Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1886-12-16

tney tfeatcu MISS Dacfc Win Tue utinOst re-
spect. Mrs. Sale held out her arms to me, and
would have embraced me; but could not suf-
fer her TO do that.
my dearest child" she cried effusively,
'you must do your best to make up for those
wasted years now Anything that we can do
my daughter and myself-we will do most
willingly"
Lady Caryl cut her raptures very short
ITO think" cried Mrs. Sale, "that the last
of the Dacres was living amongst u.s. and we
did not know i'll"
She made me many overtures OF friendship;
and her daughter who had never had civil
word for the friendless girl, was fawningly
polite TO the heiress OF Heron's Nest; but
could not encourage their advances
Lady Caryl, In talking to me about the fut-
ure said that she fancied Sir Adrian would
purchase an estate In Norfolk. She expressed
great affection for me and said that II the
idea met with my approval, | should spend
next season in town with her. l did not tell
her why the suggestion pleased me so much.
knew that, II l were in town with her,
should see her son almost every day.
Sir Adrian wrote to me from Spain, and told
me that he had seen the church where my
hOthci duu TIC hau
seen the marriage register aud the marble
monument that bore the name OF "lsola."
He added-and | kissed the written words
again and again--that he should be back at
Christmas, aud hoped to spend 1t at Heron's
Nest.
And Christmas came with pure mantle OF
snow and crown OF green holly. All that
had passed since the Christmas before would
have seemed like dream but that 1t was so
happily true. Tnis Christmas Eve was exactly
like the last, cold and clear and beautiful,
with the stars shining brightly. There
amongst them shone the luminous star that
had lei me only last ar to the postern-g gate.
Little need to ask whittier its light had led me
now | could hear the bells Ginning, as had
heard them years before, christmas is come
christina is come" Every word came so
clearly TO M over the snow
Heron's Nest that Christmas Eve looked
most picturesque, and had taken great pains
to make 1t So Mistletoe and holly hung In
profusion on the walls OF the grand old man
sion. Christmas was indeed come, bringing
with 1t love and peace. No harsh word dis
turbcd the harmony that reigned throughout
the house.
ltsiSItu cuOfJ NdIli
made TO relinquish her position. / was de-
termined that so long as she remained ia the
house, she should be complete mistress of it;
and, when she discovered that, she showed
her appreciation by increased kindness to me.
We had both agreed that the old manor house
should look il faircst and best on Christmas
Eve. Every picture-frame, every pillar was
wreathed with holly AMI laurel There was no
doubt about IL being Christmas, and the gay
appearance of Ileron's Nest unmist akably pro-
claimed 1t.
Sir Adrian was to come that night, just as
he had done on Christmas eve the year before,
through the starlight, over the snow. Oh,
happy Christmas that was to bring him tn me |
/ did not reflect whether his stay would be
long or short; did not try to forsee any end
ing; all my thoughts were concentrated on the
fact that was to see him.
Lady Caryl had ordered nv dress-pale rose
silk, trimmed with white tule- and I wore
diamond ornaments. Yes I-Gracia, who
last year was a Jriendless dcpendant-wore
the Dacre diamonds, and at my throat and in
my hair was fastened sprig OF laurustinus
May Heaven forgive rue If, as looked in the
glass, felt a thrill OF pride l could not
help seeing then that / was beautiful; and I
was glad.
The bells of Heronsdale Church had not
ceased Ginning, and the moon was shining
white and high in the heavens. Feeling rest
less and impatient, / went TO one OF the win
dows of the draw.ng-room, whence / could see
the drive. This was my home now, and l
must bid him welcome to It When at last
saw the carriage, never thought Of etiquette
but fastened to the hall door to be the first to
greet him; and remember no more until a
handsome face, cold with the fresh air, touched
niue, and the voice | loved best on earth
cried Graciar then | babe him welcome
home. After that both Of us must have for
gotten everything else In the world but each
other, as We stood on the top Of the great
flight OF steps of the wide open hall door, the
rudy light streaming out upon the snow.
Presently he unclasped his arms, and, going
into the hail. he took down h large fur cloak
that was hanging there and wrapped il round
me-
Come with me, Gracia" he said ~ have
something to say to you; and can say it no
where else but at the old postern-eate.
/ went with him down the terrace steps,
across the lawn. and over to the postern- gate.
The ivy-mantled wall was covered with
snow, as IL had been twelvemonth before,
and the bright Christmas star was shining
overhead. | did not tremble; but a feeling Of
awe came over me. He had not spoken as we
walked along but, when we stood near the
ivy and the wind stirred the green leaves and
the snow.fell, he caught me in his arms and
kissed me passionately
'Oh, Gracia," he cried, 'here, where the
light of the star first led you to me, let me ask
you-will you be my wifei'
took courage, and looked up into his face.
"What of Lady Adithap asked, blushing
deeply.
''Lady Aditha Is going to marry the Duke
OF Cortland" he laughed ''She was very
fond Of me when was a little boy; but, to
tell you the truth, Gracia, she ceased to care
for me when she found that had lost Heron's
Nest.n
''Dld you care!" asked falteringly.
'Not at all. Why, Gracia, / have always
loved you, aud no one but you On the night
i first saw you-you, with your beautiful dark
eyes and sweet quaint name-1 loved you.
loved you then, and have loved you ever
since VIII you be my wife, GraciaW
could not speak for very excess Of JOY.
II shall never love any one else" he went
on. MY love for you, Gracia, will never
change. VIII you be my wifef'
! said "Yesy' and then In my turn told
him how had loved him.
So we plighted our troth under the light Of
the stars, with the Christmas snow lying
white on the ground and the bells chiming-a
troth that has never been broken, and will be
kept while life lasts.
IL was thither that the light Of the Christ