The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-12-16

st1Il, the stuTdy fndependence their special country. It had been destroyed rebuilt mod ernized matters interior comfort and had known and masters before coming into possession of the Bryderns Brynderwyns, the old was spelt At the death of old Sir Evan his eldest son, Caradoc, was at college in England A, nasty summons had brought him to the Welsh home too late for aught but the duties of mourning.
 These his mothers entreaties kept him in close and willing attendance herself and left him free to- face new responsibilities and, if 1t pleased him. follow up his fathers efforts at compiling new history of King Arthur of round table fame with due regard to Welsh authorities The precious manuscript and the contents of goodly of bookshelves Sir Cara doc ample employment The work also highly genial poetic and scholarly temperament His library lofty but gloomy facing southwest From the windows he could the curvfng bay where the wild birds hovered and the horses tossed their foamins names to the gale He loved that vaewy and the contrast between its claor and erceness and the comfortable with its air of scholarly it's wide fireplace which the great logs bazedsatop of the coals from his coleries He told himself that the winter, which had threatened isolation from social pleasures would have great and special charm of its own, spent he desired to spend tt--in an atmosphere of scholarly repose and congenfal work He the idol of his mothers hearttat fate of all only scns-but she was friend and companion both. and keeny interested in his late fathers literary trust Sir Caradoc himself.
 The first quiet weeks passed into months, and found him still well content Her fears of his return to the university life began to abate Not since his childhood had she possessed him for herself, and the knowl edge that she already gliding the vale of age with appreciable swiftness made this time of pantonship halcyon period for both Like all mothers, Lady Brydern possessed of fears for her sons suture She dreaded his falling victim to siren unworthy of minor his heritage. Her views tended to domesticdty. A sweet and gracious presence bined both the duties wife and mother. Nothing of the bold, unmannerly advanced type Good Mrs Hughes
 ho both housekeeper and friend to her mistresS --shared her confidence and her views To neither would mistress of the castle be desirable. But, should such a thing happen, they joined in prayers that the lady of choice might be worthy of the
 Like all students and writers, Sir Caradoc had morbid horror of domestic interference with his room, his books, and his papers It annoyed him sometimes to find his scattered in neat pile when he had forgotten to number those pages But also like most students and writer's he apt to be disorderly in his methods oblivtous of that broom, and brushs and duster needful in retreat sacred to the pen of genius.
 As his work progressed and his enthusiasm with 1t, these hdying propensities Of housemaids became Fiousy annoying He resolved to speak to the cuprit It happened that his mother confined to her with cold. and that fact coupled with unusual dispatch the morning meal sent him to the library ten minutes earlier than was usual It chill October day The door ajar and he entered neat, slight young figure bent his scat tered sheets of MSS Her back towards him; the ruddy coils of hair caught stray geam of sunshine, and sAone like burnished gold under white The dark blue cotton only, to hs sight, the ordi- nary housemaid's morning dress but the figure had certain charm of dainty youth and grace that was unfamiliar with under such conditions the duster in her hand portended He walked quickly to the table, the sound of his step the girl looked hastily up
 wave of warm color rose to the roots of her brilliant hair.
 "The-your study isn't quite finished sir" said.
 "Its finished enough for me-" he answered. "rm glad I've caught you at last. don't want my table dusted, and don't want papers touched, and don't want my books interfered with VIII remem- ber that?"
 She drew herself up. She was taller than he had imagined and her figure was divinely beautiful.
 If you please, sir, it Is of my duties to put this in order" she said Mrs. Hughes. the housekeeper. she will be angry if do not keep it so
 Bother Mrs. Hughes, he answered, laying detain- ing hand the papers Are you welshT
 70, yes. indeed" The demure lips smiled. The long lashes curtaaned the blue eyes.
 "How long have you been here? I don't remember seeing you befora"
 The shy lids lifted There was evident surprise Che glance. And why should you remember sir? When work here is done not to be seen anywhere in the castle whatever!"
 She drew back little from the table
 'You speak good English for Welsh girl" he said rrelevantly. His eyes fell her hands They were white and smooth and of beautiful shape He could not help thinking how refined and ladylke she for
 housemad But he kept his thoughts to himself with c highly creditabe to his 24 years. He moved to his usual at the table, and drew his papers together and bade her go on with her work in the She obeyed at once, moving quietly from place to place, dusting the books arranging the chairs watched closely by his puzzled Something in the way she handled the old leather bound volumes ap- pealed to him. As a music lover touches instru- ment, does student and book lover touch books reverently, gently, if they living and beloved things At she approached the fireplace and lifted one of the logs from the great open coner beside it. He suddenly sprang his feet. That's too heavy for you" he sadd It's not part of your duties. Jones attends to the fires"
 After o'clock. yes indeed. but to that time 1t my work. sir"
 He had seized the tongs which she held in her hand and she did not release them The action and position brought them near other. The blue eyes dancing and laughing in contradiction of the demure lips. Sir caradoc in looking into their mrthfu depths apparently unconscious of the long time 1t took Co relieve her from her burden
 There's foolish you are, sir" said softly. "Wastng my time and your own"
 Have you much to do?"
 Yes indeed, and Mrs. Hughes is mighty strict with e all"
 He quietly unclasped her hold of the tongs and put the log the fire. Are you books? suppose you have some time for reading haven't you?'
 70, yes, indeed sir love books"
 She looked at the teeming shelves and then half enviously at the beautiful ancient ing how delightful it would be sA here with some poet for companion in these bleak winter days.
 Would you care-I mean I'll lend you some if you Ike"
 "rm not that Mrs Hughes would approve"
 "What has she to do with it? If you have leisure inclination to improve mind why shouldn't you GO so?'
 She looked at the shelves the table, then at the nsst young face of the master of Brynderwyn. A"Befause I'm servant suppose" she said.
 "That's hard you and hard to believe. What Is your and antecedents?"
 "Esther Wynne is my name. I was born at Aberyst-