CHAPTER II.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 2416, 3 June 1876, Page 1 (Supplement)

CHAPTER 11.

KATE DANTON. Grace „went slowly baok to the parlour, and stood looking thoughtfully into the fire. It was pleasant in that pleasant parlonr, bright with the ilia- j mination of lamp and fire —doubly pleasant in contrast with the tnranlfc of wind and rain without. Very pleasant' to Grace, and she sighed wearily as she looked up from the ruby coals to the radiant face smiling down from over the mantel. , • "You will be mistress to-morrow," she thought; " the place I have held for the last four years is yours from tonight. Beautiful as a queen. What will yonr reign be like, I wonder ?" She drew np the armchair her brother .had vacated and sat down, her thoughts drifting backward into the past. Backward four years, and she saw herself a penniless orphan, dependent on the bounty of that miserly nncle Roosevelt ia Montreal. She saw again the stately gentleman who came to her, and told her he was her father's third cousin, Captain Danton, of Danton Hall. She had never seen him before; but she had heard of her wealthy cousin from childhood, and knew his history. She knew he had married in early youth an English lady, who had died ten years after, leaving four children —a son, Harry, and three daughters, Katherine, Rosina, and Eveleen. The son, wild and wayward all his life, broke loose at the age of twenty, forged his father's name, and fled to New York,'married an actress, got into a gambling affray, and was stabbed. That waß the end of him.' The eldest daughter, born in Englaudj had been brought up by her maternal grandmother, who was rich, and whose heiress she was to be. Mrs. Danton and her two youngest children resided at the ball, while the captain was mostly absent. After her death a ' Canadian lady had taken charge of the house and Captain Danton'a daughters. AH this Grace knew, and was quito unprepared to see her distant kinsmau, and to hear that the Canadian lady had married and left, and that she was solicited to take her place. The captain's terms were so generous that 'Grace gratefully accepted at once, and a week after was domesticated at the hall as housekeeper and companion to his daughters. Four years ago. Looking back tonight, Grace sighed to think how ploasant it had all been now that it was over. ' There was a tap at the door, and a voice asking — " May I come in, Grace ?" And Grace woke np from her dreaming. > "-Yea, Eeny," she said. And Eeny came in, looking at her search ingly. " Have you been crying ?" she asked, taking a stool at her feet. " Crying ? No; what should I cry for?" "Yon look so solemn. T heard your visitor go, and ran np. Who was it ?" " My brother, who has jusf? returned from Germany." "Dear me. Didn't I say he had eyes like you ? He's a doctor, isn't he ?" "Yea." ' . " Grace, I thought you said you were poor." " Well, I am poor, nm I not ?" "Then who paid for your brother studying medicine in Germany ?" . ' " Uncle Roosevelt. He is very fond | of Frank." " Is your uncle Roosevelt rich ?" " I believe so. Very rich and very miserly." " Has ho sons and daughters ?" " No ; we aro his nearest relatives." " Then, perhaps, he will Ica-vo you his fortune, Grace." " Hardly, I think. He may remember Frank in his will. Bat there is no telling. He is very eccentric." " Grace, I hope he won't leave ifc to yoo," said Eeny, soberly. " Really ; why not, pray ?" " Because if you were rich you would go awas-. I should be sorry if you left DantonHall" !

