San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1886-08-27

1T Is yOurTlgnL, she answered. My son
will feel the loss ; but he is not poor man;
he will soon find another home. No harm
has been done 10 us; but great harm has been
done 10 you. We must atone for it."
When Lady Caryl did anything, it was al
ways royalty done, and she made full amends
TO me.
II can never do too much for YOU" 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 il pub
lie; and, as accounts OF il had appeared in all
the newspapers, every one in England knew
how the poor companion had become the
proud owner of HerOns 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 present at the consultation we were going
TO have. 1t was one of the last days of Octo-
Der, and was carried into the library on my
couch.
How it brought back old times to me, to
see that room again. the chair in which my
father, the Squire, had sat writing, the table
on which those precious papers had lain!
II was bright warm autumn day; a few
late roses were in bloom, and the chrysan-
themumS were unusually fine. During all
these long weeks had forgotten Lady Adj
tina; 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
Aditha went with her"
words seemed so difficult to utter II hope
that my illness did not delay the marriage"
What marriageP" asked Lady Caryl
quickly.
when was Ill, and they were so real, am
confused at times. thought Sir Adrian and
Lady Aditha were TO be married"
Lady Caryl looked little perplexed.
II told you that" she said. II ought TO
explain. Lady Aditha's mother and were
mates twenty years ago. 1t was her mother
and who talked about their marriage then,
and have wished for ii ever since"
Then they were not engagedP' queried.
Not perhaps in the strict sense Of the
word" she replied; but have always look
ed upon them as an engaged couple. | have
always thought Of Lady Aditha as my sons
wife"
And he has done the same, l SUPPOSE"
was my remark; but she did not seem quite
80 sure of ii.
Shortly afterwards Mr.. Graham came in,
followed by Sir Adrian; and, when my eyes
fell once more upon his face, | forgot every
thing. | had seen it last in the moonlight in
that supreme hour of my life when he had
taken the papers from me.
"GTacia," he said, as he took my hands, Il
am pleased to see you again" Then he sat
down by my side; and 10 my foolish happy
heart it was as though he had taken posses
sion of me.
There could be no question, Mr.. Graham
said, as to the validity of the papers, none as
IN iCrlt | Wps bairacC of
On's Nest. Then | made my petition To them,
and it was that they would not take HerOn's
Nest from Sir Adrian, but let him keep IT, |
would accept money from them enough TO
live comfortably On-enOugh to live in luxury
but not HerOn's Nest. Sir Adrian lOvedit;
let him keep it.
you do love it, do you nOt?' 1 said, turn
Ing to him.
II do" he returned earnestly; 'for it holds
the nOblest heart in the world"
But you love it for itself, do you not%'
Yes" he answered, with smile that
never forgot
Let me give it to him; let me make it
legally hsI' entreated
But Mr.. Graham shook his head.
1T cannot 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 it,
Gracia," he said.
1t was arranged that should remain where
/ was until Christmas, and that Lady Caryl
should stay with me.
"DO you know where | am going GraciaT
Sir Adrian whispered presently.
forgot that any one else was near-I for
got Lady Caryl and the lawyer as chung to
the hands that held mine.
"Where are you gOing%' | asked quickly.
"Oh, Sir Adrian, do not go! Stay here"
He bent his head still lower.
'Gracia, he said, in a low tone, II could