Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1895-07-04

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glistened in his eyes, Il hardly thought
should see you again"
I cannot describe the Kindness and
hospitality Of Sir John Leigh; II we
had been his own children he could
not have treated us with more aifec-
ton.
Guy recovered slowly; it was some
weeks before he could walk even with
the aid Of a stick and friendly arm
to lean upon.
The time passed happily; but one
thing seemed strange to me-we had
little or no society. Every week q
large box Of the newest books and
music came from London, and we had
papers and periodicals of all kinds.
Miss Leigh had a magnificent harp and
piano, there was a conservatory as
wonderful and beautiful as wealth
and flowers could make 1t, and there
were horses and carriages for those
who cared for the glorious scenery. In
fact, there was everything save
friends. The vicar Of the neighboring
parish dined there once during my
stay Of six weeks, and Sir Johns law
yer came for one night; cards were left
by different persons, but few We're
asked into the drawing-room. This
also surprised me- Knowing Sir John $
genial disposition, ! asked one day Ii
he did not at times feel lonely.
NO" he replied, adding, ''wlien
have no visitors at Deepdale go out
a little myself; but avoid society for
my daughters sake"
Does she not care for it." inquired.
NO" replied Sir john 'but the
truth is, Clarice has been from her in
fancy exceedingly delicate and nery-
Gus; she Is also very excitable, and
every doctor | have consulted recon-
mends perfect quietness and freedom
from all society and irritating causes
1T Is rather hard upon You, though
said, unthinkingly.
mot now" he answered Il am
more than sixty years old, Miss Eard-
ley, and forty years of my life were
spent in the heart Of the world.
have travelled much, and assure you
the quiet and tranquility of these my
later years is pleasant and soothing"
Does not Miss Leigh herself ever
wish for more active life?" | asked.
NO" was the quick reply. If !
We're to Insist upon her going into so
clety, or receiving visitors, | should in
all probability cause her some serious
Illness. Your brother and yourself are
the only friends we have entertained
for many years. | need not add" con
tinued the kind old man. with
courteous bow, that my daughters
as my own"
thanked him and he smiled sadly.
If Mr.. Eardley had come as an or
binary visitor" he continued, she
would have met with the same SEEM
ing cold reception; but Clarice was
with me on the morning | found him
lying senseless at the foot of the hill,
and her kind heart and feelings were
so much interested, that she forgot toI
be shy or frightened.
He rose from his seat, evidently
anxious that the conversation should
end there. | said no more. though it
seemed to me strange.
i did not make much progress in my
acquaintance with Miss Leigh. She
was a brilliant musician and a good
artist; she was well read and intelli
gent. but | could seldom induce her to
enter into conversation. When Guy
was sufficiently recovered to join us in
the library. was amused to hear how
freely she conyersed with him. He
would read to us, and she would ex-
press to him her opinions of what she
heard, or join in his criticisms. with
out any shyness or hesitation. Still,
| felt that somewhere and in some way
there was a mystery. l could not tell
what 1t was or whom 1t concerned,
but felt that it was there.
Mrs. Fenton, the woman whom they
called the nurse, puzzled me. True,
she had had the care of Miss Leigh
from her earliest infancy; hut | could
not quite understand her position in
the house.
Sometimes, when | was going into
the library for book, heard the low
of two voices in confidential
l knew them from the
tone. and before | had time to With
draw. | found Sir John and Mrs. Fen
ton with grave faces and anxious
looks. That mysterious woman had a
habit of appearing when least ex-
pected. ! might have thought her 4
detective. and Miss Leigh criminal,
from her way Of lowering round her
ana watching her every look and word
"Every house has its skeleton cup
board Thought, 'and evidently this
IL amongst the number
When the time came for Us to leave
Deepdale felt quite sure of one thing
strong or delicate, shy or not, Glariee
I,eiwh loved my brother with the enc