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THE SUNNY SOUTH.
1'IIK 0>|,v KTAR,
BY HATTIE E. S. CRESSY.
Tlu- on,, bright star, tlio only star
Tl- .t ever shorn- f,
Is not an ori, that decks the skies
Or glimm* < oh ihe i- a.
Hdors nottnanl.V from the height
_ of •“'‘Veils I. V, lt , ;,n.,|,y.
Neither ilium. - tlm
This star that si,
It son,Is a b-ht m,, r ,
Into mv h. -, ;l ,
Than all tlu- k .
Up in the jexveh
“I suppose it would be very difficult for
Vou to remember, and yet you might, that
about the lifth or sixth of January, an old
lady :i>id a young man, accompanied by a
young woman, arrived here by the stage, if
1 mistake not.”
“An old lady, and a young lady, and a
young n au ?’
Y
in surprise, remembering the story Lyman
bad told him when upon his death bed.
“Yes; Margarett. Wilcox, a young lady—
his ward. She bad been left to the care of
Judge Sands byotte of his lie-t friends, a Sir
Thomas IVdeox, a gent lent,in of rank. When
Sir Thomas was dying lie sent forjudge
Sands. You see 1 ant going a good way back
inmvstorv. Sir Thomas owned that man
'Tim fill It of January—let me see: there si, m over yonder. He sent for Judge Saids,
night,
Ami,ills f u
" that shine
1 'Lies.
It is a l„-i, :
And tm
1 know i,., ;
w lid
•At lit
II,
like me;
>»Ut Uiis,
and made him promise t<* lake, rare <>f Mar-
g.nvt, and keep the? proper!y he left safely
for h*-r iinLl the day of it r majority. Hr*
ha<la lawyer and had everything fixed op
projierly, and after his <le»t!i Judye Hands
u*iiwve«l to Mil* old Gray Spun*. That is the
name that vender mansion always wont hy,
and «1oms to this day. Margaret remained at
Weil, you are ahead of my time there , ■ her old home, and Hint is the way Judge
«\ if you can toll his mono, for I ran’t. ] Sands c.uiih to I ve there. We I. \\ h-n Mar
ius Manns to have plenty of money, ; :;an t was ahonl fili**en years <•! a^e, Jndye
‘ ’ ' S ands {’h
was a supper here that evening, given by ihe
Bailie*.’ Mile Society. The stage came in
ral her earlier ilian U'Ual that evening. Bet
me see; no. sir; I romendier there was hilt
one passenger, an old man. Slay, let me sue:
the s » me one who came in on the stage to
night.’’
And who is he
rittslield, M
Sada ^ tbs Doctor;
and tie* best of everything 1h
lie goi s back a id foitli ipi to often. 11 is face
j is i'.-imihar, and that's ail I know."
j “D-e* he live near hero C 1
| “Well, s r. he sure and watch the trunk.'"
: said Ab'd, as the landiami turned logo, The
i doctor's liojm was gr.uiual v dying om. The
ur«-w nu in- * lid more mdi t lie had
d his 1
i 01 in r iiet
tf»an I In* old {.* m I v nti i
•her
lie
ladv to take ric«
and be a eo/npani
sire of her fatln
riold ' hould be r
* her •
'..re le
«I and
i . i *s educ ti
i was the
1 died t lint
Hut h<
want
hoi..
\\ lie
i!»- d 1
bv
ills
Sad:
which Hit
jHTseeutor.-
The Avuntro
<•! hi,* tVnibnrpd
b u *
I5.V ti**nlni:ui(
The ne.ires* station b> (\>
From that, \ ii! („(■ „„„
ing i ne of f ta
lly aetti i! in...... ur, ,. . v
the r*tads ,\,*iI a
I hull
I nit, t
| fiat...
j Hire
i won .
Tin
as tec tit V-1 t
mill In
is •., 1 In; ha,! gain.',I
knew, Utt-v might. bn
v. I in t ih.it Iriink!
it ha,l. licet
Hull—1» whom *
lost, alter all. H
• I 1 ”'"''
I l„
•i l.ill,- M •
Mil’ it for 1,
t tic lx,vs lx»! h !.
\ nil
yd tn
•hi ,t it !
ami She I,
le out wi
I hiu - i lew
,1.
alter
bef.) ,
'PP
■r in tl
tel lolls f -How pa
lion about, ii,-, \ r
trunk'in bis cini
room i,l til- i,
breakfast. Sn :,
mu,l Iv , flf ■ |,
steak touch :,
kjiives arnffo
r. table do h win
in a wash tub. >
vant girl, slip . ic.
enly-hvi* c i,ts to
in : ,|\ nice. \
tall, i intern ,u
vi.ill ,1. lie, im-
In- luom-v lie I,
calling out. “Hci,
for break fa 1 la
stage goes ri"ill. ..
here an,I t',,,,,|>T
fort v miles, plum
A igci non j,, j.| l,
a nie • : f..r 11„- - ,k
though lie ii III II
before Inn.
The stranger,
annual the !
iloetor. Ile,li,|l„
owing. ]M-rlia|is to
ate voraei, ,usl v of
hoi l> fm .-,1 lit. If M..
both. They us.-,I .
nt, ! take walks together.
The I her as a si.-ter tlien. though :
they cl ill not. Well, as I \\
Marg.in 1 was fifteen. J ml:,
fora govern,-ss. and indue
si a 11,-a at t he old fir'. 'V Stone."
“And In r name,'’ int.cn ’apt, d th
almost breat liles-lv
cl them
her and
•ega riled
saying, when
nilsndvcitised
e one was in
I and i
‘Mi
•lose to Hied.
landlord, h,
cm I. ! s
! d."‘r,
1 I b bun
j \ !• ,
>. Sill del',
and t ti.- I
. The ha
is at the
the I milk
up
hi.-
a|,p,-Ine for (he viands
■AM
lii. di
as if (1,-ti-rniiii
if ]l, 'S-ibl,-.
“Here's t he co u-h.
ton:” Mx-itlVr ,1-d
-IlKlII bell at the ,I,
up. The si ranger
b!e. The,In.'
