Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1886-11-11

h' "'Su "i"o iioni ,nc heys anu iookeu III
them.
"You have beautiful hands, Gracls, T" he said
1.-THE very hands for music" He looked al
them until his eyes were dim with tears.
Every time ! saw him, every hour passed
with him, deepened the mystery that lay be-
tween US. One day was out in the garden,
attending to some favorte flowers, when he
came up to me-
"You like hollyhocks, Graciai" he said.
"Yes," answered, every much Hove those
verses In which Tennyson has enshrined them "
"Does 1t ever occur to you," he asked, show
exact Tennyson is In his description Of thing
How accurate that one line is
"'Heavily hangs the hollyhock'
II does hang heavily. Bee how II bends with
Its own weight Do you remember another
line Of his
"'Black as ash-buds In March'a
I smiled to myself when read It. / was In O
distant land then; but Remembered how black
the ash-buds were. Few other poets, to my
mind, choose words so wisely or 30 well
learned some grim lessons through him"
Had he loved Guiuevere or Vivian, won
dered, that he should say that2
l entered the picture-gallery one morning
and found him there. He was walking up and
down, his face wearing Its usual expression OF
deep thought and anxious consideration AZ
ter greeting me, he said rather abruptly
"Gracia, do you like moneyr'
~ find that a very difficult question to an.
swer," was my reply, "for the simple reason
that have never had any,"
Tell me dear" he continued, laying his
trembling hands on my shoulders, and seem
| ing to forget the difference and the distance
between US, 'would you like to be rich-to
have money, houses, and lands"
After moments thought, answered
~ would far rather have some one 10 love
me than have all the riches in the world"
poor child" said the Squire tenderly. ST."
he went on after apause, ''you could have your
choice between wealth and love, you would
choose lovel"
II am sure Of IT," was my quick reply. 81
have lived In the world for seventeen years,
and no one has loved me yet. My heart hungers
for love"
Poor childl" he said again; and after that
he seemed more thoughtful than before.
Another morning found him In the library
writing busily. He looked up when entered,
and smiled.
This is a terrible breach Of our agreement"
he said. "You must excuse me this one morn
Ing, Gracia; have something that must do.
i wonder" he added, In a dreamy tone, "what
impels me to write IL to-day. Do not CO." he
said as turned 10 leave the room. 'You will
not disturb me; on the contrary, feel that
shall write better for seeing you Sit down To
your books, Gracia."
did as he babe me-took my books into the
sunny bay window, and read, pausing now and
again to glance at the Squire.
Ny eyes, as though fascinated, followed his
movements. / saw him open several private
drawers in his escritoire, drawers that were
evidently known only TO himself, from which
he took one or two letters. When he had fin
ished the long epste he was writing, he looked
up aud said
''Gracia, will you send Mrs. Paterson and
James Graystone to mel want them to wit
ness this" He did not say what ''this" was
but saw sheet of parchment closely written
over. Come back when they are gone" he
added.
1t struck Inc that when the housekeeper and
the butler reappeared, they both looked very
important; but they said nothing, and went
back to the library, as the Squire had told me.
| remember, just as though 1t had happened
|
Squire was standing up as re-entered On
the table before him lay the small sheet of
parchment, two or three long strips Of printed
paper, and several letters, one Of which was
in violet envelope. The color struck me
it was pale faded violet Another envelope
was fastened with light blue ribbon, a third
was sealed with light blue wax. He took all
these, together with the closely-written letter
that he had just finished, and tied them to-
gether. saw him write several words on the
outside paper, but could not tell what the
words were. Then he sat down and looked
fxedly at the little parcel. He had tied II with
red tape. In an idle manner he cut the ends
of the tape and fastened them with wax.
remember the shape Of the little parcel so well,
and also remember wondering II I should
ever see it again. The writing table was COW
cred with old books map Of the county
lay on it wide open, with several other things.
/ went on reading for a few minutes; then, as
the Squire seemed to be absorbed In thought,
i felt that had better leave him
Shortly afterwards Mrs Paterson came TO
| me In my solitary little room ut the top OF the
house.
"GracIa," she said, looking earnestly at me,
'has the Squire said anything about helping
you3'
For the first time rebelled against the ques-
ton so kindly meant felt as though there
were something between the Squire and my
self which was sacred, and was not to be In
truded upon by strangers
''Not at present." answered rather coldly
''but he seems interested in my music"
snow, Gracia," said the use-keeper, stake
my advice. Speak frankly TO the Squire.
am sure he is kindhearted man. Tell him
what you want to begin life with. You ought
to 70 to one OF the grand musc-schools in
London or Paris, and he would send you To
one II you were to ask him."
81 will think II over" replied
'Do!" urged the good woman. "You see,
Gracia, time is flying"
When the housekeeper had gone thought
long and deeply over what she had said; but
could not decide what 10 do. felt that be
tween the Squire and myself there was some
thing that no one else understood. Stnl re-
solved to speak to him that very evening about
my future.
The afternoon was q delightful one; there
was crisp GOODNESS In the air that made II a
luxury to breath. had gone into the garden
to gather some richly colored maple-leacs,
which, with some flowers, thought would
form pretty nosegay The Squire was pacing
up and down one Of the walks with a thought
full air; but, when he saw me, his face bright
ened, and he came quickly to my side.
Il was just wishing that you we're here,
Gracia," he said. ~ have been listening u
the chime of the Heronsdale bells. What dc
| ipl- th.y 10