The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1871-04-08
Risrellanp.
MASOUERADING.

contenptible wretch" and here Miss Lilias
Seton stopped very excitedly.
..But Liliar." argued her cousin Marian, "be
reasonable. Herbert M.rston hasn't expressed
the slightest intention of complying with his
fathers wishes-has said nothing at all about
matrinonv. and has no ueed Of the fortune left
him additionally"
"Well. that only shows him to be miserly,
was the wilful retort: And the matter Just SET
ties itself down to this: | am not going to mar.
~ any one whom | don't loye with my whole
soul-no matter what recnnlary disadvantage
may be the resultant don want 70 De ootn.
cred with him ANY way. Marian, dear, won't
YOU do me a fayor?" aud the speaker wistful
gaze was very becoming
"Why of course what ia 1t ~
"Weh. l thought over the matter all last
night and have hit upon splendid plan, if
you'll only consent. You know We have re-
ceivsd permission TO keep house down at the
old homestead all by ourselves this summer
Well, no one there knows us, and won't you be
Lilias, and let rae be your maid IT he can't
love me in one position as we'll as another,
don't want anything to do with him; and if he
should fancy you, it would be splendid
Both these young girls were beautiful, wealthy
and romantic. The elder Mr.. Marston, on ac-
count of some fancied business wrong he had
done her father, had left his property to his son
on condition that he married Lilias; if he re-
fused, Lias was To possess the whole. he had
been dead now about year, and two or three
DAYS before Lilia- had received letter from the
son, stating his intention of coming to America,
but making no mention whatever of money or
matrimony.
The letter was cultured and gsntlemanly-
Lilias was forc,L to confess that; but his
very reticence on the one important subject
piqued her, and rather revensefully she planned
out the little programme, which, after oosxiug,
her cousin agreed 70.
In "a few weeks they were located for tho sum.
mer in the Seton homestead. Mrs. Seton and
her daughter had preferred fashionable water
ing.place, but had not opposed Lilias desire to
rusticate in the old farm house, which was ten.
anted and kept in order by couple to whom
both Lili.s and Marian were strangers.
Snow" said Lilias one glorious summer eve
ming 81 suppose we may expect Herbert Mar
ston daily, as have left note to be delivered
to him Immediately after his arrival, informing
him of my whereabouts. But, look, here come
two strangers May be one of them 10 he. But
be on your guard
She had no time to say more, for both had APP
preached, and one spoke:
sis Miss Seton residing here 2"
Marian bowed composedly.
"That is my name, sir"
'Indeed," with extended hand "Allow me to
introduce myself Herbert Marston.'
After the necessary greeting had been inter-
changed, the new conner glanced inquiringly at
the little white robed figure standing modestly
apart.
Marian bit her lips amusedly. Lilias didn't
look at all like a menia still her character must
be kept up, and in reply to his questioning gaze,
she said:
Maggie, you may 90 in and help Mrs Brown
about tea. presume your walk from the de.
pot has given you an appetite ?" and Marian in
turn looked though desiring an introd uction
to Mr.. Marston's companion.
"Perhaps," said tho gentleman, with an odd
expression, "before your maid attends TO that
business, she viii show my valet the room am
to occupy"
Both ladies looked up in surprise.
The valet a handsome, dark mOustached,
six footer. whose every ex preston belied his pc.
siton Of seryility; but he had snoudered his
valise, and stood wai.inI. for his guide to lead
the way; SO, with look that sig nihed some
thing more than mere wonder, Maggie obeyed
the imperative command of her mistress, and
proceeded up stairs
"Whew!" said the valet, after depositing his
burden, locking up with smile into the fair
young face OF his escort, "Thats what call
warm work Well, Maggie, are you and 90.
ing to be good friends! "
He spoke rather coudescendingly, and the in.
dignant blood rushed into his companions cheeks
as she replied coolly:
sible to answer your question decidedly, but
think not.'
He smiled provokingly.
That's bad. But opinions on that subject
differ. Why, il We don't entertain egch other
what the dickens shall we DO with ourselves"
81 have meyer been at loss for amusement"
responded his companion, damurely. "How.
ever, il you are dependent upon outside society,
there are plenty of servant girls about, whom
l have nodoubt you can readily become acquaint.
ed with"
II don't fancy servant girls az a general
thing he answered calmly II have rather
high ideas for valet, and consequently have
but little desire to become acquainted with your
friends
little petulant olrug was all the answer ne
received, and the file dc ctambre turned and De.
scended the stairs
THAT man., she murmured softly sis no ore
servant than | am Blu. he shan't know tina, I
suspect the truth ana she chuckled amusedly
at the thought OF her own secret, which he wa,
tar from divining.
Attor tea while the master and mistress chat.
tee pleasantly On the old fashioned porch, the
Two servants by tie gate were sparring away
galv.
'Why, Maggie" -pid the valet, who answ cred
10 the name OF john, you twice as smart as
h",i the young ladies OF the present day. VIVA:
muSs' you stay IN so degrading u position
Don't You know enough to teach SCHOOL,
Yes, suppose so,' replied Maggie with a
misehlyous smile he failed to detect She had
been purposcly showing off "But Tn very
much attached to Miss LiIias and Ms long A.
one i obliged to work what does it matter what
one does z" '
"a great deal, " he answered much moro e,c;,