The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-04-02

small hand she held out, and trying to make
her raise her doWncast eyes. Has my
mother treated you well during my absence?"
laughingly.
Lady Norah has been kindness itself to
me-" she answered in low voice And
owe you a deep debt of gratitude also, Sir
Anthony. Doctor Forbes thinks L should very
probably have never recovered if had been
out of doors all that terrible night
1T was my happy privilege to serve you
bowling. Is your arm better?"
Yes. thank YOU it is nearly well now.
was so much distressed at hearing that the
Kings Oak had been blown down that could
not resist putting on a cloak and running
across the park after dinner to see the dear
old tree, and that is how 1 happened to be-
come such a trouble Veronica said, with a
faint smile.
mo trouble at all to me, dear, but de-
light Lady Norah said, kindly. 81 only
wish that Mr. Dangerfield could be induced
to spare you longer to me. Now, Anthony,
be a good boy, and sit down and tell us all
the news of London town, and all your ad-
ventures of the past three years. Like all
men, Vera my dear, my son is most tire
some correspondent-he leaves off his letters
in most exciting situations, and then forgets
to explain in the following ones as he prom
dance with impatience''-and her eyes rested
proudly on the stalwart who was all that
was left to her of a dearly beloved husband.
Anthony laughed. well, you want trav-
eer's tales, do your he said. Il warn you
you must repay me by telling me all the
home news in return. Your letters have been
equally skinny, I think"-and they began to
chatter in happy fashion, more like brother
and sister than mother and son, while
Veronica joined in and listened with feel
ing of delightful sympathy in all they were
saying.
At last Lady Norah rose and opening the
piano, declared she quite tired of mo-
nopoliZng the conversation-and, indeed her
merry Irish tongue had led nearly all the
highland would have a little music, anx-
lCus, with a mothers pride, that Anthony,
of whose voice she was not unreasonably
proud, should sing. But he excused himself
laughingly; so she began to play some lullng
melodies of Haydn and Mozart, tender woong
music, with the freshness of the spring breeze
and the blue sky, and the green leaves in it,
which stole through the room, and turned
the thoughts Of these who listened into a
wonderful foreknowledge of happiness, for
Lady Norah was born musician
The other two sat in silence, unconsciously
glad to be near one another, though as yet
their acquaintance had been but of the slight
est. But there are moments when mere
look, commonplace word even, have weight
far beyond their usual value and to Anthony,
in his own home after years Of wandering,
and to Veronica, snatching a momentary
happiness from life which had not been too
easy of late, this evening was marked with
a white stone ~
Suddenly Sir Anthony raised his eyes from
the fire into which he had been gazing in a
PHEASANT revere, ana looked at the girl S slim
figure, half buried in silken cushions, for he
had begun to suspect that she was weeping,
though her face was averted, and he could
only see the back of her golden head. It was
true; the music affected her strongly in her
weak state, and tears were stealing from her
eyes almost without her knowing it. She
turned, attracted by the magnetism of his
look, and her bright blue eyes, soft and
sparkling and deWy with tears, met his fully,
at first half questioningy, and then wholly
without reserve, although her color ebbed
away and then came back in an impetuous
rush, and her breath came quicker than
usual with the swift pusing of her heart.
Lady Norah rose from the piano at that mo-
n.ent and came towards them.
Il was hoping you two young people would
talk" she said, lightly. I'm agraid you re
lazy, Anthony, and haven't exerted yourself
to amuse Miss Mannerng. Shall 1 scold him.
dear?"-lightly.
ooh, no; have had most delightful even
ing!'' the girl cried quickly, and then colored
at her impetuosty.
Lady Norah pressed her hand softly
That's right, dear" she answered. But
I'm afraid you are over-tired. / must take
care of you, and not let you sit up too late ;,
And despite Anthony's pleading chances, she
bore the girl away with her, pleased at the
friendship between the two having COM
menced so we'll, although she was too much
of woman of the world to betray her sat
isfaction geographically. She was beginning
to desire that Anthony should marry and set
tie in life now, and although not a match
maker, she could not help being pleased that
fate had played so well into her hands up till
now; for she was really fond of Veronica
and pitied the girl in her heart, for she had
a shrewd suspicion that life at the Manor
Holt was not always bed of roses. So she
smiled when she babe her son good night
and left him to his reflections, which, had she
known it, were quite in accord with hers:
for, with sailors impetuosity, Anthony had