II llf-do/.-Il in ,
in sight, w, u'
on t he rack
“All aboard
ing op-ll tin- <•
Of the |.use II
driver frnni hi
and gathering
at ill muni.-il
Ml dircdly
•t seem In re,-,
his tliinness ai
imiii vd ir
i to get liis
J!l< •
»pp«‘silc llic
gni/.o Abel,
d n.il'or, i b*
g breakfast
lev’s worth
•lor ■
! went out, lias: ily, ImiI
i* >11•}»ja•<i lull the h ick
lb* e.ided old, “Stop."
ii n t ; h u*k n*sj)o»ided:
».*uble prici*. ifyou reach
• late, he turneil to the
i», and the chaise
All aboard for Comp-
1 lie l.tndlord, ring ng a
*«s He* stage d.i.Ti 'd
*eui:»;»»«. 1 eoidlv at t »«e l »
r-'v-oM Ml reel v lasted a
1 s, w ishmgto kfH|» !11r* 1 rnak
nt just as it was thrown up
’ shouted 1 lie landlord, hold-
all door for the e«mvei.if*i»oe
i>. “All abo.rd,” shouted 1 lie
m d, eraekiug his long whip
pi he reins, w h le the horses
lie*
pranced mipdieatlv. Algernon took
be k seal. *1 here vi.ls Itlli 4)|M> i tM'd** p-tssejl-
ger besi'les 1 •••iisreJt. .ins. as the e<»:nh was
about starting the man the doe . ?• w ished io
keep tbs eye upon, made his a|»|»e iranee. and
went around to the baggage and examine j it,
and lh» r* cl Mil e : up on the oul>ide and took
a se*i• w it h 1 tie driver.
The.suff‘ r ngstt d A igernon eiis3iir<»ii. w«V»^
ene I y. i in.* I
on-'l ido of for! \ iiii s ovJr n
rough reail. ina lumbciing stage conch. Van
hardly Ik* imng net!. lbs head throbbed
with |i:i’ii: his limbs ached and trembled,
! while he grew sick and fai d. and but for t he
in\ i ti"g brent Ii of t ied spring morn
ing. In* in ig id In' e fainted. lb* knew he was
ou’raging i; it urc thai lie w as doing licit, for
whi' h ;ik w If.i]e ii(“ in t "e future might f»a\
thepe alty. Yet he ma<lc the sicrifii*. i 11
j inglv in l-i> hi art I’ihh* Sana! what, friend
liaii sli-1,111■lini ill tlie worl,I. lb ivmilil mil
leave her ,, tin- mercy of lu-r ,-neiii is, wli.lc
bl,Mi,i ranin liis VI ina bill if In* slmnM he
"iithenr.ii track-if the tin il lie wn
lowing -haul I la- n Ills- one! lie grew
ai'-k at tln'Ugl'l- If Sa,l;t li:«l nl-
ivjnlv i;,l!.n a victim to t »i<- (it i i b.-itc-ilof
lier-i-in-iii.; wli it then.' There was no lime.
".x,-“|,t to ill-vote tin* lest of Ii s life lo lie
]-itiii nr,m ,,f her ilcslroii is. Not Hi! she
WasaVMi wo lhl lie 111 lit,-lit to 'be
far v miles, hour after hour,
in. when cveiv of the
|ii, lc i:;, ve li in the most, acute
won ill the terminus never be
v,„I ,1 t ae cool w in,; of nig *i 1 never
lie m ; .; > His traveling com whs
anoldlt with .'on nnmtierot 1 sixes, Vnunl-
b,xe.s, | s ami' 'ill's* s. wliich ccr t me
was ( " uju.,i jn attend lift to. Him was very
taikat ve. ateI improve,I the loi'K. tc.li us
hours talking to c-vervlm ly about her
Just at s-t ai su n. the ,lr,\ershoiiteil “Comp
ton.”an,1 - ,mi,|,il Hie s ag- horn in til Hie
"on,Is raiiKa-iin an,I ago n. I lie ohlg eh.cle
rattle,! an,I „T <lo«n the lull, thiimlrr-
ing i,Ve,-tin* bri.lye as if the Ani-ncaii -Icbu
>' islie,i to make up !<•'' l "s prcvious lagging
bv il,- iiilinbilan s of t onipton
Ian,lion :
"Ilave you mi, ther
“No. the carriage I,
is 1„ ing repair, ,i.”
“ \ in I win-re is the licerv stable”’
* ’I It,-iv is none in (hmipton ”
The ilocior llioilglit of following on horse
back. bill lie S'.on put II,at idea aside as ini-
pr cticable. I‘", ,-ble ns lie was he knew flu*
\ io't-iif rci-',-in a *,ii ,on to wh.it lie bad
idr, a,K mi hired wo ,1,1 coinpli-tcly upset him.
()':, ' ill, re the old adage, “man proposes,
but. (foil d -1mses, was verified. Man plans
and fait* ov- i llirows bis work.
‘ XVIn n " ; I Hie hack return?’ asked Alger
i .on offie l.andloMl.
••(’ |,’| S ;iv as to tli.'it; can't sav as it ever
w II: it don't belo.
“U ell. "o
lord pan.-e I.
“Well, Ml
and ueier b
as I tea a iI ni
hair- She v
on." said Al.rernon, as the land-
raise, and that is the last I heard of her for
they left shortly after Conrad’s death.”
“And the Cray Stone Mansion-s-what has
become of that ?”
“XVell, stranger, by right, I stijipose it be
longed to Sada Sands,” said the landlord,
thoughtfully, “but. 1 didn’t trouble myself to
find out; never heard from Lyman and his
wife after th -y left; don’t know but what
they are till dead, and Sada, too.”
“And this wife of Lyman Sands—do you
know anything of her history prior to her re
siding tit Gray Stone ?’ asked Algernon.
“No.”
“Where was she from ?”
“That’s more than I can tell you, stran
ger.”
And do you suppose Lyman knew any
with another liow, made to conceal the start
of surprise at her very youthful appearance.
The Archer mansion was situated just one
mile from the large town of C . John
Areher. its proprietor, and the father of Fred
erick and Margaret, (this was Dot’s real name,
was tlu- wealthiest merchant of the place)
owning several large stores within its pre-
I hope, not entirely unreclaiinable, ” an
swered Nell, laughing.
The follow ing morning Dot left for home,
after making many sage suggestions, about
the managem -ns of the dear little cubs, ’ as
she called Mrs. Walton's children to Nell as a
parting injunction.
