The Forrest City times., 1891-10-30
CHAPTER II.

The Lafc0es WAS me oiu IlliZaDctuhu mansion, surrounded by ample grounds, laid out in excellent taste, and broad terrace occupied consid srable stretch of the frontage. As Miss Durnford and her niece approached this terrace, female ig- ure suddenly appeared upon it, and, after gazing for a moment at the visitors, ran quickly down the steps and hurried up to them.
 eHow good of you to come and bring cousin so quickly, auntic Rachelw erred fresh hearty voice, with marked but not vulgar North Covntry accent; and the young lady threw her arms around Miss Durnford and kissed her; then she turned to lima, scanning her from head to foot with round frank eyes that expressed un- disguised admiration.
 "I am so glad to see you, cousin. " clasp ing Ilma's white hand in an ample brown palm. .I am sure we shall get on beau- tifully. I am Rose."
 "And 1 am llma," said the Canadian in turn inspecting her cousin but with gaze more keenly obseryant and not ex- actly admiring, though giving no indica- tion of opinion.
 Rose Sabine was not handsome, though she might have fairly been called good- looking. She had aclear complexion, with good deal of color, round bright blue eyes, and soft brown hair; but her figure was little too robust for her height, and her arched brows gave her surprised look that lima thought .funny." but no one could have mistaken Miss Sabine for anything but Il lady, though equally mani fest was it that she was provincial.
 s.Mamma and Jamie are in the drawing room," proceeded Rose. "Roland will bs home soon; or, if you like to go down to the weir, llma-what a pretty name i've may find him there. He went to fish,"
 ssIlma won't care for Gipsy's Weir, af- ter Niagara" remarked Miss Durnt>rd, smiling.
 "I shall auntie, if i.'s pretty" said lima. .why do you call it Gipsy's Weir, Rose.''
 "Ah, thereby hangs q tale! pll inform you all about it presently. Aunt Rachel has evidently told you nothing about the Dark Darrells and the curse"
 sI left that for you young folk," said Miss Durnford.
 "Have you a family here with curse" exclaimed lima. ssHcw delightful and old-world. We have no such things in Canada. long for q curse, or banshec, or something Of that sort"
 Rose laughed merrily; then she looked very grave.
 curse, lima. I'll tell you all about 1t pres entlyo
 She led the way through the open win- dow into the drawing-room, and pale sickly looking lady rose from . fauteuil and came forward with outstretched hands to meet the young stranger
 laarv safl Mrs Sahfnc cor dially, embracing and kissing the girl.-- "we will all try to make you as happy as we can. You have seen Rose. This is Janie;" ana girl somewhat resembling Rose, but younger, paler, and slighter, ad- yanced and greeted her cousin kindly, though less demonstratiyely than Rose had done.
 Tears nlled llma's large brown eyes, How good they all were to treat her so lovingly, as if they had known her for long time. Her aunt Sabine made her sit down by her, and, holding the little hand in her own, asked her about her uncle, and her life in Canada and her journey over After time Mrs. Sabine handed over her niece to her cousins.
 .sI must not usurp you," she remarked smiling; s.young folk like to be together. Rose, it is only just getting dark, perhaps lima would like to go with you to the weir, to meet Roland.'
 sI should very mueh,' said lima; "and Rose promised to tell me some legend about great family under curse"
 .we don't think it legend," observed Jamie; ebut l am afraid you will think Cumberland people very superstitious."
 The Sabine girls fetched their hats, and the three young people went of merriiy to the Gipsy's Weir.
 .sNow do tell me, Rose," said lima, as soon as they reached the grounds, .'about this Dark Darrell and the curse"
 Rose was ready enough.
 "You foreigners are inpatient" she be. gan, laughing, unable perhaps to resist tho pleasure of tantaiizlnE.