The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-01-26

worth OF one In the whole wide world"
drawing with such exaggerated emphasis
of her own and her fathers destitution.
She settled herself more comfortably on
the stile, drawing her fur-edged cloak
closely around her. and the man 20 whom
she spoke thought that this was certain
ly the very prettiest, as we'll as the most
candid, young woman IL had ever been
his lot TO meet.
The crisp November air, with its touch
of frost. had brought a glow of color to
the fair palencss of her cheeks.
But how on earth do you manager" he
stammered, vaguely sympathetic and dis
turbed.
"oh. We get along somehow" replied
Nan airily. "and up 10 the present we
have not been reduced to beg, borrow or
steal. That will come later, expect. You
can't imagine how easy IL IL to live on
nothing a year, Lord yerramount"
II don't quite understand" he contin-
ued. "IIas your father lost money lately,
or
mo; we have always been poor" said
Nan. ''as long as can remember; and
each year father makes a little less lie
is writer. you know. and an authority
on some scientific matters that he dab
bles I'm. So each year we descend a little
lower in the scale. He saw the advertise
ment for this house OF yours. and IL
was the cheapest thing he could hear of.
and so he took IL. | had never been TO
ireland before but like it-yes. l like
IL very well.'' she added graciousy.
II am glad you like IT, said Lord
verramount gravely. II am sorry To say
] don't care for II at ALL and I only live
here six months out of the twelve. be-
cause Il, nix II is my duty
Tell me-" said Nan. why do you let
this delightful old house to MS for such "A
mere song? There must be some reason"
There is" he assented: 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. and the coun-
try people declared he had sold himself
10 the devil. That is all. There Is a kind
of an idea that the place In uncanny, and
as IL had been standing empty long
time I thought IL best to let IL 20 at "A
nominal rent"
She was gazing into the distance.
rapt, dreamy look In her eyes.
How strange she said musingiy. "A
lonely old man. Living and dying all by
himself! 1 can fancy him. in the little
turret room She broke of suddenly,
a fash OF excitement coming into her
face. WAS he q musician, Lord Verra-
mount? Did he love music as ! dor
II believe he was" verramount an
swered slowly. studying the varied ex-
pressions of her face. II never knew him
myself. .ut I have heard he was vio-
lin player OF no mean ability. DO you
love music then. Miss KiImsyne?
She did not answer for a moment. but
the rose fush deepened on her face, and
her lips parted in kind OF ecstacy.
Love &c? adore it!' she said softly.
II could play all day and all night My
greatest ambition IL to play some day TO
thousands OF peopic"-she waved her
hands as though indicating crowded
assembly--'on a genuine Stradivari. To
carry them away with me; TO make them
forget themselves--forRst time, place
everything but the music. II would be
heavenly
May come and hear you play one
day9" he asked quietly.
'Of course, II You care to-" said Nan.
descending 90 earth. II must be going
now Dad will be waiting for his tea.
Good-by!'
And with "a careless nod she had
Jumped lightly down from the stile and
was gone.
"a singular girl" thought verramount
as ne watched her cross the field that in
tervened between him and Ballyloush."A
very interesting girl! Plucky too,
should thinkV'
And 50 thinking OF her, went homeward.
TO Mount Regal. whs~s his mother had
imposed on him the duties OF host 20
houseful OF relations for the shooting
season For some days he was too busy
to call on his tenants at Balyiough. hut
at last one afternoon In the deepening
twilight he found himself rioine up the
avenue
HALF way up he encountered old MIR.
Kilmayne, who stopped At sight OF him.
saving;
20 must ask YOU 10 EXCUSE my not
turning back with YOU. hut have an inn
poTtant letter TO post. and our only ser
want II out for the afternoon. Nv daugh-
ter will be pleased 10 welcome YOU, and
I sAall hope To get back before your visit
Is over. You will find her in the little tur-
ret room"
The house seemed strangely gloomy
and deserted as Lord verramount made
his way through the wide old hall and
M the dark stairs 60 the little octagonal
room midway IN the turret, and tapped
~ the door for permission 10 enter.
what a lonely life for her" he
thought remorsefuliy. comparing the
warmth and lightness OF Mount Regal,
with its many guests. u this silent. cold
home
There was 10 answer to his repeated
knocks an on opening the door and
booking in ~ thoush' az nr~i tho room
Nss emsis. unl- ihc. irclight glow re-.