The McCook tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 1886-1936, 1896-01-10

d uidrk lnat mad evidently been pricked
into her skin with some indelible sub
stance.
After a few weeks the wonder and
curiosity which this sole survivor OF
the wreck had excited died away. and
MRS. ~Trenholme. yielding to the earn
est solicitations of Ralph, decided to
ADOPT her. and rear her as her own.
Inc child was christened Marina, which
means from he's sea, and turned over to
the care Of Kate Lane, the nurse, who
stlll had the charge of Agnes, Mrs.
Trenholme's little six years old daugh-
ter.
Marina was a beautiful child-you
would seldom see a beauty so faultleSS
as hers. Every day developed some
new charm. Her golden hair grew
more golden, her eyes bluer and deeper,
n her smile r2rer and sweeter. De-
~caslonally, she would break out into
snatches of song old melodies =
strange to all who listened, something
she must. have learned in other lands,
and beneath SUMMER skies.
The Waif had found a good home, all
the neighbcrhood' said. So she had.
High Rock was the manor house Of the
vicinity, the Trenholmes the wealthiest
old family in that part of the state.
The lands belonging to the estate were
Wlde and fertile, the old house was a
romance in itself. albeit q most stately
ono WDc i,,i1t for ort on n r,o,t
peak, closely ovechanging the se2-a
massive structure Of gray stone, with
overs and gable windows. and wide
piazzas.
Mr.. T~renholme had held many Offices
OF public trust, and as a man and q
scholar had stood very high. He had
died suddenly, two years before the
opening OF cur story. Mrs. Trenholme
had truly and tenderly loved her hus-
band, and natures like hers never for
get. Her best consolation she found in
the affection she bore her children; and
Ralph and Agnes were worthy of all
the o she gave them. With very
little of their mothers naughty pride,
they had Inherited all her beauty and
g~entleness, while to Ralph, along with
his fathers fine intellect, had descended
his earnest heart, his strong affections,
and his almost chivalrous sense of hon
or. Ralph was eight years older than
Agnes. At fourteen he was a tall, hand
some boy. with a dark, clear COM
pleXion, brown eyes. and curling chest
nut hair. Agnes was Of the less intense
type. with delicately cut features, dark
hazel eyes, a pale complexion, and a
flush of scarlet On her sweet lips.
These were the children with whom
little Marina was thrown. They grew
up together. The girls loved each other
like sisters; indeed. there was little
chance for them to know the difference.
The children had but few playmates.
The neighborhood was not very select,
and Mrs. Trenholme was very particular.
Graham, the only child of a poor
fisherman that dwelt at the foot Of the
Rock, was with them most frequently.
The proudest mother in the land would
have no objection to Lynde Graham as
a playmate for her children. He was
about Ralph's age. a darling, noble
boy.
And sometimes from Ireton Lodge
The stately residence of Judge Ireton-
Imogene. his daughter, to pay
title visits to the Trenholmes. Some
Imogene lreton would make hearts
lche; some day she would be absolutely
magnificent in her beauty. Even now
was queenly. Her complexion was
ike the creamy petals of a lily: her
lair and eyes were black as night. and
It times her cheeks flushed like car
nations. and her voice rang out like
he music of silver bells. Her whole
was like that OF one who knows
he was born for conquest. She was
arrogant and selfish.
At sixteen. Ralph Trenholme left
lome for college. He remained there
our years, returning home only for a
week Or two at vacation time, and then
lot always seeing Marina and Agnes, !
rho were at a boarding school for
Dung misses. After his graduation, he
lade the European tour, and four years
before, bronzed and bearded, ne
gain set foot upon his native Land.
Meanwhile. LyDde Graham had {
ought a hard battle and come off |
onGueror. Men with eyes like his "
eldom fail to accomplish what they :
ndertake with their whole souls. He
ad fitted himself for college, taught L
gain the money requisite to defray '
is expenses, and just as Ralph arrived q
ONE, LyDde Graham had come back c
the fishers cottage. with the diploma G
Harvard in his pocket. He had L
raduated with the very highest hon Q
rs, and at once began studying medi- q
inc with DR.. Hudson, of Portlea. '
CHAPTER II. :