Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1891-06-12


the walls OF lonely farmhouse, beyond No
1r0Ssachs, seems incredible. One would
scarcely expect to find among such humb.c
surroundings "A wife suitable % man Of his
stamp. And yet ahen saw the woman who
had won him ,either wondered at the con-
quest nor did blame HIM for weakness.
made the great discovery on the morning
after my arrival. Eager 10 taste the fresh
ness of the morning air, rose betimes and
went for short stroll. j returned, and
whilst standing at the door OF the house, was
positively startled by the beauty Of girh
who passed me and entered as ii she were q
regular inhabitant Of the place. Not rosy
Scotch lasslc such as one would expect TO
lind indigenous Ia the soil: but slim, grace
ful giIl, with delicate classical features. A
girl with mass OF knotted light hair, yet
with the apparent anomaly, dark eyes, eye
Iaslles, and eyebrows-a combination which,
10 my mind, makes style OF beauty rare,
irresistible, and dangerous above all others.
The features which filled the exquisite oval
Of her face were refined and faultless. Her
complexion was pale, but its pallor in no way
suggested anything save perfect health. To
cut my enthusiastic description short, may
at once say it has never been my good fvr.,
tune 10 east my eyes on a loyelier creature
than this young girl.
Although her dress was Of the planest and
simplest description, no one could have mis-
taken her for a servant; and much as adj
mire the bonny healthy Scotch country las
sic, felt sure that mountain air had never
reared being of this eihereally beautiful
type. AS she passed me raised my hat IN
stinctlvely. She gracefully bent her golden
head, and babe me quiet but unembarrassed
good-morning. My eyes followed her until
she vanished at the end of the dark passage
which led to the back of the house
Even during the brief glimpse l enjoyed Of
this fair unknown a strange idea occurred to
me. There was a remarkable likeness be-
tween her delicate features and those, scarce
ly less delicate, of CarristOn. This resem-
blance may have added TO the interest the
girls appearance awoke in my mind Any
way | entered our sitting-room and, prey
to curiosity and perhaps, hunger, awaited
with much Impotence the appearance of
CarristOn--and breakfast.
The former arrived first Generally speak
ing he was afoot long before was, but this
morning we had reversed the usual order Of
things. As soon as | saw him cried
"Caniston, tell me at once who is the love-
~ girl met outside, An angel with dark
eyes and golden hair. Is she staying here
Ike OUTStlNtSs
A look Of pleasure flashed into his eyes-a
look which pretty well told me everything.
Nevertheless he answered as careIesjly as IL
such lovely young women were as common
To the mountain side as rocks and brambIes-
II expect you mean Miss Rowan; a niece
of our worthy landlady. She lives with
her"
"She cannot be Scotch with such face and
eyes"
Half and half. Her father was called an
Englshman: but was, believe, Of French
extraction. They say the name was origi-
nally ROhan."
Cairiston seemed TO have made close in.
quries as to Miss Rowan's parentage.
But what brings her here"' l asked.
"She has nowhere else to go. Rowan was
an artist He married sister of our hostess,
and bore her away from her native land.
Some years ago she died, leaving this one
daughter Last year the father died, penni-
! less, they tell me, SO the girl has since then
lived with her only relative. her aunt"
"Well," | said, las you seem to know all
about her you can introduce me by and by.m
with the greatest pleasure If Miss Rowan
permits" said GARRISON. / was glad to hear
| him give the conditional promise with as
much respect to the lady's wishes as If she
! had been duchess.