The latter immediately commenced with
limits—thus avoiding the noisy din of town
life. The railroad passed within the extreme
limits of the town toward her mansion, mak
ing it only a half mile to the station. Hence
’lie drive was a very short one, which took
Fred Archer and Nell Ashmore to his home;
yet/at its conclusion he felt dignity to be en
tirely incomputable with the dainty weebun-
llo he lifted out at the gate, who turned up
thing of her parentage or history prior to his j the rosiest of quivering, tempting lips for his
sister to kiss.
Dot took her up to her own cozy little room,
where they discussed the thousand and one
topics of their school life, with renewed inter
est. discanting, too, on this school life, with
pleasant volubility. At length Dot looked at
her friend with a grave face, as she exclaimed:
“1 have been very thoughtless, Neil, seeing
Are any’ of your re-
“I think not; I know he did not but a short
time before their marriage.”
“Aml who lives at the Gray Stone now J”
“Well, stranger, i'll tell you: a widow-
lady and her daughter and nephew. They
an- likely folks, I guess. I've heard so, bat
never saw them close.”
“A widow lady, her daughter and nephew. ” j you were in mourning.
The doctor instantly connected these individ- i lations dead?’
mils wi'li Madam Batile, Sada Sands anil j “Only a dear friend, Dot. Don't ever ask
“Three-fingered Joe,” as when hearing of I me again of my relations—I have none.”
Mis. Wilbimr, Conrad Safids’ murderer, the Dot thought of her own happy home, feel-
dark, evil countenance of Madam Batile pre- ing sad to hear one so young speak in this
sente 1 itself t > his mind. 1 way. and would have condoled with her on
“You wore speaking of' Mrs. Wilbour. | her early griefs, but there was that unnu-
Cnn you remember her appearance ?” | proachable reserve in her manner that ad-
“\Vhat, the woman that poisoned Conrad mitted of no question. She wisely turned
Sands ‘ Well, I think so; she had very black the conversation, by remarking:
eyes, with a curious, evil expression in them, j “We will now- go down, if you are quite
and hair of the same color: high cheek bones j ready. Nell, as I must not monopolize your
and a large, very large, peculiar mouth.” society, dear as it is to me.”
11'you should see her again, do you think! They soon after descended to the drawing
•nham i-anu- to
nor since }*a\ t
in all her loo
lb.
•iA ml !■ I me ii-ll
of Jit.
interrupt "•]
Sa
rd Lx
s. in
ter the
'I he I
depress
S<- flip,
ill boill
tins house, it come af
lliun in and t hat, 1 milk.’'
lor turned and cut,-red the house,
and irk m heart, lie 1 new Ii.ni
ne ben in Mu- - it.- ing room worn out
nl iat-ked in iiiind.
Morning dawned glad and sunny,
i ci.Jiir-n. w.y 1; | nj; ht, to tlie lioeb'.i df both reU' 1
**"/ i''-.« ss. . J.r Slflo-r II . I le *.1.1'. bitter: V di il
ert M’TKIt XIX.
aftar a
: .Au;
.. jppoin'ed,'Tlie
i-vi nls ,-f - Ii* 1 last. I.tmie months had entrrelv
iinniaii.il him; physie.iliy and mentally he
was enfeebled.
Wn.il •oii.d in; ilo? liis whole soul said,
“renl ino'e in your i-iideavors to find Sail.-1,’ his
slcu er strung h and dim nislied means in-li
r iled that lie eonl I m l, follow the Unit of liis
will. To I ravel he must have money. Mon
rv ! ah. uni I I leaf nniriiing I In* do -tor, had no
idea *-I* i s vaine to Ii in. 11 is long illness had
b"* n most rxpe sivr, and otherei,ciiiiislanci*s
had ri iispired lo diininish his rcsonri-es.
Xmoriga i-eitain el.-issiif |H-ople t.liere s.-| suit
of I'linti-uii.t for money, inn. w lu-n t.hese same
f»l I liidiv iihui
-w | He lb,on
to II on h
di:
•!i proili:;.'ili
to tin* I.M-I
•ill
, .’UKI liu
thuri ti
s of ren!
rnm Ii;iikI
fimi ilitt
" Aiuf r
Ion!In*
:il, h A i
WKvA I.
i.ilion with Clmrli
a l> olitiibia one tn
Tint t-
of ruck v
lumljcrin
SHflVilV-
iva.'hmi :
•s Halts
l>;in, inil
lent. He
uis sil tint ion, st l (iii'-C tlu* ben
i«l«*. an I uhtMi he left it tor
as u .th an> tiling but a well
to Compton bml cost lii:ti
his, j ful tin* cost of lvtiirninj;'
iil»i riot cost him less, lie
mtcii sol’ b s purs •, am! 'idiiuil
i( ;on< nut rein.'.ineil. ;<n<l tli:il
r lie f»« s-i s'Cii in the worM.
:i -iti *^ s.niiv ciioii-h upoa
J upon I best- til »I"S them earije a t .p at the
l *( '< iu«* in." rep’ie«l Abel.
I’lie iloor openeii .*> *«<I lue landlord mad** lcs
elil, > I m
Kv.iiisv i
tile d pi:
by ast»niVh iifr tb H iiihabitan
"'til his .killlul <1 livinrc- He drew 1ns Ion.
" hip from j( > *^K:k**t mid in
!<uibr lash
i»npe: j-
who Im
II
.1 a
~ 11 a j * ;»||; j . ta'-ain totli<* leader
I' f . iis Midi as"***'!' and a d • I, he -
■M' b-f.iiv u,,. stage-ho .sc a"d n-med t, '
until tin- oi,i coach creaked and la tlcl l.ki
'hip asli.,1-, .
The | a „,|i .,1. a poi-Hv. "* !■'
tleinan. -M.jilixl out ill I"" 1 ' go« il am
“"Is 1 • M|»n i tic (I -and Id d ov" tnc s,
fared ,1-mirhter of ^jMeraWls,
dit :m
\ hit h
clll i.r S lo kl
his ;m st.
