Frostburg mining journal., 1883-12-01

| lOoklUg up from the huFei ne Waf
reading And young girl, probably
his cousin, blushed as she replied. Il
do not know"
l forget what else passed. They
were only fellow travellers in a railway
carriage. Mrs. Murray, who was tax.
ing me to her home, called my atten-
tion to some place of interest we were
passing and the young man resumed
his book.
But the question recurred TO me
and as l leaned back in my corner !
tried to answer it for myself, and to
solve little mystery that puzzled me.
Three times had | met gentleman,
handsome young man, tall, dark and
listless. We had never spoken, but
his notice of me had attracted my at
tention. At n ball he followed me
about changed color when our eyes
met, but did not seek an Introduction.
At concert he had stared me almost
out of countenance, yet gravely, almost
respectfully.
At q picnic-the last time | had seen
him-he was happy, laughing and talk
ing till he saw me, when his manner bee
came constrained, and in few minutes
he left the party.
There was strange fascination in his
large, dark eyes, and | wondered if |
should ever meet him again.
He must have had some reason for
noticing me so strangely, for / was not
pretty. No. no! 1t could not be love
at first sight, could it?
We arrived at the Meadows late in
the evening. Mrs. Murray introduced
me to her daughter, Lydia, lady some
fifteen wears older than myself She
was the only child at home. Mr.. John
was married, and had the rectory.
George, the eldest son, was travelling
abroad.
Mrs. Murray and my mother had
been school friends, but had been sepa-
rated for years, and so were compara-
lively strangers till they met again in
society, and Mrs. Murray asked me to
spend two or three months with her in
the country to recruit my strength after
the fatigue of q London season.
The day after our arrival Lydia
showed me over the house and grounds.
Harold, Mr. Johns eldest child, s years
old, cnme with us.
Tho conservatory door was locked.
Miss Murray left us to fetch the key.
| Harold remained talking.
II shall have this horrid old place
pulled down." he said, pulling at some
ivy that clustered round the turret. He
10 lled at me as though expecting an
answer, then resumed; Spa says if he
has it he sha'nt stay at the church He
shall pull this down; if he don't, I
shall"
''But this is your uncle's place." said
My unclel He won't live long. My
ma says Uncle George is bad mana
wicked man. Don't you think he is Il
wicked man 2"
No." said I, though l knew nothing
of him. Little boys / began i'm
pressiyely; but his aunt returned, and
the conversation ended.
''The place would be very different
if poor George were here" said Lydia,
sadly.
Does he never live here?" / in.
quired.
Miss Murray looked at me keenly.
Live here! No, never. He stays for
week or two sometimes"
Perhaps some day he will marry
and settle"
"Neyer!" said Lydia, stopping to
pick flower. Have you not heard
| about him 2"
Heard what?" said I.
" shall not be raven, and tell you.
Yon will learn soon enough
Harold was standing in the doorway
loo@ing back at us. He had large brown
eyes, and something in them made me
fancy had seen him before, though
knew ] had not.
So there was a secret in the family
some mystery about the eldest son. Per
haps | was wrong, but did wish to find
it out.
had been at the Meadows nearly
month before an opportunity occurred.
Then paid avisit to the rectory, taking
my work, that | might spend the day
there. Mrs Murry, fancied, got tired
OF having to entertain me, and Lydia
liked to have some time to herself.
Mrs. John and were friendsso could
speak freely to each other,
Are You engaged 7" asked Mrs John.
NO" said /, faneying she alluded to
an opal and diamond ring / always
wore.
Some girls are, 50 Young. How old
are you?"
Eighteen. Not SO very young"
mo, not so very young said Mrs.