The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1880-06-03

not at all good boy; and I must be con-
vinced that he has changed very much
before I can encourage him here. That
is all l have to say about him."
Miss Wrench nodded approval. Mabel
looked rather downcast, but recovered
herself almost Immediately, and forgot
Dick, in the delight of going under the
archway Of an old gate-tower, nearly
covered with ivy. A little way of, high
up on mound of its own, at the very
top of the hill, the ruined keep of the
castle frowned down upon them, over q
wilderness or roses and Towering shrubs,
through which minute more brought
them to the door OF long, low, quaint
house, not to be seen from beneath.
The carriage stopped; General Hawke
got out nimbly, and helped the ladies
out, with pressure of Mabels hand and
a welcome to Pensand."
There was a stiff, old-fashioned dignity
about the house and its furniture, which
seemed to show that it was long time
since lady had ruled there. Still, the
drawing-room, into which they went
through the hall and library, had an air
of comfort, partly owing to the number
of large arm-chairs with ancient chintz
cushions and covers. General Hawke
put his ward into one of these, and stood
looking at her with complacent smile.
Here she was, quite safe, and very small
and odd she looked among all the large
pieces Of furniture, the great heavy ta-
bles and cabiuets, the dark, stately por-
traits of soldiers and statesmen who
gazed at her from the walls. Mabel
gave one glance round, and was not at
tracted by any Of them. The next mo-
ment her eyes and thoughts were gone
out of the window, where the evening
sun was shining across the lawn, on the
gray terrace wall that bounded it, the
scarlet geraniums, the roses, and beyond
them blue glea1n of very far away,
suggesting all sorts Of loveliness to be
seen from the lawn itself. She appealed
to the General, more by looks than
words, might she go out?
"Better not now, l think" said he.
"You are tired. The housekeeper shall
show you your rooms. Dinner will be
ready in three-quarters Of an hour. And
please remember that l am a punctual
man." .... .a.a.l. -.
"Ahl don't forget that, my DEAR" said
Miss Wrench. shaking her head at Ma
bel, who looked vexed, but made no an.
swer. The Generals smile treasured hel
again, and sent her upstairs tolerably
cheerful.
She did not like her room very much
it looked out at the side, over the shrub
berries, and towards the keep, which was
itself hidden by trees. As soon as she
was ready she made her way downstairs
again, not without little difficulty
among various narrow passages and small
flights of steps.
| A gray-haired butler looked out Of th.
dining-room, and saw her coming dowl
the slippery oak staircase slowly and un
evenly. He came forward and openet
the library door, with bow to the littl
lady, as she passed on between the sober
looking bookcases into the drawing-room
and stood in the open window with he
hands clasped, looking out across th'
lawn.
She was very small girl, and in he
long black evening dress she looked still
smaller. As she stood still, it wa
pretty, graceful little figure, and ther
was certain distinction about the small
head, the large, peculiar eyes, and tn
bright dark hair which seemed incline,
to curl in tiny rings, and was brushes
back and kept in order with difficulty
But no one could admire the pinched
panied look in her face, and all the grac
Of her figure vanished when she moved
, She seemed to suffer SO acutely from th'
awkwardness OF being lame, that thoa
about her felt and noticed it all th'
more. .-,.--s.-,--.,--e.s ...-.- ......--
), Presently, as nobody came, she turnet
away from the window, and made a SLOW
pilgrimage round the room. The cab
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