The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1888-05-02

that tree, on seemingly half dozen trees.
the same name that he had erased the
other day was now freshly carved:
NATALIE.
COMMONLY
MATT"
The letters seeiae6 70 swim before his
eyes. the weird shadows 20 shift and
I change. rs he stood there staring blankly
before him But he did not draw ont his
peuknife this time. With muttered
curse he walked straight and quickly on
to the house. and rang the dcOr-bell vio-
lently when he reached IT,.
The old serving-man, who had lived
with his uncle, quickly opened it,
Donald, who has been destroying the
trees in the avenue during my absence
he asked IN loud angry voice.
destroying the trees sirF repeated
Donald, in utter astonishment. II never
heard OF such thing"
some one has, wSnt on Blddulph
carving some tomioolcry or
other on half a dozen OF them. Unloose
the deer-hounds; I'll make an end OF
/ this
The old man hesitated for a moment.
still"
As bespoke, his masters angry eyes fell,
and some shame came into his face
Il forgot they are savage" he muttcred.
''No, don't loose the dogs / viii see about
it tomorrow and he turned away.
But, hour after hour, when all the rest
of the household were asleep, Mr.. Bid
dulph was walking up and down the Ii
brary, his heart full OF anger and bitter,
bitter pain.
Il will make an end OF this" at last he
1aoiflnI 81 will st,, Nor. amin mi thap
/ will 90 away; | am best away.
Two days later, about l2 O'Clock, to the
surprise of the ladies of Rossmore, Mr..
Biddulph was announced.
Il was Just wishing could telegraph to
YOU" said Nora, rising to welcome him
with her charming blush and smile.
I'VE have been talking about you all
this morning" cried Maud Lee, with her
shrill laugh
After such pretty speeches, you may
be sure they have favor TO ask you, MIR.
Biddulph, " said Mrs. COnway-Hope.
81 only hope they have" answered Mr..
BiGdulph, looking mt Nora.
I'VE really nave We except you will
think us all mad, though; but we want to
get up picnic-a picnic in Octpherm
Il do not think YOU mad, but think
you rash" said Biddulph, still looking at
| Nora.
1--WE know we are" she replied brightly;
but the truth is, Mr. Biddulph, that my
two friends here, Maud and Alice, declare
they have not seen hall OF our lovely loch,
and they leave Scotland, to my great
regret, the end of this week; so they want
TO sail up the lOch, land on some lovely
Bit OF scenery or other, have our lunch,
and then go home again"
After taking influenza, sore throat, or
even consumption D suggested Mrs. Con-
way-llope."
ooh, cousin Margaret, do not be 50 hor-
rid. said Nora.
III YOU said sensible instead of 'hor-
rid, my dear Nora, it would be more to
the point, suggested Mrs. Conway Hope.
Then please, cousin Margaret, Go not
be 81 sensible
Mrs. Conway-IIope resumed her knit
/ ting.
And to return to the picnic" con-
tinued Nora. once more addressing Mr..
Biddulph; I'VE want your company for
one thing, and to borrow your two boats
Tor another
"NIy boats and everything that have
are entirely at your command; but |
called at this unreasonable hour 10 say
goodbye
..Good-bve" repeated Nora, blankly.
"Ivs; | intend to return 10 town"
Not until after the picnic, Mr.. Bid
duph," said Maud Lee. Indeed, we
shall not hear of it. Nora, tell him he
must stay; we can't lose one OF our best
men in this frivolous way" and again
Miss Lee gave her curious little laugh.
IL wish YOU would stay" said Nora,
! rather iu low tone.
Biddulpl hcsitatcd.
a. should like to stay" he said, but"
I'VE shall listen to no butts, said
Maud Lee; 1T is settled. Nora dear put
MIR. Biddulph down ON your list"
and his two boats" smiled Mrs. Con-
way-Hopc, raising her eyes from her
knitting
shall IL" asked Nora, almost shyly,
looking ut Biddulph.
Every well,' ne answered, smiling.
II want 10 ask nil the neighbors," said
Nora; the Frasers, Of course; poor Mrs.
Macdonald, and Lord Glendoyne, whose
father, curiously enough, used to be
client of my fathers
'Glendovner' said Biddulph. as that
the man who has the shooting-lodge at
the head Of the lOch?'
"Ies. it's the same man. ! knew him
slightly before, and lie called yesterday,
answered Nora.
Il think the picnic has been thought OF
since his arrival, remarked Mrs. Conway
Hope, vigorously going on with her knit
ting.
Nora looked annoyed.
"lou are quite mistaken she said
rather sharply; Maud and were abso-
lutely talking OF it when Lord Glcndoyne
arrived"
and we asked him and h9is coming"
said Maud Lee triumphantly. "And when
we have secured Mr.. Biddulph, we shall
have some delightful men,"
"You do not give them much chance of
! escape, Miss Lee" suggested Mrs. Conway
Hope.
Zone Of them at all events does not wish
to escape, Miss Lee" smiled Biddulph. ut
is settled, then; but you have not told me
the day."
ave thought OF the day after to-mor-
row." answered Nora.
They discussed the details of the picnic
after this, and presently Mr.. Bidduph left
Rossmore.
81 shall say goodbye at the picnic, he
thought, sadly enough, as he parted with
4, Nora.
1. a.. L., -.