Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1907-07-25
CHAPTER I.


The time was the close of bright
warm day in June; the place little
parlor in the most picturesque cottage
to be found on the estate of BryDmar;
the scene, a strange one, the first
that lived in the memory of Lady
Hutton's ward, and the one that in
fluenced her whole life.
There seems at times little or no
harmony between nature and man.
Outside the cottage the bonnie woods
of Brymar were full OF the bright
ness and beauty of summer. The
golden sunbeams fingered almost ten
derly on the tall, green trees; the
wild-fowers gave forth rich tribute
of rare perfume; the birds sang
gaiIy and the busy bees hummed
from flower to flower, gathering sweet
honey from the fair blossoms. In the
shade of the wood there was a deep
silence, unbroken, save by the rip
ping of the little brook and the faint
rustling OF the leaves;-a summers
evening, such as poets sing of, a
golden flush of color, glory of per-
fume and harmony.
Inside the cottage was a scene that
told Of the deepest human woe. The
beauty of sunbeam and flower could
not touch 1t. There was sorrow which
nothing human could soften or allevi-
ate. In vain the roses and jessamine
peeped in at the bright windows, and
bent their fair heads as though In
sympathy. In vain the summer
breeze came in laden with the frag-
rance Of the hawthorn and the new
mown hay; in vain birds sang and
flowers bloomed; in vain did the sweet
voices Of Nature seem to whisper of
love and hope; 1t was all I'm vain, for
a human heart was breaking there,
from excess of sorrow and woe.
II was strange scene. The par
lor was bare and poorly furnished; no
carpet, no pictures, no books. nothing
that told of comfort; stern, dread
poverty was shown In the few articles
of furniture; in a small chair near
the center Of the room sat lady mag
nificently dressed, costly velvets and
rich silks swept the cottage floor.
She was In the very prime of life, a
tall, stately. well-formed figure, a
clear-cut, calm patrician face, bear
ing the impress of many troubles.
No one ever called Lady Hutton beau
tiful, but in the exquisite refinement
of every feature, In the expression of
the clear eyes, and the smiles that at
rare intervals lighted her face, there
was charm deeper than that Of vivid
coloring or perfect form. Her dark
brown hair was plainly braided; her
dress, in Its simple elegance, was per
lection. She looked what she was, a
thorough English gentlewoman. calm
elegant, and refined. II any storms oil
passion had ever crossed her quiet
face. there was no trace OF II now
II scoyn, or hate, or love had ever
dwelt In that quiet heart, they were
all dead. She seemed as one who
looks out upon the world. yet takes
little interest In 1t.
Far different from the calm passion.
less lady was the beautiful woman
who had knelt. half crouched upon
the floor, and covered with hot bitter
tears. the white, soft fingers OF lit
tie child A waving mass OF rich
golden brown hair fell over her shoul.
ders la splendid confusion and dis
order the face, though deathly pale
and stained with tears. was most
beautiful one. There was supple
grace In every line of her figure. a
dignity even In her establishment
yet Magdalen Hurst was but simple
viliager. owing none OF her rare
beauty to noble birth or high descent
She had no thought of her beauty. II
ever woman's face looked as though
her heart was broken. Magdalen
Hursts looked so now Passionately,
wistfully she kissed the child's hands,
and buried her face on the little head.
kissed her as though she hungered
and eraYed for love. kissed her with
all the warmth OF affection and the
passion q despair.
Ny little Hida." she cried. look
al noe; let me carry your sweet face
ia my heart; look at me. darling
The little one raised her wonder.
Ing eyes 10 the white wistful face
and there was strong resemblance
between mother and child Both had
the same beautiful violet eyes: the
mothers hair was golden brown, bui
the child's pretty curis were of pur,
pale gold; the same delicate. charm
ing features. the same white brow an,
arched red lips. The two gazed a
each other. the mother with difficult.
refraining from tears. the child won
dering what all this sorrow meant
II am half sorry l came" said Lad.
Hutton. "You will unfit yourself
for your journey, Magdalen."
II could not have left without seeing