The Dickinson press., 1894-01-20

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Chapter Nv
Dene Hall was the very residence
for one who studied the enjoyments Of
life. It was one of the prettiest homes
in England. There was nothing grand
or majestic about it; but it was pictur-
esQue, artistic and beautiful. There was
no recognized form in its architecture,
and no two rooms resembled each other.
Some had long French windows Opsn-
ing into the grounds, others large bay
windows from which one had q mag
nificent view of the surrounding coun-
try. Some were stately and splendid,
variety and there was every shape;
rooms themselves were furnished In diff
ferent styles-some with splcndor,
some with simple artistic taste; they
were all picturesque, many with pretty
hooks where one could talk unobserved
by the hour, many full Of gems OF art.
1t was q home wherein every one was
happy and at ease; there We're rare
books for the studiOus. music for those
who enjoyed 1t, outdoor amusement
for those who preferred it. shady walks,
where the trees met overhead, for those
who loved solitude.
Lady Rosedene was never alone. She
did not know what solitude meant.
and never intended to know. She had
always a well selected party of WIS.,
itors ut the Hall, and she quietly ex-
ulted in the fact that she had now q
face to show her friends such as they
had never seen before. Lady Rosedcne
was always in love With her last pro-
tegeee, and she was decidedly charmed
with Hyacinth Vane.
Hyacinth had been quite at q loss
about her dress. In her dilemma she
had gone to Mrs. Morley. who had help
ed her in the difficulty. Fianci. 'T::e
looked at his daughter with scmarh'ng
like q smile on his face, rs lie gave her
the sum Of money which seemed to
her like a little fortune.
"Al this for dress, papa" she said.
"Why, it would bpy books for You that
would last a lifetimc!'
He laughed II quiet, gentle laugh.
that she had never heard before from
his lips.
my dear Hyacinth, dress must be
your books for the present, and Il very
nice study it will be for you."
He looked ut her with admiration
when she came to bid him sood-by.
II am to lose you for Il month";" lie
said. 1--WE have never been parted be-
fore"
She laid her fair head on his shoulder,
and whispered to him that she did not
want to leave him then. begging lin
not to spend the hours Of her absence
In solitary watch v the green grave.
It was like going from n world
into another when she left the lonely
study md went out into the sunlight,
where L-ldy Rosedene's luxurious ca
rage awaited her. 1t was a novel SEN
sation-o drive of many miles in a
splendid open carriage, through some
Of the Most beautiful scenery in Eng
land.
She had been disquieted and anxious
a to how she should feel amongst
strangers, but every thougnt Of herself
OOH died away. The girls soul seemed
wakened to fresh life by all that she
saw. The drive was like n dream of
sunlight and foliage. of slancing atreams
and purple hills, Of broad shaded roads
and green fields.
She was bewildered by the beauty Of
the park, and by the picturesque up
pearance Of the Hall. The girlish, I'M
tried heart sunk when she saw the
grandeur of everything around her;
but her innate pride and independence
came to her aid.
Lady Rosedcne, always amiable and
considerate, was in the entrance hall
to greet her. The girls heart went
out to her graceful, kindly hostess.
Lady Rosclene would 60 herself to
Hyacinth's room.
II have placed you near me-" she
said, $50 that yea may not feel lonely,
and that my maid may attend to you.
as, of course, you have not brought
one"
Hyacinth laughed at the notion, as
she thought Of the n old-fashioned
maid Mt home. She felt entirely al
ease with Lady Rosedene. No n re
sisted Lady Rosedene for long.
|. "You will like to understand q little
| about the Hall before we 60 dow
stairs" she said. Before you dress
I will give you a sketch Of my chie1
visitors. The prima donna at present
that Is, the lady who sings best, whit
| manages our charades and private the
atricals-is Miss SAINT. She is one o.
the cleverest girls in England in hel
| own particular role"
"What Is her role?" asked Hyacinth
beginning to feel interested in her new
world.
II should say, amusing others. Sh,
ls clever and beautiful, and there is
tragedy attached to ner that q strange
would never suspect"
"What is the tragedy?" asked Hya
dnth, who associated that word onl,
with Greek plays and the works o
Shakespeare.
Lady Rosedene hesitated half q mo
ment
II may us we'll tell you," she said
"every n here knows it, and you will
be SUR to hear it mentioned before 70,
have been in the house many days
Miss SAINT was engaged to be married
and a few days before the one fixet
for her wedding her lover ran ava,
with her dearest friend"
Hyacinth, to whom all the sin an,
falsity Of the world was as unknown
as its pleasures, grew pale ut tn,
words: and the only kind of love tina
she either knew or understood wa,
such as her father had for her mother
"How DREADFUL" she cried, and he
eyes opened wide in wonder.
Lady Rosedene smiled ut her earn
estness. 1t was plain that loves per
fidies were unknown to her. She wen
n
Miss SAINT did not break her hear
after the usual style Of heart-breakins
She laughed as she owned how ON
pletely she had been deceived; but sh'
has never been the same girl since
There is something hard, cynical ant
satirical about her now that no on
ever saw in her before. She has re
fused many offers of marriage-ant
she is, to my thinking. one of the mos
brilliant women in English society,""