Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1886-12-09

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II was hard TO have to refuse bis request !:
but must do II TO save him.
~ am so very sorry" replied; ''but indeed
cannot, Sir Adrian.o
'You see, Adrian" observed her ladyship,
that she viii not and dares not"
He looked deeply grieyed, but turned to
Lady Caryl.
Mother" he said, n had almost forgotten
what | came for The Duchess OF Morley
your old school fellow is here. She has but u
few hours TO stay, aud wishes to see you"
THE Duchess of Morley" repeated Lady
Caryl hurriedly. / am delighted. But what
shall l do with Graciai l am quite deter
mined that she shall not conquer me. will
see what she has there"
LET me settle that for a time" he re-
joined. ''Gracia, you trust me, do you not,
Let me take charge Of that"
My heart gave a bound. How could say
''Yesf How could say "Noi"
lie turned to little buhl cabinet that stood
near.
''Give it to me, Gracla," he said. ~ will
lock II up here until we have time to go Int o
the matter.n
1t was a moment Of terrible suspense to me-
"Win you promise me-" asked shat no
hands shall touch it-not even your own--and
that no one shall see itf'
II promise" he said gravely.
'You will give IL back to me unopened and
untouchedr
Eyes" he replied.
fastened my white apron more tightly
round my little parcel, tied the ribbon strings
into the closest knots, and then handed II to
him.
He placed the parcel in the buhl cabinet
locked it, and gave me the kew
That Is to prove how trust you" he said
earnestly. do not remove that parcel, until
you have made some arrangement with my
mother. / trust you. Now, mother" he
said, turning to her ladyship ''come and see
the Duchess. She will be inpatient; aud to-
morrow night or tomorrow we can settle this
unpleasant business" and he kissed her.
"You will not oppose my wish, Adrian, that
Gracis leaves the house at oncei" said Lady
Caryl
MY dearest mother, we will see TO that to
morrow, when everything shall be peaceably
and happily arranged. Now smile and look
bright or the Duchess will think you are not
happy"
Lady Caryl smiled.
''You are a good son to me, Adrian A" she
said gently; 'you never vex me-"
And then-Heaven bless him HE came over
TO me. He took my hands in his not needing
his mothers presence.
IL am so sorry, Gracia There Is some mis-
take, my dear will see 1t rectfed"
Her ladyship's eyes flashed with anger.
''How long did you say the Duchess would
remainl" she asked coldly.
''Some hours, mother" he replied.
And then Lady Caryl, taking her sons arm,
quilted the room.
They left me standing there, with the key
OF the bull cabinet in my hands. / remained
motionless for few moments, then went TO
my own room, feeling bewildered and as II
were in dream
j could hear, after a time, the sound OF the
piano; and / knew that Lady Adltha was
singing, and felt that Sir Adrian was stand
ing by her side, as he would never again stand
by mine.
1t seemed TO me the very irony of fate /
was the Squirrels daughter and helress; this
was my own house IL those below had known
who l really was, even the Duchess herself
would have been pleased to see me, and would
have congratulated me. But the sacr. flee was
for Sir Adrian; and would have sacrificed
more for him. What pleasure would money or
lands give me II knew that was robbing
him of either.
! would 20 on the morrow, but not 10 Miss
Kenyon's / would make INV way in the
world, pass out OF their lives, and some day in
the long years TO come / would creep back
n
again, unseen myself-look at Sir Adrian,
with the handsome face and the bonnie blue
eyes-my love, whom should love until died
look at his beautiful young wife and his
stately mother then
But here found myself with the tears rain
ing down my face. Was it for this had fol-
lowed the light OF the star TO the postern-
gatei