The Globe-republican., 1891-12-17
CRU
=AS=
THE GRAVE
The Secret Of DunraVen
Castle.
BY ANNIE ASHMORE,
Author of Faithful Margaret" ETC.. Etc
CHAPTER VI.-Continued.

CHAPTER vI.-ContInued.
The very fact of Ulva's presence here
proved that Lord Inchcape held his wife
guiIt,ess Of any fault worthy OF this
shame and secluSion.
@Now you are weary OF talk, said
Viva in her frank. friendly way, "you
shall have some music to refresh you"
He yielded his chatting spirit to heI
gentle spell again, and sank back with
deep sense of relief in letting all go but
the joy of being with Viva.
He hoped she was going to sing or
play to him, but no; she went to the
open window and took in gilded cage
and set it on the table, and out flew a
little brown lark, straight into heI
bosom, where it nestled, quite concealed
by her lovely hand, all but Its tiny head
and one shining round eye, which last II
kept shyly fastened upon Edgar.
"Where did find this not uncommon
songster. you want to ask?" laughed
Viva noticing his surprise. 1T was cast,
like you, waif on the storm into my
hands. The blast dashed it against my
window, picked it up quito stunned;
thought it would die, but 1t not And
when it got quite strong and we'll, ]
opened the window and babe it go free,
but the grateful little heart came back
next morning and few straight into my
breast again, and would not accept its
liberty. So gave it house of its own,
and it has lived in it ever since, with
the door open as you see, that may it take
its flights when it pleases; and l like it
better than the rarest captive bird,
because / know it is happy. And that's
all"
Here she gently peeped under her hand
at the lark. which uttered bird-scream
of merriment. and darted at her lips
with its tiny beak outstretched and lit
tie wings fluttering; then lit upon her
lifted finger, set its dainty head aside,
and poured forth its delicious MARBLE
with its whole happy heart.
Oh, what picture! And how her art
less words had stirred the deep waters
of Edgar's heart He, too, had been
cast by the storm into her life, and saved
by her; he, too, rejected the freedom
that meant parting from Viva; oh, that
she would also take him into her sweet
heart!
He gazed intoxicated with love, at Ulva.
but she was not looking at him. nor yet
at her pet; her sweet eyes had CHANGED
tn light on the face of Lady Dunraven,
and all the smile died out of them, they
filled with pain.
Her little story had stirred Lady Dun
ravens sad heart, too; for was not she a
captive who would never he free? She
had turned slightly from the O: hers and
was gazing across the sea with hunger
ing and thirsting look, while she gnawed
her pallid lips in sickening Impotence.
Again that tug at Edgar's heart
strings.
Il must speak to her" he thought in
desperation. Il feel like q craven in
the presence of such unmerited grief"
The lark's carol finished, it flew from
Ulva's finger to perch itself upon
peach. of which there was luscious
basketful upon table near, and while
it drove its little bill into the velvet side
it kept up sly scrutiny of Edgar. until
at last to his pleased surprise 1t came
hopping, hopping across the table and
from chair back to chair back, until it
reached the end of the sofa close by his
head, when it timidly pecked at his
curls, as if willing to be better &C
Quainted
"How STRANGE" exclaimed Viva, evil
IDENTITY gratiied. what spell have you
put upon my bird? He would not allow
anybody else to go near him: and al
ways hides in my sleeve or neck all the
time Mr.. Sircombe is in the ROOM"
Lady Dunraven looked round with
dsdainful curve of the delicate lip
"Instinct is often more reliable than
reason" said she. She watched with
earnest face the dainty motions of the
bird, as 1t took hair by hair in its POL
ished bill, preening and arranging them
as it would have plumed its own feath-
ers with chirps Of gentle satisfaction,
Edgar scarcely breathing lest he might
start!e it away: till. finally growing
hardy, it hoped upon his head. dropped
its wings gracefully, and burst into
melting bird-song of triumph over its
new conquest.
Edgar's eyes encountered Lady Incn-
cape's; hers were full Of an inefTablc
trust
II think you would make q true
friend" said she. involuntarily uttering
the thought that was in her heart
His eyes looked yearningly into hers
~Yes, l would. he answered, simply,
but no eloquence could have carried
greater conviction with 1t than did the
quiet, fervent acQuiescence
Fortunate are those who may claim
your friendship" said Lady lnchcape,
signing.
Il wish might dare to offer it to one
who needs faithful knight, murmured
Edgar.
She started. looking wildly at him
with her frail hand on her heart and q
deep, burning blush suffused her whole
face and throat Viva, busy with her
bird which had flown back to her finger,
skipped apart among the flowers by the
window. She was much Impressed by
her pets instructive trust in this hand
some stranger, and by her step-mother's
recognition of it: and sne recalled Ken
more's boding prophecy with little
smile of defiance.
But her innocent heart was not
touched by Edgar yet-only circum-
stances made her think about him a
great deal.
She could not hear what her step
mother and he were saying, but she saw
that Lady Dunraven was interested in
him, and she was peculiarly Rratified,
although she could not quite account for
this feeling. 1t was well that poor
eoprov