The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1892-06-16
CHAPTER EE.
THE FALL OF TIE CURTAIN.

There is Joy at Willoughby farm
house Of the hundreds Of Christmas
dinners which have been eaten beneath
that hospitablc roof. none was ever half
so glorious as this
AT one end of the table sits the mas
ter Of the house: al. the other Sir Harry
Grahame, supported by Kate Grahame,
Miss Ba!derstone, Dame BARLOW and
her daughter, Arthur Dunbar, and
handsome, stalwart fellow, who has
been introduced by the eXultant yeo-
man as "Nellie's young man." md
whose checks are yet crimson with the
novelty Of his situation. Mile. Cam
pignon might have felt shocked at
this miscellaneous gathering, but
neither Miss Dslderstone nor Sir Harry
Grahamo seem to notice any tnoon~
sistency In II.
Kate Grahamc Is the only one present.
whose happiness Is dimmed by CON-
lectures. Her prince, her hero. tho hlor
Of her childish dreams was dead and ix.
alive ngnin. and her heart beats exnit-.
ingly at the thought, but-nh, theso
buts-there Is another now even deaTer'
to her than this demi god
Now. what II her king demand his,
own? What II the man who rescued
her from life of infany, who sur
rounded her young days with luxury.
should claim lrr life allegiance? lia
loves hcr-shc feels that his affection
for her Is deeper than that Of any
guardian for his ward. What II all thiaz
be true? Then, in sick despair sha
knows that she must give up her selfish
dreams Of another and never let him
know the sacrifice she makes.
How trcmblingly, then, when tAe
mighty meal is ended and the guests
scatter to make preparations for taee
| evening festival, she accepts his invita-
ton to stroll with him down the elm,
tree avenue.
my chik!!" he says. SO gcntiy-oh--
how her heart sinks at what she eallS
her base ingratitu,le-''I have two mat
tcrs | wish to discuss with yos,-our'
futures"
Eyes" she whispers. with whiss
lips
sand sclfshly will begin with ms4
self. My long life OF adventure must
end In the usual story-book fashion by<
my taking TO myself wife,"
u know" shc said. standing undt
looking at him with fearless eyes.t
frankly and truthfully. II will do n,y
best TO make you happy. am veryt
young, and nm afraid not very wise..
bat will DO true wifc TO you, Sir.
Harry Grahame.''
''My dear girl, what are you drcnm-+
ing orr the baronet cried. amazed atk
her confession. Then with quick apI
prehension, fathoming the nobility on
her sacrifice: "But, oh! child, child
what noble spirit is yours!''
"And," sho said. with painting eager
pcss, you do not want to marry mr!'s
mot !, indeed! You ever have bccrp
and always will be my own dear daugh-
ter. The woman would make my
wife is Hester Balderstone."
Miss Baldcrstoue!" tho girls tears
] am SO glad"
''Glad, eh! Well. you ore . Mica
young woman, certainly" Sir Harry
smiled, ITO rejoice ut such confcssiona
from the man you have just offerai IN
marry. Well, dry your eyes, and let us
get to the second subject of o,r inter-
view-yourself."
"Oh! let inc be out Of tho question fots
awhile"
It'll you recover your disappotnt-
ment at not being Lady Grnhame2 Nay.
stop, my dear, I'm only in fun. lsl..
see-supposc q certain young gentle
man, with the classic name of Arthur.
were to ask yon the question am ,,t-
ing to ask Miss Bnldcrstonc this very
afternoon, what would you say2"
II do not know-I mean l."
"Well, spare your bushes. | sec him
coming, and shall leave him to your
mercy; but, oh! Kate, do not trifle witt,
him. Ills is noble heart. lie may
not boast proud patrician name, but>
Kate, my child. Dunbar is one Of ma
turc's gentlemen"
CONTINUED ON FOURTH PAGE