The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1880-01-23

and looked into the bedrooms, and they
proceeded to the next story and ex-
amined it. My lady asked about the
stables, and Sir John made inquiries
concerning the Kitchens My lady
wanted to know if there was a private
entrance into Kensington Gardens and
Sir John went out to look at the small
hot-h0use in the further corner next the
paddock.
"The place 10 not grand enough for
her." thought Mrs. Hemans, Watching
the lady as she swept ence more ever the
ground-aoor apartments and marvelPd
discontentedly why they were 50 few.
II wond r what she wants-Buckingham
Palace likely" .
Sir John went down into the basement,
but my lady said she did not want to see
the Kitchens.
II sha'n't have to live in Them" she
added, with toss Of her head; and she
passed through one of the long French
windows that opened on to the terrace,
land walked up and down there, up and
down, while Mrs Hemans showed Sir
John the lower portion Of the house.
Often Mrs. Hemans declared afterward
she could not get the thought Of the lady
off her mind. l. .-,
THERE never did see anything 80
ghostly-like al she looked out there walk
ing past the windows in the twilight,
herself appearing black from head to
foot, and the veil tied down on her face
like mask. l had not bit of appetite
for my tea, which was brewed as black
as ink. Twas glad when l shut the door
behind them, though the gentleman he
did give me half-a-crown. She did not
give anything; not even Good after
noon."
The days came and the days went;
few persons struggled in to view the de-
sirable residence, but my lady did not
reappear, and Mrs Hemans had quite de-
cided she as good as held lease Of the
house for another five years, when one
bright morning in December Sir John,
accompanied by bright, pretty-looking
young girl. knocked at the door, and
asked if he might 60 through the rooms
again.
"You need not come with u.s. he said
to Mrs. Hemans. II can find nay way
quite well, thank YOU"
The girl did not speak, but she smiled
pleasantly at tie old caretaker, who
went slowly downstairs feeling much
exercised in her mind.
1T has bad look" she thought; "but
Lor, nothing may come of it. have
known folks come back four, five, six
times, and never take place after all.
If they do take it, though, should like
to be told what | am to do, that's what l
want to know. / am sure l never can
feel as much at home and as settled any
where else"
Meanwhile, Sir John and the young
lady had made tour Of the premises,
walked round the garden, paced the ter
race, leant over the railings dividing
Holyrood House from Kensington Gar
dens, admired the conservatory, decided
that very good ball might be given in
the drawing-room, criticised the decora-
tions, inspected the library. entered all
the bed-chambers, and assembled slowly
from story to story, talking as they went.
On the top floor there was large bed
room, the windows of which commanded
a fine view over Kensington Gard ns
One of these windows had been opened
in the morning by Mrs. Hemans to let in
the crisp air, and the girl went over to it,
and leaning on the sash looked wistfully
out upon the peaceful landscape.
"It is very nice, papa" she said, as
Sir John came close beside her. "It is
so still and tranquil. No one would
imagine we were in the middle Of Lon
don"
"Hardly in the middle" he answered.
"Wen, you know what 1 mean," she
went on; 1--WE are really in great town
and yet we might, so far rs noise is con-
cerned, be hundred miles in the coun-
try" "
~ wish we were, Rachel"
'1t is pity you can not live where
you like, papa"
81 mean to try and like this house very
much when we come to live in il" he an
swered cheerfully.
"How do you propose to do that?'
she asked. ..
81 scarcely understand you, dear"
"Well, it is very handsome house, /
suppose, and there are plenty Of recep-
tion-rooms, and everything we can want
when we invite crowd Of company; but
have been looking about everywhere,
and wondering where we are to live.
Receiving is one thing, and living an
other; and / can not find snug, cosy
corner anywhere" ~ J.. "
"What a funny child you ares" '...
"Chifd, indeed!' she echoed, with an
afectation of Indignation that sat pref
tily upon her. "Childl / am growing
quite an old woman--I am out of my
| teens. am nearly one-and-twenty. If
| l we're great heiress l suppose people
would be thinking of my coming Of age
What will you give me, papa, on my
next birthdayT d.. ..t 5., .....l
Il will not tell you till it comes" he
answered. -..La tt
Il know what l wish you to give me,
now" she said, slyly. 81 "'a
| "Haye l ever refused you anything"