Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1896-09-04

NOrthland. this Sp en@ld, uark-cyeu
beauty? Not for her tho brief summer,
and the long, moaning winter of tho
North, with the swoll II seas and tho
winds that mourn forever. Who could
behold her lustrous, dark ing loveiness
without dreaming of the Lot, sweet,
lavish summer eternal of tho Orient?
And yet he knew well that her mother
had been OF a noble Scotch house, and
that her name had teen fayorite ono
in the records Of Rothage.
Then from what long ago foreigner
had UIva inherited her sumptuous
Southern beauty?
She spoke in a dainty murmur, with
many cautious glance toward Edgar;
and the distant door a'ar so that she
might fly upon his fantest movement
"But why are you here yet and alone,
Fngc, ,onde?" she said, chidingy, with
her arms round tho ladys neck; 81
thought Mr. Sircomto was to relieve you
whenever Kenmore slept: he promised
me that he would"
Gle was not required here; my patient
sleeps swcetly," returned Lady Dun
raven, in the same low tone.
"And now it is dawn," continued Ul-
va, holding up her pretty finger re-
proachfully, land you have been here
all night! Imprudent wayward Mamma
Ehgelondc. And if | had not come
down sta rs to pccp at Kenmore l should
never have found you cut All, you bad
child"
With what passionate delight the half
dclirious ldgar watched the arch,
laughing girl as she menaccd the lady
with her lifted finger, a st Of mischief
in each dancing eye!
Lady DunrLvpn Crew the slender
white creature to her, and framing tho
loycsome young face between her two
hands, kissed it .cryently.
"Now, go b OK to your pretty Sleep,
my own girl" said she, "you know it
Gu cs me best to watch tho night away.
And the servants ale Weary, they might
sleep at tn ir post And this stranger,
whom the sea his cast into our care,
needs vigl!ant wat h ng, for he is much
hurt No doubt some mothers heart
would break should he die. ="
While speaking, Lady Dunraven drew
Uha away with her TO the great yawn-
ing fireplace where a bank # scented
petal-c nbers owed ruby red; yet,
though the length Of the magnificent
room was now lctween them and Edgar,
and they n aintainel low murmuring
tone st they should awake him, h3
cou d hear every syllable, so prefer
naturally sharpcned had his hearing be-
come in the nervous straining Of his
fevcred facu't'cs 1t cmed to him that
J. l. 10 n
one word or cne glance of Ulva's, al
ready she was standing withln'tho weird
Ian of delirium, and it confused him to
diSsOcilt, her from the haunting 90 ava
of tic cliff He wat he'd her from afar
with solemn fervor.
Dear mamma, how bright your eyes
are!" were Twas next words, "and how
not your hands And your heart beats
so fast, so very fast! Oh, | am afraid
when you look like that Let me stay
with the poor invalid / shall Lot wake
him, / promise aud do you rest 10,
Engelonde! To-"
She hung about the lady with sweet
insistcnce, her mood was changed, sud
den anxiety sobered her manner
Lady Dunravcn laid her slight hand
on her daughters lips, with faint
smile. Foolish child, what would the
Young man think to end such an attend
ant by his sidc?"
"Eut he is fast asleep, m1mma, / am
quite sure OF that" CntrC ated Ulva; 81
S God ever so long ty the door watching
him before NentuIci in, and he never
once moved And, mamma, | watched
you, too, and Oh how sorrOwful you
lookedi Tell me why?"
"DO MT ask, nv Consolation" faltered
Lady Lunlaven. "Be happy while you
may"
What anguish thrill ed beneath the
low pathetic tones. Ulva locked at her
wonderingly and then kissed her with
passionate sympathy many times.
"Mamma," whispered she, holding her
off to gaze at her worn face with dark,
frightened eyes; Sweet Engclonde,
begin to think that you arc always suf-
fering pain or grief. You put on a
cheerful manner whenever | am with
you, Tut it is only for my sake; mean
whie your eyes arc growing larger and
brighter every day, and your beautiful
face mo. worn and rale. And you call
me your ConsolatiOn-yOur only one.
Oh, my own kind mammals there no
deliverance for you?" She spoke in an
agitated murmur, growing pale from
feeling, and tears standing in her eyes.
But Lady Dunrayen turned away with a
movement of despair, concealing her too
eloquent face.
"Chld. said SIC, wildly - "who
has dared to open your eyes?
DO not believe him - shut your
ears from every treachcrOus whis-
rer. Oh. child, be happy while you
NAV" 1t was cry from her very
heart.
"No one has spoken one word to me,
mamma" said Ulva; "who wou'd?"
Have we traitor among Us? Mamma,
am afraid" She nestled moro closely
to Lady Dunraven, trembling and un'
strung. Already the shadow OF the fu-
ture was dal kening over her. she felt
the daunting influence of an unknown
sorrow which was coming nearer her.
81 am afl aid" she Whispered again; 81
have been so happy here; had forgot
ten that there is sin and sorrow in the
world. You have hidden your suffering
so well that |. selfish and unthinking
egOb ST, pe lcNcu yOu dS HdPPy 40 ~"
made me. But am awake at last, you
are pining away before my very eyes,
and you will not let me share your
trouble Oh, Engelonde, am afraid
for you"
Lady Dunravcn's cares sing hand sud
denly closed upon UIva's with a warning
pressure
She had met the eyes of their stranger
guest, fixed upon her with a strange and