Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1893-05-25

they had been shown into the house
keepers room.
Andrews heart misgave him. and bid
ding Jaques follow, he went down stairs,
and found Mamie very much bewildered,
not knowing where she was. The SER
wants who were present did not know
which way to look, but Mamie tran
GULLY took Dita's hand and followed her
husband up stairs; but she knew in her
heart that it was an unfortunate begin
ming.
Stafford Abbey retained much of its
monastic character. 1t was large low
house, built round a square court filled
with grass and having in the center a
stone wall The passages rouno this
court had been cloisters, and their beau
tiful tracery had been kept in very good
order, and was greatly admired. Glass
windows closed the arches now, and
glass doors opened on to the grass.
The entrance into the front of the house
was by a low door covered thickly with
ivy; it darkened the window which gave
| light to the long, narrow, stone lobby
into which it opened, so that the first
effect on entering was one of darkness
and gloom. This lobby ended in low
arch. before which hung fine tapestry
portiere, and from thence you emerged
into what had formerly been the refec-
tory, and was now a large hall the full
height Of the house. This hall was the
great beauty of Stafford. 1t was paneled
with black oak, and decorated with old
| armor and banners: over the chimney
piece was a fine trophy of arms. and the
straightforward oak chairs were all COW
cred with heraldic shields. Andrew
r H. Il. L = xs,l~ 81
| become possessor Of an old feudel place.
On one side Of the hall was a row Of low
square windows which looked into the
cloisters, and formerly opened into them
but were now filed with glass; each OF
| these windows had seat of most invit-
ing character. great oak table in the
center of the hall was covered with flow
ers and fine pots of pyramidal azaleas
stood in the corners.
The hall was lighted by great win
dow in the east WALL filled with armorial
bearings in stained glass.
Doors from the hall led to the more
modern part of the house-to the draw
ing-rooms and the dining room which
was paneled with oak like the hall.
Mamie looked round and telt her
heart sink, as it had never sank before;
in her happiest dreams she had thought
of bright sunny rooms, clean cracking
chintzeS, laceS antimaccassars, and gilt
tering chandeliers; but how unlike this
was to what she had expected! A weight
seemed to have fallen upon her; those
dreadful black walls, this great resOund-
ing place-it oppressed her; she felt as
if she never could be her own self there.
1t was better when the houSemaid came
to take her up TO her own room. She
left Dita with her husband. and followed
the knd-looking Ann.
The staircase was of oak also, and
very slippery, and Mamie had to hold
fast by the banisters Her room was in
the front of the house., looking over an
eXpanse of green park with fine trees.
1t was very grand, she felt. but she found
that one of the little rooms opening into
it was to be Dita's, and this was so
dainty and pretty, all white dimity and
rosebuds, that she could think no more
of the gloom of the four-post bed with
its canopy of yellow silk.
Ann was lingering about with a panied
look on most comedy face, when it sud-
denly struck Mrs. Lovel what she was
longing to saw, but could not get out.
She put her hand on the woman's
shoulder, and said, 'Never mind; / do
not at all wonder at your taking me for
the neutrality-suspicious. will know me
now"
She could not help her eyes filling with
tears. Ann was much touched.
ooh. ma'am, If L could tell you how
sorry am
''You need not mind" said Mamie smil-
ing an April smile; ''you see have been
in humble position in life, and now that
l am no longer young enough to change
in everything, God has seen fit to serd
US great wealth-so | cannot hope to be
like my husband, who is, as one may
say, born to it; but don't fret any more,
and do your duty by me, as l will try to
do mine by vou." Ann went away, her
mistresss friend for life.