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Little Lucy
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2021-07-21 21:47:39Lucy Alberto sprang up in bed huddling the bedclothes round her , her heart beating drastically as she stared about the room . Her rest had been a fitful one, haunted by nightmares; she'd been so tired when she came to bed that she had been unable to sleep, and only after a very long time had she finally dropped off.
And now something had wakened her - some alien sound, not connected with the muted roar of traffic outside or the passing and repassing of footsteps in Bilbao Road, mingled with the creakings and weird noises always associated with old buildings. The nervous strain of the last few days had been terrific. Lucy felt that she could not possibly exist through any more. Most of the people who lived in the big old - fashioned boarding - house had gone to the country when the epidemic had intensified and now there were many empty rooms.
Lucy's uncle had left Madrid for a destination in the north of Spain, but her aunt still remained. She was not leaving her home, she deciared, for what was nothing more or less than a very bad epidemic of the usual flu. What, scuttle down to the country, leaving her furniture and precious belongings to the mercy of thieves who were just waiting for such an opportunity to break in and steal the lot. And if she stayed Lucy must stay with her. Lucy could never remember the time when she had not been tired; even her young and healthy body crumpled under the heavy tasks Aunt Lilian Moreno imposed on her.
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Since domestic help was so hard to get , Lucy had to do practically all the work in the boarding-house, running up and down four flights of stairs from the basement kitchen; carrying heavy trays; polishing and cleaning, putting up with the querulousness and complaints of the lodgers, fetching old Colonel Murga's hot water and paper each evening and filling Miss Soper's bottle. By the end of the day she was so tired that she just dropped off to sleep the moment her head touched the pillow. She had often wanted to leave her aunt and get a job, but Mrs Moreno made her clearly understand that she considered Lucy owed her a great deal for her keep and education all these years and that she could best pay her back by helping in the boarding-house, being of a rather timid and retiring disposition the girl let herself be imposed on. The tinkling of glass and china somewhere downstairs broke her train of thought; she strained forward , listening intently. There it
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she did not want to go; she would rather lie down in bed and speculate on the letter she had received by that morning's post . It was from a firm of solicitors, Messrs. Tredego & Jona's in Sevila Inn Fields, asking her to call on them at twelve noon following the next morning. She could not think what they wanted to see her about, for she had never heard of them ; she had had no dealings with solicitors during her twenty years of life. She had shown the letter to her aunt before the latter left the house . ' Such nonsense ! ' she exclaimed . ' Do you no work to do that you can afford to waste time running about after them ? It can be nothing of importance they want to talk to you about . Stanley will be back the day after tomorrow and he can see them for you . ' Stanley was Aunt Lilian 's son , a spotty youth of amorous propensities , and Lucy had had a hard time keeping him in his place ... Well , she supposed she had better go down and see what was ha
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Because he had omitted to pay the licence and Aunt Lilian had been obliged to , since he was away , as the weapon was in her house. Lucy did not switch on the electric light , but found her way to Stanley's room across the passage . Feeling in the dark she reached the dressing - table and fumbled with her hand for the drawer she wanted . When she had it open her fingers closed immediately on the weapon ; it was not loaded , she knew . But it would be just as effective unloaded . She crept out on to the landing and listened intently before negotiating the stairs . Someone was moving about in the dining - room ; the door was shut but the light had been switched on ; she could see a gleam coming under the door. Not quite knowing what she intended to do , she started to descend the stairs very , very carefully ; she was afraid they might creak , but even if they did she did not suppose it would disturb the intruder in the dining - room ; stairs in old houses always do creak even
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Fell from his hand and splashed all over the table and his trousers . He leaped up brushing the latter down with Colonel Murga's table - napkin . “ Damn , ' he exclaimed forcibly . " Put your hands up , ' she ordered again . He looked across at her and the slightest suspicion of a smile flickered about his lips , then slowly he raised his hands and waited . Lucy certainly presented rather a comical figure to tackle burglar ; she was little and slight , and with the long bob at which she kept her hair , she looked much younger than her years . It was thick and black and cut in a fringe on her forehead ; she had to keep it unwaved since she could not afford money for hairdressers or even for attending to her hair at home . But she did brush it night and morning , so that it shone like lacquer . Her face was white and her deep blue eyes shadowed ; her features had a certain gamin quality about them ; her mouth was too large for beauty , but it had generous curves
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"What ? ' "You heard . Do as I tell you . ' But I haven't stolen anything , ' he protested . " You - you mean you're - not a burglar ? quavered Jessica. ' I certainly am not - at least where spoons and forks are concerned . Technically , I suppose I am a burglar of sorts since I am just in the middle of a very good supper and bottle of beer which doesn't belong to me . ' Lucy was at a complete loss . This was something she hadn't bargained for . His voice , everything about him , proclaimed the man of culture , although his attire was distinctly shabby . She noticed how slender his hands were - not the hands of a working man , and he'd proved his good manners by not blustering and showing an antagon istic attitude when she had accused him of being a thief . Her eyes wandered round the dining - room . Nothing appeared to be missing ; everything was as it had been when she had gone to bed a few hours earlier . " What are you doing here ? ' she demanded . ' Were you sen