A 1 1 er impi
* was * social, taiK.’i ive man
i lrie,„||y chat whether * it h
•r. lb* was mor-ov'er very
sonictii.iii*-oi tin* busiue s of
I>eepe<l nutof Hate wind*. -- . . - ,
and 11,, ., ra| ,i ( Hy nm *’ * -
to hast- ii siiniiei'; the [niat •">*--
the street f.,-ti
g 1 e as ji struck ^I**
•'dl till- , up '
yeais. A;„1 there »
rnnni. with is pink an j " **• '
dimity iha' .-d lied, ts cu.-lnoiied chan
Metis ml, liinli-wood <>:•'“ _ (| t , |( . ];||) ,n „,1. |
>m door, “sop- i
er nii' •*
tail; the thump <>f I 1 ';
j tewa'k: Innv vi
r> «.• A' -cl in his
the little c >/.y sit
ii in»"’ir*l to tlu* doctor's
I I health ami how in* had rested, ..rid cat. and if
1 j he iitcnded or r. tm niii£, he iain.ched
i j . at >>it" the news of the davs politics, etc,
^ | and lin -liv " • mid up by sa ving t hat:
j “(if all who had held flic, otfjre <*f Siplire ill
i n- i ('iid'iduii, old Jude,'* Sai.ds had been t iie most
I !' j respeHed. m «i h.s deci i ais the wisest and
iid>s! prude I.
“Jiidu.»* San isC j-aid the doctor quh’kly.
‘A i s. t hat's i he n »m*» ami that's tile man
that was \ went v >a*a»'s Vis, more than
twenty voii. : lie's »*e n dead as h>l»^ as that.”
|A»r tlie first tmie it Hashed iub» Algernon's
mind I hat in lies v Haj;e his deceased friend,
Ii\mail Sands had lived in his you h, ami
here lie h.. : marrii d ere lie le t tiie |>aren al
r* o \ and Hiat d mas., be of J^yinaii's lather
t e iandl nl spoke.
“H <d Jiiil^e Samis any family?”
d\
iikI
lieel and
you know
i.iiipton l»V Hi- name
“Walk in ^'. r -'' alU 11
tliruwi ■ i, t e sil i n.
l»*r wiin,. | „iv in half all b
•;l.ui li.„',|”-ii<’ turn-;' 1
looked at tin- Joe or smilingl.-
of any one t( . jiliiig u*
°f B. iSny.ii r ?”
“Siiv.irr- .SM' il >' ■
"Are yuu much »
Hie lanr|l,„ ( .| ..atigbcil.
“Win-, v. sir. 1 knov
‘“'ibcf .'t,,; years, an.! <’ u.|'b-« •'
bTea-seil vm fast i-> l'‘*i"‘bv Cat
k‘s!::;;;e ^wUbin cue la,t twenty-
. *'i; i:i p vou noticoJ atnrd
K.ciivilxr. l w ill probably
‘rank, rnrkvd ‘B.
sir.
tcil in tow n ?
,. every man, '■ o-
if (liis
sn't iii-
ilii ing lIi if
ul ... ma• ked ‘B.
v be called for, and
\ ml heir names?
‘•Ionian ami (’on rad: they were twins. I
c.l i* member tne Ijojs. J >]«i you ever meet
; '] he • <*c!.;r gave an evasive replv and the
I la:i<i:<»rd < O I* IK d:
! *T ii»*\ s*y Conra i was like his mother, 1
| never ; v* ii« r Slie« ief| be'ore J i-.vi reinem-
},. i el .1 di cv« n(s ne ha«l le* handsomest
far • i « \ * aw iu an\ boc. Dark blue eyes
a d ai:i.(i:* * »’s. ami lidv <*ompl«*xioii. ]
think J ii e S . ikjs 1«»\«*«1 ('onrad beitm* than
h . mac, ,o • i ne • cs im I r -e he bore Jiis deu<l
nn ,r. ! n man was s n-n^er and larger, and
re r «> i his f.iiher. J)i ige Hands was proud
lofh
o i y .Mi s Graham: but. bo
fori* lint time is \\n»*re the marr«*w of my
j-1orv li*s. Shall ! 1**11 yon the win>le tale?”
“(io on,” replied \ Imm. for he felt a straicu*
hope sjinir.' up ii liis tieart, ihat Mrs Samis'
se- tel nv.-is about t,o be laid li ne b«*f.*re him.
“Well, ! used Logo to Grey Stone every
few da vs, und«*r pre.t'cse of seemg Hyman
and Com e!, but in red tv to see ibis beauti
ful governess S!n* nt! i act- d rue: s- >* 1 urned
m n head. I ns*•*i lo NVoii'1'’r how ('onra«i .and
i. \ man cot i id Withstand her charms, but now
I ‘kni'W it was heea'ise they loved I it 11** Mag
gie so cut i« c| v. I iis»*d t»» Ii ive a hopeof wan
nirig Misstiraham beraiisv I did m> find i i
vals in iliem. d'liev bo!h old me I w.-m wel
come to will h r if I could. Tne fact was,
stranger, 1 couldn't Miss Graham loved
Conrad Sands. She told me so the day I
asked h**r tor her hand: and more, that ti.ey
wer * bet rot lied. Had lie forgotten h.s love
for Margaret, you a>k.' I saw him:
asked for ait explanation, which lie gave me.
lies.ud that Maggie loved hi" hi other Lyman
he had every re son t > believe; Hint the .art
ful govei ness h id informed him Iha*. Marga
ret had said she w<»uld never be Conrad's
wife. ( or el was overcoiiK* by this, .ami in
a moment «.f despot a* ion p ig’ ted li.mse f to
the governess, a girl nn ho 1m*nn ild«*M‘d every
one w ith her beauty, but wlmm hr did not
love as lie should om* he intended to marry.
Well, davs passed away and Conrad Sands
grew pale and dispirited. One day Lyman
and I were talk ing a 1 out it, and I hinted to
him the cause, ami ! shall noNer forget, the
look that passed over Lymau's face. ‘ I l.»vr
Maggie; i had ii >p»*d to make her mv wife.
A'et I l ave never told her so. I can gi'-'e !i r
up for liis- sake, and lie shad never know th,*
sacrifice I have made,’ In* said.”
