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

could make Only ny usual answer
~ am Gracls."
"Gracial, be repeated sloviv; and saw, TO
nv surprise end delight, look OF admiration
! in his keen eyes. care you the Young girl sup
| rosed to be the late housekeepers dsughter''
| My proud head dropped. What would not
| have given If could have said "Noii Before
| ! had time to answer he added quickly
| a. for nv own part do not beie7e that yon
are Mrs Hlencowe's daughter; but who Tcu
are is a mystery carrot solve"
The words delI2hted me. ;, vas the first
time that any one seemed to think il fg''si5'e
that might not be Mrs Blencowe's daughter.
THE Squire Il coming home" Mr.. Graham
continued hurrieGly. IL do not know on what
day he will arrive, but j: Will be some time
next week"
do you think he viii let me remain herei'
I asked eagerly. Docs he know that am
herei"
Il cannot answer either question" he re-
piled. "The Squire has never mentioned you
In his letters. wrote 10 him when Mrs. Bien-
cove died, and said that you would stop at
Ierons Nest unless heard from him 10 the
contrary; but he did not answer that letter"
''What shall do!'' asked despairiuglr.
"Do nothing" he replied. "Keep out OF his
sight for a time wish could be here when
he comes, but / go TO Scotland tomorrow, and
shall not be bacl; for some weeks. have no
doubt that he will do something for YOU"
felt more puzzled than ever that day as 10
who / could possibly be. l must be Of good
birth, thought, for everything about me be-
tokened race. But to what family dil / be-
longi All, that was a mystery
There was great excitement in the house
hold when It was known that the master
was returning. Mr. Graham remained only
few hours. The housekceper had told him
about my singing, and he sent for Inc to ask
me to sing to him. | did so. When had
finished nv song he looked at me thoughtfully.
"YOu need have no fear for the future,
Gracia," he said; you have fortune in your
voice. ! have heard rome more beautiful"
J "a fortune!" repeated dreamily; and then
It occurred to me that had never In my life
had shilling that could call my own
lie spoke very kindly, telling me that sooner
, or later something must transpire with regard
; to my parentage, that was to take courage,
, and that he would always be my friend.
7 Nothing was spoken OF now but the coming
Of the Squire. Quite an army OF servants sud.
c men, coachmen, grooms, all seemed to spring
r into existence at once. The state rooms in the
/. | great mansion were thrown open, the picture
L gallery was set in order. There | saw por
trait of the Squire when he was quite young
e man; and my wonder was that the Lady MILF
= cent Branscombe could have resisted him, hC
looked SO gallant and handsomr. loved thu
!. face, aud when looked at 1t | said TO myself
C that the owner of 1t could never be cruel to me.
o There was a smile in the bonnie blue eyes tha
c promised well; but then the picture had beeI
painted before he saw the Lady Millicent
r Within three DAYS after the announcement
c OF the Squire's return, lIcron's Nest was quit
1t another place. 1t seemed to me fitting abod
3 for a prince. Now there was less room tha
IS ever for me. / could not mix with the crow
IS Of servants in the hall; my feeling and il
d stinct were against it. Into the renovate
= rooms | dared not enter. My favorite place
IS the library, was closed against me. My ow
little sleeping-r room at the top OF the housC
r whence caught glimpse of the sea- was IN
Ct only refuge and during the next week live
4 almost entirely there.
he At last heard that the Squire had come.
le had pictured him always as he was In his POI
E. trat-smiling and handsome; but had faile
IS to allow for the havoc that years Of sorrow an
'A pain make.
IF Itscems that for some days no one mentione
L. me to the master of the house, nor did he MAX
a any Inquiries about me.
m One night, when believed the whole hous
as hold to be asleep, went quietly down to tn
at library to get book, one OF Richard Proctor
in called Otler Worlds Ma,l Ours-a book in whic
Mt / revelled. There was no one there. / foun
nd NV volume and went back TO my room with l
el but bow of pink ribbon fell unperce.ved fro
ID my hair As the Squire passed through Il
i room early In the morning he saw it lying {
Of the carpet and he picked it up. Just at tn
,ir moment one OF the housemaids entered Il
room.
"To whom does this belongp the Squi
rs asked her.
10 ITO Gracia, SIR" answered tie maid
Ne, She told me OF the meeting afterwards, al
nj said that when the Squire heard the name
n, recoiled as though he had received I blow
!, "Whoml" he cried, in a loud voice
And the maid repeated
,Is ''Gracia."
,or "Send the housekeeper to me-" said {
al, SQUIRE, after pacing moodily for some minut
, a up and down the room.
-. Mrs. Paterson FASTENED 70 him, uncerta
IA whether she was to hear praise or blame. 1
a.. Squire, when she entered the library, W
standing before the great bay-window.
a. turned to her abruptly
n. Il understand you have young pers
,,s named Gracia here. Who is she"
as "No one knows, sir" was the reply.
found her here when ] came, and she is b.
-os still"
NJ, "How did she come herel" was the NJ
.on question.
Il cannot tell, sir. Ihave heard the seryal
~. say that the late housekeeper was called aw
,r,, suddenly. that she was absent some time a
10 returned with the child ! 10 not think al
, e. one In the house knows who she is
Ire A look Of relief passed over the SOUR
II face.
,.r 'But that Is mprobable-impO'sible, n
say! Some one must known' he exclaimed
-, ITO begin with, sir, do not" returned
,r,s housekeeper, with a dignified air. 'As Ora
70. had been in charge Of The former housekeer
! took her under my protection Mr.. Grab
said he was sure that YOU would not like hel
be taken 10 an orphanage or a wOrkhou
No one owned her though we all believed
my to be Mrs. Blencowe's daughter"
I'D She paused for moment, while tue SUI
at' paced up and down the room angrily.
10 lenpth he came To a stAnGsti!l, and said