San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1886-08-20

library With the piano ana books There,
three times a week, old Michael Holt came
to give me my lessons, there all my dreams
were dreamed; there | shed tears over my
lonely lOveleSs lot; there hoped for future
that should be brighter than the past.
As 1 was sitting in the library one day
dreaming day-dream one of the maid SerY-
ants hastily entered the room.
"GTacia," she said, "Mrs. Paterson says
you must come out of this room at once and
20 to hers. Mr.. Graham has arrived, and he
will not like 10 find you here" Mrs Pater-
son was right What business had a girl
without name IN that SumptuOus library
would have given worlds to check the hot
flush that rose to my face. In silence laid
down my book and quilted the room.
In the hall, as crossed II, met . gentle
man-Mr. Graham, ! knew. When he saw
me, he stopped suddenly.
why, who are your he asked. Strange
that every one should ask the same question !
could make only my usual answer
IL am GTacia."
"GraciaP' he repeated slowly; and | saw,
to my surprise and delight look of admira-
girl supposed To be the late hOusekeeper's
laughter
MY proud head dropped. What would
not have given II could have said "NO"2
Before had time TO answer, he added quick
ly-
L.
you are Mrs. BlencOwe's daughter; but who
you are is a mystery cannot solve"
The words delighted Inc. IL was the first
time that any one seemed to think il possible
that might not be Mrs Blencowe's daugh-
ter.
continued hurriedly. II do not know on
which day he will arrive; but it will be some
time next weck"
do you think he will let me remain here?'
asked eagerly. Does he know that l am
hereY"
Il cannot answer either question" he re-
piled. The Squire has never mentioned you
in his letters I wrote to him when Mrs
Blencowe died, and said that you would
stop at Heron's Nest unless | heard from
him to the contrary; but he did not answer
that letter"
What shall dor asked despairingly.
DO nothing, he replied. Keep out OF
his sight for time. | wish could be here
when he comes, but 90 to Scotland tO-mOr-
row, and shall not be back for some weeks.
have no doubt that lie will do something
for you"
felt more puzzled than ever that day as
to who | could possibly be. l must be Of
good birth, thought for everything about
me betOkened race. But to what family did
l belOngp All, that was mystery!
There was great excitement In the house
hold when 1t was known that the master was
returning. Mr. Graham remained only few
hours The hOuSekeepeT had told him about
my singing, and he sent for me to ask me TO
sing to him. did so. When had finished
my song, he looked at me thOughtfully.
You need have no fear for the future,
Gracia," he said; you have fortune In
your voice. have heard none more beauti-
ful."
"A fortunep' | repeated dreamily; and
then 1t occurred 10 me that had never In
my life had shilling that could call my
own.
He spoke very kindly, telling me that soon
er or later something must transpire with re-
gard TO my parentage, that l was TO take
courage, and that he would always be my
friend.
Nothing was spoken Of now but the COM
Ing of the Squire. Quite an army of servants
suddenly appeared; trim housemaIds, cooks,
footmen, cOachmen, and grOOms, all seemed
TO spring into existence at once. The state
rooms in the great mansion were thrown
open, the picture-galleTy was set In order.
There | saw portrait Of the Squire when he
was quite young man: and my wonder was
that the Lady Millicent BranscOmbe could
have resisted him, he looked so gallant and
handsome | loved the face, and when
looked at 1t l said to myself that the owner
Of 1t could never be cruel 10 me. There was
a smile In the bonnie blue eyes that promised
well; but then the picture had been painted
before he saw the Lady Millicent
Within three days after the announcement
of the Squire's return HerOn's Nest was quite
another place. II seemed to me a fitting
abode for a prince. Now there was less
room than ever for me. | could not mix
with the crowd of servants in the hall my
feeling and instinct were against II. Into
the renovated rooms dared not enter. My
favOrite place. the library, was closed against
me. My own little sleeping-roOm at the top
of the house, whence | caught a glimpse OF
the sea, was my only refuge, and during the
next week / lived almost entirely there.
At last heard that the Squire had come.
had pictured him always as he was In his
Notwithstanding and handsome; but | had
failed to allow for the havoc that years OF
sorrow and pain make
1t seems that for some days no one men,
toned me to the master OF the house, nor did
he make any Inquiries about Inc.
One night, when / believed the whole
household 10 be asleep, l went quietly down
to the library to get book, one OF Richard
PrOctOr's, called Other Worlds than Ours
a book in which | rev-lled. There was no
one there. | found my volume, and went
back to my room with It; but bow Of pink
ribbon fell unperceiyed from my hair. As
the Squire passed through the room early in
the morning, he saw 1t lying on the carpet
and he picked II up. Just at that moment
one Of the hOuSemaidS entered the room.
ITO whom does this belong?' the Squire
asked her.
ITO Gracia, SIR" answered the maid.
She told me Of the meeting afterwards, and
said that when the Squire heard the name he
recOiled as though he had received blow.
a L.. H..