W ed. stranger, Conrad broke with f Mi -•
fT•ali.am; ami married Miet If f h*’
won le*l t.m.s t* • r ;>.< ^
.iiside I ill nie sly, I shoo'd have o ne*,.. !
him lit* had been the viet-im, s!m*. art! ul
arid intriguing’, had begnii«»d him. I was nt
the wcd'ling. i was a gramlnlfair,. 1 le I you.
stranger. Well, after the marriage the gov
cruets still rema net with Margarel. Sne
never knew, nt least, sue did not. then, tlia
her governess ha<l been h»*r riv J. V»s. as I
was saying, Mi'sGi’aham reiu.diied at Grev
shine Mansion. One da v, in due course <*f
t ime, 1 met. Conrad looking very happy. ‘IM!
you what., iny dear boy,' 7 ami he slap; ed me
on the shoulder, 'we*vgot one of the li'iesr
ha hies up nt the mansion ’ I did not. lei I wrv
mndi sil'pris**d, for vou see. I’d be#*n \v»itmg
to he * r ' lie like. \ et I pretended lo !>-* ijaite
astonished. ‘Is that a fact.’ I a"ke<l. ‘Yes, a I
fact.' h** reii’i* d g dly. ami Maggv is r** tl !
smart t«**i. and \v* v«* named tin* b ib\ :dr- i idv | d
- named her after my mother. ‘Sada • n
What an odd name'’' I sai I b> Conrad b c !
he answe-ed that t always sounded sweet * L
him, boenu e it was Ids mMi!i<*r*s. I
“Well, stranger, ! may as wel! tell you the \ i i
Margaret never got \v.*l . Sin* lie) a nuts**, j •
a middle ag**d woman, rerommcmied b\ ’’L- J si
Graham. The nurse said she took co! i by a
sudden change n lin* \u*;iMi* r: that m u'h. ve 1 g
be *i». but "he died dreadful sudden: it nincst ; nv
ki!l**d (’nnrad and Lyman both. Well, om* |
day Ln man nine !<* me a: d !• Id m • more j I <
than all. he was going to marry Miss Cream, i w
lie said Ic* felt uiiscIHmI, nit«i Hint h«* "Up j
posed lteltned Miss Gr imm ns well as he ! n
•muId arv worn.m ex-vp',, that *»ne u. d>*r the j f.
you would know her 1
“I think I would. But, stranger, are you
going out in the stage, this morning It will
be around ill a short time.”
“f feel indisposed this morning, and I think
I will wait until to-morrow,” replied the doc
tor, thoughtfully. “And, besides, ] would
like to ride out around by the Gray 'Stone
id | Mansion. After hearing vour story, 1 feel
j rather interested in it. Will your chaise be
here Hus forenoon ?*’
“Let me see: the smithy promised to have
it. done by ten o’clock, but he’s a lazy dog.
I’ll send ihe chaise-boy round and see.**
The boy was sent round, but returned with
the answer that the chaise had not been
toil ell ed.
•That's just the way things are done here
in Compton. That smithy isn't worth the
salt-he eats. I'm very sorry, stranger, that
l can't nccomiiKHlate you.”
Here the stage drove up to the door and the
landlord went out to wait on the passengers.
ACtefcdie had left, the doctor began to think
and contrive in earnest. The more he medi
t.it-ed upon the subject, the more certain be
became that the old Gray Stone Mansion
sheltered beneath its decaying roof those for
whom he was in search.
“I must, visit the old Gray Stone, and that
rigid speedily,” he said to himself. The only
question was: how? At last a new idea pre
sented itself. He liient to the mirror and
looked at t he reflection presented. Shall we
describe it t What a colorless face—-square,
mass.ve brow that might have lieen hand
some but for the great purple scar running
obliquely from the left cheek across it; the
stroiuily marked features, firm mouth,
heavy eye brows and deep, dark eyes. In
ilo* davs of his youth, the doctor was called
handsome. Kven in after year
call* d afiiio-lookinggentleinan: but, al;
tin* present. Hut he was not thinkingof this;
lie was imt longing for what he had been, nor
speenl it ing upon tin* future, or what might
be. No; Dr. Algernon Abel was planning
how to achieve his purpose—of helping Sada.
(To be Continued.)
A WILL S HARD
DITIOH.
CON
It.r lli<- Aiillutr ol'tin- — lliMin-l.v One.
CHAFTKK II.
“Whilt isi'.iuth? A ililu. iiii! billow.
NYiiuis ami r.u'k> Ina'.uaa”
- \\ OUliSWOIlTH.
; iniw f ime for t in- uv i-iiini; !rain
must
ml of
Walti
\ lira I
sai, l
,-iuls. il
re, I Ki
■i> slu-iia
.-;ii, I Dot
. slra
• lasii:
■’1 ilie ilo.-i
i: lie .1 ....
n.ir. .Mrs.
i“ wiuiian
• V st : in
•I’l’.Y
111,1—” |
S mils i
. of the '
- life. I |
sml: at ul f iifit Miss (.raliiio) J vi-,1 him. ii"
xvoiilti try l«, in* a :m xi ini-ln id tn iiei*. I.v
limn and Miss G•• all on ua-n- liiarried.
“An I Jfid^e Sand
•■( Hi. I fort “ to t
M.aroiri't did. Wel
he,-aioe a very sray.
world, illld Lytsiall led \ei
,1 :> "Of, lillliw wle tli-rhe iv,
f-rtii’t, say .-istotli.it. Bid, lie tint as it may.
lie made nut to her that he was.
“When little Sada was about two years old
Conrad (“tine over om* New Years dav
to take d oner with l.yman and it s wife.
The woman who had nursed Miiyyie dm iau'
her fatal illness was there, , mplo. ed
trv cook for the occasion. There was some- i
tliiii;;'st raiif^e iiliont. la.is woman. Sh*. was a
ett, ions sort of a ,•• niqu mild for a female, plum. I
silent and miiittraetive. Conrad Sand had a i
d siike t,o her, ii may lx* heeau-e li had a sort
of intuit ive impression t hat see was in some .
wa\'eomii-.-teil wi h May;;i" S d-ath. Well. :
stranger, as I whs saying, she was there and
ihiitiy : ne eookiny for the oi-e.asion, and site
female
Dotty.' A whole
• -a-mm and self ease
I feel liken maI't, r
enterl linmi nt. al-
iH.-i Ii
m her
,f old a
•Wli ,
idle
i mv
pt to jump at eonelii'ioiis,
; that, is on K I iie lime l
iinl to ci! ie.\ ver to pre
in w il ii us; hilt knowing
I fear she i\ I. insist on
j; her duties at .Mrs. U a I toil’s ill il
. li l liis s ster.
is sh •. an-, wav?’ said Fred, ill a
ms l..ne, I ..kioy a .-eat. in his sist'a*.
■ very near as I i lilt of herns you
was at, i) sem nan when I
I . (.filmed home even vaeatiim.
