Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1891-01-02
CHAPTER KILL
"T am sure cars's an enemy to llfe.-

N'IlAl 4 LII ALL
"T am sure cars's an enemy to lfe-
The great clock in the western tower Is
giving out five resembling strokes as the
carriage draws up at the hall door of Cas-
tie Ventry. TIE shades OF evening are al.
ready descending, and soft mellow glow
oidukos itsef over the sloping lawns aud
the gay pleasaunce that lies on the right
hand sic of the magnificent old house.
Peacocks are stratting up asd down upon
the stone terra o. and a perfume fragrant
and drowsy steals up from the gardens.
The Duchess, stepping to tho ground,
looks around her with an appreciative eve.
She is very pale, either from the long
Journey or an uncertainty about her next
move. but she is perhaps a little uphsld by
the charming hat she is we'rng, a new
one and ono quite unprecedented hitherto
in the Gnna,s OF her wardrobe. A hat re-
joicing in delicate plumss and OF as dainty
a nature altogether as any young woman
ever born in the purple could desire. Ii Is
present from dad, who had drawn upon
his very lean resources to get it for her,
and who had sent for it all tie way to Dub
lin
She follows Denis into the spacious hall,
where he would fain have said some word
of welcome TO her, but tde words refuse to
come, and turning ahru pity aside he opens
the door o. a room on his right
There is n curtain beyond it, and from
beyond that again comes TO the tired little
traveller the graz sounds of MAJ y vo ces-a
laugh or two-the cheerful hnllle OF cups
and spoons. Denis has pushed as de the
curtain, and rs he looks into the room all
eyes there tee him.
''You have come? We1?" cries a gay,
rather saucy voice-a voice the Duchess
likes
And then
$50 YOU have escaped with your life for
the second tiney' says another voice, low
and sweet, and trainante, bat vita a little
delicate seer running through it. A voice
that drives the blood with n rush to Norah's
cheeks. "And have you impounded the
little Aborigne9 Have you brought her
intact None OF the feathers waatingp
The war paint all there. The"
Denis, with vehement haste steps hack
into the hail, closing the door behind him
He has flushed painfully, dark red, and
as he looks nervouly at Norah she sees an
expression round his mouth that was new
70 her. 1t is hard, almost revengeful.
"Ihe room is full, " he says, hurriedly.
'TYou will not perhaps like to go in to see
them all until you have rested a little
while. Nv mother is not there, but she
will come 70 YOU"
pray do not be so unhappy about it,
says the Duchess, with n Lit Ia smile. at
do not mind it at all People will Jest you
know. Was it Katherine,''
miss Cazalet might have been there.
L"
'.No, do not say it. Is it worth itg'' In
terrups she coldly. ''You neei not invent
anything. There is no necessity for it, as
shall know for myself by and by. Be sure
shall + member that voice alV ays"
al regret that this rudeness-" he Is be-
ginning moodiy, whom he stops short
What is it he would say? What Is the
matter with him? Why can he not speak
to her as he ussd to do in those first glad,
sweet old day., when this shadow that now
resss ever between them was not known? He
is still struggling with he's effort to say
som thing to her la n more natural manner
when a footstep near stasties them both.
1t is Madame Delaney She comes
quickly up to Norah and laying both her
hands on her shou ders, looks at hsr !ong
and earnestly. Something of sorrow deep
ems her GAGE after a momeat or two. There
Is that in tho girls beautiful face that re-
minds her Of the husband Of her youth, lost
su.n long time ago, but never forg item.
,.
"My delr, d ar Chi ~ she says, w th O
long sigh, and placing her arms around
her kisses her WITH loving tenderness. 1t
is piain that the little Duchess has in her
first moment found warm corner in that
gentle heart
With the embrace just received sense OF
rest, of support, eaters into Norah. There
is something in the calm, handsome face to
inspire instant coniidsnse in the beholder,
and Norah gives herself up to her without
afear. Sheniay be English aud just OF late
Noralrhas begun to hate all English women
she may be Scotch, Welsh, Hottentot, IL
you will, but she could not possibly feel
more at home with her all at onee IL she
had been an Irishwoman born nn' bred.
"You are tired, darling. You viii como
up 10 your room with me- said madam
fondIy ttroking the girls little, trembling
hand.
THANK you, Aunt Maui"
mo; not thatr' says INDIAN, laughing.
'sKatherine and many others cull me Aunt
Maud, and now should like a change.
This is only natural, eh, Denisp You shall
call ne Auntie--if you don't mlndy' with
the sweetest glance. IT have SO pined to
be addressed by tat name a l my life by
my numerous English nieces and nephews,
Tut they would none OF it. Said was OF
too imposing build too majestic for such
familiarites; but think my little Irish
niece will not fail me.
''No-no, indeed'' says Norah shyly;
and then me shyly still, but with an