The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1867-07-27

and mouth IKE daSn OF scdriet 'ei'et. WHis
her lovely golden hair was fastened straight back
in great lustrous twist. I'm dishabilQe, evident
ly, but quite pretty enough to excuse all defect,
| of fiour-sprinkled hands, and hair half loose.
"Door-bell I" repeateded the young man, start
ing vatantly.
"Yes: some one to see the house, suppose
and such figure. DO, please, go to the door,
BERTHE; there's a jewel Mary has gone to the
grocers, and see what a state I'm in"
She held up both dimpled hands, and nodded
archly in the glass at huge tioury patch on the
peach-bloom cheek.
"There it goes again! Do make haste, BERTHE,
and on your life, don't show any one into the
kitchen. Tell 'em its gem of a little kitchen,
but don't let 'em in, for the cake is half made
and the bread half baked, and I'm half dis
tracted; and the rolling-pin, and spice-boxes,
and egg-beaters all lying around loose, and
there"
And the young LADY expedited matters with
push that left five white dots from her five fin
ger ends on the back of Mr.. Herbert's cashmere
dressing-gown.
'The dear, absent-minded goose |" she ponder
ed as she futtered downstairs into the kitchen;
eff there's any mistake to be made he'll be sure
to make it. The more absent-minded he grows
1 do believe 8r4.
'Why, yes, this house is to let" said Mr.
BERTHE in answer to the corteous inquiry of the
tall stranger. "And suppose you want to look
at it."
Col. Templar smiled.
IL should like to inspect the rooms ; that is, if
it's quite convenient"
ooh, quite-walk in. This is the hall, and--I
believe those are the stairs, and--oh! here are
the parlors."
Sidney Templar glanced carelessly around the
lofty rooms thinking they would suit his ambi-
tious little cousin very well, when suddenly
portrait hanging over the carved marble mantle
piece caught his eye.
Marion Carylr'
He did not articulate the syllables, but they
sounded through his brain as if thousand sill
ver-tongued bells had pealed them forth! Yes,
it was Marion Caryl, with the bright golden
ringlets floating away from her fair blue-veined
temples, and the rose-mouth ready to break into
smiles that were answered by the dewy sparkle
of her eyes.
marion Caryl ~ he repeated vaguely to him
self. "And this is Marion's house, and Marion's
husband is leading me through the rooms. How
dreamlike it seems ~
I'm afraid you are tired" said honest BERTHE,
looking compassionately at Sidney's ashen pale
face, and wondering that he had not before no.
ticed how colorless it was
"a little tired" stammered Col. Templar, feel
ing the hot blood rush to his brow once more.
"But no matter-don't let me detan you be-
lieve you said the rent was -"
Rent? haven't the least idea 1 believe
it's either one hundred or eighty, or perhaps six
ty. know we paid fifty, but the landlord is
going to raise it, and Marion and l are thinking
of furnished cottage in the country--some.
where"
"Marion's husband is not man of business"
thought Sidney.
"Marion's husbands" How the words cut to
his heart.
"Well, I'll ask Maron-she knows" said Her.
bert. "Now. then, I'll take you down into the
lower department"
Oh, BERTHE, BERTHE had you already become
ooiiyious OF the words OF caution heaped on your
luckless ears
Pretty Marion screwing the top on to one of
her spice boxes. heard the advancing of footsteps
with sudden thrill of apprehension
ut can't be possible that that goose BERTHE has
forgotten what told him." she thought ale
has, though, as sure as the sun is shining, and
Marion dropped her box of fragrant all.pice,
and looked with wide-open eyes of dismay at her
bib-apron.
"They are coming she stammered, turning
alternately red and white. "Theres no help for
it. shall have to hide in the preserve closet"
A24d our little heroine, ignominously taking
refuge in flight ran lightly across the kitchen
floor and hid herself among preserved strawber-
res, East India ginger, and glimmering jars of
cherries. a
IF / don't lecture BERTHE" said Marion set.
ting her little white teeth together like belige-
rent pearls, as the two gentlemen came into the
kitchen, and she heard their voices discussing the
relative merits Of stoves and ranges
by the way" said Herbert, suddenly Il be-
lieve there are some nice closets down here; at
Iooo< MAJ l,,l1 ia
to stick!"
He gave it a jerk. Marions two hands held
resolutely on the door knob on the other side
Another resolute pull full of well-direeted ener.
gy, and the two little hands succumbed
The door flew open.
BERTHE staggered back into the middle of the
room,a and Marion stood there among the presery.
es, wofully confused, yet laughing withal, like
marvelously pretty mouse in novel species of
trap .o, D
She stopped suddenly as her shy glance met
the eyes of the tall stranger. She stopped in the
middle of the floor, checked ir her instinct Of
fight by some stronger instinct, and blushinp
like pink moss-rose down to the very tips Of
her tapery, foury fingers that were NO tightly
interlaced, while the blue eyes, half hidden by
their white lids, were full of sparkling tears, and
the mouth was breaking into tumultuous smile
for Marion did not know whether she most want.
ed TO laugh or cry.
Sidney, OH Sidney"
He bowed gravely.
Until you introduce me to your husband
Marion, I scarcely know by what name to adj.
dress you.
"My husband 2" repeated Marion, wondering.
ly following the direction of Sidney Templars
eye. ooh, you mean Berthe but he isn't my
husband-he's my brother Herbert, this is Col
Templar who fought so bravely."
Marion's face lighted up as she spoke she had