The morning news., 1891-02-01
CHAPTER ".
HELEN DRUMMoND.

The next few days passed away very
quietly and pleasantly at Brackenford. 1t
was fine weather in the early part of No
vember.~ and my lord spent most of his
time out on the misty hills, or in solemn
conclave with his ste ward about the relative
merits of his home-bred stock; while my
lady and Helen Drummond amused them
selves at home
But no one was ever dull with Lady En-
nismore. Her charming manner, her tact,
and her rare mental gifts were exerted as
freely to please this young girl as they
would have bsen in a London drawing
room.
"Helen is growing very handsome" she
said to her husband one morning after their
return.
''RemarkabIy fine grip" answered my
lord in his jovial way. ''You must be look
ing out for good husband for her, Katie. -
Lady Ennismore answered with sigh:
"Good husbands are not so easily got, my
DEAR she said.
Lord Ennismore laughed.
That's ungrateful, Katie. when you've
got such pattern one,n he said.
II have been very lucky" replied Lady
Ennismore, quietly, and she put her hand
softly into her husbands big, strong palm,
who kissed her sweet face as warmly as he
had kissed it eighteen years ago.
Talking of luck" he said, "Im the
Iuckiest fellow in the world. But, Katie.
forgot to tell you,n he continued, II had a
letter this morning from Arthur Curzon,
and he and that other young fellow We saw
at the Gaiety are coming here tomorrow.
Dye know, forgot all about them-but
Pm awfully glad to have Arthur Curzon-
and the other young fellow, too-what was
his name? / forget"
SIT was Roche, Think answered Lady
Ennismore and tie bloomed deepened on
her cheeks as she spoke.
ITO be sure-yes, it was Roche. Well,
they'll help to amuse you and Helen"
Lady Ennismore did not speak. Then
after moments silence she asked quietly at
what time the young men would arrive at
Brackenford, and my lord got out his guide
book and began scanning the trains that
ran between Lynewood and Mortonbury,
which was the railway station nearest to
Brackenford,
After he had found out all about the
trains, Lord Ennismore started on his usual
morning inspection of his fat cattle. He
had the greatest interest in these overfed
creatures. and would gaze at them with un-
failing admiration. Lady Ennismore some
times went with him to see them, and no.
thing gretifed MIN so much as when she
did this, for we may be sure sue admired
them when she knew how much it would
please him.
But she did not go this morning. She
went to her bedroom after her husband had
left her, and having unlocked a desk in
which there was q secret drawer, she drew
out slightly soiled glove, and looked at it
very tenderly.
poor fellow" she half whispered, and
then she kissed the glove, and carried it in
her hand to the window, where she stood
for long while looking out silently at the
misty hills. The SHADOW which sometimes
passed over her face was there when she
turned away. She had been thinking OF the
past; thinking Of the days when she had
been katherine Maiden, and when great
sorrow had come to her. Long years had
passed since then-she had been almost a
child Jhen--yet the memory Of these days
could never fade. Athwart her path their
shadows still fell, though to all seeming that
path was now so fair and smooth.
While the soiled glove was yet in her
hand rap came to the door Of the room,
and a moment later the bright, sunny
young face of Helen Drummond appeared.
There was a joyousness about this girl
which was almost infectious. Slim and
1.-THE of form. her face was charming with
youth, health aad good nature.
Lady Ennismore," she said, "may Judy
and / ride into MortOnburyT
Eyes, dear" answered Lady Ennismore,
"but you must take Cox with you-and