Omaha daily bee., 1901-03-10

she had the misfortune to lose mis- company.
His death seemed, TO Duplay at least no
great calamity; that he died chidless did
not appear to have disappointed Nina and
was certainly no ground of complaint on
her uncle's part
Presumably Mr.. Sloyds inquiries ELECTED
sa tisfactory information, perhaps Nina was
not hard to please. At all events, a week
later she and the major got out at Blent-
mouth station and found Sloyd himself
waiting to drive them to Merrion Lodge.
He sat with his back to the horses in the
landau and pointed out the features of in
terest on the road.
give hundred people five years ago" he
observed, waving his hand over Blentmouth
in patronizing encouragement. 1.-TWO thou
and winter, three five summer months now
largely due to William liver, Esq, Of
Fairhome-we shall pass Fairhome directly
"a wealthy gentleman, who takes great in
terest 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 Blentmouth. "Ob-
serve the glass-those houses cost thou
sands of pounds-grown peaches all the
year they tell me At this point Nine.
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 Merrion Lodge itself, after "A slow crawl
of a quarter of "A mile uphill. Below them
in the valley lay the little Brent, sparkling
In the sunshine of the summer afternoon,
and beyond the river. facing them on the
opposite bank, no more perhaps than 500
| yards away was Blent hall. Nina ran
to the parapet of the leveled terrace on
| which the lodge stood and looked down.
Among the minor seats of the nobility
Blent is considered a very perfect example,
she heard Sloyd say to the major, who was
unobtrusyely but steadily urging him in
the direction of the landau. She turned
to bid him goodby and he came up to her,
hat in hand.
Thank you. ! 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. | hear,
but should imagine she would make an
effort to call or at least send cards. Goodby,
madam"
Duplay went into the house, Nina remain
ing still outside, engaged in the contempla-
tion OF her new surroundings, above all of
Blent hall, which was invested with
special interest for her eyes 1t was the
abode of Mrs, Fit2hubert.
With little start she turned to find
young man standing just on the other side
OF the parapet. As he raised his hat her
quick vision took him in as It were in a
complete picture-the thin, yet well made
body the slight stoop in the shoulders. the
high forehead bordered with thick dark
hair growing in such shape that the brow
seemed to rise almost TO a peak, a long
nose. sensitive mouth a pointed chin
dark eyes with downward lips. The young
man-she would have guessed him at %
or 23-had a complete composure Of manner.
Somehow she felt herself in the presence
OF the lord Of the soil, an absurd enough
thing to feel. she told herself
Nine, Zabriska2 My mother Lady
Tristram, has sent me to bid YOU welcome
in her name hut not to disturb you by com
ing in so soon after your journey. II is our
tradition TO welcome guests at tae moment
OF their arrival