Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1896-09-25

Thare are chambers cut in the solid ock
honn-tb tic tower-below the level Of
tho high tiao mark; In old days We
smot6 6ercd our enemies there.
VI ,hould like I'd explore them," said
Edgar thinking ess OF the death trap:
than of tho ruby lips that spoke OF
them.
Mr.. Sircombe abruptly stopped through
the window beside him, and leaned over
the broad stone balu trade, gazing at
the glittering waves which Tapped
aoa'nst tho base of the cliff below.
The conversation proceeded between
the Youthful pair, Lady Dunraven lean
inc hack in her carved chair, and listeu-
inc or seeming to listen less than sho
looked at earh animated face. Some
times she rouscd herself to take part;
pn1 then Edgar; with inourhful regret
could trace the signs Ct once bri liant
and accomplished mind, now smolderi
ing down TO dull Indifference. He had
heard m eh OF this unhappy ady's sp!rb
and fascination In the days when sho
reigned as queen of the social Gree III
the Inchcapo FoSse; like so many OF her
countrywomeM, she had created Juror
bv her intellectual graccS as much as
nv her refined and spirituel.e type OF
beauty. No women in the world are
moro fcrvcntly admired than American
women of culture when they come 10
shine in English circles. They we
the peculiar power OF soul, ana lheir
delicacv and vivacity are rare charms IN
stately England.
Edgar wus quickly adding links to tho
chain which bound him to Dunravcn
Tower. Love attracted him, hut moro
generous sentiment sub. ue atcd him
this wronged lady needed help. -,
That strange glance of hers which
seemed 20 follow him like low murmur
of pain. how could he check 1t? Sho
asked no help, she only pined ana SUI
fered for lack Of it.
To this chain, fastenol upon him by
his own feeling alone, he cou'd oppose
no considerations of selfish caution
Sitting there between the girl lie now
boldly acknowledged to himself that nc
adored, and the woman who had rouSeu
all that was most generous In his nature
he said to himself:
81 must, l will do my best 10 BRING
back her happiness.
Glancing upward with tho fire OF that
inspiring resolve in his eyes, ho met tho
gaze of Mr.. Sircombe fastened upon MN.
Caught unawarcs, Sircombe had let MS
very soul look out through those win
dows, his eyes, and Edgar started In
pure amazemcnt. 1t was like glimpse
through the windows of hell
But even as be stared tho cxpres Ion
changed to a natural one, and Mr.. sir
combe sauntered along the balcony ou'
of sight ooking into the garden wher
he came to the corner OF the towrr, nc
saw old Kenmore training up his young
lady's roses upon their treliis.
Mir. Sircombe entered the building DJ
a summer portal upon the balcony, an'
very soon sauntered into the garden anC
came to halt by Kenmore lie nae
something in his mind to say 10 INA
4 slasaperstilioas person;
lie said it by degrees.
Edgar locked about Lady Dunraven
usual living room with sympathetic IN
terest. 1t was crammed with articles
hoautv or for amusement-but all were
for Ulya.
There stood tho piano, OF dark anC
lustrous wood, in niche arched VIII
pink-vcined marble, tho white Key
smiling out of tie darkness a tango
of brier roots and heather lay across tn
top and dropped upon the key board
and Ulva's blue velvet Scotch cap VII
its sin2le feather nestled among TN
odorous heeD
The gloomy duskiness of the antiGuf
paneled room had been Frightened D
voluminous draperies of pGlest blush
lose and palest sky color; against TIN
BACKGROUND Ulva's harp stood on
D. ettily upon its gilded PEDESTAL
Bright cabinets, gilt and carven, file
, in the acoves; the carpet was Tx
: palest moss, the very tenderest, earl
green, dashed with fowcr petals; luXr
rios lounges and ottomans Wero pr(
, yidcd for the relief of changing att
tudcs to the poor captive wife; lover
figure pictures hung thicky upon I'll
: walIs-no landscapes, 10 wako inc ma'
dening thirst for freedom.
, The windows were modern IN shal
and ST e, and were flied in with man
, ex ui5ite flowers, over which the s. nS
, glory was now streaming into the room
{ rning it into grOtto in clio d-'and'
, A la~ge picture was suspended oV'
tho frep' a @, but nothing OF 1t was VI
t IDLE but corner OF the richly glide
/ frame; the painting was entirely co
r cealed by q heavy 70 e-yelvet curtal
, Edgar guessed rightly that Lord Inc
q cape's features might 10 seen behlI
+ tho shrouding folds, and that the 0a
+ isbed wife lad yelled thcm from 4
0 stranger. a.
A sudden burning impaticnce OF II
q misery and mystery besct him.
n Why, why must these two fair wom
live Isolated, and conceal their identi
a from all comers?
fro BE CONTINUED