The Globe-republican., 1892-03-03
CRUEL
The CRAVE
The Secret of DunraVen
Castle.
BY ANNIE ASHMORE,
Author Of Faithful Margaret" Etc. Etc
CHAPTER XX-(Continued.S

UaGeO: she c1aSpoQ uer UduUS lightly
with look OF solemn Joy.
"How we have sorrowed for him!" she
murmured. "Never was friend more
bitter mourned. If you only knew the
nobility of his heart-but you shall;
since he is alive he shall be my own
special protege, and the first boon l
shall ask of my dear lord will be to es-
tabiish his prospects"
&You like him much, then?" asked
Lore Inchcape wiz. q::c. enjoyment
~And Ulya-did you say she ais o mourned
for him."
A swift change passed over the lady's
face.
"Ulva!" she whispered. u had for
gotten-How shall break this Won
derful news to her." she ia tered, and
blushed; her eyes fell before the search
ing gaze Of her husband, yet she nestled
towards him with fond submission. ain
this first dear hour of reunion l cannot
withhold anything from my lord" she
murmured. HWho and what this young
man is / know not, since he never OBJ
truded his personal affairs upon my at
tention. But this l know, that no
nobler heart beats than Mr.. Edgar's; he
is true gentleman, and merits all the
friendship which I can show him until
the day Of my death. But l have to
confess. that, selfishly absorbed in my
own sorrow, never dreamed of danger
to our darling Viva. 1t was only since
we be eTei him drowned that l discOv-
ered-that-her grief for his death was
as deep-aye, deeper far than my own.
Scarcely daring to speak above a
whisper she brought this out, and timidly
raised her eyes to read the shocked dis
appreciation she expected from Ulva's
naughty father; but his countenance
was inScrutable.
"And the young man-what were his
sentiments?' asked he gravely.
"That i would give much to know"
sighed my lady; "but / believe he gave
no expression to them, even to Viva,
who to be sure was seldom tete a-tete
with him. Alas. his honor will now
stand liz the way Of any future explana-
ton. If he loves her he will never ap-
proach her again. l know that true
heart we'll. Long and anxiously l
studied his nature before l chose him
for my friend. All, see now his reason
for leaving us in ignorance of his escape
from death here. He feared his own
heart and fed from temptation He
must have had some noble reason, for he
was as tender as he was brave and
would not wantOnly affiict US "
"He will be here in few days and
will doubtless explain all, said my lord,
with smile, which showed the aston
ished lady that her confession had not in
the least disconnected him.
My Lord and Lady Inchcape entered
Dunraven tower together for the first
time.
Every domestic about the premises
had been called up by Kenmore and
marshaled in the vestibule to do honor
to the occasion; and beautiful Viva re-
ceived her parents in her arms with love
and sympathy unspeakable.
During the evening which followed
she could not but watch her stepmOther
in her new happiness with an admira-
ton very near being awe, so dazzling
was the beauty of her countenance. so
her PERSONAL manner
Every look, word and motion was in
stin with charming soul, her whole
being radiated pure JOY. 1t was imros-
sible to look up and meet her liquid smil-
ing dark eyes softly resting upon her
without experiencing vague assurance
of happiness in store even for herself.
Ulva's unspoken grief seemed lighter
for the first time; she could believe it
possible that God would show her how to
bear her sorrow nobly.
And the romance Of her parents re-
union comforted her; it was SO sweet to
know that although her life was not to
be so blessed there was true bliss yet
upon the earth for others.
But what said tho maiden's sad phi
losophy when Lady Inchcape, coming
into her room to bid her goodnight,
drew her into her arms with burst Of
tender delight, and bade her, in thrill
ing voice, sorrow no more, since there
was no more cause.
"For he is not drowned, Viva, and he
is good and true as We thought him, and
we shall see him again-very soon, u
va, darling, very soon!"
CHAPTER XXI.
~THE FAIREsr DAY THAT EVER DAwNED on
INCHCAPE-n
Lord Inchcape sought his daughter
one day where she sat alone, plunged in
maiden reverie, and smile was on his
face.
-sSee what have brought for my u
va to wear on this bright day!' said he,
laying an open case in her lap sThey
were your mothers pearls; they Riim-
mered round her graceful throat. and
from her ears and breast. when first my
eyes rested upon her. and l have always
kept them for q day in your life like
that I should like you to change this
careless toilet At once, my child. She
wore the stately attire. becoming her
beauty and rank. and so should her
daughter to-day"
~And Why to day, papa?" asked Viva.
wonderingly, her hands trembling among
the shimmerfng gems
Because guest Is at the door who,
OF all that cou' d come over the sea to
Sleat-na- Vrecken. Imcst desire to honor.
Don your fairest apparel, then, and your
kindliest smile, for this Is the fairest and
kindest day that has dawned on Inch
cage for many a wasted year. Cone, !
Ulva; do you tremble. do you fear, and |
1t is your father who bids you be glad?
Can you not trust me? My own sweet
girl, look up. and read the love In my
eyes: there, could l wiring your little
heart?s
No. no, not If truth speaks in human
Size allowed him to raise
her By her two hands, and to cad her to I;