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

would reach Heron's Nest that evening aud
that they would dine at eight So they were
coming at last! What would their coming
bring 10 me,
/ remember how slowly the hours OF that
day passed; and. when afternoon came, the
colors OF the earth and the sky were so beauti-
full that / could stay indoors no longer.
Ihad forgotten the coming visitors; thought
Of nothing but the snow and the stars-the
mystery and beauty of Christmas I did not
heed whittier my footsteps led me, until found
myself close TO what we called the posternJ
gate, green door let into thick wall covered
with ivy, the ivy now being covered with snow
and forming one Of the prettiest pictures con-
ceivable, thought, as / stood looking at IT,
The starlight fell upon IT, and IL seemed 20
me that one star-my Christmas star-had
never shown with so bright light as il did
then. beautiful star, whittier had you led
mel
Presently, Is things are sometimes revealed
In dream, saw face grow as II were, out
OF the ivy; and then perceived that some one
was standing just within the doorway, looking
cut upon the snow-coyered moonlit landscape
No cry escaped me; | felt no fear. had al
ways fancled that the light of nv Christmas
star would take me to some one whom could
love, and its rays had brought me hither.
| looked up in admiration. Some one, de-
scribing the face of great Saxon king, called
IL 'fair, frank and true" Were truth and
frankness ever more clearly written than on
the face Of the young man before mel lie had
q noble looking head and sunny brown hair;
his eyes were bue--laughiDg eyes, keen aud
bright with dark, strongly-marked brows
His face was clean-cut like cameo full of
power and pride, yet so winning in its fair
beauty that no woman could look at It I'M
moved Hther the light Of the star had brought
me, and this was what It's rays fell upon.
saw tall, manly figure, strongly built, yet
with an easy grace and bearing; and my heart
went out 20 II.
The dreams and hopes of my life seemed to
have reached crisis. ! had always felt that
the Christmas star which had attracted me
meant more for me than II did for others; !
had always cherished curious dreamy hope
about IL; and now 1t seemed To me that the
star itself had led me to the old postern-gate.
And who vas here waiting for met
1t mattered not Whoever it was, had q
strange feeling that henceforward my life
would be changed and bound up in his
The wind suddenly stirred the ivy-leaves
the soft snow fell from them-fell upon him
and then he saw me. He started, and uttered
a faint exclamation OF surprise, then moved
from the postern-gate.
~ beg your pardon" he said. DO you want
10 20 ini''
NO" / answered shyly
Our eyes met, and 1t seemed to me that In
that moment lived a lifetime could not
nd my xyit
''Who are your he asked curiously.
81 am Gracia, " replied, forgetting for an
instant that had not another name.
''And who is Gracial" ne said Lightly
'Gracia, with the dark eyesl'
~ do not know" / responded, as usual,
thinking 10 myself that should have known
II the Squire had not died so suddenly that
fatal night
saw his face clear and brighten as be said
Are you the"--he half hesitated here--''the
young lady Of whom Mr.. Graham spoke TO
me this morningl We called upon him as we
passed through London--I did, at least"
~ am Gracia" answered
~ forgot to mention e ~ Lady Csryl," he
added. = sid 30 and see her at once so
you are Graca"
The light Of the stars seemed to have passed
into the blue eyes that still held mine.
Yours is a curious story" he said thought
fully. 81 must have long talk with you about
it."
felt even then that l should like him TO
talk with me forever The very sound Of his
voice delighted me, IL was so rich and musical
He looked round with a smile.
'May be permitted To ask, )" he said, ''what
Gracia is doing out In the cold on Christmas
Eve!"
II came out TO look at the snow and the
stars" answered; at is such q beautiful
Christmas Eve"
II love Christmas Eve" he said slowly,
land this is an ideal one. ] have not seen so
much snow for years Do you like the snow,
Graciar"
81 could not tell you how much" was my
reply and 1t seemed TO please him.
The way in which he pronounced my name
made IL sound unutteraby sweet In my ears.
Suddenly 1t occurred to me that, although he
had spoken OF Lady Caryl, l could not be sure
Of his identity unless asked him who he was.
II must be Sir Adrian still had better AJAX the
| question.
'Are you Sir Adrian Caryli" said
ayes" he replied; "and a very fortunate
Z
Do you not think sol"
81 do indeed. am glad II has como TO
! you," answered.
ave reached Herou's Nest earlier than we
| expected, he went on. Like You, Gracia,
like to be out IN the starlight, and so came
! here"
I'VE call this the postern gate, remarked.
This Is part Of the old house that was built In
Edward the Thirds reign"
"You know Heron's Nest welllr he said
! smiling
~ know and love every nook and corner Of
! ri" I cried. ~ have lived here the greater
| part Of nv life"
f, at Is y grand old place." he said gently.
But" he added quickly, 81 must not keep
: you standing In the cold Gracia: let us move
on. Your story lie indeed q strange one" ae
continued, as we walked on slowly, land,
, must say, II puzzles me. There must be
some means Of clearing up the mystery; and
: II II is 10 be done, win do IT," He held out
/ his hand and took mine. ''You must have been
. most lonely and forlorn, poor chldr' he said
, Nov remember you have friend. ! Am In
terested in YOU aud will take care Of you, II
YOU will trust me-"
: Trust hint MY heart had already gone on.
4 10 him. could only murmur words Of thasks
Ard gratitude.
~ must talk over the m ter with Lsdv
I garyl.n he said: "she will known It's best 70
De done | am sure she WI be X nd 10 You"
looked at him, unable 70 speak, simply ~