Hurston Hall [pp. 449-456]

Hurston Hall. 449
HURSTON HALL.
THE great avenue of Hurston was "Yes, I know. But it is hard
all aglow with the golden sunset. sometimes - only sometimes-Aunt
Stray beams trembled among tb e Caddy; for boys are not like girls;
shadows of the massive' oaks, bath- they might lie still and not care so
ed the stone terrace in a flood of much. But when Lady Rayburn
crimson radiance, and lingered lov- and Percy and George were here,
ingly among the quaint parterres, and I saw how the boys could dimb
where all day long they had given and ride and jump; and when I had
life and beauty to the flowers. The Floy brought out from the stable for
"parting smile of day?' illumined lawn them and I heard her call me just
and garden, mellowed the rugged as she used when I could ride - I
outlines of the ancient hall, and wouldn't tell any one but you-but
threw over its gloomy grandeur a 0 Aunt Caddy! I cried when I
golden mist that seemed to 5 piritual- was all by myself-cried like a great
ize it. baby girl."
But more brightly and lovingly Aunt Caddy's eyes were bright
than elsewhere it rested on the fair with tears of pity.
brow and golden curls of young "My poor pet! was it so hard for
Lord Hurston, as, reclining on his you? Then grandmamma will not
couch with his face turned to the ask them here again."
sunset, he watched with boyish de- "No, no! dear auntie; that would
light the beauty of the scene. never do I am not such a coward
"Close the book, Aunt Caddy," as to mind feeling badly; and then, I
he said, turning to a pale, graceful ~ould bear it better next time. No,
lady, who, seated on an ottoman be- no! Hurston Hall must be open to
side him, had been reading to the every one, as it was in grandpapa's
young invalid the most beautiful of time, as it would be if papa had lived,
the great poet's Idylls. "Close the even though its lord is only a sick
book; for you are tired, and I want boy who can but lie on his cushions
you to look at the sunset and talk to and let his guests amuse themselves
me. Isn't it beautiful? See that as they please. Only I wish I were
great oak at the bend of the avenue! as good and patient as you would
Every leaf seems woven with gold. be in my place. You are just like
I wonder if that little squirrel has his Elaine. If you were grieved or sornest among the roots yet. What a rowful, no one would ever know it.
pile of nuts I found there long ago, You would only grow pale and quiet
before I was' sick! I wonder if I and silent, until some morning you
will ever be well enough to hunt would float away from us over the
squirrels again?" And the little speak- dark waters with the story of your
er sighed as he turned restlessly on sorrow folded over your still heart.:~
his couch. The crimson glow of sunset seem "I hope so, darling," Aunt Caddy ed to flush Aunt Caddy's cheek as
replied fondly. "But we must be she bent to kiss the pale, little, ear —
patient, you know." nest face.
vOL. X.-29