San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1886-08-23


strange feeling that heuCefUrward my life
would be changed and bound up in his.
The wind suddenly stirred the ivy-leaves; ;
the soft snow fell from them-fell upon him
and then he saw me. He started, and ut
tered a faint exclamation Of surprise, then
moved from the pOstern.gate.
Il beg your pardon" he said. DO you
want 10 90 imp
No" answered shyly.
Our eyes met, and ii seemed 10 me that in
that moment lived a lifetime. | could not
move, and my breath came with difficulty.
who are your he asked cuTiOusly.
Il am Gncia," replied, forgetting for an
instant that | had not another name
And who Is Gncia," he said lightly
"Gracia, with the dark eyes?"
II do not know" | responded, as usual,
thinking 10 myself that | should have known
If the Squire had not died so suddenly that
fatal night
saw his face clear and brighten as he
said
Are you the"-he half hesitated here
70 me this morning? We called upon him as
we passed through LOndOn-l did, at least"
II am Gracia," | answered.
81 forgot 10 mention 1t TO Lady Caryl" he
added II will go and see her at once. So
you are GTaciaY'
The light of the stars seemed TO have pass
ell into the blue eyes that still held mine.
'GOurS is a curious story" he said thought
a aRt5g III must nave long talk win you
felt even then that should like him to
talk with me for ever. The very sound of
his voice delighted me, II was so rich and
musical.
lie looked round with smile
May | he permitted 10 ask, he said,
what Gra.ia Is doing out in the cold on
Christmas Ever
Il came out to look at the snow and the
fFt,I
Christmas Ever
II love Christmas Eve" he said slowly,
land this IL an ideal one. have not seen so
much snow for years Do you like the snow,
GraCiap
II could not tell you how much" was my
reply; and il seemed 10 please him.
The way in which he pronounced my name
made it sound unuttrably sweet in my ears
Suddenly it occurred to me that although he
had spoken of Lady Cayl. | could not be
sure Of his identity unless | asked him who
he was. Ii must BE- Sir Adrian; still | had
better ask the question.
Are you Sir Adrian Caryl?' / said
Yes, he replied; "and very fortunate
man | am 10 SuCceed Ia this grand old hcrit-
age. Do you not think SOP
81 do indeed | am glad ii has come TO
you" answered.
I'VE reached HerDn's Nest earlier than we
expected" ne went on. Like you, Gracia,
here"
We call this the pOstern-gate," remark
ed. This is part Of the old house that was
built in Edward the Thirds reign"
You know HrronS Nest wely' he said
smiling.
II know and love every nook and corner
In itP, cried, Il have lived here the great
er part Of my life"
1T is a grand old place" he said gently.
But, he added quickly, II must not keep
you standing in the cold, GraCia; let us move
on. Your story is indeed a strange one" he
continued, as we walked on slowly, land, /
must say, it puzzles me. There must be
some means Of clearing up the mystery; and,
II 1t is TO be done, | will do it." He held out
his hand and took mine. You must have
been most lonely and fOrlOrn, poor child p
he said. Now remember you have friend.
l am interested in you, and will take care OF
YOU If you will trust me-"
Trust him? My heart had already gone out
to him. | could only murmur words OF
thanks and gratitude.
II must talk over the matter with Lady
Cary" he said; "She will know what Is best
to be done. l am sure she will be kind to
you"
looked at him, unable to speak simply be-
cause wanted TO say 50 much. | wanted to
tell him how blessed him for his kind
words, and how feryently hoped that |
might remain at lIerOn's Nest, so that might
see him now and again.
On, fair and beautiful star, that had
brought me TO him whom loved from the
first moment saw him, and whom shall
love until die!
1t was new world into which | entered.
! passed In at the pOSteTn-gate, leaving him
there looking after me, and left my old life
far behind. The stars seemed to shine more
brightly, and something had never known
before was beating in my happy heart and
making my cheeks burn. | did not know
why it was, and did not stop to ask myself
Then before | reached the house, heard the
Ginning of the bells over the snow, the same
sweet old chime-"ChTiStmaS is COME hrist-
mas is Gomez Christmas had indeed come
to me, and had brought me friend.
The radiance of the stars was in my eyes
when | went back 10 the hOuSekpepers room
She looked at me in wonder. She had never
seen my face frightened with happiness be-
fore.
"Gracia," she said severely, where have
you been? You must not run wild about the
place now. You had better keep in your
own room as much as possible until we know
what my lady wishes"
The words did not hurt me, because had
the echo of those others lingering in my ears
My heart could not ache, because l had
found friend.
II should like to see Lady Caryl," was al
said.
''They will pass through the hall as they
go to the dining-rOOm," she answered-''bOth
Sir Adrian and my lady,"
Sir Adrian! If the worthy hOuSekeeDer
could have guessed how my heart beat at the
sound of that name she would have been
aStOniShed.
| stood in the deep shadows of the gallery
and saw them pass. He seemed even hand
sOmer than he had seemed before; she was
naughty and Notwithstanding woman. For
the first time in my life ! saw fashionable
lady i'm eypning-drpSS and adv CaryIS vel