Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1886-11-11
Heron's Nest.
BY BERTHA NJ. CLAY.
CHAPTER u-coSrlSurp.

gave him list Of my requirements, and
told him that Michael Holt had taught me all
knew. Long afterwards heard that he had
presented Mr.. Holt with five hundred pounds,
without however assigning any motive for do
ing So Then l ventured to say that Mrs.
Paterson had wished Inc to sing To him. adding
modestly that ! thought might, with little
assistance, be able to earn my own living.
He smiled. All me- shall never forget the
beauty OF that smile 1t changed his face al
together.
I'VE shall see," he said 'Let me hear you
sing, Gracia."
He went to the piano, which stood at the
other end OF tie room, and opened It.
'Who taught you music and singingl" he
asked.
1.-THE man who has taught me everything
else" answered-"Mlcbael Holt"
On the day before had found beautiful
little poem, and the words had pleased me so
much that set them to music. did not now
stop 10 think whether the verses were suitable
or not, but sang them
"Whosc words are those" the Squire asked
when had finished.
i told him.
Sand whose music Is TT"
And ] answered hIm-oh, so proudly that
the music was mine.
"Yours" he questioned in surprise. "You
must be clever. Sing something else that you
have set to music"
| This time the song WAS quite different; 1t was
a more lively air When finished a cry Of de-
light fell from the lips Of the Squire as the last
notes died away.
"EXcellcntw he exclaimed "a girl who
can compose such music need not despair"
Then | took courage, and looking into his
face, asked the question that had been hover
ing around my lips from the moment first
saw him.
esquire Dacre," said, mo one knows any
thing of me- tell me, do you know who amt"
saw that for one moment at least the ques-
ton paralysed him; but he soon recovered him
self
"If ! could solve the mystery" he returned
slowly, 81 should not need TO ask all the ques-
tons have put to you"
To my mind his evasion OF the truth was
painful and perceptible. II he had answered
me frankly VS." l should not perhaps have
dared to ask ore. II he had said "No,"
should have lieved him. As IL was felt
that he had AIDED my question. From that
moment a strong conviction that the Squire
knew Who was, knew in fact, my whole his
tory-took possession OF me.
"You hope then, Gracia, to live by your
musci' he asked suddenly.
'Yes," answered quietly
"We will see what can be done. / must
think matters over" he said. "You seem to
have read great deal"
looked round the grand old library with
considerable pride.
"Ycs." ] replied; II have read most Of the
books In this room, msny OF them two or three
times"
ave must have a chat about them some
day." he said. II have almost forgotten what
books are here-I have been away so many
years" lie repeated the final words softly to
himsclf--"So many years."
From that gathered that / was not To be
driven from Heron's Nest because It's master
had returned.
an the meantime, sir. viii you tell me what
am to dol" asked. Il cannot mix with the
servants Find me place In your household
where shall not be forced to associate with
them"
His lips quivered.
II will think over IT," he said slowly
meanwhile be patient, Gracla be patient l
will see you again"
And that, knew, was an intimation that
might 60 / went; but life was not the same
for me again-I felt so sure that the Squire
knew my whole history.
CHATTER H.
"Grscia, how did YOU get on with the Squirep
"Are you going awayp docs he know any
thing about youl'
Such we're the questions that assailed me
Che whole of the day, from Mrs. Paterson down
10 the lowlIest hand-maiden In the house
None Of the servants resented the fact that
did not care for their society, and could not
but admit that their curiosity was only natural
They all wanted to know what the Squire had
said when he found that a young girl had been
brought up in his household without his knowl
edge; but felt that all their interest was
kindly meant.
II was l myself who felt so strange. / was
sure the Squire knew something Of me that he
would not tell; ! had read it in his eyes. Per-
haps / was the daughter of some old friend Of
his; but II so, why all this secrecyi There
was no need for It. My heart and my head
ached more than ever with the burden Of the
question, "Who am Ii''
thought the Squire would be dignified and
avoid me; but, to my surprise, on the morning
following our conversation In the library he
sent for me. This interview differed from the
last he did not look at me or question me 81
much.
81 gathered from what you said yesterday,
Gracia, that YOU have been accustomed to use
the libraryi"
Eyes" l answered; at was my one place OF
refuge"
"And have taken It from you"
"You are master here; 1t is your right" l
answered.
Then will be generous master, for will
give up my right to that room to you"
1t was not merely the kindness OF his words
that affected me; II was the tacit acknowledge
ment of our social equality These words
proved to me that was not the daughter Of
one of his servants He would not have offered
the use of the library to Mrs. Paterson or to
any Of her relatives. My heart beat proudly os
recognized the supreme Importance Of this
fact 10 myself
81 should not like your studies to be inter-
fered with, Gracia, " he went on, especially II
you wish to make any progress In music. Let
us make this arrangement. / pass nv morn
ings out Of DOORS and my afternoons with my
books. will leave you the mornings, and you
can spend the time In the way you like best"
This from the proud Squire of Heron's Nest |
He was never proud to me after that.
During the next three days / saw him fire.
quently, and II struck me that his face always
wore II look OF anxious broodng care, rs though
In his mind he we're debating some weighty