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lIlfiiifM
AN INDEPENDENT FAMILY NEWSPAPER.. 'FSZgfJS?
Vol. VI. Now Bloomftold, Titestlfiy, January 1G, 1873. TVo. 3.
Vi n Yv
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Lady Clara's Mistake.
WHEN I stood on board the Ocean
Queen, a steamer outward bound,
I bado farewell to the only friend I bad in
tho world. When John Fairlie bado me
God speed, wrung my hand in liia own,
and turned from mo, I had looked my last
npon tlio only face I cared for.
I shall never forget his last words.
"Romomber, Paul," ho said, "that
whether you win or fail, you havo a true
friend and brother in mo. Whilo I have
a shilling, half of it is yours. While I have
a home, you shall share it. If India fails
come back to mc, and wo will be brothers
in everything ; and, remember, return
when you may, your first visit must bo to
my house. You must come straight there."
For five years I had struggled with for
tuno, which seemed all against mo during
that time. I wrote constantly to John,
and he never missed a mail.
He married tho same year I left England,
and was'evidcntly very proud of tho fact
actually married a young widow, with two
daughters, Lady Clar Rose ono of tho
handsomest women in England.
After that, I fancied, John's letters were
colder in tone. When I spoke of ill-fortune,
his sympathy was not so warm or so ready
as formerly.
So when I began to grow rich, I did not
tell him, although my love for him never
altered never changed, or cooled. Our
correspondence almost ceased.
After a timo money seemed to grow un
der my hands by magic ; everything I
touched turned to gold. Far and near
Paul Hylton was known as ono of tho
wealthiest and most fortunate of men. I
was a millionaire, yet there was no one iu
the wido world to love me. I had neither
kith or kin. I would have parted with all
my gold for only one of tho blessings that
fall to the lot of ther men.
After fifteen years, I grew tired of Indian
' tlfo, and resolved to go home to England,
and there enjoy the fortifue that labor had
won.
I reached London on the 23d of Decern.
Der. 1 nere was no one to greet me, no
face to smile upon me, no voice to bid me
welcome. Neither mother, sister, brother,
or friend ; my heart was cold and sad,
Every one else seemed happy and anima
tedI was alone.
Early on the 24th, I started for Lynedale
Hall, knowing John would welcome me,
No words of mine can tell what that ride
through the winter day was like. The
snow and frost were old friends; the cold
air, after the burning Indian blasts, so in
vigorating j the gray, wintry sky, the bare
bodges, and leafless trees I enjoyed them
- all.
It was five o'clock when I reached Lyno
dalo Hall. Tho windows were all aglow
with light and warmth. It was evident
that my old friend's house was full of
Christmas guests.
In answer to my inquiries, tho footman
said Mr. Fairlie was at homo. Ho ushered
me into tho library, and went off in search
of his master.
Five minutes more John stood before me,
but there was no gleam of recognition in
his eyes. I looked earnestly at him. Tho
same, honest, kindly face, but full of anx
ious lines; tho same true, clear eyes, with a
shadow in them.
' John," I cried, " do you know mo?"
- His ruddy, honest faeo turned quite
white.
"It cannot bo raul Paul Ilylton?" Lho
aid.;
" It Is indeed 1" I replied; "coinu to
upend Christmas with you."
Then he grtuped my hands a in an iron
vice, and I know that ho was unchanged.
" My dear old friend," he said, with
quivering lips, " I nra so pleased to see
you 1"
I thought ho would never finish shaking
my hands, or bidding my welcomo homo.
God bless him 1 I might have known he
would be true.
We talked for half nn hour without
stopping of our parting, of old times and
old friends ; then John's kindly eyes resting
on my traveling suit, he said, "So tho
world has not prospered with you, Paul." '
I smiled but did not undeceive him, feel
ing, for the first time, proud and happy
that I was a millionaire, resolving to keep
my secret for a day or two, then surprise
him with it.
At that very moment tho library opened,
and a tall stately lady entered the room.
"Oh, I beg pardon," she said, coldly; "I
did not know you were engaged. Perhaps
with a house full of visitors, you can spare
time for more than ono !"
"To bo sure, my dear," ho said, meekly
"to bo sure! Iam very remiss, Lady
Clara. Let mo introduco my old friend
Paul Hylton to you."
