Middletown transcript., 1904-02-20

Stella stood in the middle OF the room,
looking round her with eyes that smiled
through happy tears. She had been
very lonely since her kind aunt Rachel
had died, and even before that. Now an
exquisite sense Of home stole over her.
She felt as an exile feels when he has
come to his native shores and is no more
"a stranger in strange land"
Molly had left her after kind word or
two to go to her sister, and tea was to be
ready in few minutes, 80 that she had
just time for hasty toilet. Rousing her.
self from her happy reverie, she drew off
her gloves and began to unpin her hat.
She was standing before the looking-glass
as she did go, and the fash of the dia-
mond ring which she wore on her left
hand caught her attention. She turned
from the glass, and looked at the ring,
her lips just parted in queer half-fright-
ened little smile and her pretty eyebrows
drawn together. Then, still frowning,
she drew off the ring and went quickly
towards her dressing case. Unlocking it,
she took out little jewel-case and placed
the ring in drawer in it that opened by
secret spring. She did it all very
quickly, as if afraid of being interrupted.
Then, looking at her hand again, she
drew long deep breath.
Nobody need know yet, she whispered.
don't want to tell Molly so soon. She
would think that she had lost me again.
And do want my holiday-to be free for
a little while longer. Molly shall have
her little girl for week or two.
CHAPTER II
Tea was laid in the drawing-room-a
long room with three French windows
opening upon the gravel walk in the front
of the house. The walls were panelled,
like the walls in nearly all the rooms in
the old house, and there were number
Of pictures some of them from the
brushes of Romney and Gainsborough-
and one or two modern portraits hung in
conspicuous positions. A clever lifelike
sketch Of Stella at nine years old hung
between two of the windows; it had been
painted by famous artist, friend OF her
fathers, who had stayed in the village
one autumn and taken great fancy to
the child.
When Molly came back to the drawing
room she found Anthony standing before
this portrait. looking intently at it. He
was too absorbed to notice her quiet en-
trance, and she came close to him before
he was aware that she was in the room.
Then he turned with start, the color
rising in bis face.
1t is very much like her still, is it not?
said Molly, smiling as she looked at the
gray-eyed cEild in the picture.
Molly's soft eyes were full Of happy
tears as she spoke; it was intensely sweet
to her to have Stella back again.
knew her in an instant, Anthony said
eagerly. 1t was only when spoke that
she guessed who I was, but knew her
directly l saw her.
Yes-she has altered very little, an
swered Molly. And she is SO sweet and
unspoiled! was afraid that she might
feel dull here, we live SO quietly, but l
don't think she will. You must help me
to amuse her, Anthony, until you go
abroad.
1 am not going abroad, he said hastily.
1t was only a vague idea, and I have
quite given it up, Miss Mary. lam going
to settle down and work hard at the
estate. But I shall hare plenty of time
to ride with Miss Stella, if she will let
me. And 1 wonder if she knows golf?
Our new links are capital. l should like
to teach her.
Ask her when she comes down, said
Molly, her soft brown eyes shining kindly
on him. We must not let her be dull.
The Harringtons are gay people, fancy.
They see q great deal of society.
Mr.. Harrington is a shipbuilder, isn't
he?
Yes; but we know very little of them. |
When Stella's mother died. Mrs. Har-
rington came here. But she and Cathar-
inc did not get on, and we have had no
communication with them since. won
der that she wished Stella to come to us.
Is she Stella's guardian, then?
Oh, no-Stella is really her own mis-
tress, but she told us that Mrs. Harring-
ton would be glad if she would come
home. Father made her aunt Rachel !
Stella's guardian, and now her money is
managed for her by Miss Dacre's lawyer.
She has about two hundred year. The
rest of Miss Dacre's money came from
annuities which ended at her death. But
ring for tea now, Anthony. Stella will
be down in moment.
But it seemed long time to Anthony
before Stella came. He found himself
listening for her light football with eager
impatience. And, when at last she en-
tered, her presence seemed to light up
the dark old room like spring sunshine.
She would not sit down at once, but fitted
about, renewing her acquaintance with
the pictures. She stopped before her own
portrait for an instant, lifting her eye
brows in the way that Anthony was
already becoming familiar with
This here, Molly? am honored.
Catharine wished it, dear, said Molly
quickly. 1t has been here for some
months now.
What lucky little grill These Rom
neys should be good company. And she
must have been dull in the attic turned
towards the wall. J.
A look of pain crossed Molly's face.
She had hoped that Stella had forgotten
unkindness about the por-
trait.
It was not in the attic long, darling,
she said in an eager voice. have had it
in my room. was sorry to give it up.
Stella gave her loving smile. She
l,1 A.. Al /