The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-11-05

scurried away into the dying bracken,
and a. herd of deer gazed at them from
the distance with mild, startled eyes.
AT last they pulled up before the por-
tco, the fight of steps leading to which
was, guarded on either side by huge
mythical animal of some denomina ton,
dragon or griffin, probably, who's
gaping Jaws appeared to Molly to
threaten to. deVour her.
Now, then, pluck up your courage"
said Mr.. Burke, as in obedience to his
hand the bel sent a vigorous peal clang-
ing throughout the house.
Molly jumped off the car and stood be-
side him, nodding her head and trying
to look very brave, though she was in
Wardly very much frightened.
Presently a patriarchal looking indi-
vidual, with white hair brushed up into
a top-knOt, was through the glass door
seen to be approaching, followed by a
Molly were admitted into circular hall,
with yellow, glass-domed roof, a very
slippery floor, upon which several hand
some fur rugs made pitfalls for the I'M
wary, and marble statues in inches and
OH pedestals who seemed to the little
intruder to gaze on her with cold curios-
''I think Miss O'Neill expects us said
Mr.. Burke, his voice echoing so strangely
through the vaulted roof tnat Molly was
constrained to give utterance to an hys-
teriCal laugh.
The paternal butler thought his mis-
tress did, and ushered them pompously
through an immense gallery, hung with
pictures, into cosy morning room, rot
much larger than Mrs Mackenzie's par
lor at home, but oh, how different There
was carpet into which ones feet sank
nOiSelesSly, Silken curtains pictures and
china, books and flowers, and 1 know
not what besides. Molly had but a con-
fused consciousness of them at first,
however, all her attention being taken
up with the solitary occupant of the
room. In an easy chair by the hearth
where, notwlths standing the fine, bright
weather, a small wood fire was burning
an old lady with snow-white hair
turned back over a cushion, a face HAT
appeared to Molly marvelously pink-dnd-
white, and smooth, delicate clear-cut
features, and eyes so blue, so bright, so
keen, that their first glance positively
startled her. She was dressed in rich,
Cove colored tabinet,. the folds of which
her head and falling mantilla-wise over
her shoulders was a kerchief or yellow;
cobWebby lace
She looked up eagerly as they entered
and extended her small, white, trauspar-
ent hands to Molly.
49,, so you have Gomez" she said, holding
over her head at Mr.. Burke. 81 have
been expecting you all the morning. I
think you might have the civility to let
me me Know the hour OF your arrival so
you are mere" turning to Molly with
smile, bright and unexpected as ray
OIL winter sunshine. and L am heartily
glad to see you. Kiss me, dear.
She drew the girl gently downwards
that she might salute her soft old cheek
Molly could see on closer inspection that
her face was not SO. absolutely untouched
by time as she supposed, but was covered
with fine network of lines, delicate as
the tracery on a leaf
Are you afraid of me?' said the old
lady, as she detected a little tremor in
the hands she held so tightly.
No said Molly, stoutly, with brave
quavered and her heart was humping
like a sledge hammer.
II m, perhaps you, will be before long,
Now, 1 shall send you away, for I see
that Mr.. Burke is fidgeting, and we have
a little business to transact before he
leaves. Would you like to take a turn
in the garden, or shall 1 show you your
"Oh, the garden, pleaser said Molly.
so eagerly that the old lady smiled
7"rhis way, then" she said. skipping
out of her chair with an agility which
amazed her guest, crossing the room and
where you like my dear but take care
not to lose yourself
Molly stepped out on a stone terrace
velvety lawn, decked with fancifui Dor,
ders, still gay with flowers and sheltered
t 1rses, WINE 10 the left wandered away
Further on stretched the beautiful I'M
dulating park, golden green, where it
caught the. autumn sunshine, carpeted
here and there with russell leaves and
varied by miniature forests of bracken.
Winding through 1t was an avenue of
beeches,. their silvery trunks and deli
cate yellowish brown foliage standing
cut against the distant plantation of
somber frs. Rising from the holIows and
browning the hillocks were clumps of
noble trees, vieing with each other in
the Story of their. October tints; fine
oranges and yellows; White-stenrneIiIf
fairy-iike birches spangled with reddish