The Dickinson press., 1889-08-17
but if so, he was happy fool as he wan

was quiet and rctlcent: there was gentle
frost of dignity and reserve about her
which he found fascinating, as indeed he
would have found any quality i'll her.
Sometimes she seemed ovcrshadowcd by
melancholy thoughts; then there was
strange enthrallmcnt about her, to Paul
Norton's eyes at least She had occasion
al moods of gayety; then she was en-
chanting; and anon she would be silent
and distracted, with sweet, deep,
dreamy gazo i'll her lovely eycs-thcn she
was irresistible! She told the Nortons
little about herself, seldom indeed made
any allusion to her past life.
Paul really knew nothing about her;
but he thought that he knew 4 great
deal. He gathered from occasional words
she dropped that she was alone in the
world, that her youth had been shadow
cd by trouble. lie knew that she was
we'll educated; she could speak languages
to him unknown. Paul Norton had been
sent to a good. PLAN, middle class school,
but not to college, ho had just that
amount of education which makes vain
man boast of how much he knows, and
a modest one-as Paul was-feel bitterly
how little it is! He had reason to be sat
isfcd with what he had achieved with
his one gift; but in spite of his success
in his chosen career, he felt himself iS-
norant and awkward beside Lucy Will
Jams, with her grace and talent and ac-
complislmentS. lle linew-ycs, we'll he
knew! who knew so we'll as he?-hcr
truth and goodness Had he not seen
her sweetness with the children, her pa
ticnce and tenderness in nursing them
through their ailmcnts-scen her dcft
light fingers bandagc Harry's wounded
arm, and comb little Amv's golden curls?
Nh, ycs-hcr history might bo sealed
book to him; but he felt lie knew her
we'll And. trust her? Why, he would
have laid his life down to provo his faith
in her.
The short winter daylight WAS draw
ing to Il close when little Minnie ran up
to Miss Williams room with IL message
Miss Lucy! Miss Lucy! there's a
strange gentleman in the parlor, and
mother says -plcascwill you come. Alln-
tie James making the pudding, andshc's
got her hands in the flour, and papa and
Unclo Paul arc ont in the stables"
Strange gentlemen were unircqucnt
visitors at llHzelmcal, and it was with !,
little surprise and curiosity which, how,
ever, her manner did not bctray-that
Lucy accompanied the child to the par
lor, where Mrs. Norton was carrying on
an Intermittent conversation with tho
stranger, while her knitting nccdlcs
clicked busily through the work she al
ways had in hand She introduced Miss
} William, to Mr.. Bcresfor.l, looking upal
tine latter while she went through tho
brief formula. Little Minnie had run tt
her mothers side, and from that safety
vantage ground was staring open eyed at
the stranger Paul was not there; there
was no one to notice how Miss Williams
eye kindle,l and her check changed color
as her glance fell upon the visitors face
He had risen courtcously, and bowc,
low in greeting. lie was tall, dark
good looking man, in the prime of life
with close trimmed hair and beard, an,
accrtain touch of dash and swagger il
his brarins-only asoupcon-just enough
rather TO attract than to rcpel am llnculti
waited taste.
Miss - Williams" he said with ,
half inquirins accent, gazing full at th'
Nortons paragon Govcrncss.
'Ycs-Iucy Williams" she replied
with ~ ring of rcsolutc meaning in he
low and almost lansuid tones. If thcr
were flash of defiance in her glance, Il
it met his like crossing steel there WA
no eve but his that noted it
This gentleman has walked all TIL
way from Thirllon," Mrs. Norton ol
served convcrsationally; she wants t
talk to Mr.. Norton about that land O
Higgins; as tell him, my husbands TIL
right man to give him information abou
that.
Mr. Bcrcsford observed politely tia
no was assured he could consult no bet
: ter authority than Mr. Norton on til
!, matter little commonplace chat fo
8 lowed; then it was the chidrcn's tc
@ time; and Mrs Norton, it'll a few word
+ of excuse, bust!cd Off leading Minnie, t
i superintcnd the gathering of her flock il
t the nursery
+. thus left alone. They looked at cacl
other, face to face, both of them cool
unflinchins Of gaze. but she was wilt
h as death itself,
We'll, Lydia" he began, you see
I have como have found out your snu
. rctre.t."
s ~ III came here on purpose, then? Yo
1 EEcw | WAS herc.'
y ~ st certainly did. told you tina
| 7 .J, "A (,,s - tod
0 "Yes; thought that you would fin
y me sooner or later" she said bitterly
d "You never failed yet to track your prey!
5 "Though l have been known to baffl
) those who thought themselves safely ol
. my track, haven't !: haven't we. shoul'
c say" he added with an evil smile
d at is never we again" she said firmly
@ "You think not, my beauty: On IN.
b word, Lydia, you're as handsome a
u ever, he observed parcnthetically. "But
l if you remember, told YOU that we ha
5 not done with each other
@ "M'hat do you want with lne:' she dc
mandcd in a low, bitter tone; "why hav
g you hunted me out: Iwalk my own WA
$ now; and it is apart from yours. hav
/ done with you and your ways-forcvcr!
!, I'VE shall see about that" he rcplic
c coolly II have o good deal to talk t
2 you about, Lydia; and wemust find som
f opportunity when we shall be safe froi
i intruders When and where can ] tai
? to you-aionc:"
: III: Fl-.r,t l'.,tL.-..
MSMz Y ) ~ vi