Waterbury evening Democrat., 1891-08-31
CHAPTER III.
IN THB MU SIC ROOM.

And on the morrowi
With what different feelings to those OF
the morning before did l awakel Yes,
but the dawn brought with 1t the usual
calm reflection, which somehow we seem
to so often lose in the dazzle of gaslig hit.
AS l paced up and down my room, re-
viewed Lady Isabeps attitude TO me on
the night before, and highly gratifying as
her manner had been, l could not but
acknowledge that our relation, even for
my fathers sake, could not allow them
10 he continued. In spite Of any attempt
to make me remain, would that morning
quit the house and go on my way as be-
fore-the dreary, wretched way that 1t
was, leaving Blackwater Towers and its
occupants far behind-go and forget
them. Forget theml Was 1t possible l
couldp No. said to myself, the memory
of the stately Lady IsobePs great kind
ness the sweet angel face would never
be erased from my memory. Yet
must go, and that at once. dare not
lnger where 30 many delights were be-
fore me. AS / arrived at this conclusion,
old Margeret brought me my breakfast,
and having eaten but sparingly of the
dainty fare spread before me- asked If
might see Lady Isobel. AT this l was
conducted to the morning room, where my
lady rose to greet me- her manner as kind
as on the morning before
~ uSI A9 AiAANA, 0hO III AGSuAb
telling of plan she had formed which, try
as she would to make 1t appear that the
obligation was ON her SIDE l could not
but zee was made for my special benefit.
The plan was this. Her ladyship jesting-
ly said that she considered her house per-
feet in all respects save one-that one its
lack of MUSHROOM.
There is" she said, "a small ante cham
Der, built off the crawing-room, which is
Of fha tho TIL
this has never been used. The furniture
intended for 1t Is in it. but for want of
some one who would undertake to see to
it's appointments, has never been prop
erly arranged. Often and often 1 haze
wished my old Master Andres were with
me that he might undertake the task, in
which knew he would have delighted,
but since he is not here, in whose hands
could better place 1t than in those of his
sonP
Adding to this a promise made in the
most delicate manner possible that my
time should receive full remuneration,
Lady Isobel urged me TO accept her
proposal
At first such q generous offer made me
hesitate but the matter was settled for
me-
while wavered, Madeline Oakley en-
tered the room.
'.Good-morning, Iso," throwing her
arms around IBobeps neck and pressing
an affectionate kiss on the beautiful face
raised to greet her.
''Good-morninR, Mr.. CASTOR" and trip
ping up to me, she dropped me the shyest,
pretties4g curtsey in the world and a
bright, laughing face looked up in mine
A moment later, she sprang to the door
al am dying to hear you play again.
I'm going to ask Margaret for the key to
mushroom. Come, most mighty musician
N-A- 49,
"Dear child" said Lady Isobel smiling
at the fairy figure tripping out of the
room May she keep $3.50 long as l
can make herr' How heartily 1 echoed
in my heart that wishI All, Madeline,
Madeline, sweet child, angel and mortal
all in one. how fair you were then Why
| do call her a childf She was past seven
teen when first saw her-yet all the
same child she was in ways And what
sweet winning ways they were
Stately and beautiful as Lady fIsobel
was, to me her statuesQue loveliness was
nothing compared to that of her adopted
| sister
l often wondered what the grand house
| with all it's comforts would have been
without her. From morning till night
she made sunshine in it-fitting about
Like veritable fairy from room to room,
| making the otherwise silent corridors
ring with her song and laughter, playing
all sorts Of innocent pranks on tthose
around her, ever trimming over with fun
and glee, till it must have been Niobe
herself to have resisted catching the IN
lection of her happiness
| Happiness!-ah, that was the key to It
all Pure unalloyed, happines which
made the present undimmed by any
clouds gathering in the future.
Sweet, sweet Madeline I can see you
with your fragile form tripping before,
dancing around me, your angel face look
ing up at me with those dear eyes of
yours, yourself gliding into my heart
your face reflected In my soul.
All, those happy days In Blackwatel
Towers How many times did bless
the happy fate which led me to your hos
pitable door,
Those days In the mushroom how
clearly can recall them one by one, eacf
having its record of what is dear to me
Yes dare not stay to detail them, for Il
would take too long. 1t suff1ces that
was. as Madeline laughingly called 1t
reigning monarch Of the music room.
followed my own free will in arranging
it. aided only by little Madolines saucy
counsels.
Although Lady Isobel wished other
wise, begged leave to have my meals IL
the room which had been assigned to me
and seeing really wished it, permission
was given. But although by this trie'
to let it be seen that l did not oonside
myself on an equal footing with the FAM
ly, Madeline, that household fairy, over
ruled all other objections. What wa
caste to herr Her fairy feet could clim
to any height, her wings let her soar tt
) any depth,
To a stranger those only too short day
might have appeared one the copy of tn
other. Early in the morning would b
found in the MUSHROOM, never tired {
arranging It's many treasures This roor
was spacious and lofty, exactly suited t
the purpose it filled. The floor c
polished oak, with here and there sol
rug, couches and divans, carelessl