Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1897-06-19
CHAPTER Mi,

important estates In Cheshire; the owner,
Sir Peter Pitcairn, ought TO have held
the chief position In the county; as Il
was, he was too indolent for anything
but the most ordinary and indispensable
needs of life. He ate and drank indus.
triously; he slept well; he enjoyed sitting
In the contest Of easy chairs; but more
useful occupations, he had none. Those
who knew him best said Il was a good
thing he had married az he did. Lady Pit.
cairn was woman of business-.keen,
shrcwd. quick. capable of managing an
cstate--a woman Of plain, practical COM
mon sense: active, Industrious and ener.
gctic.
They had two daughters-two beautiful
and accomplished girls-and every one
wondered that such commonplace parents
should have such beautiful, graceful chill.
drcn. The eldest, Anicc, was a lovely,
graceful blonde. fair as n lily, with hair
that shone like threads of gold; the
youngest, Cecile, resemblcd her, save that
her hair was of darker brown, and her
eyes Of hazel hue. They were the bellies
of the country, fctcd, admired. and cagcr.
ly sought after. 1t was to this household,
composed of such opposite characters,
that Lady Pitcairn In her kind. impulsive
activity, brought Lady Hilda Dunhaven.
"Such an adventure. my dears," she
said to her two daughters. "Smithson
drove over young lady on the Herring.
stone road; we have brought her home
half dead. You must none Of you 80 to
see her. Let her be taken TO the blue
room. have sent for Doctor Borbicon."
The Doctors decision was favorable;
she had certainly injured her brain, but
he did not fear for her. With great care
and good nursing she would recover.
"Who can she bcY' cried my lady.
Here II n purse with more than hun
drcd pounds In notes In II. Who can she
bcY And what can have brought lady
10 the Hcringstone road alone In the dusk
Of the evening? Whit does she say,
Mar,ha!' she added, quickly.
She was standing with her lady's maid
near the bedside, and suddenly the white
lips had opened to murmur some half In.
distinct words.
what does she say:" my lady repeat.
cd. rs the faint. feeble words came again.
II canno, hear distinctly" said the
maid: but It sounds like "A thorn In my
heart"
"a thorn In her heart. poor child! What
nonscnse! She had more likely u wound
In her head. She must he dclirious."
ut II q thorn In my heart. and ] am
dead 10 them for cvermorc. oh, mother,
ask God TO take mo home"
A. words were cried out In n tone Of
kecncst pain: burst Of passionate tears
relieved tho burning brain. They did not
interrupt her: they stood by calm and still
until the passion Of grief had exhausted
itself, then Lady Pitcairn went to her
and said:
TRY to keep yourself quiet; you have
had very serious accident"
Lady Dunhnven raised her eyes to the
shrew,. kindly face bending over her.
IL do not understand" she said. family.
"Ncvcr mind about understanding" she
replied; drink this and so to sleep. You
must rest"
She lid as she was told, and the long.
quiet sleep seemed to restore her. II was
morning when she opened her eyes. and
the sun was shining In the room. Lady
Pitcairn. who wns deeply interested In her
| protcgc, was by her side again.
| you are better, my dear" shc said.
"iou would like to know where YOU are.
| This Is Branks0mc Hall, my husbands
place, and my husband Is Sir Peter Pit
| EARN. l am Lady Pitcairn. Would you
| like mo to send for your fricndsy"
The troubled eyes fell before her.
mo, ! thank you," she said. gently.
But, my dear, they will DO anxious
about you. You were walking by your.
| self on Heringstone road. when my coach
man drove over you. You will lot me
write, at least, 10 say where you are!"
II would rather not" she replied.
| And her face grew So troubled that
Lady Pitcairn could not continue her
| questions. Lady Dunhaven said. In q
low voice:
II am very grateful to you for your
wonderful kindness; but Us soon rs ! can,
l must leave you"
ut Is impossible that you should have
no friends. Perhaps you are not on good
terms with them! Tell me-you may
trust me"
| "Ay father died. she replied. zone year
ago, aud since then have been worse
than fricndless. l ought to have had
wealth. but have lost it,"
Poor child! But who was your father
and what was his name?'
II cannot tel you. Dear Lady Pitcairn
you have been kind to me, and You will
think me ungracious. cannot speak Il
you of my past; | am dead to II; or Il
my friends; am dead to them. Despair
and death were in my heart on the da,
the horses tramplcd me under foot, an,
your goodness saved me-"
"You are too young for either dcspal
or DEATH" said Lady Pitcairn.
81 am young. but have suffered" sh
said. with quick shuddcr Dear Lad.
Pitcairn" she said, half raising herself
twill you believe me If ! say this; an
of good family; against my name Their
Is not one faint whisper. | am worth.
; Of your kindness; ] have no mystery o
guilt to conceal, but have secret. NJ
name, my story are secrets that will di
with me; and that secret does not arts
from any wrongdoing of mine, but froa
the faults of Others. Can you-will yol
take me on my word:'
"She must be lady" thought the mis-
tress of Branksome. 'Shc treats me quit
rs an equal" Aloud she answered;
~ am willing, as you say, to take yo
: on your word, but ! must have som
name to call YOU"
The young Countess of Dunhave
thought for few moments then she an
swcred:
; "Call me Miss Dunn; and, dear Lad
Pitcairn, ! owe the gratitude Of life
time to You for your goodness to me-"
30 the conversation ended, and tn
Ear!s lost wife was known by the nam
Of Miss Dunn.
a