Grace stooped to kiss the pale young face. " My dear Eeny, you forget that your , beautiful sister Kate is coming. In a week or two you will have room in your heart for no one but her." " You know better than that," said Eeny; " perhaps she will be like Rose, and I shall not love her at all." Grace smiled. "Do you meap to say you do not love Eose, then ?" " Love Rose ?" repeated Eeny, very much amazed at the question y " love Rose, indeed. 'I should like to see any one who could love Rose. Grace, where is your brother stopping ? At the hotel ?" "No; at Monsieur le Cure's. He knows Father Francis. Eeny, do you hear that P" She started up listening. Through the tempest of wind and rain and the surging of the trees they could hear carriage wheels rattling rapidly up to the house. " I hear it," said Eeny. " Papa has come. Oh, Grace, how pale you are." "Am I?" Grace said, laying her hand on her heart, and moving towards the door. She paused in the act of opening it, an,d caught Eeny suddenly and passionately to her heart. "Eeny, my darling, before they come, tell me once more you will not let this new sister steal your heart* entirely from me. Tell me you will love me still." " Always, Grace," said Eeny. " There the carriage has stopped." Grace opened the door and went out into the entrance hall. The marble-paved floor, tho domed ceiling, the carved and statucd and' pictured walls, were quito grand in the blazoofa great chandelier. An instant later and a loud knock made the houso ring, and Babette flung the front door wide open. A stalwart gentleman buttoned up in a great coat, with a lady on his arm, strode in. • j " Quite a Canadian baptism, papa," the silvery voice of the young lady said,;' "l am almost drenched." Grace heard this, and caught a glimpse of Captain Dantou'3 man, Ogden, gallanting a pretty rosy girl, who looked like a lady's maid,' and then very very pale, advanced to meet her master and his daughter. "My dear Miss Grace," the hearty voice of the sailor said, as he grasped her hand* " I am delighted to see you. My danghter Kate-r-Miss Grace." My daughter Kate bowed in a dignified manned, scarcely looking at her. Her eyes were fixed on a smaller, slighter figure shrinking behind her. " Hallo, Eeny !" cried the captain catching her in his arms; "trying to play hide-and-go-seek, are you ? Come out and let us have a look at you." He held her up over his head as if she had been a kitten, and kissed her as he set her down laughing and . breathless. " You little whiff of thistledown, why can'fc yon get fat and rosy as you ought? There kiss your sister Kate, aud bid her welcome." Eeny looked timedly lip, and was mesmerised at one glance. Two lovely eyes of starry radiance looked down into hers, and the loveliest face Eeny ever saw was lighted with a bewitching smile. Two arms were befd out, and Eeny sprang into them, and kissed the exquisite face rapturously. "You darling child!" tho sweet voice said, and that was all ; but she held her close, with tears in tho starry eyes. "There, thero !" cried Captain, Danton ; "that will do. Yon two can hug each other at your leisure by-nnd-by ; but just at present I am very hungry, and should like some dinner. The dining-room is in this direction, isn't it, Grace? I think I know the way/ He disappeared, and Kate Danton disengaged her new-found sister, still holding her hand. "Come and show, me to my room, Eeny," sho said. " Eunice," to the rosy lady's-maid, " tell Ogften to bvi'ng up the trunks and unpack at once. Come." Still holding hersiater's hand, Kate went up stairs, and Eony had oyes aud cars for no one 'else. Eunice gave her young lady's order to Ogden, and, followed, and Grace was left standing! nlnno . , . ' ■ \t • • i ?! ,

. "Already," she thought bitterly," " already I am forgotten !" Not quite. Captain Danton appeared at the head of the stairs, divested of his greatcoat,

"I say, Ogdon. Oh, Miss Grace, will you come up stairs, if you please ?■ Ogden, attend to the luggage, and wait for me in my dressing-room." Ho returned to the parlor, and Grace found him standing with his back to thefire whoa she entered, A portly and handsome man, florid and genial, with profuse fair hair, mustache and side whiskers. Ho placed a chair for her, courteously, and Grace sat down. " You are looking pale/Miss Grace," he said, regarding her. " You have not been ill, I trust. Ogdon told mo you were all well." • " I am quite well^ thank you." " You wrote to Rose, I suppose ? Where is ib sho has gone ?" . " To the home of Miss Lo Touche, a friend of hers, in Ottawa. Eeny has written to her, and Rose will probably be here in a day or two, at most." The captain uodded. "As for you, my deur young lady, I find that you have managed so admirably in my absence, that I trust we shall retain you for many years yet. Perhaps I am selfish in the wish, but ifc comes so naturally that you will pardon the selfishness. Kato is in total j ignorance of the mysteries of housekeeping. Heavon help mo and my , friends if we had to depend on her catering. Besides," laughing slightly, "somo one is coming beforo long to carry her off." Grace bowed gravely. "So you see, my fair kinswoman, you are indispensable. I trust we shall prevail upon you to remain." *' If you wish me to do so, Captain Danton, I shall, certainly." "Thank you. Js that rich old, curmudgeon, yonr uncle, alive yet?" " Yes sir." "And your brother? In Germany still, I suppose ?" " No, sir ; my brother is in Canada — in St. Croix. He was hore this ovoning." " Indeed 1 Where is he stopping ? We must get him to come here." "He, is on a visit to M. le Curo, and I do not think means to stay long." The door opened as she said it, and Kate and Eeuy came it. The sisters had their arms around each other's waist, and Eeny seemed entranced. Kate went over and stood beside her father, looking up fondly in his face. " How pretty the rooms are, papa ! My boudoir and bedroom are charming. Eeny is going to chaperon me all over to-morrow — sneb. a dear, romantic old house," Grace sat and looked at her. Row beautiful she was ! She still woro slight mourning, and her dress was black silk, that fell in full rich folds behind her, high to the round white throat, where it was clasped with a flashing diamond. A solitaire diamond I blazed on her left hand — those slender, delicate little hands — her engagement ring, no doubt. They were all the jewels she woro. The trimming of her dress was of filmy black laco, and all 1 her masses of bright golden hair were twisted coronet-wise round her noble and lovely head. She was very tall, very slender ; and the exquisite face just tinted with only the faintest shadow of rose. " Beautiful, and stately and proud as a queen !" Yes, she looked all that, and Grace wondered what manner of man libel won that high-beating heart. There was a witchery in her glanco, in her radiant smile, in every graceful movement, that fascinated even hor father's sedate housekeeper, and that seemed to have completely captivated little Eeny. In her beauty and her pride, as she stood there so graceful and elegant, Grace thought her father was right when he said a prince was not too good for his peerless daughter.