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Sergio Dim smiled again into her scared and apprehensive eyes . ' Look , won't you sit down , and I'll tell you in as few words as possible why I am here . ' As he spoke he drew out a chair , and almost without her own volition she found herself sitting on it . ' I was hungry , ' he began . ' Darned hungry ! I haven't had a meal for two days . I passed your house and saw the remains of supper on the table - you shouldn't leave your curtains drawn back , by the way . The window catch was loose and I simply couldn't resist the temptation to come in and - finish off the grub . I hopped in through the window and here I am . I intend to try and join the regular army tomorrow , and I'll send you the cost of the eatables out of the very first pay I get . I can safely promise you that . I'm not a thief , Miss Big Eyes , whatever else I may be . If you don't believe me , hand me over to the police .' Lucy realized that it was her own fault this extraordinary situation had com
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Sergio Dim smiled again into her scared and apprehensive eyes . ' Look , won't you sit down , and I'll tell you in as few words as possible why I am here . ' As he spoke he drew out a chair , and almost without her own volition she found herself sitting on it . ' I was hungry , ' he began . ' Darned hungry ! I haven't had a meal for two days . I passed your house and saw the remains of supper on the table - you shouldn't leave your curtains drawn back , by the way . The window catch was loose and I simply couldn't resist the temptation to come in and - finish off the grub . I hopped in through the window and here I am . I intend to try and join the regular army tomorrow , and I'll send you the cost of the eatables out of the very first pay I get . I can safely promise you that . I'm not a thief , Miss Big Eyes , whatever else I may be . If you don't believe me , hand me over to the police .' Lucy realized that it was her own fault this extraordinary situation had com
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Sergio Dim smiled again into her scared and apprehensive eyes . ' Look , won't you sit down , and I'll tell you in as few words as possible why I am here . ' As he spoke he drew out a chair , and almost without her own volition she found herself sitting on it . ' I was hungry , ' he began . ' Darned hungry ! I haven't had a meal for two days . I passed your house and saw the remains of supper on the table - you shouldn't leave your curtains drawn back , by the way . The window catch was loose and I simply couldn't resist the temptation to come in and - finish off the grub . I hopped in through the window and here I am . I intend to try and join the regular army tomorrow , and I'll send you the cost of the eatables out of the very first pay I get . I can safely promise you that . I'm not a thief , Miss Big Eyes , whatever else I may be . If you don't believe me , hand me over to the police .' Lucy realized that it was her own fault this extraordinary situation had com
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' You're making fun of me . ' " That's the last thing I'd be likely to do , child . Marriage is a serious matter , I wondered if you have thought it out carefully , tried to imagine what life with Donald will be like . Oh , I'm not running my brother down ; he's a good sort and I respect him , but he's no husband for a girl like you ... I remember you telling me what a wretched life you've led - no fun , no parties , nothing like ordinary girls . Well , that's the sort of life you'll continue to lead if marry Donald . He has one love - and that is learning . Lucy raised her head and looked Jerry McGurtrie full in the face . " You're jealous ! ' she accused . ' So you think that's it ? I don't believe I have anything to be jealous of , because you don't love him ... You know nothing about love , do you ? As she remained silent he drew nearer to her , put his hand under her chin and forced her face up close to his , then bending a little , he kissed her full on
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She had to think some excuse for her peace of changed attitude towards him and this seemed a feasible one . " You told me it was Sergio Dim , while all the time you were Jerry McGurtrie . Sergio Dim was the name I used , so there was no you my real name , lie about that . Why should I have told since I had dropped it entirely ? I did not dream that you were my cousin . As a matter of fact , I was hardly aware that such a person as Lucy Alberto existed . Donald knew more of our family history than I. You mustn't forget that I had been away for a long time . You told me about the letter from the lawyer , but you omitted to mention the name of the firm , so how could I know there was a connection between us . Come on , my dear girl , you must be fair . " You didn't tell me who you were when I saw you by the creek , ' she pointed out . You let me go on thinking that you were - were - * I didn't get very much chance to tell you , did I ? I should have done , but Donald forestalle
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There was an absorbed serious air about her which went straight to his heart ; she looked like a child playing at being an adult . He tiptoed up behind her and while she was still unaware of his presence bent and kissed the back of her neck . Oh ! She swung round , and as she did so he caught her hands . Blue eyes blazed into grey , anger and something that looked suspiciously like fear in hers. Now don't say what I know you are going to say , he cried . You're not really angry with me . I'll admit I took an unfair advantage of you just now , but the temptation was irresistible . I want to talk to you , Lucy, and so far you've not given me the opportunity . ' I've nothing to say to you , and I can't think what you can possibly have to say to me , ' she retorted , trying to make her voice sound cold , and failing. Please let go my wrists , ' she added . But he held them the tighter . " No , I won't let them go . If I do you'll jump up and run off ... Lucy , tell me ,
