The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1901-02-27
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said Nan, IevelinG In the picture she
WAS drawing with such exaggerated
emphasis OF her own and her fathers
dcSiitutlOn.
She settled herself marc cnn.fortaniy
an the stile, drawing her fur edged
,i TX closely around her, and the man
to whom she spoke thought that this
was certainly the very pretticst us well
as the most candid young woman it
lad ever been his lot to meet
The crisp November air, with its
touch Of frost, had brought glow of
color to the fair paleness Of her cheeks.
but how on earth do you manage z"
he stammered, vaguely sympathetic
and disturbed.
"Oh, we get along somehow," replied
Nan airlly, "and up to the present we
have not been reduced to beg, borrow
or steal. That will come later, ex-
pcct You can't imnglne how easy Il
is to live on nothing a year, Lord Yer
ramount"
II don't quite understand" he con-
tinued "Has your father lost money
lately, Or
"No; we have always been poor"
aud each year father makes little
less. lie is a writer. you know, and an
authority on some scientific matters
that he dabbles in. So each year we
descend little lower In the scale. He
saw the advertisement for. this house
Of yours. and 1t was the cheapest thing
lie could hear of, and SO he took It. 1
had never been to Ireland before. but
like lt-yes. like 1t very WE'LL" she
added graciously.
Il am glad you like It," said Lord
NrTamount gravely II am sorry to-
say don't care for it at all, and only
live here six months cut of tic ic, bc-
cause think it is my duty"
Tell me- enid N0;,, "vhy do you let
this delightful CID ;,ctisa TO us for such
Il mere song? There must be some rea-
son"
There is." lie nsscnted, "but would
rather not tell 1t to you"
She insisted, SO he went on:
The house belonged to an eccentric
cousin Of my father. He lived to a
great age sort Of hermit life, aid the
country people declared he had sold
himself to the devil; that Is ALL There
is kind Of al idea that the place is
uncanny, and, as it had been standing
empty long time. thought it best to
let it go at q nominal rent"
She was gazing into the distance, q
rapt, dreamy look In her eyes,
How strange!' she said musingly.
"a lonely oil man! Living and dying
all by himself! can fancy him in the
little turret ROOM She broke oil
suddenly, q flash Of excitement coming
into her face. "Was he n musician,
Lord Verramount? Did lie love music
rs do?,
Il believe he was" Verramount an
swered slowly, studying the varied ex-
pressions Of her face. 81 never knew
him myself, but have heard he was a
violin Eiayer of no mean ability. Do
you love music, then, Miss Kilmayne?'
She cid not answer for moment,
but the rose flush deepened on her
face. and her lips parted in n kind Of
ecstasy.
Love 1t? / adore it!' she said soft
~ Il could play all day and all night.
bly, greatest ambition is to play some
day to thousands of people"-she way
ed her hands as though Indicating a
crowded assembly - ION genuine
Stradivari. To carry them away with
me, to make them forget themselves,
forget time, place everything but the
music 1t would be heavenIyw
MAY come and hear you play one
day?" he asked quietly.
or course. if you care to-" said Nan,
descending to earth. 81 must be going
now. Dad will be waiting for his tea.
Goodbye
And with n careless word she lad
jumped lightly down from the stllc and
was gone.
"a singular girl" thought verra-
mount as he watched her cross the
Held that interviewed between him and
bailylough. "a very interesting girl!
Plucky. too. should fhigkw
And SO thinking Of Her he went
homeward to Mount Regal. where his
mother had imposed on him the duties
or host to houseful of relations for
the shooting season. For some days he
was too busy to call on his tenants at 4
Ballylcugh, but at last one afternoon
IN the deepening, twilight he found
himself riding up the avenue.
Halr way up he encountered old Mr..
hiimayne. who stopped at sight OF him.
saying:
Il must ask you to excuse my not
turning back with you. but have an
Important letter to post. and our only
servant is out for the afternoon. hfy
daughter will be pleased to welcome
you. and shall hope to get back be-
Tore your visit la over. You will find
aer In the little turret room"
The house seemed strangely gloomy |
and deserted as Lord Verramount made |
Ills way through the wide old hall and
up the dark stairs to the little octag-
onal room midway In the turret and
tapped at the door for permission to
enter.
What = lonely life for her." he |
thought remorsefuliy. comparing the
Warmth and lightness OF Mount Regal,
With its many guests. to this silent,
cold home.