The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1890-02-15

In profusion, with sigh OF satisfaction,
and presently cousin Gladys joins ne for
a chat.
We talk OF many things, over which falls
the glamour Of Aud Lang Syne, and by the
time she excuses herself to see after the
late dinner, l have had goodly number of
pleasant, and not a few unpleasant, reminis-
cences OF suburban Hastings.
Ny friends Of the voyage are stayinV with
relatives near Eccles bourne, and are
pleased 10 notify me by post that they are
going farther into the country, and desire
my company.
This can not do, as am ''bound for the
hall, B" in the language, but not the spirit, Of
Tennyson- While thinking of my friends,
however, laugh a little, but end with a sigh,
as bright Miss Stanley comes TO view |
presume she has entirely forgotten her
trlDuIIJlon on DOaru the Lady Care. and
her habit Of being addicted TO the bowl"
Luckll y, am not victim Of sea sickness
anu while Miss Stanley lay prone in her
state-room, was on deck enjoying the fine
weather which we were fortunate enough
to have nearly al the way over.
BY cousin keeps her open carriage and
drives Il great deal, and as driving happens
10 be my penchant also, a goodly share of
our visiting Is done on wheels. We drove
down TO the beach several times and wtIled
away the hours Of the long, dreamy after
moons amid the sea breezes and suubeams
The ships, white winged and free ~ the
cliffs, scanned and SCARED, ard above them
the Downs, never grow old or common
place.
But Heatherleighi The very name makes
me forget the rUse-hue for the rue and the
shadows, and my superabundance of cour-
age, coming as If by inspiration OF board
the Lady Care, l lind has diminished con-
siderably.
NavertbelesS I VOW 70 tho .-alI;.a5 ,,;r,a.
at my elbow that l an not afraid OF any
thing IN all En- gland, which wild affirma-
LCn, / am persuaded, sounds more ike
bragad ocio than bravery.
There are several fine old places between
Hastings proper and the country side flank
ing Heatherlcigh Chace. Some Of these
stately residences have quite imposing
facades, and others, high ivy-wreathed ga
bles, while a number, il their elegance, put
you in mind of tie days OF King Arthur
But there are BITS of sorrowful tradition
and legendary lore connected with an occa-
sIoual grand old structure calculated TO
make one stand in awe OF their environs
Strange fatality marks many an old hail.
aud HcaIherlei-h, as hear, boasts of one
OF the most traCi-al.
In the gladstone days when she and l
were young, / knew the fair bride OF the
Percival house. She was high-born En-
ElIsh girl, whose sweet eyes first saw the
light in beautiful villa near Birmingham
I can imagine her fine face radiant with
happy existence as the welcome of Heather
leigh's grand old doors fioatcd around her
All yes; can sec her, yivacious, regal
and glad.
After she became Lady Percival our
paths diverged, of course, but often won
der 10 myself why her refined soul went
out 20 me so uureservedly IN those days,
when 1 was but cottaEer's daughter.
'Afiuity OF soul" Gladys SAYS. Perhaps
she IS right, for it IS SAID that sublime re
Iationship recognizes no barrier OF circum-
stance.
Lady Percival was supremely happy dur
Ing my visit at the hall, 1T least, but then il
was the first year Of her married life, and
every one is supposed TO hud the matri-
mon!al alliance pleasant enough for that
length OF time. But never had the pleas
ure Of seeing my friend after parted from
her at the end Of the long avenue Of elIns,
where she put her -ieweied arms about my
neck and bade me ''cnrle again"
II was this side OF that affectionate leave
taking that all the beauty and sweetness
faded from Lady PercivaIs life and the
curses fell. 1 shudder involuntarily as
call 10 mind the story Of the estrange-
ment, broken hearts, Grape, tears and male
diction-
There comes 4 sense OF suffocation and
dimness Of vision as go back across the
intervening years, calling up the memories
binding me 70 the dead.
Lady Pe-SsvzI mas been dead several
years, and the proud Miriam was orphaned
a decade late- BY the decease OF the austere
father, and last male descendant Of the
Percival house. After his tragical end the
spiritual manifestations began, which have
been source ofmysterious speculation ever
since 70 those acquainted with the detailed
disclosures
Tomorrow / shall set out for the Hall
which only remember for it's elegance as
Mt setting for the almost divine beauty of
my dear dead friend, as l call her 70 mind
Yes, shall know for myself If these un-
canny tales be true. One bright CLEAN Of
hope in regard 10 my visit of commission
Is that the old housekecper, Peggy Clark
son and her husband, are yet occupying the
servants quarters al the Hall. 1 remember
her odd but honest vIsage, and if she re-
members me as kindly as L 90 her, shall
be well taken care of, al any rate She was
oncevery fond of me as ''nse Leddy's guest
and am in hope concerning Miriams por-
trait.
Poor Miriam, in the far-away cottage at
Bayvlewi fancy she is promenading sor-
rowfuLy and alone, among the late lilies
and thinking-of me.
am back again in Cousin Gladys bright
little cottage home L have been several
miles INTO the country since 1 sat in this
uncovered porch and listened 10 the re
cltal OF countryside episodes. And have
met with such strange experiences, and
listened TO such n blood-curdling story, that
am half persuaded b sve lost my iSeu-
uty. Some way feel ike crying out with
the old dame VINO took nap III the Kings
highway: "Lauk mercy, tbs none Of l."
We do sometimes have adventures that
leave US in doubt as to our individuality,
and to say that am just waking up from
the nightmare Of the Heatherleigh visit