The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1890-03-08

cipul attractions
Of L'Estrange
Park. And it had many attractions,
both to those who knew it well and to
those who as visitors came to 1t for the
first time
It was one Of the show places of the
county, with its grand avenues of noble
oaks, its dense copses, its knolls and dells
and lovers walks, its wide expanses of
lawn like verdure.
The house itself was worth a journey
to see.
1t stood on the summit of long, slop-
ing hill, overlooking in front an undu-
lating expanse of greensward, with trees
dotted here and there, and exquisite par
terres of flowers gemming its beauty.
Behind it, and on both sides, were
dusky woods-or what seemed to be so;
though when entered it was possible to
wander at ease through interminable
paths, cool even in the hottest day of
summer.
The L'Estranges were one Of the proud
est families in the county.
They could claim an unsullied descent
from ancestors who in the good old times
had done good service to their country,
and never did it seem less likely than on
this pleasant June day that q shadow
would fall upon the honor of the old
house,
They were lovers, these two who were
now out on the almost wAveless water,
and were to be married in a week.
He was handsome, rich, the owner Of
L'Estrange Park and estates. She was
an heiress, young, beautiful, the ward of
Mrs. Raymond, of the Lodge, the grounds
Of which sloped down to the lake side,
which here formed the boundary Of the
property. =
May was a girl Of whom any lover
might be proud.
She was only just past that most beau
tiful of ages, "sweet seventeen" bright
with girlhood that was womanly now
in its rounded contours and maturity.
Her large, laughing eyes were of q
deep pansy hue, and capable Of express
ing deep emotion; her lips were curved
and ripened, her complexion bright. her
hair golden and clustering like an aureols
round her well shaped head.
Her form was beautifully shaped; the
shoulders and bust perfect; q tender
grace seemed to pervade her whole per
| son,
She was, as we have said, the ward Of
Mrs. Raymond, of the Lodge; an orphan
she had no one to defend her from thu
storm, save this weak woman and Gu,
bEstrange,
Her father had left her large fortun,
entirely unfettered.
Even at her present age she could dis
pose of it as she pleased.
But it was not of riches they wer
thinking now,
They were basking In the delights o
loves young dream, never guessing tina
any cloud could cross the path whicl
seemed so bright.
They had been hours upon the water.
Time had passed with lightning spec
as the boat drifted ON she lying in hi
arms, gazing up into his love lit eyes a
he pressed kisses on her soft lips, c
whispered to her of sweet delights
the future, when neither day nor nigh
could bring to them the sorrow of par
ing,
How could they think Of evil2
He suddenly, however, rouses himsel
after one long, lingering kiss, and toe
the oars.
May laughed gayly,
: "Why, what Is the matter, GuyY 81
J cried. "What sudden resolution hi
u made you discard me in this manner?"
"My dearest" he said, 81 must answ
you in the words of the poet: with tn,
= conversing forgot all time.'"
"But you are not a business man
pouted May, prettily.
"My love, am today. must go ov
to Barchester today" he said, as he /
gan TO row towards shore,
Chow lovely the day Is, tool" she erie
at is simply delicious out here upon t
water. Must you go over todayf"
Eyes, little one, cried Guy L'Estran
AS gayly. 1T ia a matter of business viii
is must be settled. don't want anythil
S,, S, Of that kind 10 bother me when my bi
he has flown to her nest. 1 sha'n't be lo
away, and if Mrs. Raymond will OF
put up with me, intend spending
least q couple Of hours at the lodge
80 night"
n He helped her ashore as he spoke, a
3 fastened the boat to the moOrlng post
"You know you are always welcom
said May tenderlyi "but-oh, Guy, wi
strange mark that Is on your ri
arml never noticed it before"
u She had taken hold of his white IN
cular arm, and was gazing intently o
wo strange tattoo mark, skillfnly wrou
9ei ,lei the mark of an anchor and a dagg
he kind of Spanish stiletto.
j A dark cloud seemed to pass over
ipe face as she spoke, but 1t vanished
ND nd quickly as 1t came,
"Some whim of my parents" he s.
- 81 only wish could get rid of it, b
cannot without disfguring myself,
am forced to let it remain"
"Oh, it does not matter, said May;
is no Disagreement in itself, is it, Gu,
And as they moved along towards
rs, home she chung to his arm in child
confidence and love,
How could she imagine the thou
:, = which had entered his mind as she 81
OF those simple marksl
/. They talked and laughed, and OF
wise acted as lovers win do as they
.oI preached the house, ignorant Of the
IA vengeful eyes fixed upon them,
d eyes whose owner glared at them
behind the safe conoealment Of the
tains of the room opening on TO the
den terrace.
They took In with angry distinct
ing the whole details Of the seenei the
isbl stalwart formed Guy L'Estrange, ]
~ ing so well in his boating aannels
the sweet face and svelte form Of
Fielding, his faRsss; the tender ca