The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1875-08-07

Worth comfortably established themselves.
Lottiu found sufficient amusement in the gay
sirlts and sounds of New York, the matinees
at the Opera House, and theatres, and the
daily drive to the Park. She read novels by
the dozen dear privilege OF an escaped
school girl , banged her piano, ate oon-oons,
and kept up her French by daily chats with
a Jolly little Parisienne kairdreSser, VINO.
came to her every morning
! From the window OF her paiior Louie
could look across the street to the Everett
House, and one day she was rather startled
as she sat rocking and pretending to do some
worsted work, to see the barrels OF an ivory
opera glass directed, apparently, full upon
her
How very imperlInemt" thought Lo!tie,
and she moved oat of sight and then softly
closed the inside blinds. She would not have
been a woman if she had not peeped thro
the stats, to see what sort OF an animal mac
been surveying her through the lorgnette'
There he was at the window smoking, sure,
and looking lazily into the street. lie was
handsome enough, and LOttie fancied there
was something familiar in the cut OF MS lace
Another day came and again Lottie had 10
close her blinds and be indignant. And one
afternoon, as she followed Mrs. Worth into
the carriage there was the same young man
almost at her elbow, staring at her with all
his eyes.
What was she to do, Tell Mrs Worth ;
Change her rooms at the hotel? After all, he
had done nothing but look at her once or
twice, and perhaps, even, 1t was some other
window at which the lOrgnette was directed.
I"pll keep the blinds closed, and not think
of it any more" sand Lottie 10 herself, and
she really kept her resolution.
The next Saturday there was to be a matt
nee at the Opera House-Nllson was to sing
in "Martha" OF course Lottie and Mrs.
Worth did not miss such a treat. There was
a great crowd, and IN the struggle Of getting
out after the opera was over, LottIe bGcameI
separated from her cnapcrone.
"Pcrhaps you had better take my arm, "
some one said suddenly at her ear
Lottie looked up angrily, and saw her
neighbor of the Everett House. He was
looking curiously at her, and seemed almost
inclined to laugh.
"What nsolence!" muttered Lotie, and
drawing up hc- little figure with great dig
nifty, she tried to wither him with look.
1T was very unkind of you to refuse my
arm, said the young man, tende!ly. GAS Of
ten as you have kissed me, too"
"He is mad" thought Lottic, and now she
was really frightened, and made desperatcI
effort to push through the crowd to rejoin
Mrs. Worth.
stop, Lotic!" and OBTAINING hand held
her back. "You surely have not forgotten
your cousin, Royston Crosby"
"Roy! Is it really?" exclaimed Lottie, joy
fully, clasping her hands over his arm.
You don't suppose | would be so ungen'
tlemanly as to speak 10 n girl | didn't know y
OF course, am Roy. | have been watchingI
you for the past week, for fancied you were
\ f,nr Late hn hnt p1
today went and inquired for you by name,
and then followed yoa here"
"Dear Roy, am so glad t0sce you. More
glad than can say cried Louie enthuslas-,
tlcaly.
"Dcar little Lottiel' said Roy, attectionatc-I
ly squeezing her hand with his arm.
when did you come from California;
asked Lottie.
"Ten days ago.
Odd you make your fortune, Roy
Roy shook hs head mourniully.
"Ahr' thought Lottie, "the poor boy Isl
probably as poor as when he went away. How
fortunate that | am so rich, for, of course he
can have all lie wants of my money"
They were now in the open air. She look
ed up in his face.
"Royston, you must come and dine with us
this evening" she said. II have great zeal
to talk to you about"
She spoke with the seriousness of advanc-
ed age as if she was an elderly aunt lectur-
ing refractory nephew.
Mrs. Worth was found painting with terror
at the loss of her charge. Roy was duly pre-
scented to the good lady, and the three went
cozily home together.
After dinner Roy lighted his segar, and
seated himself op the window-sill to smoke.
II was a warm evening, late in October; the
windows were open, and the light and sounds
Of the great city seemed gay and cheerful to
the young people. Lottic sat IN her low
rocking-chair, and pondered over what words
she could use in offering to help her cousin
"Pain words are always the best, she
thought, and thus she commenced.
"Royston, am troubled about you
"Are you Lot? Whyy' said Roy, lazily al
lowing a thin line Of smoke to escape from
his mouth.
"Aro you in debly' asked I.otte seriously.
mo, nothing to speak Of
Did you leave any debts IN California;
mo" said Roy, looking curiously at the
grave face of his pretty cousin
"And as you have only been here ten days
you cannot owe much But how do you ex-
pect to pay your bill at the Everett House,"
"IIow?" asked Roy.
"Ies,. how? You were always careless,
thoughtless boy. feared you would not
make your fortune in California. Royston,
dear, you know you are too lazy TO work in
earnest"
Very truem
"But then am very rich, and have enough
for us both. You must frankly ask me for
what you want"
ooh, | see" sand Roy, sitting up and look
ing full at Lotto.
"Of course you would not mind aslllngm
your own near cousin; and II distresSes me
10 think that you are in poverty
you dear, little thing!" said Roy, leaning
down from the wind0w-si!l, and attempting
to kiss his own near cousin
Don't be childish" Lottie said, gravcly,
and motioning away the handsome face, so
near hers
ooh, YES. let me be childish" whispered
Roy. THE old lady is asleep, and cousins
always kiss
mo, nor sand Lottie, pushing him away,
and feeling strangely tattered and shy.
But Roy would have his kiss; and after he