The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1896-12-19

= - . ''A'li tAit S'tiu -'IOliNr NS4t
lessly. as She ran over the names with
+ the air Of one who had often rehearsed
them previously; but this is the most Gu
rious thing. Do you see that empty
casc?"
Stella looked, and observed that a large
morocco case lined with velvet stood
empty under a glass shade.
There's a story about It," said Molly.
Il remember when it used to hold a stone
"a beautiful crystal | believe. sparkling
with all the colors Of the rainbow 1t
was in the days before mamma died"
and sudden shadow came over her mer-
ry face.
Was it stolen?" Stella asked, to break
the pause that followed.
That's the odd part of it. OF course
It was, but there was no way of fn2ing
out how or why. Just before mamma
died it disappeared. And you have no
idea what fuss the old servants in the
house. and even papa himself, made about
i. Il was very riliouious.'
Was it yaluab!eE"
Not a bit, believe Only-do you
remember piece of poetry called The
Luck Of EdenhalrE"
Yes; Longfellow translated it from
the German"
We'll. there was just such another old
story about this stone and our family. 1t
was said to have been brought from Gle
East 10y one Of our ancestors; and as long
rs il was in our possession we were to be
lucky in every way, and when it went the
luck was To go too. And now it has
gone"
And the luck remains" said Stella.
,,..4 ,r..< -. l..
4 suppose 50. But don't know. Moth
ing has gone right since-nothing OF
course, it has nothing to do with the
stone; | am not 50 stupidity supersitious
as poor old Jean, our nurse. used to be;
hut still-ever since-we have been I'M
happy don't know why"
The tears were filling MolIy's beautiful
hazel eyes. Stella looked sympathizingIy
at her, and took her hand, meaning to
give the child some gentle advice respect-
ing her own share in producing the habpi-
ness Of her home, when an INTERRUPTION
occurred. The inner door Of the octagon
, room, leading TO the staircase, flew open,
and Mr.. Kingscott made his appearance.
He paused, as if in surprise. at the sight
of the two girls. Molly pouted, frowned.
threw back her mop OF rudy golden hair,
IA
Il must introduce myself, as nv niece
does not seem inclined to perform the
office for me-" said Ralph Kingscott.
showing his white teeth in smile which
Stella found singuIarly unpleasant. NV
name IS kingscott, Miss Kaeburu-I
think l have the pleasure of speaking to
Miss Raeburn and l have the honor to
be Miss Molly's uncle, as we'll as the
of my u,
should bring Us together. We must have
something in common, must we not?"
Stella only bowed; the mans manner
did not attract her and she felt it impos-
sible to DO anything but look serious and
digniied.
80 you have been looking at our poor
little curiosites:' said Mr. Kngscott,
easily. And has Molly been explaining
to YOU the loss Of the luck Of the house?''
1T can't be explained" said Molly. al
most rudcly. Nobody knows"
And nobody ever Will know" said her
uncle, in a hooking tone. Nobody will
ever know-unlesS the luck of the house
comes back again, and that will not be
in your time or mine. Gone is the luck
Of Edenhall,' as the poem says"
4 believe you've got it, cried Molly.
So savage,y that Stella stood aghast. "that
Cou stole it and hid it away-on purpose
to vex papa" She bit her lip and the
tears again dimmed her flashing eyes.
You would not mind-you know you
don't care whether things are right or
wrong-I've heard you say soft only
they are pleasant"
Ralph kingscott gave a short laugh
and turned on his heel But the mo-
mcntary whitening of his lips, the keen.
Steel-like glance that he shot at Molly
from out his narrow dark eyes, showed
that her shaft had, in some way or an
other, gone straight home.
Mr. Moncrieff stayed for some days in
Edinburgh, and Stella had thus no oppor-
tunity of consulting him. as she had wish
cd 10 do. about the plan of study which
Molly was to pursue. After the first day
or two, she found the girl tolerably easy
70 manage
/ Thus the fall and winter passed away
and was succeeded by a bleak and biting
spring. In March Mr.. Moncrieff went to
London. His absence made little differ
eHcc 10 the household. Stella fan&ed.
however. that BERTHE was degenerating III
mind and feeling. and she made up her
mind that she ought to speak to Mr.. Mon
Grief about him rs soon as he returned.
And vet She was terribly afraid that he
would think such speech presumptuous.
She did not find an opportunity for some
time. however. Mr. Moncrieff paid
flying visit 10 his home in June. and then
il was chiefly in order to arrange that
Miss .Tacky and Stella should take Molly
to the seaside for little change Of air
during the month Of July. He persuaded
Miss Jacky to agree 10 his plan, and gpm-