The lady favored mo with a very haughty
bow.
"Ho ho has just returned from India,"
said John, with trembling hesitation, "and
has come to spend Christmas with us."
Then sho looked at mo slowly and stead
ily, from bead to foot. I felt conscious that
I might have visited a London tailor. My
clothes felt Bhabby, my boots dirty, under
tho calm search of those proud eyes.
What room will suit Mr. Hylton best?"
asked John. "Ho will want good fires;
England is very cold after India."
" I understood that our list of friends
was quite complete, " said Lady Clara,
haughtily. " You had bettor send for the
housekeeper; there are no rooms to spare."
So saying, with a decided frown, sho
swept from the room.
I saw it all; John was fearfully hen
pecked. Ho stood feebly trying to smile,
rubbing his hands, and looking ruofully at
me.
" Lady Clara is is tired to-night," ho
said; "we havo so many visitors."
"John," I said, "bo quite frank with
me. 1 am an uninvited guest; n i navo
come at an inopportune moment, I will
go away again."
Ho flushed crimson.
" Nothing of tho kind," he said; "how
can you scak so, raw. x ou aro my
friond my guest welcome always, as are
flowers in May. Lady Clara is rather pe
culiar; sho has always been amongst grand
people, you know. I think it would, per
haps, be as well not to say that you have
been unfortunate before her ; she would
not understand you, see."
He looked so miserably conscious, so
rueful, so lond of me, and so frightened at
his wife, I could not forbear smiling.
The housekeeper came and a room found
for me more thanks to old Mrs. Green's
remombe ranee of me as "young Hylton of
Hylton," than from any interest on the
part of Lady Clara.
Tho first dinner bell rang, aud I went
down to the drawing-room whore all the
guests were assembled. There I was in-
traduced to Miss Ada Rose Lady Clara's
daughter (the youngest sister was married
that same year), and to John's two children,
a charming boy and girl.
Miss Ada Rose measured me accurately
with her eyes. They expressed nothing
but contemptuous Indifference until they
lighted suddenly upon a valuable diamond
ring I wore upon ono finger a ring that
had once been chief of a rajah's treasure.
Then she gave me a puzzoled look, asking,
plainly as eyes could do, what a poor unin
vltcd guest did with such a jewel as that?
She was a brilliant rather than a beauti
ful girl, with dark, flashing eyes, a line
face, and a tall figure, something liko her
mother, John's two children' resembled
him.
Just us we were going to dinner, a young
girl stole noiselessly into tho room a gir
who riveted my attention at once. She had
a sweet sunny face, fresh and fair with
clear, true eyes, and the most beautiful
mouth I over beheld. No one npiiearcd to
take any notice of her; no one spoke to her,
She whs plainly dressed, without any jew
els or ornaments ; but in my eyes sho was
peerless as a graceful young queen.
I had just time to ask John who she
was.
"Tho dearest and best girl in the
world," he said hurriedly; "my poor sis
ter Nellie's child. She is dead, you know,
and Kate is living with ma, I will introduce
her to you Paul."
He did so; and I asked Miss Kate Challis
if I might take her down to dinner. Poor
child I ' I read such a story in her sweet,
downcast face.
She trembled and flushed when Lady
Clara spoke to her, or camo near her, and
seemed overpowered at the bare idea of
Miss Ada Ross. I read a story of feminine
oppression and cruelty ; I understood the
girl's miserable position; the taunts she re
ceived from Lady Clara, tho envy and joal-1
ously of Miss Ross.
After dinner, I had Miss Kate all to my
self. No one seemed to think I was worthy
of much notice, and no one seemed to care
for her, although sho was tho prettiest,
and sweetest girl in the room. People took
their cue from Lady Clara, who ignored us
both.
I must tell how it was that so quick and
true a sympathy sprang up between Kate
and myself. Perhaps, because we both lov
ed John Fairlie so well ; perhaps, becauso
we wero both considered poor and obscure.
I know that night I dreamed of Kate Chal
lis; for the first timo in my lifo a woman's
face and voice haunted me.
Christmas day was cold and snowy. I
went to church with Kate Challis and
John. Neither my lady or hor guests dared
venture out in " such unseasonable weath -
cr."
