The morning times., 1895-08-04

II you look for Eyrie Inn in the guide
books OF the Hudson River you viii hardly
find il, for ut is nestled away in the
hills back OF the Palisades, and Gran
ston's, it's near neighbor, absorbs all the
fashionable and historic interest OF the
country Whereabouts.
Yet We, a party OF weary mountain
tourists, found the i'm q very grateful
resting-place, and tarricd there from week
10 week We loved to lie at night in
our hammockg and watch the boats twinkle
on the river. which lay, shining thread,
a mile below us. And il delighted us 10
count the pompous hills that stretched
away from us on three sides. Not
neighbor was within mile OF US on any
side, and We did not wonder that some
times the mountain birds settled upon
the turrets OF the inn TO see what new
creature had come to dwell among them.
The hOusekeeper OF the inn that summer
was Miss Hassen. She was the most old
fashioned, sweetest type or Southern
woman ] ever beheld. And not second TO
her in sweetness was pretty Lucy Bug
den, Miss Hassen's orphan niece. And
besides, there was Harold HarcOurt.
tan college senior, who had been a ward
OF Lucy's father.
Miss Hassen told us all about her chill
dren" before We had been al the inn over
night, and she hoped, with many slghs
and much embarrassment, that We would
pardon all her shortcomings in manage
ment. She had never managed an inn in
all her life before; but brother Luclen, the
brisk-Gong Northern brother, to whom
she applied for temporary aid IN these
days OF deprecated values, had put her in
charge OF his new mountain hotel. 1T
VIII be o good place FOR you and Lucy,
and you can bring Harold up for his
vacation if you want TO, brother Luaen
had written.
"Hapold and Lucy are like brother and
sister, she would always add in telling this
story, 'and when Harold gets to be the
great doctor he is studying to be he VIII
make home for Us all He says shah be
his mother and Lucy his dear sister,
But we, more experienced in the ways Of
the world, nOticsd look more ardent than
that Of mere brother when Harold gazed
upon pretty Lucy; and once when dear Miss
Hassen was telling US for the thoueaudth
tine Of the fine house Harold would build
some day for his mother and sister,
Harold kissed her playfuny and said:
Never mind, aunty, about that now.
III have you and Lucy with me- but
am not gong TO tell you any more than
that !"
IL Lucy had been so minded she could
have been the belle OF the Hudson that sum-
mer for her prettiness was OF the sweet,
delicate type that attracted all Coners.
The cadets from West Point, riding over to
set their targets upon the rocks or rowing
downto place their fishing nets in new spots,
would climb the steep hiu for one of
Miss HaEssn's celebrated Maryland sUppers,
but really for chat with Lucy.
But Lucy, either unnludful OF their ad-
mirauon or wholly unconscious Of 1t, would
like az not lnger out on the mountain side
picking berries for next mornings break
fast, or loiter along the mountain path that
led 10 the railway station, a mile and a
half below, until the purple shades had
envelOped the mountain, and the lads, dis
appointed and belated, had dipped their
oars in the silyery water 10 pull back TO
West Point.
once when a party OF Southern cadet
lads had gone away chagrined Miss Has
sen gently demonstrated with her niece,
but Lucy tossed her pretty curls, laughed
her soft Southern laugh and snubbCd the
boys the same way next time. To Harold
she was gentle, playful, and even affection
ate IN her sisterly devotion, walking with
him for miles along the mountain path
ways, picking rare wild flowers, and row.
ing with him far up the river, or singing
70 him by the hour the old plantation
songs which so well became her sweet
voice But always from these afternoons
Harold returned gloomy and silent, and
once Lucy openly wondered why brother
Harold should be $50 crEs" every time
they went OFT for holiday.
one afternoon there was excitement at
the inn A grand carriage with two liv-
cried foOtmen drove up the winding road
and out Of the carriage descended a very
showily dressed young lady, while behind
hpr GfanTpl n tall p1psra nj llpnda Tncr
man, foreigner in appearance, who assist
ed the girls mother to aIight.
We all knew their relationships a t once,
for the young woman said: Let us go
into the parlor. mamma, until they have
prepared something for US to eat" add
ing under her breath, too low for Miss
Hassen to hear, If they have anything fit
TO eat here"
And the m other replied: Certainly,
my dear! But how shall weever make suit
able apologies to you, Count, for this awk-
ward situation. Johannes assured me that
he knew these mountain roads perfectly
well. And here he brings US up at this
miserable little mountain inn with the dark
ness fast settling upon us. We are only
a mile from Cranston's, but / am afraid
20 venture over the roads IN the darkness
/ fear we shall have to remain over night"
At supper Lucy waited upon the new
guests Miss Hassen, Hurried and anxious
over llltti AdbllIbieBlt pltltillouslltaos Alti0
asked her niece to take the responsibility
OF serving them. And Lucy, blushing TO
the roots of her hair, stood in white apron
and neat cambria gown behind madam s
chair, while that lady and her disdainful
daughter, and the wonderful foreign count,
partook very literally of the snow white
bread and golden yellow butter.
THANK heaven the bread and butter
are good, murmured madam, helping her.
self to the sixth slice; d" with that and
cup OF tea we can exist until morning"
Il guess Wen have to, anyway" was the
daughters unEracious response; and Lucy,
who had heard both, blushed from pink TO
crimson and wished a thousand times she
had refused Aunt Hassen's appeal TO wait
upon the strangers.
Once during supper saw the Count glance
at Lucy. but a look from madam made him
turn his eyes away. But he found time TO
glance at her again. and Lucy, conscious of
his gaze, grew SO awkward that once
madam openly reproyed her for carelesSness.
Next morning Lucy did not wait upon the
travellers, but saw the Count smile and bow
to her as he entered the breakfast room, and
again, behind madam's back, when he
stepped into the carriage. And then,
though she did not know it, 1 saw her
watching the pranclng horses until the
shining buttons of the liyeried coachmen
were out OF sight.
Harold gave q sigh of relief when they
were gone. Il have no patience with
such silly airs said he, "and man who
perfumes his hair isa fop."
For shame, Harold" cried Lucy. "You
should copy his manners and noticed that
she hardly spoke TO him for the rest of the
day.
We had almost forgotten our visitors