Year: 1875

II Z luH hBtit III III OluC W NdS
born and lived was the only one in
the neighborhood Of the town of
Cardale. 1t stood about half a mile
out of the town, and was a famous
place of resort fer the young people
who wished to have riding, shooting
or fishing parties. Looking from the
windows of the house you could fan
ey, so wild and picturesque was the
scenery all around, that you were
miles away from any house; but if
you left the building and climbed the
hill directly east of it, you could see
the town of Cardale lying below
you.


Joseph Langdon, as he was gen.
orally called Old Joe Langdon, had
owned the inn since the death of his
father, who was the former landlord.
Here he had brought his wife; here
his only child Minnie was born; here
his wife had died, and here be hoped
himself to die.


Just at the time my story opens,
there was not a happier man alive
than Joe. His inn was in flourish
ing condition, with a new sign swing
ing from the door, and the old name
Fox and Hounds blazoned on it in
letters an inch long. His pretty
daughter had completed the educa-
ton be had given her in a boarding
school at Cardale, aud had returned
home to pet her old father to his
hearts content; and Joe, to complete
his state of felicity, had just received
notice that a party of young ladies
and gentlemen from 0ldfeld Hall,
were coming down next day to spend
the day in riding and fishing, and
would stop at his house for both
luncheon and dinner


Now, Minnie, LASS said the faith
er, "are you sure all is in order for
the fishing party?"


Yes, father" she replied.


"You see, Minnie, this is fine
company. There is Squire Oldfeld's
son, Mr.. Harry and his sister, Miss
Kate, and there are more; and, to be
sure, there is a Lord among them,
Lord Herbert Adair, that they say is
after Miss Kate"


"Well, father, all is ready; and
now come out under the porch and
we can chat together Who is Lord
Adair ?''


Why, he's great Lord, Minnie,
young and handsome and very rich;
and they say his mother and Squire
Oldfeld's lady were very intimate
when they were young, and they wan
ted Lord Herbert to marry Miss
Kate. The young folks haven't seen
one another yet, but his lordship is
to come down here tomorrow to meet
them, and as they are both young
and handsome, why of course they
will fall in love the first thing. Now,
Minnie, sing to me while l smoke"


Minnie stood up in the porch of
the little inn. and, leaning against
one of the pillars, began to sing A
prima donna might have envied that
young girls voice--it was clear and
most melodious, and every note she
warbled was true and full She made
a very pretty picture, this little Min
nie, as she stood there singing to her
father. The last rays of the sinking
sun fell upon her rich chestnut hair,
her round white shoulders and arms,
and drew out the cOlors of her pret-
", gay dress, which was short
enough to give glimpse of most
dainty little foot, cased in a neat
black boot The long green branches
and bright flowers of red rose tN in
cd around the pillar against which
she leaned, and TIE whole effect was
very charming. There were two
people who thought so; one was Joe
himself, as he lazily watched and
/ listened: the other was a horseman,
who bad stopped his steed near the
inn, and unpereeived by the group on
the porch, was awaiting a pause in
the song to speak TO the landlord
The rider was young, handsome
man, and evidently had an eye for
beauty.


Now, Minnie, sing one of the
songs you learned at school, said her
father.


"Whew y said the rider, in an un-
dertone, as Minnie sang the first
words of the caEa:ina from La Son.
nambula, now for some screaming. "


No such thing, Sir Critic. As the
last note died upon the air, the young
man struck his hands together, cry
ing;


"Brava, l beg your pardon he
added, seeing the surprise his sp-
pearance oecassioned; II have been
here some time, but could not make
up my mind to interrupt such beav-
enly sounds


The landlord was up. bowing, and
Minnie had vanished before bis
speech was half finished. Giving
bis horse to the bosiler, and ordering
private room, pen, ink and paper
the traveller entered the inn. After