That day, during dinner, I heard that
my old house, Hylton Grange, was for sale.
I resolved to purchase it, for vaguo sweet
dreams of wife and homo began to steal
over mo. I placed tho matter in the hands
of my solicitor, telling him to keep my
secret, and not let tho purchaser's name be
come public.
Lynedale Hall was in a grand commotion.
Her ladyship decided that tho Christmas
ball should bo given on tho thirtieth, and
the wholo place was in a ferment of prepar
ation. Kate and I spent many happy hours in
helping with tho decorations, and twin
ing the scarlet-berried holly and shining
laurel with dark green fir. We giew very
friendly over it, and I began to think that
such a face as hers smiling in my homo
would mako it liko heaven for me.
" I am so fond of dancing," said Kato to
mo, ono morning, " I shall enjoy this ball
very muoh."
' So shall I, if you will danco with mc,
Kate," I said ; "not without."
Sho half promised. Judge of my sur
prise, when, two hours afterwards, I met
her in tho grounds, her sweet face stained
with tears.
' What is tho mutter, Kate," I cried.
" You have boon crying 1 Tell mo what it
18.
" I drew her arm in mine, aud led her
through tho shrubbery, whero the snow lay
white upon tho trees.
What Is it?" I asked again. ." Tell me
Kate."
" I ought to bo ashamed of myself for
crying," she said; "but Lady Clara has de
cided that I am not to go to the ball."
" Why not ?" I asked.
" I have no dress," said Kate; "and with
so many visitors at the Hall, Lady Clara
thinks there is no timo to see about one."
Where does Lady Clara's come from ?"
I asked, quietly.
"From London," replied Kato. "Dress
es for my aunt and cousin were ordered
three days since."
"Buy a dress Kate," I suggested.
" I have no money," she said, simply,
with a smile. "My uncle buys everything
for me. He will not know I want this un
til it is too late."
" What a thing it is to want money,"
said. And Kate looked at me with a sym
pathetic gleam in her eyes.
"I do not care very much," sho said,
"but I had promised to dance with you."
I clasped tho llttlo hand that lay on my
arm.und Kate's sontenco was never finished,
That very moment 1 went to my room,
and wrote a letter to Madame Ceriso, the
Court milliner for excellence, and inclosing
a check for what I know now to be a ridic
ulously extravagant amount, I ordered from
her a magnificent ball dress, with every de
tail complete. I described Kate her size,
appearance and left tho rest to tho well-
known taste of Madamo Cerise.
Kate's sunny temper never showed itself
so clearly as now. Although she believed
there was no hope for hor, sho took just as
much interest In tho ball, and never com-
plained to her undo.
The all-important day came round, Lady
Clara gave mo very distinctly to undurstaud
that tho room In which I slept was wanted
but John piivately begged of me to take no
notice. "Lady Clara was ovor-tired and
anxious," he said.
It was soon after-noon when a parcel was
sent mo by Miss Challis. I opened it, and
found a most beautiful handkerchief, em
broidered with hair, and the sender Implor
ed her uncle's old friend to accept the little
present.
My pretty, simple Kate ! I took it, and
thankod her when wo met.
That evening, about two hours before
the ball began, I was with John in his fa
vorite retreat, the library, when Lady Clara
entered. Baroly recognizing my presence.
she began at once.
" Is it possible, John, that you hove or
dered this box for Kato from London ?" I
can hardly belie vo even yon capablo of
such folly 1"
"1 navo ordered nothing," cried John,
I did not know Kate required anything.
What do you mean ?"
" There is a box just come from London,"
cried Lady Clara, "addressed to Miss Kato
Challis, containing the most magnificent
dress I ever saw far better than I or my
daughter can afford. Shoes, gloves, fan,
opera-cloak, wreath, boquct, and all com
plete. If you did not order it, who did?"
Most certainly, I did not?" said John,
emphaticly. " Is there no bill or memo
randum, or anything by which you can tell
from whence it came?"
" Not a word !" she replied "not a fold
of paper I"
How I blessed Madamo Cerise for her at
sntion to my wishes !
' What does Kato say herself?' asked John.
