Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1886-12-16
Heron's Nest.
BY BERTHA NJ. CLAY.
CHAPTER XI-CoNTINuKD.

she said, bending down to kiss me; "the
Squire was greatly to blame. You have been
cruelty trcatcd" She was silent for q few
moments then she continued "For my share
IN 1t beg your pardon. was completely mis-
led. was forced TO believe that you were the
unacknowledged daughter Of an old servant
a friendless dependant on the charity of the
house; and, In treating you as SUCH did no
wrong. Indeed, she added, after pause, 81
may say that treated you generously OF
course had not the fantest idea that you
were Gracia Dacre."
l drew her hand to my lips and kissed 1t.
II hope shall never get well, Lady Caryl,"
l said. 81 cannot bear the thought OF taking
Heron's Nest from Sir Adrian. He 10 so proud
OF the old place!"
She smiled-a peculiar smile, such as / had
never seen on her face before.
1T is your right" she answered. my son
will feel the loss; but he is not a poor man;
he will soon find another home. No harm has
been done to us; but great harm has been
done To you. We must atone for it,"
When Lady Caryl did anything, IL was al
WAYS royalty done, and she made full amends
to me.
IL can never do too much for youn she
said to me one day; ''for you would have
given up everything YOU had in the world for
my son."
AS grew stronger, found that the whole
county knew of the strange incident which
had taken place at the old manor-house.
Lady Caryl herself had at once made 1t pub
lie; and, as accounts Of 1t had appeared In all
the newspapers, every one In England knew
how the poor companion had become the proud
owner Of Heron's Nest.
The day came when / was well enough to
discuss my future with Lady Caryl l had not
seen Sir Adrian since my illness began. Lady
Caryl had promised me from day TO day that
when was little better he should be pres
ent at the consultation we were going to have.
1t was one of the last days of October, and
was carried into the library on my couch.
How II brought back old times to me, 70 see
that room again, the chair in which my father,
the Squire, had sat writing, the table on which
those precious papers had lain!
1t was q bright warm autumn day; few
late roses were in bloom, and the chrysanthe.
NUNS were unusually fine During all these
long weeks lad forgotten Lady Aditha but
now remembered her suddenly as the woman
whom / understood Sir Adrian was to marry.
/ asked Lady Caryl where she was.
Gone" she replied "Mrs Roper has
great dread Of illness. AS soon as she knew
that you had brain-fever, she left, and Lady
Adiths went with her."
Il hope" Then paused, for the words
seemed SO difficult 10 utter. ~ hope that my
illness did not delay the marriage"
what marriagei" asked Lady Caryl quick
ly.
'Did dream it, had many dreams when
/ was Ill, and they were so real. / am con-
fused at times. | thought Sir Adrian and
Lady Aditha were TO be married."
Lady Caryl looked little perplexed.
III told you that" she said. ~ ought to
explain. Lady Adtha's mother and were
great friends, and our children were playmates
twenty years ago. 1t was her mother and
who talked about their marriage then, aud
have wished for 1t ever since"
''Then they were not engagcdp queried.
Not perhaps In the strict sense of the
word" she replied; ''but have always looked
upon them as an engaged couple. l have al
ways thought Of Lady Aditha as my sons
wife"
"And he has done the same, supposed"
was nv remark; but she did not seem quite so
sure Of 1t.
|
followed by Sir Adrian; and, when my eyes
fell once more upon his face, | forgot every
thing had seen 1t last in the moonlight In
that supreme hour Of my life when he had
taken the papers from me.
"Gracia," he said, as he took my hands, 81
am pleased TO see you again" Then he sat
down by my side; and TO my foolish happy
heart it was as though he had taken possession
of me-
There could be no question, Mr. Graham
said as to the validity of the papers, none as
to my rights. was indeed heiress OF Heron's
Nest Then made my petition to them, and
II was that they would not take Heron's Nest
from Sir Adrian, but let him keep II. would
accept money from them enough TO live com
fortably on-enough to live In luxury-but
not Heron's Nest. Sir Adrian loved It; let
him keep it.
''You do love 1t, do you notr' said, turn
ing TO him.
Il do" he returned earnestly; "for It holds
the noblest heart in the world"
''But you love It for itself, do you mott"
asked again.
"Yes" he answered, with a smile that
never forgot.
"Let Inc give II to him; let me make It
legally his ~ | entreated.
But Mr.. Graham shook his head.
at can not be done, Miss Dacre. Heron's
Nest is yours, and you must keep it."
Sir Adrian bent down and kissed my hand
'There could be no better mistress for II,
Gracia," he said.
1t twas arranged that should remain where
was until Christmas, and that Lady Caryl
should stay with me.
'Do you know where am going GraciaP'
Sir Adrian whispered presently
forgot that any one else was near--I forgot
Lady Caryl and the lawyer as I chung to the
hands that held mine.
"Where are you goingp / asked quickly.
''Ob, Sir Adrian, do not gol Stay here"
He bent his head still lower.
"Gracia" he sad in a low tone, III could
not stay here just now, dear. II would be
hardly right l am going to Spain. shall
see the old church In Granada where your
mother aud the Squire were married, and
shall see the white marble cross with the name
Isola' upon it. Are you contentr'
"Must you got" cried.
eyes, Gracia, +" he said; 'it Is imperative;
but shall be back for Christmas and you win
be quite well by then. shall go hoping to
find you better-nay well-when / return"
He went; and l, growing better and strong
er every day, did nothing but count the hours
until his return.
CHAPTER XII.
II was Christmas eve again; but how
changed was all the world to me Last year a