Northern Weekly Gazette. — 1899-08-05 (Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland, England)

NORTHERN WEEKLY GAZE VIE.  AFTER DARKNESS LIGHT.  SYNOPSIS OF OPENING CHAPTERS. The story opens with a vivid description of Craiglands, a picturesque old hall, the property of Arthur Methuen, who had left it to the care of his trusty servants whilst he was abroad. The building, uniquely situated amongst the hills of Yorkshire, and built of rough grey stone, was blessed with all the beauties winch Dame Nature can bestow. The site, being near the Dement, added to the charms of the "house on the hillside." Neglect had, however, resulted in the hall being in a somewhat dilapidated condition. The owner had been away from home fur thirteen years, ever striving to forget the bitter memories of the past—a past which reminded him that he bed loved as a man loves but once in a lifetime; that he had called a beautiful, blue-eyed girl " wife" for three short months; and that a dark. nese more dense than a starless night had fallen upon him, and almost destroyed tile, hope, awl I iutellect He decni,s to return front France to Craiglands, to the dear old Yorkshire, and degaatched a letter to his agent at ConLertou.! Eleven years before the openin gof the story 1 Arthur Methuen had turned his back on his home, I and a little girl was brought and left to the care of Lucy and her husband, George, the housekeeper. The parentage of the child was Lot known. Arthur returns anti is unmrentontously welcomed by Birdie, as the little stranger girl is called. They bec,me good friends. 11. sees the photo* graph of his wife, and wonders if she is still alive.! Ile contemplates suicide, and is stopped by! Birdie. He endeavours to trace the parentage of ! the stranger without success. He could only glean that a lady had driven up to the house, and upon the door being opened the walked straight i into the house and gave the child into the charge of Lucy, and before the housekeeper could collect her nattered wits the mysterious lady had disappeared. Five years elapse, and Birdie was ries' quite a young lady, lovely as a poet's dream. She 1/1111 concluding her education at York, and the day had arrived when the returned to Comberton. She receives a welcome front all sides. Birds journeys to Nloesysides, a neighbouring hall, but finds it inhabited. Interview with Mrs Leslie. Birdie's encounter on the road home; she receives a fright. 'l'he acquaintance with Roy St. John, who rescues her from a drunken man. Myra Teesdale, a young lady of prepossessing appearance. is engaged at Craiglands to be a companion to Birdie, and falls in love with Arthur Methuen, who does not return her affretirm. She has a secret hatred to Birdie. Myra informs Birdie of her true history, and Birdie rune away. Arthur is informed of Myra Teesdale's false story to Birdie. The railway accident and supposed death of Birdie. The scene between Arthur end Myra Teesdale Birdie reaches London and has. numerous exciting experiences. The plotting of Myra Teesdale to capture Birdie, who is in a London shop. Myra rinds Birdie, who is going under an slummed name. Arthur meets Myra in London, and she forces her love on hint again. Birdie is captured by Myra Teesdale, and taken to her lodgings in a strange part of the town.