" Kato 1" cried Lady Clara, contemptu
ously. " Sho pretends to bo surprised ; but
it seems strange to mc. I do not liko any
thing underhand "
John rang tho boll impetuously.
" Send Miss Challis to me at once!" ho
said ; and in two minutes she came in,
smiles and tears struggling for mastery,
looking so pretty, and so shy, so happy, and
so puzzled, I longed to clasp her in my
arms, and kiss her tears away.
Kato," said John, "can you guess who
has mado you this voiy handsome and val
uable present?"
" No, uncle," sho replied ; " no one has
ever given me anything but you."
" That will do, my dear," ho said. "Wear
your drcss,and look asnice as you can in it."
Kate mado her escape. Lady Clara look
ed both baffled and spiteful.
"Yournieco must have a fairy god
mother 1" sho said contemptuously. " I
do not liko mysteries, nor do I approve of
poor, penniless girl liko Kato being
dressed like a dutchess. "
Sho went away. All this timo I sat pre
tending to read. When Lady Clara closed
the door, poor John sighed heavily.
' Who can have sent Kate that dress?"
he said. " I shall never hear the last of it 1
Yet I am glad some one cares for the child."
"She should marry a neighbor," I said ;
" then you could tako refuge with her
sometimes."
John had ceased nil pretence with me.
He knew that I knew ho was henpecked
and tyranized over in no light degree.
John was, like myself, very anxious to
see Kate in her brave attire. , We contriv
ed to send for her to the library when she
was dressed ; and I know not who was the
most startled, John or I.
She looked magnificently lovoly. The
slender girlish figure, roled in a flowing
dress of white, shining silk, shrouded in
costly lace the graceful head, with its
fair hair wreathed with lilies and clusters
of scarlet verbena, every detail was perfect ;
the white satin shoes, the dainty white
gloves, the costly fan, the bouquet of lilies
and verbenas the bright, sweet face shone
out from the silk and lace so fair aud sonsie,
" Well done, Kate r ' cried John. " Yon
will be the belle to-night."
" Well done, l" somebody !" said Kato.
'Whoever sent me thisdress,did welhunclo,
Then sho looked wistfully at mo. 'I saw
sho was wishing that I, too, had been pre
sented with a box,
"I hope you will enjoy yourself, Kate,'
sum joiin, wiNtiuiiy. wno snail you
dance with?"
"Mr. Hylton," replied Kate, frankly
"and I dure say Mr. Htrirey will ask me.'
John looked at hei. His old Indian
friend, and tho young doctor asked out of
civility not a brilliant selection of part
ners, certainly.
"You are a good girl, Kate," ho said.
" Give me a kiss, and then run away.'
She raised her sweet face, and kissed
him. No, I could not stand that !
" Kiss me, too I" I cried. "I am not your
undo, but I am his oldest frios.. rd hero
is a niece of lnlslotoe see I"
" Yes ; give him a kiss, Kate," said John.
" Poor Paul has no one in the wide world.' 1
But, seeing how the fair face flushed and
the lips quivered, I was content to kiss her
hand, reverently, as though she had been a
young queen.
It was a very brilliant ball, and Kate en-
loved it to her heart's content. More than
once I saw John's eyes following her, proud
ly yet sadly. Ho knew sho would have to
bear bitter penance for this temporary
sovereignty.
A few days afterward there was a great
excitement at Lynedale, for soino ono
brought the news that Hylton Grange had
been purchased by nstranger,and was to be
altered, enlarged, and fitted up in magnifi
cent style. The palace was already full of
workmen, superintended by a clover Lon
don architect.
Who was tho purchaser? No one knew.
A stranger and a wealthy man, who in
tended residing there himself. I listened
to all tho remarks, the conjectures and felt
delighted that I had kept my secret.
As it was, my supposed poverty had
given me an insight into the real character
it had taught me how to appreciate
Kate's virtues and John's noble character.
There came a day when my old friend
called me into his library, his face white,
and his hands trembling when ho asked
me what my plans were for the future.
I knew, as well as though he bad told
me, that Lady Clara had been complaining
of tho length of my stay.
"Remember," said John, "my purse is
your's Paul use it as yon will. If -there
should bo any way in which you would like
to start, do not hesitato for want of capital.
