Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1897-06-23
CHAPTER XXXIu-

Not exactly under her own vine or her
own fig tree does Miss Hester Stapleton
sit at rest as heroes and heroines are
supposed TO do after a well-fought bat
tie, or a hard-won victory. But in that
metamorphOsed, sage-green, aesthetic.
Grosvenor gallery-''interiOr" draw
ing room of gray. old Curraghdene, does
the astute young woman, who has labored
So hard for all that her soul Graves Of
wealth and authority. rest luxuriousiy
and tulerably we'll satisfied on the whole
with what the tide of Fate has brought To
her waiting feet, and those pretty little
hands of hers outstretched with such
eager avarice for all that may chance
within their reach. Yes, tolerably we'll
satisfied on the whole.
She has done well for herself, take il all
in all She thinks 50 this evening with
some exuitation even In her own hearts
communings as she sits alone in the fire
light, and knows that she has just ac-
cepted John Sutton of Baltimore, aged
sixty three, for her lover and husband.
There could have been nothing better
done for all parties" she says, taking u
high moral tone even with herself Het-
tie almost begins to look upon herself us
a benefactress to her family, since she
advanced her own interests SO clevery.
"It will keep the property on both sides
together" she says to herself-"keep poor
aunt's money safe, as of course she will
live with me; and, as she has FIVE hun
dred year of her own and three hun
dred of that money poor, foolish Eric set
tied ON Muriel, she can afford to make me
IA handsome allowance for her board, and
l will take care she does it, too!''
She is busily eniarging the dining room
of Curraghdene, and building a delicious
little conservatory adjoining it, having tn.
oak paneiing of the hall all repolished. and
the staircase carpeted in Venetian red and
brown, with frieze above to correspond
when the Alnaschar-like vision falls and
crumples at the sound of the arrival OF
some visitor, late as is the hour.
Some one who has driven to Curragh.
dene in a close carriage and pair of horses
reeking and smoking in the frosty air
some one who is ringing and knocking
loudly at the door-some one who speaks
IN low tone, and delays unaccountabiy
the servant opens the doOr-some on,
who is shown into the dra wing room il
The freight. but who ms ccountabiy hold
back even now, and returns hurriedIy to
the carriage. There is another delay, at
which Hester grows somewhat impatient,
and draws herself up imperiousiy as the
thought crosses her mind that this is sure
iy some of Muriel's friends-her visitors
come at proper hours, and enter in g pro-
per manner.
The door opens and Hester simultane-
ously touches the four wax candles at
each side of the oTer-mantel with q lighted
taper, and they blaze up brightly. She
does SO purposely to startle the intruding
visitor entering unannounced, and 10 Q
little disappointed on confronting the per-
son to be dismayed to discover that it is
Mr.. Farren, the solicitor, who enters hur-
riedly, but, as Hester IL pleased to OBJ
serve, draws back startled at meeting the
chilling glance of surprise from her bright,
steadfast eyes, and the blaze Of the wax
lights in the room
1t is no harm that he should learn her
true position at once as well as others,
Miss Stapleton says mentally, drawing