Ho smiled down on her now as men do smile down ou what is tho apple of their eye and the pride of their heart, and then turned to Eeny, clinging to hor stately Bister.

" Tako care, Eeny ! Don't let Kato bewitch you. Don't you know she is a sercevess, and throws a glamour over all she meets ? She's uncanny, I give you warning— a witch ; that's the word for it !"

Eeny's reply was to lift Kate's baud and kiss it. '■ ' ' Do witches ever eat, papa r" laughed Misa Danton ; "becau.se I am very hungry. What time do we dine?" " What time, Miss Grace?" asked the captain. " Immediately, if you wish, sir." " Immediately let it be, then." Grace rang and ordered dinner to bo served. Thomas, the old butler, and a boy in buttons made their appearance with the first course.' Grace had always presided, but this evening sUo sat beside Eeny, and Miss Kate took the head of the table. " The first time, papa," sho said. " If I make any blunders, tell me." " Oh, papa !" exclaimed Eeuy, " I thought somoone else was coining. A sick gentleman — ■ Mr. what ? — oh, Richards !" Tho face |of Captain Dautou and his eldest daughter darkened suddenly at the question. Graeb saw it in snrprise. " He will be hero presently," he said, but he said it with an air of restraint; ; and Kate, leaning forward with that radiant smile of hers, began telling Eeny some story of her life at sea that made her forget Mr. Pucbards. ■ They adjourned to the drawing-room after dinner. A long, low, sumptuous apartment, very stately and very grand, and decorated with exquisite taste. " What a beautiful room !" Kate said. "We had nothing half so quaint and old as this at home, papa." There was a grand piano near one of the tall windows, with a music-rack be. side it, and the young lady went over and opened it, and ran lier fingers with a masterly touch over tho keys. "That's right, Kate," said her father ; " give us some mnsic. How do ' you like your piano ?" "Like is not the word, papa. It is superb !" The -white hands sparkled over the polished ivory keys^ and tho room was filled with melody. Eeny stood by the piano with a rapt face. Captaiu Dantou sat in au artu-phair and listened with half-closed eyes, and 1 Grace sat down in a corner, and drew from her pocket her crochet. "Oh," Kate, how 1 beautifully you play !" Eeny eKed, ecstatically, when tho flying hands paused. " I never beard any thing like that. What was it?" "Only a German walte, yon little enthusiast ! Don't you play ?" " A little, lloae plays too, polkas and waltzes ; but bah ! not like that." " Who is your teacher ?" ' •' Monsieur De Lancey. He comes from Montreal twice a week to giro us lessons. But you play better than he does." "Little flatterer !" kissing her and ! laughing, and the white hands busy agaiu. "Papa, what will you have ?" " A song, my dear." " Well, what do you like ? Cnsta Diva !" " I'd be sorry to like it ! can you sing the Lasso' Gowrie ?" ' " I shall try it if you wish." She broke into singing as she spoke, and Grace's work dropped in her lap as she listened. What an exquisite* voice it was ! So clear, so sweet, so powerful. The mute-wrapped stillness that followed the song was the best applause. Miss Danton rose up, laughing at her sister's entranced face. "Oh, don't stop !" Eeny cried, imploringly. " Sing again, Kate." There was a loud ring at the doorbell before Kate could answer. Captain Danton and Grace had been listening an instant before to a carriage rolling up the drive. The former started up now and hurried out of the room ; and Kate stood still, intently looking at tho door.

