The Bottineau pioneer. (Bottineau, N.D.) 1885-1895, 1893-10-07

SFSAN AVA6 u ia luOSV
green solitudes, and she wondered II
he would be willing to allow strangers
there. -
ALAN Rranston Of Elmsthorpe'-she
liked the sound of the name-it had q
great attraction for her. She went on
walking gently until she came to the
END OF the great avenue; at that point
the green, undulating park began. The
grass was thick and beautiful: she sat
down to rest, and in the music of rip
ping leaves she seemed to hear the
young squire's name.
Suddenly a tall shadow fell across the
grass, and, raising her eyes, she saw
the a c that was her doom. Two dark,
clear. bright eyes met her own, and
seemed to hold her spellbound until the
gentleman recovered himself, and, with
a low bow, drew o step nearer. She
rose hurriedly and stood before him,
the loveliest picture on which a mans
eye could rest, the sunlight falling on
her golden head and fower-like face.
DO not let me disturb you,' he said:
and again the wonderful power of
bis eyes seemed to hold her captive.
Il am unfortunate enough to have lost
my way; I walked through the park.
Can you tell me which path leads to
the Hall?"
The one through the avenue of
lines" she said. II am going-but,
no, you will easily find it."
If you are going in that direction,'
he cried, eagerly, II assure you I
should be most grateful for you guild
ance."
GEe looked so eager, so handsome,
so imploring, that she said to herself
there could be no harm in going a few
steps at least in the same direction,
Hyacinth walked toward the lime
avenue with him, and then in some
strange amer it came cut that he
was Alan Branston of Elmsthorpe.
While h lived she remembered the lit
tie patch of yellow flowers at her feet,
the tall trees overhead, the foxgloves
swaying as she passed them; every little
detail impressed itself upon her men,
DRY, to remain there while life lasted.
She raised her face to his.
Are you the new squirrel" she said.
He smiled, wondering how she had
discovered who he was. They had
reached the end Of the avenue long be-
fore he had finished his eager questions
about Dunwold. The picturesque old
Hall stood before them.
why, I have brought you all the
way!!" said Hyacinth,, in dismay. There
is the house. Lady Rcsedene is on the
lawn"
He looked. and. before he could say
another word she was gone-gone back
to the park where he had found her
half an hour since. But all the world
was changed to her; there was new
brightness in the sunshine, new colors
on the grass. Nothing apparently had
happened, yet the world seemed quite
different, and was never the same to
her again.
She was half shy when the hour for
luncheon came. AS she crossed the
lawn, she saw the major waiting for
her, and Sir Harry lowering in the dis
lance. They both looked somewhat
curiously at her; there was a new
light on her face. 1t was no longer
the face of a child; the dawn of passion
and womanhcod was OF it.
There was much talking and laugh
ing in the dining loom. In the midst
of a group, she saw Alan Branston talk
ing to Lady Rosedene, who turned
quickly to her.
"This young lady is one of your
nearest neighbors, Mr.. Branston,' she
said; ''let me introduce you to Miss
Vane."
The lovely blushing face dropped be-
fore the sudden fire of admiration that
she saw in his eyes. Neither Of them
said a word as to the previous meet
ing. Lady Rosedene, with her quick
eyes, noted the girls blush, and a sud-
den idea came to her; with her usual
impetuosity she would have spoken,
but she restrained herself; one word
might have spoiled the whole scheme
that had suddenly shaped itself in her
mind. Alan BranstOn must marry Hya-
cinth. He had wealth, a fine old
and everything that was lux
uriOus; she had beauty, and gentle
training.
1T is the very thing" said the lady
to herself. Providence must have ar
it; there could be no more suit
able marriage than this" |
For the first time in her life Lady
paused for quiet reflection,
and then turned away, lest by one word
she would mar what seemed to her the
idea she had EVER made.
Are you staying here for any time?"
asked Alan, when they were alone.
Lady Rosedene invited me for a
month";" Hyacinth answered.; Il may
longer. If my father wants me,
! shall, Of course, 60 at once"
II hope your father will not want
you," he said. III you were to go now,
l should feel that I had been deprived
of all the pleasure I anticipated from
my visit. I did mot mention 70 Lady
Rosedene that I had met YOU,
A lovely flush Of color came over. her
face. %
why not?" she asked, with down.
dropped eyes. ~ s.. w..
II thought I read in your eyes that
you would rather / did not name it."
Her heart beat faster at the words.
: II did not know that my eyes told
such stories; I must keep them closed
she replied, laughingly.
IF you do, it will be to me as though
the sun had set" he said; and the
words did not seem Ike fiattery to her.
There was some strange attraction to
her in the handsome young squire; q
glamour such as had never fallen over
her now. In some vague, curious way
she could hardly understand q
world seemed suddenly to concentrate
Itself in that spot where she stood-so
much so that when the dressing-beH
rang q thrill Of Impotence passed over
Ter: she felt grieved to be disturbed.
His eyes fingered on her until she mao
1uitted the room, and then he reused
himself with q deep sigh, like q who
comes suddenly to himself after @
iream. This dainty, delicate girl, with
tender eve Of Il child and a WOman's
music and 8 laugh like the chime ct
liver belIs-he had seen no one like her;l