The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-02-28
CHAPTER 1.-THE TRAGEDY OF THE
BEECH HOLLOW

Robin Dale was standing by the door
OF his fathers cottage, his arms folded
on his chest his dark, melancholy brown
eyes fixed absenuy upon the wooden paling
that enclosed the tiny fower-garden in
front of the house.
His thoughts We're engrossed with the
one subject that haunted him day and
night; the subject that had grown into a
mania, and threatened, indeed, to unhinge
his reason permanently, if not conquered
How beautiful she looked. the other
evening, when she stood with Master HUI
bert in the wood! What
would | not give to feel her hold my hand
as she held his, when | saw them!
Is it madness of me to hope that one day,
one day"
A girls silvery voice suddenly fell upon
Robins ears at this instant, and inter
rupted his fevered dreams.
"A penny for your thoughts. Robin!
Composing new poem, We're you? If so,
let us hear what it is about"
A very lovely girl, slim, dark, graceful,
with flashing eyes and a wonderfully
spirited face. had ridden across the park
paling.
Robin started when addressed. and look
ed hastily up; then lifted his hat, with the
instructive politeness which he had inher-
tied from his poor mother.
II m afraid, Miss Mabel. I've no more
rhymes in my head" he answered, with a
faint smile. I'm ashamed of myself for
ever telling you, miss, that l scrubbed
such rubbish at allv'
But, really and truly, Robin, the speci-
mems you showed me were wonderfully
good. So hope you will not allow your
pen to rust"
Then she added, as she wheeled her
horse around a little:
And will you bring the white rabbits
up to the deanery this evening. Robin ?
My little niece and nephew are quite inn
Very well, Miss Mabel. I'll not for
get"
Mabel Adair touched her horses glossy
flank lightly with her silver-mounted whip.
and was soon out of sight amid the trees.
The bright smile faded from her face as
she plunged into the solitude of the park,
and she sighed heavily. Instinctively her
eyes wandered In the direction of Brandon
Court and a wstful sadness filled them.
Why was Hubert acting so ridicuously?
Why could he not see that Lord Carruth-
ers advances We're most unwelcome TO
her, and that common civility alone pre-
vented her from expressing her opinions
finally and to the point?
Hubert Brandon's manner of late was
little short of insulting-his suspicious
were unjust and unchivalrous. Mabel
Adair's spirit would not suffer her to set
herself to rights In her lovers regard. Let
him wrong her If he would! Time would
prove TO him his injustice.
But, in the meantime, IL was hard for
her to endure his coldness-his neglect-the
consciousness that he believed her false
and worldly. She sighed heavily and
drew rein a little as she emerged from the
wood. through a gate leading out of the
high road.
Then she frowned and compressed her
lips ominously. "A great, strong-limbed.
black horse was approaching along the
road, and in the saddle was seated the last
man she would have selected to meet just
at this moment: Lord Carruthers himself
no other.
"Oh, Miss Adair What an unexpected
pleasurel / was just riding over TO the
deaucry So happy to meet you herer
His high-pitched, rather effeminate tones
grated on her ear; his thin, clear-cut face.
with It's pale-grey, expFessionless eyes,
thin lbs and high aquiline noseg was very
unwelcome to the girl. She found IL a