Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1883-11-16

side the station.
1t was a handsome. substantial equip
age, but, as Margaret quickly decided.
not a very dashing one; somewhat
solid and old-fashioned, as if it be-
loDged to stcady-going country people.
Very soon she was being driven away
! from the station, first through an ex-
traordinary, old-fashiOned, narrow
street, with little alleys and gulleys on
the right, sloping down 10 river,
which, as Margaret saw, was almost
empty just now, for it was low-water
time. On the dry banks or in the half
filed channel, she perceived ships
great black-looking hulks, rolled over
to one side as the retreating tide had
left demonstrating repairs in some
of the ship-builder's yards which might
be seen on the opposite side Of the
river, which was backed up by high
cliff, on the top of which were houses.
1t was altogether quaint and unusual
prospect, and my heroine, with the
deep, fresh interest in things new which
so greatly distinguished her, took it all
in with keen, quick powers of observa-
ton, rs she was driven swiftly past il
all, and, after steep hill had been
climbed. she found herself outside the
town, upon high, wild country road,
with the same river still on the right,
but more like n large brook now. rush
ing swiftly downward toward the sea.
Looking across the country she saw
10 the right some rolling downs, and
the tops of the cliffs, and then a streak
of blue, which made her heart rejoice
To the left fine hilly country-moors,
now green, now purple, under the
changing sky; woods, fields, streams
and all Of fresh, breezy, thoroughly
English beauty.
They drove for some distance along
| this road. Then the river took bend
They crossed stone bridge, and now
had the stream on their left, after
which they began to drive down hill,
and presently turned in at some iron
gates, whose stone pillars were moss
grown, and which were also at the left
hand Of the road; down dark, damp
kind OF drive, into n garden which,
despite the radiant sunshine of the
afternoon, was dull. and up To an old
house, the approach to which struck
Margaret as being the strangcst she
had ever seen. After driving for some
distance down the dark drive already
alluded To, under thick avenue OF
clms, almost funorcal in the shade they
gave, they suddenly emerged from this
avenue, and Margaret perceived thai
the drive proceeded over stout stone
bridge, crossing the river, which ran
through the grounds of the place.
Then up hill again, the slope Of
which was laid out in terraces. leading
gradually To- tue top. where was stu.
atcd fine old house. Ii was Of the
| EliZgbetnan style of architecture, and
stood proudly on the top of the little
hill, so that Margaret understood that
from its windows one must look
straight down into the rushing stream,
I and upon the tops Cf the avenue trees.
Most likely there would be, from the
upper windows. nj least, Il view of the sea.
- vi course, she observed all these
things, and thought all these thoughts,
in much shorter space of time than il
has taken me to write them down.
Despite the beauty of the scene; despite
the quaintness and almost grandeur OF
that fine old house; despite her own
buoyant nature, and the keen interest
| she felt in all around her. Margaret's
chief sensation was n chilly one, re.
scmbling foreboding - depression
which seemed to close around her as
she entered the place. With all its
beauty, il was so Still-almost weirdly
still-the mullied rushing of the stream
in its deep bed being almost the only
sound. 1t gave her the impression OF
being uncanny.
But before she had time TO 90 more
than realize this sensation the bridge
had been crossed, F("tbat's my Rubi
CON- she Thought, with hall smile.
81 wonder if IT really is'), the hill
climbed, and the carriage stood before
the entrance, at the side of the house.
Margaret got out of the carriage anG
followed the man who opened the dooi
to her through the hall-a charming old
hall. with treasures of richly colored
old china and old oak, and grave old
pictures of sober old ancestors. Their
the servant opened door and ushcreC
her into Il room, by the name which
was not hers, and again she uncomfort.
ably wished that she had not consented
10 use that deception. Unwillingly, she
recalled Laura's words: "You arc sac.
rilicing your own dignity" Then she
forts and entered.
| n leAlt lttAAN at hlOSt lCtl II ElIl
white dress was seated, rose; a lady
with slight and dropping figure. Hel
dark hair was as vet untouched by any
white streaks. She looked excessively
delicate and fragile. Her dress. of the
sOftest. richest, golden-brown silk, wa,
made very plainly, but her lace collar
and cuffs were old. delicate and costly.
On her shoulders was n shawl OF
creamy-looking embroidered crepe, and
on her head small white lace cap,
with lappets which fell behind. Mar.
garet, accustomed for too long to Mrs.
Pierce's ofl-hand WAYS, loud laughs,
broad jokes and bluff ''frisky matron''
style in general, nevertheless knew in
an instant that this lady-this Mrs.
LascellcS, with her fragile refinement
was more one of her own kind, was
more a woman after her own heart than
fifty Mrs. Picrces. She forgot to look
at the girl, who must be one of her
future pupils. She looked at the lady,
who held out delicate. white, invalid :
hand, sparkling with rings, and said:
Il am happy TO see you. Miss Perez.
val l hope you have had pleasant
I Journey"
4 VERY. thank you," replied Mar.
garet. blushing all over her beautiful
face. las the soft, pathetic, dark eyes OF
Mrs. LascclleS rested upon her. This
woman. she felt, must have known
trouble = it had scanned those lines
in her brow, and given that sorrowful
curve to her lips. She must, thought
Margaret, have always been slender,
pensive, frail-looking creature. She
was ignorant what wrecks Time can
make of ms all
''lt is beautiful journey" Margaret
continued. Il had never been in this
part of the country before sand ] thought
it very fine"
Yes, it is. We are proud of our
beautiful views all about here. But YOU
come from Irkford. That is n long
way, and am sure you must be tired.
Would you not like to take off your
| THINGS bpfOrn- or bara ic foo Cv,N,~oso