The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1897-05-01
CHAPTER \\\

1t Is bitterly COIl 1'tCtllPtl dAtNl'
noon. with the snow flakes drifting heav-
lily down, and the chill wintry WINDS
bowling outside through the mountain
glens and across the dense hr planta-
tons. and through the lcatless woodlands
around the ruined church. But within,
in Curraghdcnc House. all is warmth and
brightness, with subdued sense of tes-
tivity and pleasant excitement, IN the
Well-Warmcd rooms with blazing fires. and
soft carpets, and ample draperles to eX-
clude every chill breath; the glitter OF
evergreens. and the glow of flowers mid
winter though it be-the bloom and per
fumc of aZaieas. viUlets, roses ana came
las are everywhere.
For it is Christmas time, and the eve
of a wedding as well, for Miss Edith
Cameron's engagement with Captain Lev
ersOn is more than three weeks old to-
day, and the day after tomorrow, Christ
mas Eve. is to bc her wedding day; and
there exists hustle and excitement of
marriage preparations that ever so quiet
IL wedding will occasion; for it is to be
very quiet wedding for one of the beau
ties of London society for the last four
seasons.
Il letter, miss. please" Hannah says,
entering. Hester has not been able to
drill any Of the old O'Hara servants into
correct forms of address.
Thank you" Miss Stapleton says. for
mally. Il wish you would recollcct, Han
nah, that miss is an incorrect title for
any young lady beyond childhood"
She goes over to the window in the
fading light to read il. \ faint, fluttcr-
ing nervousness rushes over her from
some intangible cause as she unfolds the
large. stiff. white letter, and sees that
it fills all the first page. closely written
in Mr.. Farrcn's neat legal caliCraphy
She sees Major Llewellyn'' few lines
down. and her eyes g!eam and her lips
curl scornfuiy.
"Some news of Eric! He wants 'hi>
darling to 90 out To- him. and is sending
directions through his solicitor" thinks
Hettic, with fierce pang of jealous envy
as she begins to read the letter. Begins
ana reads. and holds her breath. and
stares. and looks back at the heading and
the address; and then. painting and star
ing. reads every word hurriedly to the
end, not cOmprchendinG it-not daring to
comprehend it. And then again a second
and a third attempt to read and under
stand the brief fatal news OF the lawver's
letter. and Hettic stagcers against III,
window sill with Mortified sobbing crv.
"oh. Eric, oh. Eric, oh. heaven. for
give me- dear Eric, Oh. Eric. 1t cannot
cannot bc true that Won are dead-deaJ
and drowned in the depths of the sea-"
The letter s from Mr. Farron. and be-
gins with a brief but earnest apology for
his being obliged to select Miss StapIrtol,
rs his medium of communicating the
grieyouc news which he has every reason.
to fear IS correct in I'll particulars. namely
that Major Eric Ilcweilyn. having ex-
changed into an Indian regiment. sailed
from Cape Town on the twcnty-fifth Of
November in the steamer Cyprus, and one
week later. according to adyiccS received
al Cape Town. the Cyprus took FIRE off the
coast Of Madagascar and was burned H.
the waters cdge-cIcycn of the crew and
nine passengers only having escaped
And | deeply dcpiore having to tell
you that among those who are known to-
have gone down in the burning wreck j.
Major Lcwcllyn," concludes Mr. Farren.
Il have made inquiries at the War Ofico.
but beyond ascertaiuiE- hat Major Llcw-
ellyn was gazetteG - lieutenant colo.
Hclcy of an Indian regiment and had Ger
tainly sailed from Cape Town 10 join hi>
regiment. | could obtain no further in
formation. Should any such occur vii.
communicate with you Immediately. anG
please to accept the expression Of my sin.
cerest sympathy with YOU and the other
ladies of Major LIcwcliyn's family under
this heavy bereavement"
1t can't h". It can't be- Icttie says
hoarscly. gazing bludIy 1T the awful
words that Cppp IA loan ont az tho r,r,,.