I l at. the end cf four years, she l'e-
Nomc said sne wits very wealthy—
or. I. must har.-e tieen tin- la-t -r,
ild not now ! x-seek ny I he sit.mat ion
\ on know ml Itirig of her parents
or e. , i ns." ask- Fu d.
".'ii: t le-..I her—ii-D would • it and talk hy
til h ill- of their eu.i rdi.ins. iineles or parent s.
Nell .'.s'.m re never spoke of hers. Then
tie re w is such an air of ilL uitv shout her as
inets, yet preferring to reside without its l her duties, and a sad day she found it. too.
for when she laid her throbbing temples on
the pillow that night, it was with the weariest
heart that ever I teat in her young bosom.
Not only were the children's perversities to
contend with, but the weak, indulgent mother
continually interfered, making it doubly
hard to endure.
Her nature was, though, by far, the strong
er of the two, and as weeks wore away, Mrs.
NYalton. seeing the gradual improvement her
unflinching determination was working in
her family, quietly left them to her entire
control.
Dot occasionally paid hera visit, sometimes
accompanied hy Airs. Archer, but more fre
quently by Freil. These meetings with her
friends were bright gleams in her otherwise
monotonous life: yet they could never pre
vail upon her to return with them, even for
few days’ stay, she ever alleging it would
only make her remiss in her duties. Thus •
autumn wore away, and hoary winter fol
lowed apace. with his white frosts and biting
frosts, nmkingthe earth bleak and bare. Nell
found she bail become attached to her occu
pation, loving her little charges dearly. Min
nie was her pet, with a heart overflowing
with love for Ir-r governess. George was
bright—his boldness having been directed in
the proper channel, he proved to be a very
engaging little fellow. Adilie was tlie worst
material of all—stubborn and self-willed, she
possessed few redeeming traits.
The end of nine months found Mrs. NYalton
enraptured with her governess, but she being
anxious to spend the three mouths, July, Au
gust and N -pt.-mber with her husband’s rela
tives, Nell deemed it tlie prop r time to
accept Dot’s invitation, and remain during
that time with her, Dot’s luM note, consisting
of two pages of foolscap, having caused the
decision. A uong other items it contained
this, the most interesting one: “The most of
our neighbors are gone or poing to \Y
| S Springs, and the town of C will
he almost entirely deserted in less than a
month. 1 was at the Springs last summer
and bacaine consideraljy disgusted. Fred
had become so before; so we decided to make
up a nice little party of our own and visit
an old uncle who lives two hundred miles
away--out in the country, too, in solemn and
grand magnificence. I think the idea charm
ing. We adopted it for the very novelty
it po-sessed. 1 suppose you may wish to
know who compose the part e. First, there
is Clara Beckman; and Ida Watts, with whom
you became acquainted last summer—these,
with yourself and your humble servant, com
pose the feminine portion. The gentlemen
are Clifford Watts (Ida’s brother), Burt Den
ton. (who would commit suicide if deprived
if Ida's company for two whole moi tlis) ail
old friend of Fred’s from Virginia, Mark Nt.
Leon and Fred himself. 1 should have said
our kinsman is sixty-five and a bachelor, with
only the kindest of housekeepers to mar our
anticipated pleasures. One word more and
1 am done. You must leave all your cares
and dignity behind, and be the merry Nell of
school-days, for i am determined to commit
some very notable breach of propriety while
th-re. Your friend, Dot A.”
Nell smiled when she read this letter of
Dot’s and decided to go with this party and
make the most of this tempting opportunity
for pleasant recreation.
i a-'
“Bat d,
1.1 *’ V‘* u **
: nt " ar-room or “*^ k ". ov ; erei i trunk.
And
.'“U \Vi;
be informed when it » i see Ihat g
sh to “I lie g
•What became of Conrad?” questioned the
doctor.
“i - i t—11 you the story, stranger, if you
like; t hen-s’some strange things about it.
Tin re’s part of it you may not believe, yet 1
don' want >ou to express your unbelief, i
puis me out. He e, take this glass, and come
the window iitid look out. There, do you
called for f midnight; anil be
S V| ' S ' S|r : even if 1 of the house until I
an I not let it b"* out of U
said;
i ( b''ril;q>s. <
sir, you ar ® t a i^f^ivpUed Alger- | .
I „ * "V’V and 1 waV n™ Y r j aI ,„ any ex- than that. Well, there is where JuilgeSands
l&tfe.r* 80 di ' 51 —•
bad he be;
pany into the parlors. Com a 1 went out.
anil when he returned he lo .keil very strange
about t ie eyes and mouth.
"Weil, -trnng.-r, bef-iv the sun went down
that night, Cournil Sands breathed It s last.
“Poisoned?” ejaculated the doctor with hor
ror.
“Yes, jioisoned, such was the coroner’s
verdict.
“And the woman escaped, and never was
found?”
“Well, you are right, stranger, she never
was found ”
“Wliat object could she have hail in pois
oning Conrad Sands?’ asked Algernon.
‘ All, that’s the mystery, stranger, no one
knows.”
“Ami what was her name?”
■‘A Mrs. Wiltmur, I think. Yes, I am sure
l veil. He had an office here in town, and ! that was her name; you see 1 can remember
tit,oil on the ta
“A ml w.-ts you there, that day?"
“Acs, I was th.-re, b ing a particular
friend of i lie brothers 1 hail received an in
vite. And I sat. by tiie si le of Conrad. When
she pottied out t lie tea, sh- t ok l “iirad's cup
ton side t iblc bi li I it, anil wneu she brougni
it to him I i Untight it nail a very curious km l ;
of a look, there was a wh te scum upon it. |
However, as 1 liuil no suspicions of ev.l, ! j interesting mul livelv enough only not sillv
said nothing. As we arose from the table, 1 | like you: rattle-pated sister. Will that sat
saw it sma.i bit of white paper lying on til ! i fy you?’ sai l D .t.
floor n- nr t, o side table. I stoop d to pink it j "Yes, 1 shall iiumeliately leave, if I can
up, ami as I did so, I saw the woman watch- find my gloves,” answered Fred., with a gay
ing me. The bit. “f paper was about two laugh.
inches square, and here w--re creases in it, as j “It is time you were gone, Frederick,”now
if it li <1 been folded, while a fine "lii e pow- I spoke Mrs. Archer, entering. “The phaeton
ilci* st ill aibierc i 11 it. 1 followed the com- has been i i readiness-some time.”
