The Banner-Democrat., 1898-03-19
CRUEL
-=AS@
THE CRAVE !,
The Secret of DunraYen
Castle
BY ANNIE ASHMORE.
Author of Faithful Margaret" Etc, Etc
CHAPTER yf.-continued.

sname and SccluSion.
snow you are weary of talk" said
Ulva in her frank, friendly way, "you
shall have some music to refresh YOU"
He yielded his chatting spirit to her
gentle spell again, and sank back with a
deep sense of relief In letting all go but
the JOY of being with Ulya.
He hoped she was going to sing or
play to him, but no; she went to the
open window and took in gilded cage
and set it on the table, and out few a
little brown lark, straight into her
bosom, where 1t nestled, quite concealed
by her lovely hand, all but Its tiny head
and one shining round eye, which last it
kept shyly fastened upon Edgar.
"Where did find this not uno ommon
songster, you want to ask?" laughed
Ulva noticing his surprise. sit was cast,
like you, waif on the storm into my
hands, The blast dashed it against my
window, picked it up quite stunned; l
thought it would die, but it not And
when it got quite strong. and well, l
opened the window and babe it go free,
but the grateful little heart came back
next morning and few straight into my
breast again, and would not accept its
liberty. So gave it a house Of its own,
and it has lived in it ever since, with
the door open as you see, that may it take
It's flights when it pleases; and l like it
better than the rarest captive bird,
because know it is happy. And that's
all"
Here she gently peeped under her hand
at the lark, which uttered bird scream
Of merriment. and darted at her lips
with its tiny leak outstretched and lit
tie wings fluttering; then lit upon her
lifted finger, set its dainty head aside,
and poured forth it's delicious warble
with its whole happy heart.
Oh, what picture! And how her art
less words had stirred the deep waters
b of Edgar's heart He, too, had been
cast by the storm into her life, and saved
by her; he, too, rejected the freedom
that meant parting from Ulva: oh, that
she would also take him into her sweet
heart!
He gazcd in ntoxicated with love, at Ulva,
but she was not looking at him, nor yet
at her pet; her sweet eyes had chanced
to light on the face of Lady Dunraven,
and all the smile died out Of them, they
Tiled with pain.
Her little story had stirred Lady Dun
ravens sad heart, too; for was not she
captive who would never be free? She
had turned slightly from the o hers and
was gazing across the sea with a hunger
Ing and thirsting look, while she gnawed
her palid lips in sickening impatience.
Again that tug at Edgar's heart
strings.
81 must speak to her." he thought in
desperation. Il feel like a craven in
the presence of such unmerited grief"
The lark's carol finished, it flew from
Ulva's finger to perch itself upon
peach. of which there was luscious
basketful upon q table near, and while
it drove its little bill into the velvet side
1t kept up sly scrutiny of Edgar. until
at last to his pleased surprise 1t came
hopping, hopping across the table and
from chair back to chair back, until 1t
reached the end of the sofa clos, by his
head, when it timidly pecked at his
curls, as II willing to be better ac-
quainted.
"How strange!" exclaimed Ulva, evil
IDENTIFY gratified. "What spell have you
put upon my bird? He would not allow
anybody else to go near him: and al
ways hides In my sleeve or neck all the
time Mr.. Slrcombe Is in the room."
Lady Dunraven looked round with a
disdainful curve Of the delicate lip.
@Instinct is often more reliable than
reason" said she. She watched with
earnest face the dainty motions Of the
bird, as it took hair by hair in its rol-
ished bill, preening and arranging them
as it would have plumed its own feath-
ers, with chirps of gentle satisfaction,
Edgar scarcely breathing lest he might
startle it away; till. finally growing
hardy. 1t hoped upon his heal, dropped
its wings gracefully, and burst into a
melting bird-song of triumph over its
new conquest.
Fdgar's ewes encountered Lady Incn-
cape's; hers were full of an ineffable
trust
al think you would mako true
friend.n said she, invo.untarily uttering
the thought that was in her heart
His eyes looked yearningly into hers.
ayes, / would, he answered, simply,
but no e!oauence cou'd have carried
greater conviction with 1t than did the
Quiet, fervent acquiescence.
@Fortunate are those who may claim
your friendship" said Lady lnchcape,
sighing.
aI wish l might dare to offer it to one
who needs faithful knight" murmured
Edgar
She started, looking wildly at him
with her frail hand on her heart and a
dee.,, burning blush suffused her whole
face and throat Ulva, busy with her
DlrQ WHICH Hau uOWu O0Sh " III hbS'tAs
sklpped apart among the flowers by the
window. She was much impressed by
her pets instructive trust In this hand
some stranger, and by her step mothers
recognition of it; and sne recalled Ken
more's boding prophecy with little
smile OF defiance
But her innocent heart was not
touched by Edgar yet-only circum'
stances made her think about him
great deal.
She could not hear what her STEP
mother and he were saying, but she saw
that Lady Dunraven was interested In
him, and she was peculiarly Rratiied,
although she could not quite account for
this feeling. It was well that poor
Mamma Engelonde's mysterious sorrow
should be llghtened by an elegant and
noble minded man like Mr. Edgar; but
for the rest-Uiva yentuicd on no deepcl
analysis.
/ chs stole 10 her piano and plsyed