Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1886-01-07


BERTHE, standing by Guys side, was gazing
at our mothers picture.
"You are like her, Guy, when you are
pleased; when you are angry, you are your
father himself"
'Have you ever seen me angry, MousieP
-"Sometmes."
She was looking very lovely this morning.
Her hair, which was very luxurant, and OF
that lovely blond cenCre the old painters
loved was falling down her back in two
broad plaits tied with ribbon; her dress was
of gray, with a bright mauve knot at her
throat; her face was flushed, her eyes, lovely
velvet-brown eyes, were cleaning Her step
mother, looking superbly handsome in
moming-dress Of purple, fastened at her waist
with Il curiOusly-wr0ught band and gold tas-
sells, was strolling OH with Lord Oldham,
talking Of art and artists like cOnnosseur.
We had been halfway down the line OF de-
funct Tredegars, gallant-lOOking men in
doublet and corselet, pretty women IN various
costumes, handsome Cavaliers and dainty
Court ladies, when Guy was summoned to re-
ceive some rather important information
from his steward.
BERTHE will you excuse me for short
time? Mr.. Paliser, will you take my place
and show Miss Leonhardt our lions? You
are almost as well acquainted with them Us
am"
As he went OFF, BERTHE looked after him,
with her radiant face nod,ling and smiling
0t was the last time we saw il 80 bright;
then, as he disappeared, she turned to Mr..
Palser and addressed him with graceful
courtesy and Difference which must have been
winning to the old clergyman, who had held
the living of Tredegar during two genera
tons. They went ON together, stopping short
closely. 1t represented the interior of bed
chamber furnished in dark oak richly and
deliberately carved which, with the heavy
velvet hangings, made rather gloomy back
ground A handsome man in the prime of
life, wearing Cavalier dress, his long love
locks falling round his handsome debonar
face, was sitting in careless attitude on the
side of the heavy four-pOst bedstead, his eyes
fixed on Il shadowy figure standing just with
in the closed door, the figure of woman
with long falling hair, and one hand raised
as If in reproot or warning, while at the
painted window small white bird was beat
ing its snowy plumage against the glass.
This picture represented Il legend which
had been handed down for some generations
in our family. 1t was stated that our ances-
tor Rene Tredegar had just retired on the
night of his twenty ninth birthday. Gallant
Cavalier though he was, report said that Rene
was TO1te, renowned even among the Toltes
who were by no means rare IN Charles lis
Court 1t was whispered that a fair young
girl, Cicely Wadman. the daughter of wood
man Oh the estate, had owed her ruin to him,
and had hidden her shame in death; that OH
the night OH which the Garvor's waters had
closed over the erring, loving, broken heart a
white figure had appeared to Rene and had
solelnnly cursed him. telling him that no
male Tredegar would reach his thirtieth year,
and that three nights before the death of each
she would appear and warn him of his ap-
preaching end. 1t was rumored also that
Rene had spoken, asking her if she were
Cicely Wadman, and that white figure had
solemnly shaken her head, pointing with her
hand to the bird beating its snowy breast
against the glass, and which, rs she pointed
flew upwards with mournful cry.
So ran the legend. BY series of strange
condolences no male Tredcgar had during
the last four generations reached his thirtieth
year, and all but one had met death by ac-
cident or violence. My own father had died
at twenty his elder brother meeting his
death at twenty-five by the laundering of his
yacht in the Baltic Still we never attached
the least importance to the legend; and it
was with the greatest surprise that l saw its
effect on BERTHE, as Mr. Paliser gave her an
explanation of the picture, laughing heartily
at the idea of q supernatural visitor and treat
ing the story, as we all did. as an old legend
not worthy moments credence. BERTHE, as
she listened, grew deadly pale, and stood as
IL turned to stone.
us il true" she asked, in an awe-struck
voice so full OF pain that Mr.. Paliser grew
very grave.
Miss Leonhardt" he said, you don't
really give moments serious belief TO any
thing so absurd? IL Guy were here, he would
indeed laugh at YOU"
but Guys father?' questioned BERTHE
shivering.
'Died at twenty-seven, and his grandfath-
er when he was year younger" answered
the clergyman. "A strange coincidence
doubtless, but nothing more! Here comes
Guy; he looks like dying, does he not, Miss
Bertie?"
Regardless of appearances, BERTHE sprang
to him and chung convulsively to his arm.
What is it, my child?' he said anxiously;
then, guessing the cause of her agitation, he
laughed gay ringing laugh. You foolish
little woman, L must indeed scold you If you
are going to have Mysteries at all our legendsw
She drew long sobbng sigh of terror, and
then, looking up, seemed to gather strength
from the proud honest eyes looking into hers.
"Oh, Guy, forgive me; but such strange
presentiment of i'll came over me as listen
| ed! See-l am better now. | am not afarid
| when you are near" she went OH, as Mr..
Paliser moved away; 'you are SO strong, Guy
| bear with me-"
Guy drew her away 10 deep oriel window,
and there stopped and pressed long tender
kiss on the fair pale brow.
81 hope You will never have a care you will
not let me bear for you, mignOnne," he said
gently. "Stll 1 am grieyed to think that
foolish picture has upset you."
Secure In the curtained recess, Berte's
head sank upon his breast
You are not angry, Guy?' she whispered.
ANGRY with you, Berte?'
"See," she went Output your hand close
to my heart and feel how il beats. Such a
strong hand! All Guy, as your hand is
stronger than mine, so is your heart Drawer!
The thought''-she shuddered--"w too
DREADFUL
AS the days slipped by, BERTHE won her way
closer to every heart at Tredegar. Our grand
mother Lady kimaine had taken the great
est fancy TO her ever since b rite with her
graceful foreign courtesy, had stnOped to kiss
the withered ieweled hands. Guy seemed to
live only for her, and lavished on her so
many beautiful gifts that BERTHE said laugh
ngly she could start 4 jewelers. shop; but a
shadenlingered on the fair young face which
never wholly left il, a sort of unspoken dread,
which always seemed to haunt the great
brown eyes, was perhaps the only one who
noticed it, and II may have been fancy, for,
| IA my N.,n han r.