The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-04-03
(Continued.)

When the dinner was over we returned
together 10 the drawing room. Although
Mr.. Fairlie (emulating the magnificent
condescenson OF the monarch who had
picked up Titian's brush for him) had in
structed his butler TO consult my wishes
In relation to the wine that ] might pre-
fer after dinner. i was resolute enough
to resist the tempta ton OF sitting In soil
tary grandeur among bottles OF my own
choosing and sensible enough 10 ask the
ladies' permission to leave the table with
them habitually. on the civilized foreign
plan. during the period OF my residence at
Lmmertdge House.
The drawing room, 20 whdch we had
now withdrawn for the rest OF the even
ing was on the ground floor. ana was OF
the same shape and size as the break
fast room. Large glass doors at the
lower end opened on to a terrace, beauti-
fully ornamented along it's whole length
with a profusion OF flowers. The soft
haxy twilight was Just shading leaf and
blossom alike into harmony with Its own
sober hues, as we entered tho room. ard
the sweet evening scene OF the MOWERS
met ue with its fragrant welcome through
the open glass doors. Good Mrs Vesey
always the FIRST of the party TO SIT DOWN
took possession OF an arm chair In cor
ner and dozed off comfortably 10 sleep.
At my request. Miss Fairlie placed herself
at the piano. As followed her TO a seat
near the instrument, l saw Miss Hal
combe retire into a recess or the sioe
windows. to proceed with the search
through her mothers letters by the last
quiet rays of the evening light.
How vividly that peaceful home picture
of the drawing room comes back 10 me
while I write! From the place where
sat / could see Miss Halcombe's graceful
figure. half OF II in soft light. hah In
mysterious shadow, bending intently over
the letters In her lap; while, nearer 10 me.
the fair profile OF the player at the plano
was lust delicately defined against the
family deepening background OF the inner
wall OF the room. Outside. on the ter
race, the clustering flowers and long
grasses and creepers waved so gently In
the light evening air. that the sound of
their rustling never reached US. The sky
was without a cloud and the dawning
mystery of moonlight began TO tremble al
ready in the region of the eastern heaven.
The sense OF peace and secluson sootheo
all thought and feeling into a rapt, un-
earthly repose, and the balmy quiet that
deepened ever with the deepening light,
seemed TO hover over US with a gentler
| influence still. when there stole upon II
| from the piano the heavenly tenderness
/ Of the music Of Mozart. II was an even
|
| gotten.
We all sat silent in the places we had
chosen-Mrs Vesey still sleeping. Miss
Fairlie still playing. Miss Halcomoe stli
reading-till the light failed us BY tni'
time the moon had stolen round 10 th'
terrace, and soft mysterious rays OF ligh
were slanting already across the lowe
end of the room. The change from IN
twilight obscurity was so beautiful. tina
we banished the lamps, by common con
sent. when the servant brought them II
and kept the large room unlighted, eS
cept by the glimmer of the two candles a
the piano. .
For half an hour more the music sti
went on. After that, the beauty of III
moonlight view on the terrace temple
Miss Fairlie out to look at IL and l fol
lowed her. When the candles at tn
plano had been lighted. Miss Halcomb
had changed her place 50 as 10 continu
her examination OF the letters by thei
assistance. We left her. on low chali
at one side Of the instrument. so absorbe
owed her reading that she did not seem l
notice when we moved.
We had been out on the terrace no
sether, lust I'm front of the glass doors
hardly so long as five minutes, shou
think, and Miss Fairlle was, by my ad
vice. lust tying her white handkerchie
over her head as a precaution against IN
i night air-when i heard MISS Halcompe
voice-low. eager. and altered from IL
natural lively tone-pronounce my name
"Mr Hartright" re said, will yo
come here for a minute? l want to spea
to you
I entered the room again immediatel,
The piano stood about halfway DOW
along the inner wall. On the side OF IN
instrument furthest from the terrace
Miss Halcombe was sitting with the le
l. 1axx nd
her hand selected from them, and hel
, close to the candle. On the side neare'
! 10 the terrace there stood low ottoman
on which I took my place.
In this position was not far from IN
. glass doors, and could Miss FaAr,
plainly, as she passed and repassed IN
| opening on to the terrace: walking SLOW
I iyfroan end to end OF IL fln=tBetn+4=taA
tance OF the moon.
"I want YOU to Esten while / read IN
concluding passages in this letter" sai
, Mi.s IJolcombe Tell me II you thin
, they throw any light upon your strans
adventure on the road to London. IT
letter Is addressed by my mother TO III
9 second husband. Mr.. Fairla; and II
date refers to period OF between eleve
and twelve years since. Al that tim
: Mr.. and Mrs. Fairiie, and my half-sist'
Laura. had been living for years In tn
house; and I was away from them. con
: pieting my education at a school in Pa
i Is"
She looked and spoke earnestly. an
: az thought a little uneaaly as we
= Al the moment when she raised the le
= ter 10 a candle before beginning TO res
J. Il. Miss Fairlie passed us on the terrsc
J. looked In for a moment. and. seeing tn
e we were engaged slowly walked on.
Miss Halcombe began TO read, as fo
Z lows:
9 "'You will be tired. my dear Phfli
a Of hearing perpetually about my schoo
and my scholars. Lay the blame. pra
d on the dull uniformity OF life at Lir
Z meridge, ana not on me. Besides. IN
d time, have something really interes
Ing to tell you about a new scholar.
: You know old Mrs. Kemps at q
: village shop. Well. after yeas OF a
r ing the doctor has at last given her u
n and she r. dying slowly. day by day. III
only living relation, a sister, arrived la
q week TO take care OF her. This sist
a comes all the way from Hampshire-h
II name is Mrs Cathcrtck Four days ai