; think I must go bacl
now," she said, and with a slight bow
she was turning away.
But the stranger was not so easily 60
rid of, and began to walk on by her side
Mabel dld not know what to do. HI
had the voice and appearance of gen
tleman; but who could he be, and wha
could his behavior mean? He, mean
while, seeing her limp, suddenly Offered
her his arm, saying that the field wa
too rough for her. This was enough
Mabel stopped, and once more lookee
him gravely in the face.
"I don't know who you are," she said
"and can not think how you know me
l wish had never come out of the gar
den. would much rather 60 back m!
myself, please"
Her new acquaintance smiled yer!
amiably.
"Go back by yourself! Why? Be
cause we have not been introduced t,
each other! / thought of asking th'
General to let me breakfast with him, a
he is so lazy. But if you don't like M
/ will 20 home"
90. beg your pardon; I did not know
you were friend of the Generals" sale
Mabel, much confused. "He will b.
very glad to see you, ! dare say"
"About that | have no doubt. I be
lieve l have the honor Of speaking t.
Miss Ashley" taking off his hat again
II your unfortunate servant, am An
thony Strange, of Carweston. Now thi
is dreadful; you never heard Of me be
fore?"
Mabel shook her head.
"But how did you know it was me?
she said.