Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1886-11-25
But knew If looked at him should not

i
raised my eyes slowly. All, what did they
ssy-what did they tell himi
"Gracial" he cried, then raised my hand to
his lips
A moment later we saw Lady Caryl coming
towards us She gave one quick look from one
to the other-one searching look. Sir Adrian
appeared unconcerned but my cheeks burned
hotly Her ladyship said nothing to me, but
told her son that the farm-steward was waiting
for him. When Sir Adrian had gone, she
turned sharply to me.
"How is IL find you wasting your time here,
Graciai" she asked harshly ~ expect you to
be at work. What has brought you herei'
81 told her of my thoughtless wish to see
the "night-blowing cereus," and she did not
seem aLgry.
II think" she said, sit would be better II
you did not speak so freely 10 my son. Al
though he is kind enough to take some little
interest in you, you must remember the wide
difference between you"
II have never forgotten 1t, Lady Caryl, and
never SHALL" was my reply
That is right do not give yourself airs be-
cause you fancy you have pretty face An
other time, II S.r Adrian In his thoughtless
kindness should offer TO show you flowers, or
anything else, say you are busy, and decline"
or course il was all right and proper; be-
tween the nameless dependant and the master
OF Heron's Nest was a gulf nothing could
bridge over. But although II was right my
heart beat in rebellious anger Oh, my love
with the bonnie blue eyes, eyes that com
PEELED me to do his will, how could | decline
any kindness he might profrerl
All that day Lady Caryl was very thought
full l saw that she was brooding over some
thing. i was counting the hours until the
cleaning came, when | should sing for him
sing out all my love for him.
II laid my dress OF white muslin ready;
gathered businesses for my neck and hair. l
see myself now, standing before the mirror,
tall slender figure in white dress, the blush
roses In my dark hair and at my throat, my
eyes bright with hope and gladness. i was
going to see him; / should be in the same
room with him for at least two hours. / should
sing to him Of the love that never dies of the
story that never grows old. / should meet his
friendly glances. Perhaps he would even
come over to me as he had done before, and
say something pleasant TO me.
There was a rap at my door. 1t was Fisher,
her ladyship's maid. She looked with mean
roses.
You can take them of Gracia," she said,
my lady babe me 10 tell you you need not go
down To the drawing-room tonight"
AS a cloud darkens the face of the sun, 80,
on hearing these words, all my happiness died;
was not to see him sat in my room until
midnight, listening to the far-off sound Of
music and song, with the very bitterness of
death in my heart. | cried myself TO sleep,
thinking Of the happy girls who were free to
talk TO him. OF the one who had said that she
would marry him for his broad lands, and of
the other who would marry him for love Of his
bonnie blue eyes.
On the day following Lady Caryl was In a
more amiable mood. had one delicious mo
ment. l met Sir Adrian In the great corridor.
His whole face frightened when he saw me.
''Gracia, " he said responsibility, why did
you not come and sing last nighti / missed
you so muchr'
had no time TO answer, for saw Fisher in
the distance aud knew she told everything to
Lady Caryl. But the words had made me
quite happy again. II he missed me, nothing
else mattered.
In the evening, just before dinner, Lady
Csryl sent fer me- She was in her boudoir,
and she asked me To write some letters for her.
Then she walked TO the window. l suppose
few people care to look into the face Of those
whom they are going TO injure.
''You will have more liberty in the evening
now, Gracia," she said at last. I'VE shall
have visitors next week, Captain Fame, one Of
my sons old schoolfellows, is coming" She
paused; then her voice grew harsher, more
charm chill Sla continual ktNrS
Roper, the Generals wife and Lady Aditha
Glynn are coming too. Lady Aditha is very
fine musician, 50 that ! shall be able TO dis
pense with your services
There was something else coming, knew.
was breathless with suspense, with dread.
a may as well tell you" she said, ''that Sir
Adrian and Lady Aditha, are engaged TO be
married; It is an engagement Of long stand
ingn
Every w1d fell like drop of molten lead
upon my heart. / stood motionless; and
felt the color die from my face. Did some
keen instinct tell her what she had donel She
did not turn round; she never glanced at me
"Of course" she went on, II am not blam-
ing you; but it is certainly an awkward thing
to have girl in your position about the house
/ am sure | do not know how to explain il to
Lady Aditha. i must trust to your good sense
10 keep out of the way as much as possible"
What could sayi 1t was all true; but /
could not bear the truth. The last few words
reused me; their very bitterness and cruelty
stung me into passionate life.
"Your ladyship's wishes shall be obeyed,"
replied; and my anger gave me strength to
walk steadily from the room.
When / reached my chamber | threw myself
upon the bed and buried my face in the pill
lows. All / longed for was death. Was ever
girl SO miserable as /.
1t was some time before dared to look this
new pain in the face. Sir Adrian was to marry
Lady Aditha- did not know until that hour
how much loved him-how blank aud cold
my future looked
What was she like, this Lady Adithai Was
she tall, fair, and statelyl Would he walk by
her side, look into her eyes, kiss her hand, as
he had kissed minel If he did so, /, seeingit
must die Of jealousy. Icould not bear it-and
yet had known always that my love was in
vain. My Lowell just because he had been
kind to me, because from the height on which
he stood he had looked down upon
me, because In his goodness of
heart he had spoken gently to me, was to
presumed And yet what happy, thrice hap
py girl Lady Aditha must be-
Twas flying down the south corridor 10 al
most breathless haste. Her ladyshlp had sent
for me, and that In every case meant speed.
almost ran against Sir Adrian, who laughed at
my impetuosty. had not seen him since
heard that he was going to be married to Lady
Aditha Glynn- NY heart beat so quickly and
/ trembled so violently that l could hardly