Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1891-12-17
CRUEL
=AS-
THE GRAVE,
--oh-
The Secret of DunraYen
Castle.
BY ANNIE ASHMORE,
author Of Faithful Margaret" Etc. Etc
CHAPrER vI.-contlnued.

A4h4 III --GA AA4lhs AAAtAuA- n4Ga EOu
shall have some music TO refresh you
He yielded his chatting spirit to her
gentle spell again, and sank back with a
deep sense Of relief in letting all go but
the Joy of being with Viva.
He hoped she was going 10 sing or
play 70 him, but no; she went to the
open window and took In \ gilded cage
and set il on the table, and out flew a
little brown lark, straight into her
bosom, where IL nestled, quite concealed
by her lovely hand, all but Its tiny head
and one shining round eye, which last il
kept shyly fastened upon Edgar.
1Where did I find this not uncommon
songster, You want 70 ask?" laughed
Ulva noticing his surprise. 1T was cast,
ike youi wan on the storm into my
hands The blast dashed il against my
window, picked it up quite stunned; I
thought IL would die, but it not And
when il got quite strong and well, l
opened the window and babe IL go free,
but the grateful little heart came back
next morning and flew straight into my
breast again, and would not accept its
liberty. So gave it house OF its own,
and 10 has lived in IL ever since, with
the door open as you see, that may it take
its flights when it pleases; and l like it
better than the rarest captive bird,
because / know it is happy. And that's
all"
Here she gently peeped under her hand
at the lark, which uttered a bird-scream
Of merriment. and darted at her lips
with its tiny beak outstretched and lit
tie wings futtering; then lit upon her
lifted finger, set its dainty head aside,
and poured forth its delicious MARBLE
with its whole happy heart.
Oh, what a picture! And how her art
less words had stirred the deep waters
of Edgar's heart He, too, had been
cast by the storm into her life, and saved
by her; he, too, rejected the freedom
that meant parting from Viva; oh, that
she would also take him into her sweet
heartl
He gazed intoxicated with love, at Viva.
but she was not looking at him, nor yet
at her pet; her sweet eyes had CHANGED
to light on the face of Lady Dunraven,
and all the smile died out of them, they
filled with pain.
Her little story had stirred Lady Dun
ravens sad heart, too; for was not she
captive who would never be free? She
had turned slightly from the o hers and
was gazing across the sea with hunger
Ing and thirsting look, while she gnawed
her pallid lips in sickening impatience.
Again that tug at Edgar's heart
strings.
a must speak to her. he thought ia
desperation. Il feel like a craven in
the presence OF such unmerited grief"
The lark's carol finished, il flew from
UlvR's finger to perch itself upon
peach. OF which there was a luscious
basketful upon table near, and while
It drove its little bill into the velvet side
IL kept up sly scrutiny Of Edgar, until
at last to his pleased surprise il came
hopping, hopping across the table and
from chair back to chair back, until it
reached the end of the sofa close by his
head, when it timidly pecked at his
curls, as if willing TO be better ae-
Quainted
HHoW strangei" exclaimed Ulva, evil
IDENTIFY gratified. What spell have you
put upon my bird? He would not allow
anybody else to go near him; and a.
ways hides in my sleeve or neck all the
time Mr.. Sircombe is in the room.8
Lady DunraVen looked round with
disdainful curve Of the delicate lip.
-Instinct IS often more reliable than
reason said she She watched with
earnest face the dainty motions of the
bird. as it took hair by hair in its POL
ished bill, preening and arranging them
as it would have plumed its own feath-
ers, with chirps OF gentle satisfaction,
Edgar scarcely breathing lest he might
startle it away; till. finally growing
hardy, it hoped upon his head. dropped
its wings gracefully, and burst into a
melting bird-sOng Of triumph over its
new conquest
Edgar's eyes encountered Lady Incn-
eape'si hers We're fun Of an ineffabIe
trust
II think you would make a true
friend" said she. invOluntarily uttering
the thought that was in her heart
His eyes looked yearningly into hers
~Yes, ! would, he answered. simply,
but no elOquence could have carried
greater conviction with it than did the
quiet fervent acQuiescence-
n.
your friendship" said Lady Inchcape,
signing.
i wish I might dare to offer it to one
WHO needs faithful knight, murmured
Edgar
She started, looking wildly at him
with her frail hand on her heart, and a
deep, burning blush suffused her whole
face and throat Viva, busy with her
bird which had flown back to her finger,
skipped apart among the flowers by the
window. She was much impressed by
her pets instructive trust In this hand
some stranger, and by her step mothers
recognition OF 1t; and she recalled Ken
more's bodlng prophecy with a little
smile of defiance
But her innocent heart was not
touched by Edgar yet-Only circum-
stances made her think about him a
great deal
She could not hear what her step
mother and he were saying, but she saw
that Lady Dunraven was interested in
him, and she was peculiarly gratified
although she could not quite account for
this feeling. 1t was well that poor
Mamma Engelonde's mysterious sorrow
should be lightened by an elegant and
noble minded man like Mr. Edgar; but
for the rest-Ulva ventured on no deeper
analysis
She stole to her piano and played a
measure delicate and sweet as the brier-
roses and white heather she had tossed
upon the instrument Meanwhie Lady
Dunraven and Edgar crossed the bar
riers which had kept their thoughts
from meeting.
= think You are brave and true
man, murmured the lady, her vivid
eyes upon his face.
-knl | think you have need of such n
returi cd he, entreatingly. "Could you
not II 81 me, Lady Dunraven9 Think
of il. I owe my life TO you and yours,
and ave grown to revere you above
all chs
Sh. as silent for a little while, still
lOOkll AZ his earnest face. Then she
spoke. M in 4 tone of unutterable Joy.
Il said, ne has noble soul and n pure
heart At the very first, when you lay
unconscious 1 read IL In your face. 1
said, he has a good face. a LOYAL. fear
less heart; II mortal could help me, here
would be my knight
Let me be your knight Lady Dun
raven ] implora It as a boOn," he whis-
pered- Il have seen your sorrow. All,
forgive me. but love has diYlning eyesl
II there be chance to restore you to
happiness. teach me how to use 1t =
The tears stood IN his eyes h-slangour
and Weakn. IS fed; he rose and stood
before her, tall and strong. q true knight