Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1896-04-30

loving man. In point of fact it was
very little if anything better than it
was i'm the middle of the last century
Besides the irkesomeness of lonely
travelling the pain of seeing the squalid
Wretchedncss which defaced the coun-
try, the gallant officer was eager for
other reasons to get to his journeys
end, and found his heart beating fast
err than usual at the idea of seeing
Grace Digby in II few minutes. He had
seen a good deal of that young lady,
and in spite of his grave, stern exterior.
he had been hard hit by her deep blue
cs, and surmountcd by delicate but
well defined eyebrows--many degrees
darker than her bright red-brown hair
by her richly fair complexion, which
suggested diet Of cream and almonds,
her softly curved mouth and pearly
teeth, that could smile so mischievous-
ly and sometimes so kindly-also by
her willowy figure, which was divinely
tall and cxquisitely proportioned
But Capcl, a shy, sensitive man, was
kept at bay by the bright friendliness
of her manner, and the amount of
saucy fun which played in her eyes
and on her swcetened lips.
While he hcsitated u callous father,
who was far too Irish to imagine the
possibility of any man hesitating to
ask any woman to marry him, carried
her off to his remote home, and Capel
was now determined not to lose a
chance if he had one.
1t had been dull, drizzling day, but
as the Positions, by dint of squirting
and shouting, rose" gallop for the
avenue, the sun shone out and the
clouds broke up.
Athgarvan was situated in n pictur-
esque strip of country near the river
Blaclkwater, where the scenery is more
wooded than is usual in Ireland. II
had background of hills to the west.
ward, behind which the sun was sink
ing, and as the avenue led up hill, the
view from the castle, large house
which belied its warlike appellation,
was wide and pleasant.
Arrived at the entrance, Capel was re-
ccived by a small, wizened, discomfort
ed-looking man in a rusty black suit,
and Il tail, loose-limbed potato-faced
youth in livery worlds too wide for
his undeveloped proportions
rs Mr.. Digby at home?" asked the
colonel.
"Ile is SO, SURF; only he's out just at
present.
"But he'll be in in a .liffy," added the
footman, with a welcoming grin.
How'd yer tongue, Watty, and hand
down the luggage" added the butler
with an air of reproof.
stop, my man. cried Capel. 81 am
not expected and | do not like 20 alght
without knowing if it is convenient
"Convanient, is it?" interrupted thu
butler; "why, IN course it is. Anyway
Miss Grace is in, and she'll he delighted
to make you welcome, SURF. A gentle.
man like you ought rot to pass us by
"Please give her my card, them" said
the colonel, offering it, not without O
feeling of dismay as he noticed the
grimy paw which closed upon it.
do not go until see you," added Ca.
pei to the chief postillion.
It'll take the boys round to the yard
your honor, and give them a drop OF
whisky" said the butler. "Ye know
yer way, boys?'
"Bcgorra, we do" was the ready re
Spouse.
"Folow me, SURF, if you plase."
Laying the smcared card on tray
the old man led the way across this
hall, which was adorned with antlers
and other hunting trophies, through
an archway, and down a corridor, tc
a double door.
Capel followed, expecting to wait un
til his card was taken to Miss Digby
But TO his surprise he heard himself
at once announced, and saw, as he
crossed the threshold, his much adj
niired Irish girl standing in the cen
ter of the room. On one side of her 6
keen looking black and white terrier
was sitting up in an attitude of beg
ging; on the other, young lady, with
pretty, saucy little face and plquante
turned up nose, was kneeling on a low
chair, her clasped hands resting on the
back, which was straight and high.
The last rays of the sun shont
strangely through the windows on tn,
left, and falling across the face of the
young hostess, he saw that she looked
startled and distressed, in short. by
no means pleased to see him, while hel
companion was smiling with a watery
smile.
Capel would gladly have turned ant
fed; but, even as he thought, Miss Dig
by advanced to meet him, with radi
ant look OF welcome, eXclaiming:
This is kind and good of you, Col Ca
pei! l had no idea you were in Ireland
How pleased my father will be to fine
you here when he comes in"
Il trust you will excuse this uncere
monious intrusion, Miss Digby," he re
turned, with profound bow. II wrote
yesterday asking leave to avail mysel
of the hospitality Mr.. Digby so kind,
offered, but l find my letter was no
posted. Therefore"
Dear colonel, do you think explana
tions necessary? 1t would have beer
had you passed by. Delany, have
Col. Capel's luggage taken to his room
Tell Mrs. Hagen to see to it. Let m,
Introduce my cousin, Miss O'Grady
Col. Capel; and, Delany, bring som,
sherry. and biscuits
Her color rose as she spoke, and Ca