Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1884-10-31
Dame Ursula's Treasure

If unkept walks. trailing, neglected
creepers, and heavy overgrowth of
ivy are the essentials of the picturesque,
Clovis Court presents ed them all. There
were box trees that had formerly rep
resented pyramids, garden seats and
lively growing cocks; but the hands
that pruned them were gone, and the
spectator now only saw ragged and un-
tidy foliage. The boWling-green, once
like velvet, had added nettles
and thistles to its own rank crop
Could one of the beauties who, a cen
tury ago bowled there, have seen it,
she would have picked up her dainty
skirts and fled.
A beauty of a century later stands
among the desolation. What a picture
is the authenticated maiden, leaning
against an old, weather-beaten sun.
dali Simply clad in a dark gray dress,
abunch of pale yellow chrysanthemums
carelessly fixed near the threat, her
white little hands clasped before her,
Ursula Barring looked sadly over the
waste.
- fIl~.,n -lo.rolinass saldoraa rests long un-
seen, and large rift in the brick dis
played our heroine to the gaze of a
young man who was riding slowly
past. 1t was but minutes work 10
dismount secure the bride to con-
venent tree and scale the broken wall
With heightened color and quick steps.
which caused thu fair maiden to turn
with a startled blush, Guy Norman
reached the sun-dial.
"Mr. Normanl why are you here?"
Because you are here" replied the
young man, coolly. and at the same time
firmly securing one of the little white
hands.
But" demurred Ursula. feebIy try
ing to re-possess herself of her hand
1--WE are forbidden to meet. Your
uncle
as an old reptile. Ursie, be sensi-
bic, They keep us apart, Heaven
knows, cleverly enough l.et us be
happy, my darling, while we have the
chance"
The girls face paled she trembled
and looked down.
Guy, l love you-oh, indeed, l love
youl-but my mother trusts me. She
said your uncle had told her he could
not hear of anything between us; and
we are very proud, Guy"
The young man dropped her hand
hastily
You don't love as l do, or uncles
and mothers would be nothing to you
he said, haughtily.
Ursula looked up with her lovely. |
gaze of love.
"Uncles, perhaps not; but mother,
Guyl What are girls good for who
10 not love and honor mothers like
nine?"
A handsome, winning face stopped
o her own, and begged forgiveness.
They had been plighted lovers a week
md the break which prudent counsels
lad made was so recent, will beg you
o forgive my Ursula who yielded her
ovely lips TO kiss those waiting for
hem. 1t was brief bliss, though, for
he heard voice calling her.
"Good-by, my darling" murmured
clover, eve will surmount our trou-
les yet
"Oh, for Dame Ursulas treasure"
ighed the modern Ursula, as, half
she sped away to the cottage
cross the road.
For to live in Clovis Court without
retinue Of servants and a huge bin
)r repairs were impossibilities; so the
idowed Mrs. Barring, her lovely
.rsula and younger daughter, help
IS through spinal disease, lived with
ne cid servant in little cottage {
hich overlooked their ruined inheri- $
nee.
Tea was over and Ursula knelt by
le invald's sofa. "Nora, darling. it {
so hard, so hardl" she sobbed, leaning {
r head against her sisters hand. t
ow tenderly that gentle hand caress-
her
Take heart. my dearest, something c
ill happen yet to help you" S
Ursula raised her fearful face with
attempt at a smile. :
DO you mean Dame Ursula's treas /