Madison times. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1884-1???, 1886-11-27

ever ever knew the nature Of the contents.
Everything went en- from year 10 year in the
same monoronous. quiet, peaceful way. Grad
ually the memory of the Squire died from the
minds Of his people; and then l came upon
the scene-wheuce 10 one ct Heron's Nest or
in the neighborhood could tell.
1t seems that one fine April morning letter
came for the hOusckeeper, Mrs. Blencowe
After she read il, she called the servants to-
gether, and told them she was compel led to go
away for a time. as a friend Of hers was III and
required her services. The hOusckerper made
her arrangements. attended TO all that would
he required during her absence, and then de-
parted.
She returned when the June roses were
blooming, bringing me. ! was six years OH
when | came with Mrs. Blencowc TO Heron's
Nest. She never spoke 20 the other servants
about me. She called me Gracia, and no one
knew whether it was nv own name or mott
was simply Gracia So far Us can remember,
she was very kind to me.
At Heronsdale there lived a gentle, simple
old man, the organist of the parish church,
Michael Holt. lie taught me music and the
rudiments of Latin, and made me acquainted
me for several years simply for love Of me- for
two years after she had brought me TO HerOn's
Nest the housekecper 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-diseaSc
Of long standing. So lost the only person
who knew ANYTHING about Inc.
| After she was dead, people did what they
! never dared to do in her lifctiTe-thev put
| innumerable questions to me. What did ! re-
member-what had ! scent Where had
| 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. Twas penniless
grieudlcss, living at Heron's Nest ON sufferance
| vet / was proud as the daughter OF any peer,
and / 10 not believe that ever lowered my
head for anyone.
/ No sooner was Mrs. Blencoyee dead than
there was quite disturbance about me. Some
Of the servants said that the Squire's solicitor
ought to advertise for Mrs. Blencowe's friends.
H. did so and they came forward; but none of
them knew anything Of Inc.
1t was suggested that should be sent TO the
workhouse or to an orphanage; but Mr.. Gra-
ham would not hear Of that.
1.-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 Squire's address, or would write
and ask him what is to be done with her'
Then new housekeeper came-Mrs Pater
son; and she was a. much mystied Us tho
rest with regard TO me. She was kind, and al
times even indulyent 10 me. The general be
ief of the whole household was that l wa:
Mrs. Blencowe's daughter, and the servant,
treated me as such. They were familiar ant
kind; but they regarded me as one Of them
selves, and only laughed at my love of book!
and study.
l led that life for some years. The only per
son who treated Inc with any degree of respec
was the Vicar OF the parish, the Reverend Ern
est Sale. His wife never acknowledged IN
even by so much as a smile or a bow. Sh'
was highly connected, | believe, and was re
} garded as a model OF elegance. The Vicar
daughter generally passed me by with a lool
of cold contempt. Miss Sale was ambitious o.
: being considered a country beauty. She in
tended TO marry wei. and altogether was
Young lady Of some importance. To then
such person as Mrs. Blencowe's daughter wa
not worth a thought, and the only time tina
mother and daughter evinced any interest Il
| me was when they both intcrfered TO prevcu
Ine from singing in Heronsdale Church. ha
, n fne co1tralto voice, which, thanks to Michat
Holt. had been well trained, and nv dear ol
: master was very proud Of his pupil. He said
= sahg like nightingale. The proudest hour {
t my Young life was when stood up In the choi
4 Of the old church TO sing, and my solo was
'.Hark, the herald angels sing"
T forgot-eyen now the remembrance bring
tears 10 my eycs-the church and the people
the Vicar standing so SILENT the choir looHin
, , at me with wondering eyes. Nv very sou
went out in the beautiful words, and saw onl
: the Christmas stars shining in the blue sky;
was to them was singing.
After the service, Mrs. Sale. who at interva
had been exchanging angry glances with III
daughter, whose voice was a sweet but wea
: soprano, came up and spoke to me. She said
" Girl in my position could not be too quiet
keep too much out of sight: therefore 1t woul
| Dc DeIJcf lu1t enOuiu hot sib5 au 1iS Wv
+ again.
. So faded my only CLEAN OF happ!nes. Iw'
: not daunted however. The old piano in q
: lib,ary was my best friend, and before | W
:. sixteen knew most of the popular opera
: and was well versed in classical music.
When Mrs Patterson found how fond W
: of music. she told NE that / had better give
= what little housework did, for it would spc
: my hands.
.'Some day." she said, ''you will Perha
= know who YOU are; then you will have TO ea
;, your own living, and you may do so by mus
= By-the-bye, Gracia," she added, IL want YOU
walk over 10 the Vicarage to-day 10 ask Nj
/, Sale what butter she will want; and mind,
- YOU meet Miss Sale, that you make prop
, curtsey to her."
= I! Ny eyes flashed with Indignation. Y
~ who was that should not bow 10 the Vica
: pretty daugbter.-a question to which l
:. unable to give an answer.
CHAPTER IL
In When reached my seventeenth year
a. mirror told me that ! was not wanting
= beauty ! could not, and did not, associ:
ID with any of thp servants; they had ceased
I'd expect II. ! spent most Of my time in the
N .brary with the piano and books. There III
ne times a week, old Michael Holt came TO z
ed me my lessons; there all my dreams WI
,ic dreamed; there / shed tears over my lon
nc ioveless lot: there hoped for future Il