! to evade any spiritof inquiry so predominant
I with sclio d-girls. I nlw .-,s thought her ail
orphan, though,” said Dot.
"I ex ect, to have a protracted spell of the
. iilucs until site leaves, for dignified women
in . c bci i> mv e-pec a) hocor, s nee my earli
est i i-codection,” sa'd Freil., with mock sol
j c-iinii \.
'Wliat a tease you are, Fred.: Nell is verv
room, where they were joined by Mrs. Arch
er and Fred—John Archer*the father, mak
ing his: appearance just before tiie tea bell
rang. This socialmeal lieingdispatched, they
again returned, passing the remainder of the
(lay in a very pleasant way.
That night, when Nell sought her couch,
she almost, wondered at her identity, so vari
ous had been the scenes passed through for
the last two days, and many more, which
followed rapidly in succession. Nile seemed
to he walking in a strange dream, all was so
different from her old life.
Frederic Archer had entirely ignored his
law clients since her arrival, lingering about
the mansion in a way that provoked many a
six' smile from his sister, who It id not forgot
ten the conversation, on the memorable eve
ning he went to the station.
One morning Dot surprised him on the
south verandah, smoking the most fragrant
of Havanas, (Nell had been with them near
two weeks) and she asked him with a roguish
smile.
“What do you think of the sehoolmarm
now, Fred?”
“Ton honor,” 1 don’t know,” he replied,
affecting a foppish drawl.
“Oh, be serious and tell me do, for I am
anxious to know,” responded Dot.
•‘Never was more serious in my life, sister
mine ”
“And you don’t know what you think of
her? You must lie a strange man not to
know your own mind,” said Dot laughing.
“If you had asked me this profound ques
tion the first day of her arrival, I would have
said, she was a very soft, pliant little girl-
woman, with the loveliest of faces; the next,
it wmi'il have been a shade different, and so
on. To-day, I merely say, she is a full-
lie was j fledged woman out and out, haughty and
dignified enough for the Queen of Sheba as to
that matter.”
“I hope you you and her havn’t quarreled
already,” said his sister, eyeing him suspic
iously.
“(>li no, but l will tell you this much, Dot,
compliments and small talk are entirely
thrown away oil Ellen Ashmore. She is
quite different from the usual tyiie of women
met with, these days.”
“I am glad to know my fastidious brother
has found something new under the sun in h . lrI llnpll (]ll i v
< >”' *>«•!*“ of one of my own sex-‘ -e too ™“ e Xake the
that bailies him. said Dpt, with a im-rtA' laugh
as she turned, away to seek Nell, wli.Jn, a few
moments before, she had espied down the
garden walk, gathering a bouquet of autumn
flowers.
“I was just thinking, I must certainly go
to-morrow,” said Nell, as she came to her
side.
“Why so soon?” I. had hoped you would
remain with us a month or two at least,” re
plied Dot. sorrowfully.
"1 have already lingered longer than 1 at
first in,ended,” answered Nell.
“A month or two later would he early
enough to begin with those wild children of
Mrs. Walton! 1 fairly shudder for you, the
many heart aches you will have la-fore you
bring them under any degree of control,”
r j ten kited Dot, with a sigh.
“Dei i\ will make it no easier,” was Nelly’s
firm reply, ns they passed on to the house. "1
promise.! Mrs. Walton to go when she was
in-re a few days ago.”
That i lay, at the dinner table, Dot announced
Nell's wish to depart on the morrow, an>l
though Mrs. Archer was duly shocked at the
thought., and even urbane John Archer him
self. in i dol on her stay, yet nothing prevail
ed. and t he morning found Dot snugly packed
awex in Ur- old family carriage, e-i route for
Mr-. Wa't,on's, twenty miles away.
The mail lay through the most beautiful
scenery, undulated with hill and dale, here
and tlien; a noisy streamlet, dashing over its
iiebhh bed: then, the lonely green pine for
est on! v. Nell was continu illy lost in thought.
Dot vowed it was the dullest ride, roughest
road and longest way imaginable, and I reath-
ed a happy sigh of relief, when the distant
mansion hove in view, peeping out through a
perfect chaos of bright autuinn-hued trees.
“What a lovely place!” said Nell, after they
liad descended from the carriage and was
passing on toward the house.
“Lovely enough, only I was thinking of
those unruly children.” answered Dot in alow
tone, as the servant appeared to usher them
into the drawing-room, where the hostess
soon made her appearance. An hour perhaps,
was spe t in discussing the commonplace top
ics of health, the weather, ride etc., when
Mrs. Walton plunged into business matters,
by exclaiming:
"“1 am very glad you have come, Miss
Ashmore, as 1 fimi the care of these children,
too much on my already afflicted mind. 1
suppose you know my husband has been dead
only a year,’'(here her handkerchief was car
ried to her face). She resumed after a flood
of tears: "You will find them all very easily
managed, except Minnie, the youngest, who
is a little spoiled.”
“I have no doubt 1 shall get on very nicely
xi itli them all,” said Nell,” quietly.
“I am certain you will, if you manage them
light,” answered she, patronizingly; “but let
me bring them in, that they may be intro
duced?’ continued she, rising.
grci stone building?”
“Yes; with lie Gothic (looisand windows,
and failing nto decay, with the grove at the
right, and that wide -tretch of meadow land
a tt he left. A spy glass is so deceptive at a
long range.”
“How far is it from here?”
‘About five miles perhaps; scarcely less
Ia*t , V. XT/, Sir.
i ° of any one in this ; u . e ,l to drive into town in his chaise every j things that hapjieiied in them days better than
* U '°e of J 00 ’ a > rout * 1 morning. Well do I remamber him; some-i what happened yesterday; strange, isn’t it.”
"I xvonder if site is little or large, pretty or
not," thou-lit handsome Fred. Archer, gix-ing
the blonde 1 grays an extr • cut. as he took his
seat in the .vehicle, which caused thorn to
dash off at a ratt ing pace.
“It is strange that no one is here to receive
me.” murmured Nell Ashmore, as she stepped
forth from the crowded car, looking sadly
about, on the sea of strange faces, with wliich
the platform was crowded; but her heart had
barely bent forth the fear that she had mis
taken the place, ere she thought she heard her
name sjxikcn. Turning, she beheld a young
man in whose face she could trace an unmis
takable resemblance to her dear friend, Dot
Archer.
