Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1870-01-14

from the cars at the New York depot,
dressed in sober brown suit, that made
her look like shrinking little mouse,
with her carpet-bag in her hands.
4 little inquiry sufficed to bring her to
the street where Mr.. Glencross resided
a stately avenue, lined on either side with
elegant palaces, the like of which Lilly
had never seen in the palmer city where
she had been born and bred. Her heart
sank within her as she stood on the broad
brown-stone steps leading up TO the
carved rosewood door. on which silver
plate bore the name of "GlcncroSs" in
old English letters.
Then, coloring deeply at her own
cowardly tremulousneSS and utter lack of
all resolution and enterprise, she rang
the bell, to settle the question at once
and definitely.
lis Mr. Glencross at home ?" she asked
of the colored servant who answered the
summons
Yes. Mr.. GlencroSs was al home would
the young lady enter' And Lilias was
shown into an apartment curtaincd with
heavy folds OF purple satin, and carpeied
with velvet of the same rich color-an
apartment whose dusky Splendor made
her think of all the stories she had read
of enchanted palaces in the realms of
fairy-land.
As Lilias sat on the silkcn sofa, wait
ing with throbbing heart for the ap'
pearance of her unknown cousin, the
thought stole Rto her mind that he was
not so much OF a "miser" after all; and
then sick sort of a miSsgiying that her
mission was all in vain.
For surely she thought "hc will not
want any Que to make bread, or to look
after the kitchen expenditures. ] wish
oh, | wish that | was safe at home
again"
The thought had scarcely framed itself
in her mind, when door at the farther
end of the room was opened. and tall
handsome man, scarcely thirty years of
age. entered.
IL beg your pardon, sir" faltered
Lilias. all in hu,ter, "but wish TO see
Mr.. GlencrCsS."
Il am Mr.. Glencross."
You"
Lily rose up and sat down again, color
ing vivid scarlet This. then, was their
"far.off'' cousin, and how widely differ
ent from their dreams and lancies! Ap'
parently the gentleman saw and pitied
her painful confusion, for he said polite
ly:
MAY VI ask in what manner l can be
useful TO you?"
Il am LilaS Wayland." she answered.
IN tone that was scarcely audible.
"Wayland"' \ shadow, faint. Yet dis
tinctly perceptlble. oyerspread his face
al that word, and Lilias saw it with 4
failing heart. She forgot the labored
speech of palliation and excuse that she
had prepared. She forgot that he was no
Silver.haired patriarch, but handsome
young man, surrounded with all the ad-
iuucts of wealth and luxury. She re-
membered only poor Charley and her own
sickening idea OF debt. disgrace and
ruin; and sinking on her knees ut his feet
she Sobbed out her pitiful story,
.He is SO young" she walled $50
young, surely you will not refuse to give
him another chance for name and lame?
| will work and toll for you until the
five hundred dollars are every cent paid.
Twill be a servant, seamstress-what you
please, only promise me that you will
not visit HIM with the penalties of the
law"
Her voice died into quivering silence.
out her eyes still appealed
Rise. Miss Wayland," said the young
man, after moments grave consijer,!,
ton, Il promise that this offence of your
brothers shall be overlooked. for the sake
of the sister who has pleaded 50 eloquent
ly for him"
And what can DO for you? What
must do? For if | cannot repay the
money in some shape or other, shall die
of shame and modification"
Il will take the matter into consider'-
tion," said Mr.. Glencross gravely, yet not
without certain CLEAN of amusement in
the corners of his mouth at the idea OF
that pretty, slender creature rendering up
to him the equivalent of FIVE hundred dol
lars. And now, cousin Lillias-for | be-
lieve we may claim relationship, although
il is somewhat Distant shall insist upon
YOU as my guest for while. Let NE ring
and send for my mOther!m ~
Mrs. Glencross, "a stately oldlady in black
silk and ValencienneS lace, welcomed
Lillias Wayland with smiling hospitality
which belonged to the ancient re9'me'
and almost before she knew it the girl
found herself chattering innocently away
with her hostess, as If she had lived all
her life in the sunshine of that pleasant
smile; while Paulus Glencross, busted
among some papers at table beyond,