Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1886-11-18

On tair ana beautiful star, tnat nad brought
me 10 him whom loved from the first moment
! saw him. and whom shall love until diel
II was new world into which l entered. |
passed IN at the postern- gate, leaving him
there looking at me- and left my old life far
behind The stars seemed TO shine more
brightly and something / had never known
before was beating ia my happy heart and
making nv cheeks burn. did not know why
II vas, and did not stop TO ask myself. Then
before reached the house, heard the chin
iug Of the bells over the snow, the same sweet
OIL Christmas is come-Christmas Is
coWew Christmas had indeed come to me and
brought me friend.
The radiance of the stars was In my eyes
when ] went back TO the housekeepers room.
She looked at me In wonder. She had never
seen my face frightened with happiness be-
fore.
''Gmcia" she said severely. ''where have
Won bCcnl You must not run Wild about the
place now. You had better keep In your own
roo'n much as possible until we know what
Va lady wishes"
The words did not hurt me, because had
the echo of those others lingering in my ears.
Ny heart could not ache, because had found
"a friend.
Il should like to see Lady Caryl" was oil /
said.
"rhey viii pass through the hall as they go
to tho dning-room," she answered. "both
~ Adrian and my lady"
Sir Adrian! II the worthy housekeeper could
have Guessed how my heart beat at the sound
Of that name she would have been astonished.
stood in the deep shadows Of the gallery
nd 10 hap md,
.o,acr than he had seemed before She was
naughty and imperious looking woman. For
the first time In my life | saw fashionable
lady In evening dress, and Lady Caryrs vel
vet and diamonds entranced me.
Then went to my room, and spent the re-
umnder OF Christmas Eve in watching the
saoN and the stars through the window; but l
wiN happy, because my heart was warm with
love. ! smile now. with tears in my eyes,
when think of the fervor and the passion Of
that loye-how recalled Sir Abrams face, his
voice; how kissed the hand he had touched;
how unuttcrably glad and happy / was; how |
krelt down at last when the Christmas bells had
ceased Ginning and thanked Heaven for hav
In guided me to happiness by the light of o
star.
1 remembered the next morning the house
Keepers warning that had better keep In my
room; but had some feathered friends, robin
rcohGcasts, who always expected me To feed
'hcm. They congregated on the lawn every
m"rning, looking out for bread crumbs. The
hrcnkfast-room opened onto the lawn, and
thought ! should have time 10 feed the birds
before her ladyship came down.
The sun shonc brightly on the snow, the
moruigg was lovely one My face when
looked at il in the mirror, was so radiantly
happy that was half afraid lest anyone should
note the change in 1t. The pretty redbressts
were gathered round me, eating the crumbs
rlcrlily, when suddenly l heard one of the
long French windows open. Looking up, | saw
Lad Cary. With one white jeweled hand she
bncLoacd me to her, and went.
WHO are you1" she asked, laying stress on
the word 'you."
The inevitable question, aud the inevitable
answer
a aIn Gracia."
Her face darkened.
"Craciar' she repeated. in a displeased
tone. Il understood that she was a child.
Come into the room / wish to speak 10 you.
Close the window; It is cold"
oleyei her, and stood before her.
50 you ale Gracia" she said. my son
was telling me about you last evening. 1t is a
strange story, one that do not at all under
stand. DO YOU really mean TO say that you
know nothing about yourself, that you have no
clue to your own history, your parentager
None whatever" / replied.
at Is generally believed that you are a
daughter of the late Mrs. Blencowc, person,
understand, who was very reserved and re-
tcent What 10 you think yourselfi'
j do not think 1t is true" ! answered, "be-
caus, can remember family some part Of my
life before ever saw Mrs. Blencowe. ! have
a story" ] continued eagerly; II am home
less, nameless, and friendless but have a
story" Ny heart smote me as used the word
"friendless," and grew warm with the men,
DRY Of the promise made to me
Tbs cold proud eyes looked searchingly into
mine.
"lIhy are You so sure Of thatr she asked.
The Squire told me so on the very after
noon ef the day he died, and he promised me
that, when he came home IN the evening" he
woul tell me my history. lie said," added
incaUtiuusly, that he was going TO right
arong.'"
ITO do whatr' asked Lady Caryl incredu-
ouslv
10 EJEut "ionB, Iephcu.
What wrong might that ber she asked
coldly.
Il do not know II the Squire had lived a
few hours longer, should have known nv
history; as 1t is, l am utterly ignorant OF It."
The pride and GOODNESS deepened In her
face.
you do not suppose that the Squire had
vrougcd sou in any way, do youl" she asked
NO; have never thought Of such thing"
was M answer.
II will not do for you 10 encourage absurd
IDEAS such as thinking that the Squire has
done YOU wrong, or that you have any right
to remain here"
~ have had no such thought, madam" I
replied II have never had one thought OF
the Squire which has not been kind and CRATE
full" said warmly.
Probably There is nothing so hurtful toa
youug mind as INDUCING In false ideas Try
70 steer clear of doing that Romance Is
fatal thing; no girl ever succeeds who Is ro-
! mantle"
thought Of the postern-gate and blushed
furiously. What would her ladyship say II she
knew OF the meeting tberel
Lady Caryl took the blush az a sign Of guilt.
You are romantic, see, and / am sorry for
II; but I make some allowance for ciycum-
stances. OF course you have been dreaming
that You are some great lady-that you have
been stolen from your parents, who are anx-
iously waiting In their ancestral home 70 well
come YOU"
IL she had been any one but Sir Adran's
mother, I should have hated her, she was SO
prord and scorn ful 40 cold and hauphtv She