Roanoke daily times. (Roanoke, Va) 1886-1890, 1889-11-17

~SSO@~SO~ -
broken surface of smoothest ice, where
on the skaters of the neigbborhood de-
lighted to congregate, and where the
Americans were pre-eminent for their
grace and skill; while their mother
was never weary of sending out strange
hot drinks and delicate cakes for the
refreshment of her guests, nor of enter
tanning large parties for luncheon or
tea within doors. Hope entered with
light heart into all the festivities,
and enjoyed above all party on the
manor, where the kindness of Pauline
and Clarissa prevented her from feel
ing she was merely guest in her old
home.
The next few weeks, however,
brought a change. Hope became
gloomy, irritable, and unlike herself.
She did not venture to search for the
real reason, but blamed every cause
except the true one. In reality the
angry feeling she had experienced
when Mr.. Gerrans first came had
grown into almost a passion of jeal-
ousy. 1. seemed that wherever she
went she heard nothing but praises of
the newcomers. At dinner parties the
conversation was sure to turn on the
Inequalities of the manor, the good
ness of the imported "chef, or the ex-
cellence of the hosts taste. At lat
homes" she heard of the toilets OF the
girls, and the jewels of their mother;
in the cottages the people who had
known her from her cradle thought
to please her by cataloguing the good
deeds and kindly words of the dwell
ers at the manor; even at home she
could not escape, for her mother and
sisters were necessarily praising the
Gerrans family, and Tom and Jack
added their voices to the chorus. Her
fathers letters had been her chief con-
ISOLATION; but even these had now lost
their SAVIOR, for he too began to speak
with warm commentator of evil
mington P, as Hope scornfully called
him to herself. She tried, by every
means in her power, to keep the fam
ily at distance. and refused SO many
Of their invitations, and spoiled SO
zzany of their plans by her pstulance,
that the girls were fairly puzzled, and
nearly qIarreled on the subject with
their brother, who refused to believe
that Hope was unamiable, and took
her part warmly in every discussion.
Hope was returning one bitter day
in March from an GRAND at the far
end of the village, when she was over.
taken by Mr.. Gerrans, who greeted
her with his usual friendliness, and
insisted on taking charge of a parcel
of books she was carrying. He looked
very handsome, and his broad shout,
ders seemed to keep the terrible wind
from her, though she would not feel
cordial, and it was with bad grace
she asked him to come indoors when
they reached the Dover house. Hope
found that her mother was asleep, and
,, the little girls were at the yicarage, SO
she had to entertain her visitor alone.
He unrolled a sheet of plans to show
her, explaining it was design for q
| new lodge, and asking her to submit
it for her mothers appreciation.
Hope was annoyed. She said bitter
", "This is an addition to the obllga-
lions we already owe you, I supposed
I begin to feel the burden too heavyt
"Miss Charltonl what can you
mean2n exclaimed Mr.. Gerrans. OBJ
Iigationsl I know of none. "
1--WE have no money for these ex-
tensiYe improvements. said Hope,
fercely. 1T must be you who sup
plies it
That is quite true, = replied he,
quietly Il chance to have funds I'M IN
employed, and am very glad to receive
for q part Of them the excel inter:
est your fatheris willing to- give me-
did not knoW began iope,
blushing
co1sse a dies d & IN:
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