San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1886-08-21

ne SAT uOwn ana looked nNedly AZ the little
parcel. He had tied II with red tape. In an
idle manner lac cut the ends OF the tape and
fastened them with wax. l remember the
shape Of the little parcel so well, and l also
remember wondering il should ever see il
again. The writing table was covered with
cid books; map of the county lay on IL
wide open, with several other things. went
on reading for few minutes; then, as the
Squire seemed 10 be absorbed In thought
felt that had better leave him.
Shortly afterwards Mrs. Paterson came 20
me in my solitary little room at the top OF
the house.
"Gracia," she said looking earnestly at
me, has the Squire said anything about
helping youY'
question so kindly meant felt as though
there were something between the Squire
and myself which was sacred, and was not
to be intruded upon by strangers.
Not at present" answered rather cold
ly; but he seems interested in my music"
"Now, Gracia," said the housekeeper, take
my advice. Speak frankly 10 the Squire. L
am sure he Is kind-hearted man. Tell him
what you want 10 begin life with. You
ought TO go TO one Of the grand music-schO0ls
in London or Paris, and he would send yor
to one II you were TO ask him."
II will think II over" replied.
Dor 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
1 could not decide what 10 do. felt that be-
tween myself and the Squire there was some
thing that no one else understood. Still re-
solved to speak TO him that very evening
about my future.
The afternoon was delightful one; there
was a crisp GOODNESS In the air that made il q
luxury 10 breathe. | had gone into the gar
den to gather some richly-cOlOred maple
iaay xgh \
would form pretty nOsegay. The Squire
was pacing up and down one Of the walks
with thoughtful air; but when he saw me,
his face frightened, and he came quickly to
my side.
Gracia," he said. II have been listening TO
the chime Of the HerOnSdale bells What do
you think they say To me? They say, Long
agO-long ago! Such a mOunful chime; It
has depressed me. The sound of your fresh
young voice and of your merry laughter will
TO me and make me laugh"
ri will do my best answered. although
find but little in life 10 laugh at"
Over the meadows came the sweet sound
of the bells, and, as heard them, felt some
of the depression that had fallen upon the
SQUIRE. To me too they seemed to say, 81 Ong
agO-lOng agor' What was his Long ago"
like? WONDERED. He turned to me so sud-
denly that he startled me.
DO you believe, Gracia," he said, that a
wrong can be rghtrd?'
IL should think 80, unless death inter
venes," | answered: and the words might
have been those Of prophecies Of evil
"HOw do you near he asked eagerly.
IL mean that wrong can be riglted, IN
less death steps in before it is accomplished,
and so prevents il.
He stood silent for few moments, while
i went on gathering the pretty maple-leaves.
hnT IA ~ mi In ma u..t.s atNsaa
broken with SOILS
"Gracia. GraCia, | am going to right a
wrong! | must do 1t! | have heayinesS
and strange fOrebOding to-day. Those bells
have unnerved me with their mOurnful Long
agO-lOng agOP"
He raised my face in his hands and kissed
my forehead.
Eyes, GIacia, am going to right great
wrong. | shall ride over to HeronsdaIe at
once and see a lawyer know there; then /
shall telegraph TO London for Mr.. Graham"
Tell me, | cried-"haye anything TO do
with itP''
Tonight" he said, Il shall have q sur
prise for you. When come home, you must
join me in the library, and 1 will tell you
then all you want 10 know"
Tell me now" pleaded; "a have waited
years for the knowledge! Have pity on me,
and tell Inc now" | felt that the color had
could hardly speak. "fell me y entreated.
II cannot live in this suspense"
You shall know all tonight Gracia," he
returned gently. There are several matters
TO be settled hrst, and must see a lawyer"
You promise to tell me who | anl, all my
history, who my parents are? Oh, Heaven,
how shall live until nigIt?'
Il promise faithfully" he replied.
Again he kissed my forehead, and stood
for some moments looking at me with long
ing eyes. Then he left me; and 50 great was
my rapture, my fear my agitation, that fell
upon the grass and buried my iace in il.
Soon heard the sound OF horses hOOfs;
and, looking up | saw thIt the Squire was
riding Black Prince, the finest horse in his
stable, but one Of which the grOOms were all
somewhat afraid-a spirited animal which
could not brook restraint. | watched rider
and horse until they disappeared amongst
the trees.
The memory of that afternoon, with its
balmy air, its sunny warmth, its OdOr Of au-
tumn flowers, will remain with me until
die.
| remember how sat upon the grass,
weaving sweet fancies. At last / should
have name, home, and fTiendSl At last
l should be as Others were!
could not go back To the house; It seemed
TO me as though should not be able to
breathe there. | felt that must be out in
the open air, with the waving branches
about me. My whole soul was on fire with
Impotence.
Hours must pass-hours, not minutes-be-
fore / should see the Squire again. tried
by walking to reduce the fever of impotence
that consumed me. / went through the
woods, and at last came to a white gate that
led from field to the river. Here / paused,
and saw what / imagined TO be a knot of
labOring-men standing by the river-bank.
They were talking together, and busy-I
could not see what they were doing-with a
rope. i waited some little time watching the
scene, and then walked slowly home.
" - N-n~sd