The Dickinson press., 1894-01-27
CHAPTER VI.

" w.
CHAPTER VI.
Most OF the guests were assembled IN
thu breakfast room when Hyacintr
vanc went down. wild, sweet mnsic
rising from her heart TO her lins H.,
enatches Of Song. II was a morning.
10 make even the cid feel young. and
the Young delirious with their own
youth and happiness. AS she entered
tue room. Lady l;csedene looked nm
With a smile. -
~ nave news that will please Won.
Miss Nane." she said. although the
pei PIE are strangers to you. Films.
thorpe Ora. &c Is near Dunwold. IL #
noty" "
YES" answered Hyacinth, ut is for.
miles from the village. with lovely
woods between. But the t;rans. Is
empty now, and shut up"
mo now said Lady R~oseGenc.
"Elmsthorpe Grange, with all the mag.
n:.tceDt 's'a," :"l"1,.in.s to 1t. has !,c-
come the property Of a young friend of
mine, Alan Erallston; he is the nrx-.
of-kin to the late squire, who spent
the latter part of his life in the south
Of FraIc &c. The old squire was A
wealthy man. and he has left the whole
Hyaclntn repeated the name to her.
self. The sound of it pleased her.
There We're music and freshness in it.
something that seemed to stir her heart
md soul. Lady ltosedcne went on:
You have heard Of the old squire,
Of course, Miss Vance,"
Il have heard him spoken Of" she
replied. MY father saw him once,
many years ago; since then the Grange
has been desolate and solitary"
1T will not be any longer" replied
[1dy Msedene. "Alan Branston takes
. possession OF it at cbcc. 4 whole army
of work-people are OH the way to 1t.
Flo will spend n fortune on 1t, and ir
will be II Of tho most superb homes
III England. The young squire has ar
ranged to stay Il month with lie, so
that lie can personally supcrintend the
most important alterations. I expect
him this morning."
There were q few comments from
the guests, and then the subject chang
ed. Put ]lyacinth seemed 10 have
something worth thinking. about. 1t
had been her custom after breakfast to
put on her hat and so out into the
grounds, and size w;,s generally attend
ed by IL little court of admirers; but
on this morning a longing for solitude
seized her. and She looked with plead
ing eyes ut the gallant soldier who drew
near to her.
let me gather my roses alone this
morning, Major Tar1le," she said; and
he was compelled to retreat.
Sir.uarry was received with a charm
Ing pout, and a look which said SO
plainly, pray do not trouble me-"
that he bowed, discounted, and went
away.
She laughed to herself n sweet, girl
ish laugh. and went down the great
avenue Of lines. wondering why she
cared so much for being alone, wonder
ing what was hidden in the summer
morning. And then she began to think
OF Alan Branston and Elmsthorre
Woods. She had loved them with a
wonderful love. She had been accus-
toned to spend long hours in those
green solitudes. and she wondered If
lie 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; ut 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 face that was her doom. Two dark.
| RvanN INrfnhf rvv0c SnaoH 1.1n ~~r, ~NH
seemed to hold her spellbound until the
gentleman recovered himself, and, with
a low bow. drew n step nearer She
rose hurriedly and stood before him,
the loveliest picture: on which n mans
her golden head and 1ower-like face.
DO not let me disturb you" he said;
and again the wonderful power OF
his eyes seemed to hold her captive
II am unfortunate enough to have lost
my way; I walked through the park
Can you tell me which path leads t.
the Hall?"
The ore through the avenue Of
imes," she said. Il am going-but
no, you will easily find it."
was so handsome, so gallant, so brave
IF you are going in that direction,
ae cried, eagerly, II assure you
should be most grateful for you guild
ance."
He looked so eager, so handsome
so imploring, that she said to hersel
there could be no harm in going a few
steps at least in the same direction.
Hyacinth walked toward the lin
avenue with him. and then in som
strange manner it came cut that b
was Alan Branston of Elmsthorpt
While she lived she remembered the III
tie patch Of yellow flowers at her fee
the tall trees overhead, the foxglove
swaying as she passed them; every littl
detail impressed itself upon her mem
DRY, to lerain there while life lasted.
She raised her face to his.
Are you the new squirrel" she said.
He smiled, wondering how she ha,
discovered who he was. They In,
reached the end Of the avenue long be
fore he had finished his eager question
about Dunwold. The picturesque oil
Hall stood before them.
"Why, I have brought you all tn
way!" said Hyacinth. In dismay. 'sTher,
Is the house. Lady Rcsedene il on tn,
lawn"
He looked, and before he could say
another word she was ~gone-gone bacl
to the park where he had found he
half an hour since. But all the worlt
was changed to her; there was new
brightness in the sunshine, new color
on the grass. Nothing apparently hat
happened, yet the world seemed quit,
different, and was never the same Il
her again.
She was half shy when the hour fol
luncheon came. As she crossed tn,
lawn, she saw the major waiting 70,
her. and Sir Harry lowering in the dis
lance. They both looked somewha
curiously Mt her; there was a ney
light on her face. 1t was no longe
the face of a child; the dawn of passio,
and womanhcod was on it.
a. There was much talking and laugh
Ing in the dining loom. In the mid
OF q group, she saw Alan Branston tall
ing to Lady Rosedene, who turne