We aro brothers, you know. If I were a
bachelor" and poor John sighed deeply
" If I were a bachelor, you should share
my home ; but a married man cannot do as
ho would."
"I understand Lady Clara thinks I have
been hero long enough, John. But thero
is ono thing 1 must beg lrom you, Jolin
before I leave. Uivo it to mo and I shall
bo tho happiest man in the world," I said.
Anything 1 have, lio replied, Ins hon
est face brightening.
"Uivome your niece, Kate, to be my
wife I" I said.
My niece Kate 1" ho cried.
"Your niece tho sweetest, truest, best.
and fairest girl in the world 1" I replied.
" Willinirly," he said ; "most willingly.
But, Paul, my doar boy, what will you
keep her on? Kate cannot live on air, you
know.
" I will find tho ways and means, if you
will use your influence for me," was my
reply.
1 am so glad l ' lie crleu. " l ucre is
no one I care for so much as you, Paul.
I would rather give Katie to you than to a
prince I Uo ami ask Her yourselt ; see wliat
sho says, and bring her to me."
1 went, knowing pretty well about that
timo Kate would bo out for her morning
walk. I overtook her as she entered the
long avenue of limes.
"May! walk with your 1 asked; "1
am leaving Lynedale to-morrow, anil want
you to do some thing for mo before I go."
" leaving lvyneuaio," sue cried, nor lair
face growing white aud wistful " I am sorry
Mr. Hylton."
'Koally I" 1 cried. "Oh, Kato, no you
really care for my going?"
Sho tried to run away from me then, but
I held her fast, and well you know tho rest.
It was tho old story, and I told it in
words that moved Kate. At last, I suceed
ed ; there came a time when the little hand
ceased to tremble in mine, and the lair,
pure face was hidden in my heart.
Shall I ever forget how she laid her hand
upon my arm, and, looking at mo with
smile, said, "I sLa'l not mind being poor, a
there aie so many things I could do to help
you, if you would let me, Paul."
1 promised sno Bnouiu neip mo ; men
recollecting John, took her back to the
library, where he had waited patiently an '
hour and a half.
She is willing, John I" I cried. And I
do not know which of the three was most
pleased.
" we must ten lmv iiara," no exclaim
ed, suddenly. And then we exchanged a
look of comio dismay.
" You had better take the news yourself.
Paul," said my old friend. And I agreed '
with him.
Lady Clara was alone in her own boudoir,
Never shall I forget her look of rigid con
tempt. "Of course," she said, "If Mr.
Fairlie has given his consent, I have noth
to do with the matter. Miss Challis is not
under my control. I may, perhaps, be
permitted to say, I think it a singular ar
rangementtwo persons entirely without
fortune. I hope it may end well."
I left the next day and went back to
London. There I spent my time iu choos
ing furniture, hangings, and pictures, and
statues for my new home ; sparing neither
tlme,troublo,nor expense, so as to make the
casket worthy of tho gem itwasto contain-,
When the Urango was ready for its mis
tress, I went to John, and told him I wan
in a position to marry, if he would give me
his niece.
Lady Clara was vory cold and contempt
ous, saying she should wish tho wedding to
be quiet as possible.
I sent down a pretty, simple wedding
dress for my darling, and the day came
when she was to bo my own. No guests
had been invited, save the rector and tho
curate. Lady Clara, Miss Ross, my dar
ling, and her pretty bridesmaid, Alice
Howe, Sir John, tho two strangers, and
myself, were tho only convives seated at
that wedding breakfast.
When John had mado his littlo speech,
I stood up in my turn, I told my secret
and what it had done for me ; how it had
proved my old friend's truth and sincerity,
and had given me the sweotest and noblest
wife man was ever blessed with.
No words can descrilie Lady Clara's face
the rage, and the wonder, and the mor
tification. No word can describe the battl
ed annoyance of Miss Ross, The great
match of the noighliorbood actually oaught
up the by poor, obscure Kato Challis.
I took my fair young wife home, and that
home is heaven to us. John comes for
three and four days at a time, Her lady
ship never recovered from the shock of
having mistaken Hylton of Hylton for a
pauper. She became more submissive and
meek ; and Jolni;xmld quell her haughtiest
moods by simply referring to me.