“Did you inquire for Miss Ashmore?’' said
she, moving nearer to where he stood and look
ing timidly into his face.
“Yes, tna’ain, Miss Ellen Ashmore.” he re
plied with a polite bow.
Then, I suppose it must be me, as that is
Usiring the nanie ® l e o„e’froui one , times he used to bring Conrad, sometimes Lv- | And wliat became of Sada, Conrad’s child?” 1 my name,” replied Nell, with a blushing
.eral ,5 his fingers 1 man and once in a while Margaret Wilcox.” i asked the doctor. i cheek
asked the doctor. j clieek.
Margaret Wilcox?” questioned Algernon, | “She, oh, Lyman and his wife took her to I “And mine is Frederick Archer,” he replied,
She bail barely left the rqom before a dm
of childish voices rose, in noisy contention, in
another room near by.
‘I will not go toseethe new governess; I hate
’em all,” said a clear, boyish treble, high
above the rest.
“Modem Babel! I do not envy your posi
tion,’ said Dot, looking over toward Nell who
hail been listening in sib-nce.
“it may not be pleasant, but I slrdl en
deavor to fill the place chosen, to the best of
my ability,” answered Nell gravely.
It took some time seenii lgly for Mrs. IV ni
ton to jiersuade her perverse progeny to com
ply with her wishes, but at length she return
ed to the room, leading a lovely cltii i of per
haps six years by the hand, while a hoy, look
ing to be"ten, followed slowly behind, anil a
girl, apparent! v between these two, made a
dead stop at the door, standing in sullen si
lence, with her fingers in her mouth.
“This is Minnie,” said the mother, present
ing the little one who was very shy.
The boy introduced himself by walking
boldly up to Nell, exclaiming in a louil voice:
“So you are the new governess, and a very
small girl you be,” then turning to his sister
at the door, coutiuued: ‘Come in, Ad, I ain’t
afraid of her a bit, she’s too little.”
After two hours stay in the drawing room
where the children heard their mamma fully
discuss their merits and jieeuliarities to her
guest, they were jiersuaded out again with
as much difficulty as it took to cause them to
enter.
“Promising buds, indeed,’ said Dot, as the
mother disappeared, with the unruly trio.
CHAPTER III.
“Pleasure’s the only noble end,
To which all human poxver should tend,
And virtue gives her heavenly lore
To make the pleasure please us more;
Two weeks later they were all on the ve
randah at John Archer's, including Noll, Dot,
Fred and Mr. St. Leon. All preparations
"/ made, anil this evening they
the tifain for the country town.
Nell had lain aside her mourning, and was
in pure white, scarlet spray of verbena in her
blue-black liair. Fred was entertaining, as
usual, in the highest degree. Just now he
was very busy writing in a small, neat ac
count book, while Dot and St. Leon were in
animated discussion of a magnificent moun
tain scenery in Virginia.
“I say, Dot,” broke in Frel, “how many
trunks ilo we carry ? I have put down the
great brown traveling trunk, the small black
one, and so on. 1 think Janies has already
taken out six that 1 have here numbered. I
shall surel y forget if an account is not entered
Uncle William will think we have moved
on him for life when lie sees the baggage.”
“Fred, you tire certainly the most provok
ing fellow in the world. Is that what you
have that book for?” said Dot with a smile.
“Oh, no; I purchased it only yesterday to
keep a diary of each day’s proceedings of our
party, but found it necessary to desecrate it
with this little matter, or tie hopelessly lost
in a sea of difficulties when called iqion to
look after these things, especially by the time
the other ladies’ share come in,” rejoined
Fred.
“A diary, did you say, Mr. Archer?” ques
tioned Nell.
“Yes. Each one will have to be unusually
careful how they demean themselves, las in
tend to keep a d lily record of each one’s do
ings during our visit.”
"Anil never a word put down the least de
rogatory to Mr. Frederick Archer,” replied
Nellie, with asm'le.
“No; he being the scribe, makes him ex
empt from the dissection to which all must
submit. Eeven my antiquated kinsman will
be included in the number,” said Fred, with
mock gravity.
“I have much curiosity to see your uncle.
Dot speaks of him us being very eccentric,
yet kind,—anil strangely averse to mingling
with the world,” said Nell.
“Yss. he is what the people call a very
comical man, rich as Cnesus, with a house
furnished in a most elaborate, yet ancient
style. Grounds laid off in exquisite taste, or
at least what was considered exquisite taste
forty year's ago, continually kept in order;
yet seemingly all for no purpose, as he visits
no one, and rarely has visitors,” answered
Fred.
“There must have been some very great
disappointment in his youth to cause this,”
said Nell, with a gratia face.
“So it is whispered in the family, yet my
mother knows almost as little as I do aliout
it, as he is not really her brother,” said Fred,
equally grave.
“Not her brother? I thought he was,” said
Nell, -with a look of enquiry.
“Only a kind of step-brother, her mother
marrying Uncle IV iliiam’s father late ill lite,
thus they lieeame connected.
“Has he nos'ster, then?” enquired Nell.
“Yes; one about the age of my mother,”
answered Fred.
“I should think if lie were so strangely
averse to going out in the world, he would
not wish the company of so many young
jieoplo, " said Nell quietly.
“On the contrary, he is very fotnl of hav
ing tlie young people about him, :ind it is in
response to a special invitation from him
that we are going to visit him now,” Fred,
pleasantly.
“Then why does he live entirely alone,
with only a housekeeper?”
“Sometimes his sister stays with him; but
it. is said that be never entirely forgave her
for marrying against his will. She has a
son.”
“You two have fallen into such a grave
discussion that you seem oblivious of tlie fact
that we are to meet the remainder of our
party at four at the depot. It is already
three,” interrupted Dot, coming from the
other end of the verandah.
This caused a general scattering, and when
they all again, met, they were ready for im
mediate departure.
“I hope there are no more delays,” said
Fred, handing the girls into the carriage,
then seating himself beside St. Leon, they
were soon dashing away toward the station
in gay .spirits.
They found their party already there, all
impatient at waiting. Fred instituted him
self master of preliminaries, looking to the
baggage with a very carefid eye. YNiung
Watts purchased tickets, while St. Leon and
(Continued on sixth page.)