The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1908-05-02
FLORENCE MAHER.
THE MYSTERY OF THE WINDOW.

LORD Edgehill thought on Miss Mary's face. Be
ire She had perceived him the face had been wear.
ii resig ed, nothing more. How could she be more.
indeed in the living grave to which her fathers love
lad consigned her!
However. he said no more. but when they had
,ane ia the next turn he left the hounds and gal
1,red homcwards another way, across stretch of
breezy common. He wanted to be alone with his
thoughts, and. once set going, the huntsman was as
laxative as d barber
After that, he rode once and sometimes twice
day under Miss Mary's window. At first he did
nat see her, although he almost certain she was
hidden behind a curtain. Once he caught sight OF
shaggy gray mans head and worn face and
guessed at her fathers presence, and rode on.
He was endessly patient, even while she made
no sign Once he threw rose through the open
window. The next time he passed a rose was flung
in the dust of the road. He eaped from his horse.
ricked II up and kissed it, and fastened it in his
coat in sight of the window.
The next time he rode past white hand was
waved to him.
Tbenez' time. before he could reach the window.
ac0mfortable woman In print gown beckOned him
into the green lane that ran by the wall of the
Soures garden.
The Squire viii be from home tomorrow" she
said looking about her furtively. With scared eyes
Miss Mary would like to speak with you. She
wants to tell you that you must noS come so often
The Squire will hear and will forbid her the window
VII sis ~ II lC bllS INC poor ldIlD mas OF
seeing the world"
He looked at the good woman refectively.
rs there any use in my going round and ring
ug the bell and asking to see the Squire 2" he said
oh, sir, if il is about Miss Mary-he is a ter
hue man when angry, although fond of his prayers
iont know what would happen if you we're TO
Tak to him about Miss Mary
And, after ALL [ have no warrant from Miss
lary-yet,' he said. Very well, then, will come
tomorrow"
4 shall be here at four to admit YOU Come on
loot sir, for the horse would attract notice Oh if
Squire knew my share in this he would kill me- sure
II he would"
We must not think of the Squire" he said. as
much TO himself as to her, "but of the lady he has
Kept prisoner and kept cripple, if people tell the
truth all these years"
The womans face flushed.
why, you are right, SIR she said "The poor
lamb, with nothing ever done for her to make her
walk was her nurse, sir, and | have held my
peace all those years. because if spoke the SQUIRE
would have sent me packing. Many baby that's
6onny afterwards is more twisted at birth than Miss
Mary. 1t mad the Squire is. and shame it should
De allowed. But if [ said so I'd go, like Markham.
nat came for Miss Mary's governess, and was sent
oU the house when she dared ask Squire to send
Ny" Mary to great foreign gentleman that was
1elcng worse cases than hers
At Tour next day Edgehill was in the green. over
nurse came and drew him quickly within the postern
gaze which he had not observed, so overgrown was
with greenery Of all kinds
he noticed the great beauty of the garden. the
masses Of flowers, the fountains, the grassy terraces
We exquisite statues gimmering against the hedges
le thousand lovely, fantastic things little, because
MS thoughts were concerned with Miss Mary.
~ corner Of the garden, screened by winding
rah little flight of steps assembled to glass door
~ IUlo"ea the woman up the steps and within the
yof' Il gave entrance to a long low room lit from
Ie Top and furnished with the utmost luxury Deep
ps's. beautiful draperies, pictures, books china,
a grand piano. harp; his eyes passed them all over
resi- on Miss Mary at the window, lying the
Inc face Of the invalid was like rose. Her
IVES dark with beautiful lashes, looked away from
III one was wearing a long gown of embroidered
E aIA STUN, n which she was most beautiful. He
0uoeTeo f She had chosen 1T for him. She looked
Il nm. and then screened her face shyy with the
:" r p peaooek's feathers she was holding.
me nurse drew back a curtain and watched
len ea7efaiIy They had forgotten her. Edgehill
~u led Als@ Marys hand to his lips.
lou sent Tor me and l have come" he said. Il
~' e, nave come if 1t were thousand miles"
,ge answered him softly, hesitatingly:
IT, sent Tor You to say that you must not come.
~ - .'r viii hear; he will"
T. Il TOO late for you to tell me that" he said.
sght of YOU"
a;. "1en You we're riding with the hounds" she
49,. 81 wondered who you could be. / had never
si5 l'l before in all my years by the window L
~ 70 10 self that you must be stranger"
~ was stranger then"
val5 'ooqght ] would not see you again; that you
aS g2 back to where you came from
no.. 90 ! did, It is only five miles away. | am al
your nelghbor. | am Lord Edgehill'
than nurse behind her curtain lifted her hand IN
NJ Ihsg5TTIng. If he had been lesser man! And,
Was ,So had no idea of his station except that he
fes,.' gentleman. Miss Mary had overborne her