Evening star., 1901-03-09

Fairholme-we shall pass Fairholme direct
ly-a wealthy gentleman, who takes great
interest in the development of the town.
1t was all Greek to the major, but he
nodded politely. Nina was looking about
her with keen eyes.
That's Fairholme." Sloyd went on, as
they came to large and rather new house
situated on the skirts Of Bentmouth. oh
serve the glass-those houses cost thou
sands Of pounGs-grown peaches all the
year, they tell me. At this point, Madame
Zabriska, we turn and pursue the road by
the river" And so he ceased not to
play guide book till he landed them at the
door Of Merton Lodge itself, after a slow
crawl of quarter Of mile uphill. Below
them In the valley lay the little Brent,
sparkling in the sunshine of the summer af-
on the opposite bank no more perhaps than
QUO yards away, was Blent Hall. Nina ran
TO the parapet of the 1eveed terrace on
which the lodge stood and looked down.
Among the minor seats Of the nobility
Blent Is considered a very perfect exam
pie" she heard Sioyd say to the major, who
was unobtrusively but steadily urging him
in the direction Of the landau. She turned
10 oid MIN goodbye and he came up to her.
hat in hand.
THANK you. I like the place." she said
DO you-do you think we shall make ac-
quaintance with the people at Blent Hall ?'
Her ladyship's in poor health, I hear.
but should imagine she would make an ef-
fort to call or at least send cards. Good
bye. madame"
Duplay went into the house, Nina re-
manning still outside, engaged in the con-
temptation of her new surroundings, above
all Of Blent Hall, which was invested with
special interest for her eyes. 1t was the
abode of Mrs. Fitzhubert
With little start she turned to find a
young man standing just on the other side
OF the parapet. AS he raised his hat her
quick vision took him In as 1t were in a
complete p1cture-the thin, yet well made
body, the slight stoop in the shoulders. the
high forehead bordered with thick dark hair
growing IN such a shape that the brow
seemed to rise almost to a peak, a long
nose, sensitive mouth, pointed chin,
dark eyes with downward lips. The young
man-she would have guessed him at twen-
ty-tWo or twenty-three-had a complete
composure of manner Somehow she felt
herself IN the presence of the lord Of the
son, an absurd enough thing to feel, she
told herself.
Madame Zabriska? My mother, Lady
Tristram, has sent me to bid you welcome
IN her name-but not to disturb you by COM
ing IN so soon after your journey. 1t is our
traditlon to welcome guests at the moment
He spoke rather slowly, In a pleasant
voice, but with something in his air that
puzzied Nina. 1t seemed like sort of
%sne matehfulnessonot fttne slyness Ghat would
put perhaps one might say wariness-
Wnether directed against her or himself 1t
was too soon for her even to conjecture.
St1ii rather startled, she forgot to express
her thanks and said simply:
You're Mr.. Fitzhubert Trfstram?''
Mr Tristram," he corrected her; and
she noticed now for the first time the slow
moving smile which soon became his lead
ing characteristic in her thoughts; it took
sucn time to spread, 1t seemed to feel its
way; but 1t was success when 1t came.
II use my fathers name only as a Chris
t1an name now Tristran is my sur
name; that also, If may repeat myself,
Is one OF our traditions" if
nat, TO change your names? The men,
/ mean?" she asked, laughing little.
FOR anybody In the direct line to take
the name OF Tristram-so that the iris
trans OF Blent should always be Tristrams,
you know, and not Fitzhuberts, or Leighs,
"Merrion?' r.
my great-great-I forgot how many
greats-grandfather was a Merrion and
Built this house?'
Oh, no-a house where this stands. The
OLD house was burned down In 1905"
AS recently as that?" she exclaimed, In
Seventeen ninety-fve," he explained,
and this house was run up then"
Nina felt that there was here a touch of
pride; with more complete mastery of
td1omattc English she might have called 1t
sWagger. Nothing counted that was less
than century old, 1t seemed, and he spoke
OF house OF hundred years standing as
ehe might OF q wooden shanty. Decidedly
scious.
'.Tm glad 1t was run up In time for us
20 take 1t, she said, thinking she would
Try the effect Of a little chah.
IAe eNece was nothing. Harry Tristrarn
TOOK no notice OF the remark.