Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1886-11-04

| away TOT Time, as frfcnd OF ners was Ill ana
required her services The housekeeper made
her arrangements, attended to all that would
be required during her absence, and then de-
| parted.
| She returned when the June roses were
blooming. bringing me. I was six years old
when / came with Mrs. Blencowe to Heron's
Nest. She never spoke to the other servants
about me. She called me Gracia, and no one
knew whether It was my own name or not-I
was simply Gracia. So far as can remember,
she was very kind to me.
At Heronsdale there lived gentle, simple
old man, the organist OF the parish church,
Michael Holt. He taught me music and the
rudiments Of Latin, and made me acquainted
with the beauties of English literature taught
me for several years simply for love of me; for
two years after she had brought me to Herou's
Nest the housekeeper died suddenly. She was
standing on the steps In the library, busting
some valuable books, when she fell down dead.
The doctor who was summoned said the cause
OF her death was disease Of the heart disease
Of long standing. So lost the only person
who knew anything about me.
After she was dead, people did what they
never dared 10 do in her lifetime-they put
member-what had l scent Where had I
lived abroad-in what townl Was Mrs. Blen-
cove my mother, or was she my aunt But
remembered nothing clearly, except the roses
and the high gray walls; therefore could not
crafty their curiosity. 1t was possible that
Mrs. Blencowe might be my mother, yet proud
instinct told me she was not. / was penniless,
friendless, living at Heron's Nest on sufrerance;
yet was proud as the daughter of any peer,
and do not believe that ever lowered my
head for anyone.
No sooner was Mrs. Blencowe dead than
there was quite disturbance about me. Some
Of the servants said that the Squirrels solicitor
ought TO advertise for Mrs. Blencowe's friends
He did so and they came forward but none OF
them knew anything of me.
1t was suggested that | should be sent to the
workhouse or to an orphanage; but Mr.. Ora
ham would not hear Of that
"The Squire would be angry" he said
"After all, the child will not cost much; she
had better remain here for the present ! do
not know the Squirrels address, or would write
and ask him what Is To be done with her."
Then new housekeeper came-Mrs Pater.
SON. and she was as much mystihed as the
rest with regard TO me. She was kind, and a,
times even indulgent to me- The general be-.
lief Of the whole household was that l was
Mrs Blencowe's daughter, and the servants
treated me as such. They were familiar and
kind; but they regarded Inc as one OF them.
selves, and only laughed at my love Of books
and study
led that life for some years The only per-
son who treated me with any degree of respect
was the Vicar OF the parish, the Reverend Ern-
est Sale His wife never acknowled2 mt
even by so much as smile or u bow. She
was highly connected, believe, and was re-
garded as a model Of elegance. The Wears
daughter generally passed me by with look
Of cold contempt. Miss Sale was ambitious OF
being considered a country beauty. She In.
tended TO marry well, and altogether was q
young lady Of some importance. To them
such person as Mrs. Blencowe's daughter was
not worth a thought, ard the only time that
mother and daughter evlnced any interest In
me was when they both interfered to prevent
me from singing In Heronsdale Church. had
fine contralto voice, which, thanks to Michael
Holt, had been well trained, and my dear old
master was very proud OF his pupil. He said ]
sang like nightingale The proudest hour OF
my young life was when stool up In the choir
Of the old church to sing, and my solo Was
"Hark, the herald angels Singh
I forgot-even now the remembrance brings
tears to my eyes-the church aud the people
the Vicar standing so silent, the choir looking
ut me with wondering eyes. My very soul
went out IN the beautiful words, and saw only
the Christmas stars shining In the blue sky; it
was to them was singing.
After the service, Mrs. Sale. who at intervals
had been exchanging angry glances with her
daughter, whose voice was sweet but weak
soprano, came up and spoke to me. She said q
girl In my position could not be too quiet or
keep too much out of sight; therefore 1t would
be better that should not sing In the choir
again.
So faded my only CLEAN Of happ.nes. was
not dauntcd however. The old piano In the
library was my best friend, and before was
sixteen knew most of the popular operas,
and was well versed I'm classical music.
When Mrs Patterson found how fond was
Of music, she told me that had better give up
what little housework did, for 1t would spoil
my hands
"Some day." she said, "you will perhaps
know who you are; then you will have to earn
your own living, and you may do so BY music.
By-the-byc, Gracia," shc added, al want you to
walk over TO the vicarage to-day to ask Mrs.
Sale what butter she will want; and mind, II
you meet Miss Sale, that you make proper
curtsey to her."
II My eyes flashed with indignation. Yet,
who was that should not bow 10 the Wears
pretty daughterl-a question to which was
unable TO give an answer.
CHAPTER IT,
When ! reached my seventeenth year my
mirror told me that ] was not wanting in
beauty. / could not, and did not, associate