Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1901-04-04
CHAPTER XII.


1t was spriagtime at Easthill-on-
Sea, and things were settling down
again. Mrs. Dynevor, with her son
and daughter. still lived at the Up
lands. but with no fear now Of the
mortgage foreclosing. 1t was gener-
ally believed-and specially so by Har-
old-that the interest was pad to the
young mistress of the Manor; really
1t went into the local bank account OF
Kitty Dynevor," for Lillian knew
that Alick Craven's wooing would soon
end successfully, and wanted Kitty to
have a nice little sum in hand for her
trouseau.
Woodlands was a school no longer.
Mrs. Tanner lived at the Manor as
chareron to Miss Dynevor; and Lii
liam, thoughtful in all things. had in
sisted on purchasing an annuity OF two
hundred year for her friend, SO that,
as she put it. if she did not live long
Mrs. Tanner need not open school
again.
Mrs. Dynevor and Kitty were often
At the Manor, and loved Lillian even
better than they had loved Miss Len
don; but Harold never went there.
and when he met his cousin at Up
lands treated her with cold reserve
that almost broke her heart.
"Your brother was kinder to me
when / was poor little governess.
she said to Kitty. And that damsel,
then on the eve of her wedding, lee
tured Harold pretty sharply on his
manner to her favorite.
you don't understand" he. said
coldly. Lillian is rich. we are poor,
and that makes gulf between u.s."
But it need not" Kitty persisted.
Lillian and the twins were her
bridesmaids when the June day came
that made her Mrs. Alick Craven;
and somehow, when the happy pair
had driven of. Harold found himself
alone in the garden with the chief
bridesmaid.
at went off very WELL" he remarked,
81 never saw Kitty look better"
mo. 1 think they will be very
happy" she said quietly.
II suppose yours will be the next
wedding in the family. Lillian? 1t is
high time you chose prince consort
for the Manor" -
only that l am not going to do
anything of the sort" she answered.
II thought l heard Mrs. Tanner say
something about changes at the Ma
nor"
"Yes; but they need not mean mat
rimony." She hesitated. You were
SO kind to me in the old days, when
first | came to Easthill, that | would
like to tell you my plans. | am quite
sure am not fit to be great lady,
and | should like to feel that my lie
was of use to some one. so ! am going
to London to be trained as a hospital
nurse"
'Lillian!"
And as my life will be spent among
sick folk, you see. shall never want
the Manor; and--you are the last OF
the Dynevors-you would make me
very happy. Harold. II you would go
back to the old home which was to
have been yours, which would have
been yours IL had never been born.
Lillian, you know it is impossible!"
81 know you have Stunned the Ma
nor lately; but IL t was your own!
II have only Stunned it because
something 1t contained was growing
all too dear to me. Lillian, did you
ever guess my secret-that loved you
with all my heart, and but for the
gulf between our fortunes l should
have asked you to be my wife?"
And / thought you hated me be-
cause / was my mothers daughter"
Il love you dearly; have loved
you ever since the old days. when |
thought you were only a penniless lit
tie teacher"
Il wish / had been" she answered
wistfully. II don't think money has
brought me much happiness. But
Harold, when go to the hospital you
must take the Manor; the dear old
place can't be left desoiate."
And then Harold Dynevors love
conquered his pride. He took Lillian
in his arms, and whispered that he
would only take the gift with the
giver.
And now Dynevor Manor is happy
home. and children who bear the old
name make merry in the nursery Mrs.