American citizen., 1881-05-21
CHAPTER 1.

Il
Golden Ddicn," Which Lored
Him Bssti'' "A Rose IN
IhOrns. &C., &c.
CHAPTER
There never was picture more daz-
zling perhaps than that presented BY
Lar, hton Mere with its covering OF
snow. Snow beauties everything il
touches, but it changed Larchton into
" "fairy-land," lying like bridal veil
over the fair earth. 1t was worth
travelling hundred miles to see the tall
frs and larches stretch out their grand,
bare branches laden with snow, to see
the holly-trees with their fair burdens
of scarlet berries and the soft, white
snow lying in the hollow of the glossy
green leaves. to see the giant oaks and
beeches, and the hoar-frost like net of
delicate silver thrown over the hedges,
TO see the grand. picturesque pile of
building called Larchton Mere. and the
broad sheet of water from which it took
itssname, which was frozen over now
and looked like silver lake.
Over the beautiful landscape the
moon was shining brightly. The mag
nificent mansion, with its picturesque
turrets, its grand sweep of terraces, and
its large orief windows, stood ont clear
ly..the moon lighting up every line of
the delicate tracery round doors and
windows. From the windows streamed
Hoods of light; and, when the great hall
door opened to admit one or other of
the numerous visitors, there came forth
q warm, rrddy glow that was. cheerful
and pleasant to see.
The interiorrof the house was the
very ideal of comfort and luxury; the
entrance-hal with its lofty groined roof,
the magnificent suite of rooms that lay
ON either side, the broad staircase with
its rich crimson carpets and white
statues, the large and well-illed picture
gallery, and the broad corridors upon
which the sleeping-rooms opened, were
all exquisitely decorated and brilliantly
lighted, while the air was fragrant with
the breath of flowers.
1t was six o'clock on Christmas Eve;
and the sole occupant of the drawing
room was very young and handsome
man, who looked far older than he real
ly was. He was of lofty stature and
powerful build, with certain we'll
bred ease and careless grace that be-
came him well. His head, well set and
proudly carried, noble in shape and con-
tour, was crowned with clusters of dark
hair. At first sight he looked unlike an
Englishman, resembling one of those
dark, handsome Spaniards whom Velas-
quez has immortalized. After a second
glance. one felt quite sure that he was
English, from the frank and bold ex-
preston of his face. His complexion
was dark, and dark moustache shaded
q beautifully-shaped mouth.
His character might be read in his
handsome, high-bred face; he was
Izsx
of control. frank, bold and independent;
shone at times with dreamy splendor,
he was poetical and imaginative per-
haps not the best-tempered of his race,
given to quick ebullitions of hot anger,
forgotten a few moments afterwards,
but none the less sharp while they
lasted. He possessed Simple, straight
forward sense of honor that won every
one.
He might have been forgiven some
impatience at that moment, for he bad
much to try him. His father was bring
ing home . step mother, and the young
man could not conceal his anger. 1t
seemed to him unjust and unfair that q
girl should be brought into the very
heart of his home and put in his moth
er's place. His father had been happy
enough for twenty years; why should
he bring wife home nowp To add to
the young mans annoyance, not only
was his father bringing his new wife
home. but he had also arranged forthe
usual Christmas-party; and the son had
little heart just then either for receiv-
ing or entertaining guests. So that
Ross Levin Cumnor had some little ex-
cuse for the frown on his dark, hand
some face.
His father, Sir Austin Cumnor, of
Larchton Mere, was almost the last de-
scendant of the grand old race of Cum
nors. The Cumnors had been holders
of Larchton since the reign of James L.;
and, thongh frequently offered title,
had never cared to accept it. They had
been quite content with the simplicity
OF their own unfarnished name. But
Sir Austen differed from his ancestors
in this respect; and, when he was Of
fered a Baronetcy for some political
service that he had rendered to Govern
ment, he accepted it. The estates of
Larchton Mere were not entailed. 1t
was always in the power of the head of
the family to leave them as he would.
But. as a rule, they had passed either
from father to eldest son or from
brother 10 brother. Sir Austen was
quite at nDerty, II ne chose, to dlsin-
herit his son and sell all his property;
there was no one to say him nay or to
interfere.
Sir Austen was a handsome, accom-
plished man; aud during his CONT
mental tour he met and fell in love with
Spanish heiress. He married her and
they lived together in perfect happi-
ness. Inez de Luna loved her hand
some English husband with all her
heart. One son-Ross-was born to
them; and then came the sorrow that
blighted Sir Austen's life. His beauti-
full young wife fingered out in the
woods one night while heavy mist
was falling, caught violent cold,
which settled on her lungs, and, in
spite of all that skill, love or money
could do. she died in less than six
months, leaving her little child Ross
and her husband disconsolate.
For twenty years Sir Austen mourned
her, and devoted himself to the boy.
When Ross went to Eton and Oxford,
his father spent great deal of his time
in travelling up and down to see him;
and, when business of some Importance
connected with his late wife's estate
took Sir Austen to Spain, by his desire
Ross remained at Larchton Mere,