Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1882-09-14
CHAPTER yIII.

T.
There had been rain in the early
morning, but before twelve o'clock the
clouds cleared away, and the sun shone
out warm and bright when the party
from the Larches drove over to Alph-
ington Park. A damp had fallen upon
Bertha's spirits, however. which was
not SO easily shaken off as the raindrops
OF the morning. A CRUEL modification
and disappointment had overtaken her.
The opal ring was lostl
That mornings post had brought the
vexatious news, and, instead of being
the means of restoring the precious
ring;to it's rightful owner, she had to
make excuses for what she felt in her
heart was utter folly and carelessness.
3 T0@ Lena, however, this adverse cir
cumstance was comparatively indiffer-
ent; it did not affect herself, and it was
not her custom to allow the troubles of
others to deprive her cheeks of bloom
or her eyes of brightness.
She leaned back in the luxurious car
riage, indulging in day-dreams, imagin-
ing how she would feel, how she would
conduct herself, if she were then and
there driving into that splendid domain
as the bride of it's heir; for her fancy
had taken wings, and had already con-
ceived such a possibility. y,
The house was a noble structure, the
ground-plan representing the letter E,
a mode ,Of fattery frequently adopted
by architects during the reign of Eliza
beth. 1t was built of dark red brick,
with stone copings, cornices, and null
lions, the red in soma parts being
relieved by the growth Of ivy and
Virginia creeper. Over the central
portion rose a clock-tower. The wings,
forming the arms of the letter, contain
ed ON one side the state drawing-roon,
on the other the great library; these
we're lighted by windows opening on to
the broad, grassy terrace that extended
/ the whole length of the house, broken
only by the fight of griffin-guarded
steps that led dupto the entrance-door.
/ i In front of the house, below the ter
race, a level lawn extended. bounded by
ring fence. Il, This separated 1t from
the deer park, with its groups of fine
| forest trees, nndulating sward. ferny
hollows, and ornamental water fed by a
running stream. On the border of the
lake stood a. picturesque boat-house,
though it was long now since the stroke
of oars had disturbed the swans and
other fowl that built their nests
amongst the wGater-plants fringing its
margin.
The interior of the house was in ad2
mirable keeping with, the stately ex-
terror. Though advantage had been
taken OF all modern ifnprov ovements to
add to comfort, there was nothing,
garish, nothing incongruous. The grand
entrance hall, with its richly carved oak
paneling, was still warmed in winter
BY piles Of logs on the dogahearth, and
still decorated by suits of armor, an
tique weapons, and Stags' heads and
other trophies 9Of the chase. Most Of
the rooms were hung with velvet of a
suhdued crims0n, the paintings on the
walls we're choice andsNaluable; the or
naments consisted s0fi rare pieces of
majolica or Sevres china, and of eXquis-
tie works of art in the way of marbles
and hronzes; while the effect of light
and space was increased by an abund-
ance Of mirrors. Such was Lord Alph-
ington's home; and here be warmly re-
ceived his expected guests. n ,fsts.
The luncheo eon-h0ur passed pleasantly
for all, excepting Bertha. who sat on
thorns, After luncheon Lord AIphing-
ton led the way to the picture gal llefy.
This extended along the first floor at
the back of the house, one Eide being
almost entirely of glass, the low win
dows being merely separated by broad
piers, against which stood ANTIQUE cab
inets Of various kinds, supporting vases,
candelabfa, and other objects Of cirt,s
From the windows a view was OBJ
tanned Of the magnificent flower gard
ems. with fountains and statues. and