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Jerry McGurtrie was fishing ; he had come out in the boat with Fergus , the piper's son , because he wanted to get away from the rest of his family , and think out his course of action in the immediate future . He had now been at Kilrossan a week , and the time had come to decide what he was going to do . Should he stand aside and leave Donald a free field with the heiress , or should he marry her himself ? Although Lucy had tried to avoid him on every possible occasion since his arrival at the castle , he knew that he had only to exert himself and he could take her from his brother . She was not adept at hiding her feelings and he was quite sure that she was in love with him . Their first meeting had been a most romantic one , and all she had heard of him since had done nothing to dispel her first impression . He was the prodigal son ; the ne'er - do - well ; the adventurer who refused to conform to the McGurtrie pattern and lead a conventional life - all attr
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' I have one , but I don't think I appreciate it as I should , he informed her . ' In future I may do . She avoided his eyes ; the way he looked at her made her feel embarrassed . She did not even know whether he was a single man , there might be a wife in that home he spoke of - someone who cared for him and waited for him to come back to her . But she couldn't ask , it would look like ... it would look like ... " There's someone coming , ' he said at length . ' And he seems to be trying to attract your attention . Lucy turned in the direction he indicated and saw Donald striding down from the castle ; he was beckoning to her and seemed to be rather put out about something . He would be more put out when he realized she had a friend with her - if she could call Sergio Dim a friend , she had not wanted the two men to meet yet awhile - why she should feel a difference about it she could not tell , but she would have given anything to run away at that moment and keep on runnin
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Very kind of you . ' She spoke a little breathlessly. You understand I - I am staying with relations , and and ... " Don't worry , I won't get in the way , he retorted , amused at her flounderings . The funny little soul was so transparent if she did but realize it . It would not be easy for her to hide anything . She was afraid that Donald would resent a stranger , as he very probably would . But Donald was going to get the shock of his life presently . " I haven't congratulated you yet on your very good fortune , ' Jerry said . " What are you going to do with all that money ? ' " It - it will mostly be spent on the estate , I suppose , ' she replied . ' Really I ' t given it a thought . But it's nice to be able to buy what I want and not feel I've got to economize on something else . Nice " is rather a tame expression to use , ' he laughed . ' I expected to find you much more enthusiastic . Big Eyes , you seem to have lost your enthusiasm for a lot of things . Are yo
In Love With A Stranger Chapter 46
The horizon was all flushed with it ... great bands of gold and flame , stretching as far as the eye could see , and overhead a limpid green rather like that seen in Egyptian skies . Jerry McGurtrie realized that he was not alone ; a girl was standing with her back to him staring across at the sunset - a young , slender girl with dark hair blown about by the wind , shoes with heels much too high for her , and a dress of the softest crêpe de Chine trimmed with fur . He trod very gently until he was only a few feet away from her . ' Hello , Big Eyes ! ' he said . The girl whipped round and he found himself gazing into the same large scared grey eyes as on that occasion when she had caught him enjoying a stolen meal in her aunt's dining - room in Fakenham Road . ' It's - not - you ? ' she gasped in a failing voice , her and flying instinctively up to her mouth , and going so pale that he took a quick step forward and slid an arm about her waist . ' I say , hold hard , y
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I've nothing to complain of ... She blushed and cast down her eyes . ' We'll be gettin ' a baire come Michaelmas , " she added in an embarrassed tone . " That's great . Mind you ask me to stand godfather. Will you take me across to Kilrossan in your boat? ' The tall fair - haired young fellow nodded dourly . Yeah, he replied , being a man of few words . The crossing was as rough as usual , but Jerry did not mind it ; he had been born and brought up at Kilrossan and a rough sea was as familiar to him as a suburban street to other men . He took a hand at the oars , and he pulled across and landed to the right of the rocks . ' Go up to the house and ask Miss Margaret for something to eat , ' said Jerry as he leaped agilely out of the boat and helped Duncan drag it across the sand . " You needn't say you've brought me over . I want to surprise them . " He set off across the rocky ground towards the creek on the other side of the castle , his hands thrust into his p
In Love With A Stranger Chapter 44
Jerry McGurtrie arrived at Oncar in the early evening , he was not expected so there was no boat coming across from the island , but he did not mind . He was well known in the little town and strolled down to the quayside where the fishermen were drying their nets , pausing to speak to those he remembered . ' It's the young laird . ' The words flew from mouth to mouth , and men left their boats , women came to the doors of their houses ; bare - footed girls ran out , clutching shawls round their shoulders , to stare at the tall dark - haired blue eyed man with the broad shoulders and rangy figure , whom the older ones among them recalled as a baby , and later as a mischievous schoolboy always up to pranks . ' I want to get across , " he told them . ' Yes , I've come unexpectedly . I take it the laird and the rest of the family are in residence ? ' "aye , sir . ' One of the women pushed her way forward and curtseyed . ' Miss Margaret , she was here a bit ago , with th