' " Who is that ?" said Eeny; ' " Mr. Richards ?"

Kate laid her hand on the girl's shoulder, and still stood silent and intent. They could hear the door open, hear the voices of the captain nnd his man Ogden j and then there was a shuffling of feet in the hall and up the stairs.

"They are helping him up-stairs," said Kate, drawing a long 1 breath. " Yes, ifc is Mr. .Richards."

Eeuy looked as if she would like to ask some questions, but her sister sat down again at the piano, and drowned her words in a storm of music. ' Half

an. hour passed, nearly. ah honr, Mi9s Danton played on and on without ceasing, and then h?r father came back. Tho girl looked ab him qniokly and que&tioningly, but his hig-b-colored face was as goocLhumoured as ever. " Playing away still," ho suid, " aud Eeny's eyes aro like two midnightmoons. Do you know it is half-past tea, Miss Eeny, and tiuio Hi tie girls were in bed ?" Grace rose up, and put her work in her pocket. Eeny came over, kissed her father and sister goodnight and retired. Grace, with a simple goodnight, was following her example, but the cordial captain held out his band. 11 Good-night, my little housekeeper," he said ; " and pleasant dreams." Miss Danton held put her taper fingers, but her good-night was qniet and cool. Her father's housekeeper, it would seem, did not impress her very, favourably, or she was too proud to be cordial with dependents. Up in her own room, Grace turned her lamp low ; and sitting down by the window, drew back the curtains. The rain still fell, the Norember wind surged through the trees, and the blackness was impenetrable. Was this wiutry tempest, as her brother had snid, ouainons of coming trouble and storms in their peaceful Canadian home ? " I wonder bow she and Rose will get on," thought Grace. Rose's temper is as gnsty as this November night, and -I should judge those purple eyes can flash with the Danton fire, too. When two thunder-clouds meet, there is apt to bean uproar. 1 shall not be surprised if there is war in the camp before Jong." Her door opened softly. Grace tnrned round, and saw Eeny in a long night-dress, looking like a spirit. •' May I come in, Grace ?" "It is time you were iv bed," said Grace, turning up the lamp, aud.beginning to nnbraid her hair. Eeny came in, and sat down on a low stool at Grace's feet. IC Oh, Grace, isn't she splendid ?" 11 Who ?" " Yon know who I mean — Kate." „ " She is rery handsome," Grace said quietly, going on with her work. " Handsome ! She is lovely ! She is glorious ! Grace, people talk about Rose being pretty ; bnt she is no more to Kate than— than, jnst nothing at all." 41 Did yon come in here merely to say that? If so, Miss Eveleen, I must request yon to depart, as I am going to say my prayers." " Directly," said Eeny, nestling move ] comfortably on her* stool. " Did you j ever hear any one ptay and sing as she j does?" M She plays and sings remarkably •well." "Grace, what yon give to be as J beautiful as she is ?" " Nothing ! And now go." , ." Tes. Isn't it odd that papa did not bring Mr. Ricbards'int,o the drawingfroora ? Ogden and papa helped him upstairs, aud Ogden brought him hia supper." " Who .told you that?" "Cabette. Babelte saw him, but he was-so muffled up she could not make him out. He is very tall and slim, she Says, and looks like a young man." " Eeny, how soon are you going ?" "Oh, Grace," she said, coaxingly. " Let me stay all night with you." " And keep me awake until morninp; talking. Not I," said Grace. "Go !" "Please let me slay ?" ' " No ! Be off !" 11 She lifted her up, led her to the door, and put her out, aud Eeny ran off to her own chamber. As Graco closed her door, she heard . Kate Danton's silk dress rustle upstairs. Good-night, papa," she heard her say, ■in that soft, clear voice that made her think of silver bells. " Good-night, my dear," the captain replied. And then the silk dress rustled past, a door opened and shut, and Miss Danton had retired. [to be continued].