The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1888-05-26
THE SECOND WILL.

Durham Towers stood in their grey
stateliness, all canopied with ivy, just
as they had stood for years; but down
the oak avenue, instead of old squire
on his easy-jogging mare, there rode
two gay young figures
The sunlight glinted through the
leaves and fell caressingly on the girls
lissome form, sitting erect and fearless
on the beautiful animal, who seemed,
as he curveted and arched his glossy
neck, as if proud of his lovely burden.
Her companion was young man in
the first pride of manhood. They rode
slowly through the long avenue OF
trees, ."knee-deep in fern and at last
emerged from the park gates. Truly
itwas no wonder that the villagers
turned and looked with admiration af-
ter the handsome pair.
Alice Grey was the niece of old
Squire Durham. For long time the
squire had lived in his ancestral home,
with his sister, Alice's mother, for his
only companion. But the years passing
away, each left their mark on his fur
rowed brow, and at last one came, and
as it closed, the old squire's life closed
too, and he was gathered to his faith
ers.
In his will he left an annuity to his
sister, and the Towers to his dear niece,
Alice Grey, and his nephew, Roland
Audrey, on condition that they obeyed
his often expressed desire, and became
man and wife.
If not, the estate was to be sold, and
~. H., 10 I-~x q r1,,y,, ich
should bear his name.
So, a year before, Alice Grey had
been called from boarding-school, and
had met her destined husband, Roland
Audrey, whom she only remembered
as little frolicsome boy.
Alice was very young, scarce seven
teen, and Roland, with his dark haugh-
ty face, seemed very handsome in her
eyes; and whether it was true love she
felt for him or not, she hardly stopped
to think.
She liked his manners of courtly
grace, and enjoyed his society.
So the betrothal took place, and on
Alice's little finger, underneath the rid
ing gauntlet, sparkled the diamond
pledge that she was to be Roland's
wife and the mistress of the Towers
The perfumed air blew softly through
the primrose hedge, swaying the pale
pink blossoms to and fro; and over
head the birds sang out their little
hearts in rapturous melody.
Gaily they conversed rs they canter-
ed along, until suddenly, at turn OF
the road, they met solitary figure.
Refining up her horse, Alice stopped
and held out her hand.
why, Nita, is it youP 1t is a long
time since l have seen you."
The girl addressed, coming to Alice's
side, took the little extended hand. She
was beautiful creature, notwithstand-
ing the simple peasant dress. 1t was
strange to see in an English lane such
an olive skin, and such flashing Orient
al eyes.
"Nhere have you been, Nita?" ques-
toned Alice.
The girl did not reply Immediately,
but stood as fascinated, looking at the
Young man, who sat inditferently
switching the wild rose hedge with his
riding-whip.
Alice noticed with surprise her in.
tent look. but asked the question again.
Then Nita told her that she had been
very much confined at home. and the
great dark eyes filled with tears as she
explained that her mother had been
sick, and was SO still.
AS the two girls talked. Roland Aud
rev glanced furtively from time to time
at the marked contrast they made.
Alice, with her fair skin and golden
hair, and the dark girl, with her swart
black tresses hanging in heavy bralds
far below her waist.
II will come and see your mother
very soon, Nita,n said Alice as they
rode away.
The girl stood and looked after them,
and the tenderly mournful expression
her face had worn as she spoke OF her
mother vanished. while the dark eyes
flashed with q fierce and bitter light.
Anita came rightly by her dark Span
ish beauty, which was SO different from
the milk and rose tints OF the maidens
of her adopted country.
The old squire's mother had spent
most of her life in travelling abroad,
and while in Madrid had seen and ad-
mired a poor little Spanish girl. To
wish was to accomplish with her. and
she had succeeded in taking the child
away with her. After many wander
ings she had settled down at last at
Dunham Towers.
In the course of time the young
lodge-keeper had loved, wooed. and
married the Spanish maiden, and Anita
was the offspring of that union.
When she was still babe her father
died, and soon after Lady Durham. her
mothers benefactress, passed away,
But the squire, Lady Dunham's son,
had allowed them still to live on in the
lodge house.
As Roland and Alice took up their
interrupted conversation, Alice noticed