Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1891-01-02
CHAPTER XIII.

~ am sure car y an enemy 20 l!fe."
The great clock in the western tower i.
giving out five resounding strokes as the
carriage draws up ct the hall door of Cas-.
tie Nentry. Tie shades Of evening are al.
ready descending and soft mellow glow
diluscj Itself over the slopng awns and
the gay pleasaunce that lies on the right.
hand sic OF the magnificent old house.
Peacocks are strutting up and down upon
the stons terra res and a perfume fragrant
AMI drowsy steals up from the gardens
The Duchess, stepping TO the ground,
looks around her with an appreciative eye.
Sine is very pale, either from the long
journey or an uncertainty about her next
move bat she is perhaps little upheld by
the charming hat SIZE Is We r.ng, new
one ard one quite unprecedented hitherto
in the Gnna.s OF her wardrobe. 4 hat re-
Joicing in delicate plumes and Of as dainty
n nature altogether as any young woman
ever born III The purple could desire. 1t Is
present from dad, who had drawn upon
his very lean resources to get it for her,
and who had sent for it al tie way to Dub
lin.
She follows Denis into the spacious hall,
where he would fam have said some word
OF welcome 20 her, but the words refuse 10
come, and turning abruptly as de he opens
tIIc tOOE o. II room Oh MS IlsuJ.
There is curtain beyond il, and from
beyond that again comes to the tired little
trave.er the gray sounds of MAJ v voces-a
laugh or two--the cheerful tinkle OF cups
and spoons. Denis has pushed ASIDE the
curtain, and rs he LOOKS into tie room all
eyes there see him.
''You have come? Wel'' cries gay,
rather saucy voice-a voice the Duchess
likes.
And then
$50 you have escaped with your life for
the second timer says another voice, low
and sweet, and trainante, but with a little
delica'e ster running through it. a voice
that drives the blool with rush to Norahs
cheeks. And have you impounded the
little AboriSine? Have you brought her
intact? None of the feathers wanting
The war paint all there. The
Denis, with vehement haste, steps hack
into the hail, closing the door behind him.
He has flushed painfully, a dark red, and
as he looks nervou,ly a. Norah she sees an
expression round his mouth that was new
Lc Ter 1t is hard, clmost revengefu'.
"Ihe room is full" he says, hurriedly.
"You will not perhaps like to 20 in to see
them al until you have rested little
while NJ mother is not there, but she
VIII come t. you"
Pray do not be so unhappy about it,
saws the ] uchess, with n Lit L. smile. II
do not mini it at all. People will jest you
know. Was it Katherine"
Miss Cazalet might h-ve been there.
IL
"No, do not say IT, Is it worth it?" in
terrupts she codly. ''You neel not invent
anything. There is no necessity for it, as |
shall know for myself by and by. Be sure
/ 81 al member that voice aly avs"
81 regret that this rudeness-" he is be-
ginning modify, when he stops short
What IS 1t he would say? What is the
matter with hifn' Why can he not speak
10 her as he us d to do in those first glad,
sweet old days, when this shadow that now
res 5 ever between them was not known? He
is still struggling with his effort 10 say
som thing TO her ! u more natural manner
when n footstep near sta ties them both.
1t is Madame Delaney She comes
quickly up t. No:ah AMI laying both her
hands on her sLou ders, looks at her ,ong
and earnestly. Something Of sorrow daep-
ems her ga after a moment or two. There
is that n the gir.'s beautiful face that re-
minds her Of the hu band of her youth, lost
su,n q long time ago, but never forg item.
"My dear, d ar Chi l., " she SAYS, with
long sign, and placing her arms around
her kis e, her WITH loving tenderness 1t
is plain That the liste Duchess has in her
first moment found warm corner in that
gentle heart.
With the embrace just received a sense OF
rest, of support, enters into Norah. There
is something in the calm, handsome face TO
inspire instant confden,e in the beholder,
md Sorah gives herself up TO her without
a fear. ShenIay lie English and Just of late
Norah has begun to hate all English women
she may be Scot h, Wo!sh, a Hottentot, if
on will, but she could not possibly feel
more at home with her all at once il she
had been an Irishwoman born AMI bred
"You are tired, darling. You will come
up to your room with me- said madam,
fondIy ttroking the girls little, trembling
hand.
THANK you, Aunt Maui"
"No; not thatp' says madam, laughing
"Katherine and many others call me Aunt
Maud, and now should like n change.
This is only natural, eh, Denisp You shall
call ne Auntie-if you don't mindy" with !
the sweetest glance. ~ have 30 pinned to ,
be addressed by that name n | my life by |
my numerous English nieces and nephews,
Tut they would none of IL. said was OF |
too imposing n build, too majestic for such |
famliaritieS; but think my little Irish 4
niece wi not fail me.
'No-no, indeedn' says Norah shyly; !
and then INC shyly stil, but with az !