The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-02-27
THE CRAVE;
The Secret of DunraYen
Castle.
BY ANNIE ASHMORE,
Author Of faithful Margaret" Etc, Etc
CHAPTER vI.-Continued.

guiltless of any fault worthy OF this
shame and seclusion. -,
snow you are weary Of talk" said
Ulva in her frank. friendly way, 3you
shall have some music to refresh you"
He Welded his cha6ng spirit to her
gentle spell again, and sank back With
deem sense of relief in letting all go but
the Joy of being with Ulva.
He hoped she was going to sing or
plav to him, but no; she went to the
open window and took in gilded cage
and set it on the table, and out flew
little brown lark, straight into her
bosom, where It nestled, quite concealed
by her lovely hand. all but It's tiny head
and one shining round eye, which last 1t
kept shyly fastened upon Edgar.
aWhere did I find this not uncommon
songster, you want to ask?" laughed
Ulva noticing his surprise. sit was cast,
like Won, waif on the storm into my
hands. The blast dashed it against my
window, picked it up quite stunned; !
thought it would die, but 1t not And
when it got quite strong and we'll,
opened the window and bade it go free,
but the grateful little heart came back
next morning and flew. straight Into my
breast again, and would not accept its
liberty. So I gave it house of its own,
and tt has lived In it ever since. witk
the door open as you see, that may 1t take
Its flights when it pleases; and like II
better than the rarest captive bird,
because know it is happy. And that's
ell
!; Here she gently peeped under her hand
ht the lark, which uttered bird-scream
"a nd Iorfod at hpr llnd
with its tiny beak outstretched ana lit'
tie wings futtering; then lit upon ner
lifted finger, set its dainty head aside,
and poured forth its delicious warole
with its whole happy heart:
I Oh, what picture! And how her art.
less words had stirred the deep waters
of Edgar's heart He, too, had been
cast by the storm into her life, and saved
by her; he, too, rejected the freedom
that meant parting from Ulva; oh, that
she would also take him into her sweet
heart!
He gazed intoxicated with love, at Ulva.
but she was not looking at him. nor yet
ut her pet; her sweet eyes had chansed
to light on the face of Lady Dunraven.
and all the smile died out Of them, they
filled with pain.
Her little story had stirred Lady Dun
ravens sad heart, too; for was not she
captive who would never be free? She
had turned slightly from the others and
was gazing across the sea with hunger
ing and thirsting look, while she gnawed
her pallid lips in sickening impatience.
Again that tug at Edgar's heart
strings.
Il must speak to her." he thought in
desperation. Il feel like craven in
the presence Of such unmerited grief"
The Iark's carol finished, 1t flew from
Ulva's finger to perch itself upon a
peach. of which there was luscious
basketful upon table near, and while
It drove its little bill into the velvet side
It kept up sly scrutiny Uf Edgar, until
et last to his pleased surprise 1t came
hopping, hopping across the table ami
from chair back to chair back, until 1t
reached the end of the sofa close by his
head, when it timidly pecked at his
curls, as If willing to be better &C.
Guainted.
"How strange." exclaimed Ulva, evi-
IDENTIFY gratifed. @Whst spell have you
put upon my bird? He would not allow
anybody else to go near him; and al
ways hides in my sleeve or neck all the
time Mr.. Sircombe is in the room"
Lady Dunraven looked round with
disdainful curve Of the delicate lip.
aInstinct is often more reliable than
reason" said she. She watched with
earnest face the dainty motions Of the
bird, as It took hair by hair in its pol
ashed bill, preening and arranging them
as it would have p!umed it's own feath-
ers, with chirps Of gentle satisfaction,
Edgar scarcely breathing, lest he might
Btartle it away; till, finally growing
hardy, 1t hoped upon his head, dropped
its wings gracefully, and burst into
melting bird-song Of triumph over its
new conquest.
Edgar's eyes encountered Lady Incn-
cspe's; hers were full Of an ineffable
trust.
81 think you would make true
friend" said she, involuntarily uttering
the thought that was in her heart
J. His eyes looked yearningly into hers.
SYes, would" he answered, simply,
but no eloquence could have carrieu
greater conviction with 1t than did the
quiet, fervent acquIescence.
fortunate are those who may claim
your friendship" said Lady Inchcape,
sighing.
81 wish I might dare to offer it to one
who needs faithful knight" murmured
Edgar.
She started, looking wildly at him
with her frail hand on her heart, and
deep, burning blush suffused her whole
face and throat. Ulva, busy with her
skipped apart among the flowers by the
hy,
her pets instructive trust in this hand
some stranger, and by her step-mother's
recognition Of it: and sne recalled Ken
more's boding prophecy with a little
smile Of defiance.
But her innocent heart was not
touched by Edgar yet-only circum-
stances made her think about him q
great deal.
She could not hear what her step
mother and he were saying, but she saw
that Lady Dunravcn was interested In
him, and she was peculiarly gratiied,
although she could not quite account for
this feeling. II was we'll that POOR
Mamma Engeloncc's mysterious sorrow
shonld be lig5tenel by aC elegant and
noble-mIndcd man like Mr. Edgar; but
for the rcs.-Ulva YeutC:cG on no deeper
analysis.
She stole TO her piano aid played q
measure delicate and sweet as the brier-
roses and white heather she had tossed
upon the instrument. Meanwhile Lady
Dunraven and Edgar crossed the bar
ricrs which had kept their thoughts
from meeting.
81 think You are q brave ana true
man." murmured the lady, her VlVid
eyes upon his face.
s,1r horr