The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1859-08-19

When llildred was seventeen, and twcn.
ty, the young heir OF Rayenwood came back
TO his inheritance. The rich lands aud grand
Old house had AT last tempted him from the
gay French city, aud henctorth he would
remain for the most palt at Ravenwood
Hall. so said the busy tongue Of rumor.
One afternoon in the decline of summer, as
| was. sitting close al my work, llildred
being in the garden, there came light tap
at the door of our little parlor, and before
could rise to open it, tall and strangely
handsome man strobe into the room.
Il am Paul Ravenwood, and you, madam
are, presume, Miss Faith Milburn ?"
"Yoa are correct, sir ; but may ! ask to
what fortunate circumstance | am indebted
tor the honor ol this most abrupt visit p
His cool unceremoniousness had slightly net.
tied me.
He sat down quietly in the rocking chair
leisurely, pulled moss-rose from the vase
and tore il in pieces, before be vouchsatcd
an answer.
"Well, he said at length, "if you wish to
know, can tell you, alter YOU reply to a
few questions which shah ask Your
father bought this place Of Hugh Raven
wood ?"
ale did
And paid for il. dare say ~
TO be sure he did His labor paid for
il. II vas settled long ago ~
How happens it, then, that my father
gave no deed, or bond Of conveyance ?" he
asked with a quiet scorn which revealed to
me more Of his character than months
ordinary acquaintance could have done.
at was neglected, and le died very sud.
denly, a. you are aware. Probably he felt
no need OF doing il; he might have supposed
that his heirs would be honest men, like
himself"
Indeed well, perhaps be did still peo.
pie are liable TO be mistaken, you know, and
II would have been better if he had abidcd
by the law Better for you, at least. ~
| but partially comprehended him, aud,
as did not reply, he continued
Although ! regret the necessity, Miss Mil
burn, ! suppose | shall be obliged 10 tell
you that this Gyve Cottage, as il is called,
belongs to the estate OF Ravenwood- d--conse-
quently to myself.
stared from my seat in trembling dis
may
Sir, you cannot be earnest You would
not deraud two helpless orphans OF their
only inheritance ~
IIe laid his white, jeweled hand soothing.
ly upon my arm.
Sit down, Miss Milburn. Don't be dis
turbed you can remain here, OF course, free
from rent until you are able to pay, or until
you do not want the cOttage--get married
perhaps" he added, with touch oi sarcasm
in his voice His words, and his manner Of
speaking cut my pride, and | shook OIL his
hand, and rose up again. with more dignity
than betittcd poor tailoress.
mo, sir Ireflse your offer most emphat.
icaly-l do not wish TO he the means OF
forcing benevoleDce into your character,
where am sure il can have no rigbtful dwell
ing"
A harsh answer Was upon bis lips,
knew BY the darkeniDg Of his brow aud the
glttering Of his eyes, but whatever he would
have said was bushed by the entrance OF
Iiildred. She did not perceive the stranger
at first, and 50 she came running 10 with
ber sunny curls floating about her like
cloud Of sunbeams. ard sinking down on q
stool a, my feet, she exclaimed joyfulIy--
"Oh, Faith, have such surprise for
you That wide. leaved japonca----"
Her speech was cut short by Paul Ra zen.
wood rising iDvoluntarlIy, as II in homage
10 the beauty Of my sister. His eyes spoke
his admiration and his whole bearing ex-
pressed respect and courtesy. liiidred
blusbed scarlet, and cast down Der eye 10
confusion.
MY sister Hildred. Mr.. Ravenwood.
lie stepped forward and took her hand for
Q moment 10 his own. His greeting was
almos, reverentisl, and nearly forgsve him
for bis rougbues TO myself, 10 witnessing the
Difference whey be displayed to my SIS
ter
lie gave her the seat by the window, and
himself occupied q stool at her side. ]
never saw q man change a. be changed IN
der the Influence Of my sisters prssence be
became absolutely fascinating in bis conver.
sa,ioa, and when be arose 10 depart, ] could
not tell whether ! most liked him or des-
pissed him. He would do himself the honor
Of calling again soon, be said, snd a. saw
the pleasant smile which be bestowed upon
Hildred at parting, ! wondered il be could
he the same persoo that bad come 10 upon
me half hour before 20 impol,ely-oot 10
ssy rudely.
Mr.. kAvenwood came again and again tc
call upon us and ., length . terrible ms
-
my sister may be h. msans her ilI-oh,
Heaven. " IL should BE- threw down my
v~k and ran INTO the little bsd.room where
.he vs s~spins-for Il vas late 10 the
night, and he'd -, up 10 hnish .ome sv-
ing sh'ch had psomisd 10 have dose the
iolIosing day vose br up.
II hred J cred ps~ions,s!y. do you
love Pssi Kavensood''