Litchfield enquirer., 1876-01-13
5 Then he removed his hat as, she stood
 before him. l. 'sHave I the honor of addressing one of
 Mrs Meston's household ?" tsh asust a g"I sent for you," she replied. in low,
 firm voice. ..g

1 ssHave the honor of addressing one of Mrs. Meston's household ?" etsa aEust t"I sent for you." she replied. in low, firm voice. -..e . u.-MRs. MEsToN AT HOME. l Both were silent for a moment. The 1 artist awaited explanation with shade of I reserve in hls manner. If woman wish I ed to dupe him by this anonymous sum
 mons. he had best be on his guard. He 1 observed her closely without appearing to l do so- Now that she had quilted the Gold avenue, and the day was waning, she
 vas young lady of about five and twenty with chestnut hair and pale complexion. It occurred to Francis Iredell that she was oddly unlike the young lady of the pe- riod; her black robe was almost convent
 ual in simplicity, yet became the supple, rounded figure the waving, luxurlant
 hair, which gleamed with auburn threads
 nere and there, was gathered in knot at
 the back of the small head. There was
 not an ornament about her; even her fn- 1 gers were devoid of rings. She possessed
 that individuality which would have made one observe heS in a crowd without being | able to define the attraction r.-.--. 1.
 "I sent for you" she repeated, hurried | ly, as if losing her composure. "This is
 the home of your aunt, Mrs. Meston." l 'So I perceive," rather dryly He
 would not help her in the least. l She looked at him almost appealingly. 1 5"Have you ever made yourself known
 to her? Have you ever shown her any of
 tue courtesy her age exaets, at least from
 her kinsman p
 What smoothly modulated voice it
 was, with sweet, penetrating infection.
 putting these actually impertinent ques- l tions to him! Francis Iredell laughed {;
 the numor of the situation oyercame him.
 ''My dear child, you should deliver
 lectures on etiquette to poor relations. It
 is good rule ill life to oDly associate
 with those one meets on an equality"
 ''Such rule should not hold in fam
 ilies," said the girl. in a somber tone. 1 "There more than elsewhere, because l tyrannical distinctions can be made" The girl moved closer to him, and laid
 her hand impulsively on hls arm. "What
 do you know about it :? What can you know?"
 l The sudden change in her manner sur prised him, but before he could speak she 1 had drawn back into her habitual calm. my poor ability, MT. Iredell I took the | 1 duce you to remember your duty toward
 Mrs. Meston." 'You are kind, "-ironically. 'I am not altogether disinterested, |" she returned, quickly.
 "Let Godfrey Noy be devoted, he said, somewhat bitterly.
 "Why leave every thing to Godfrey NoY? Now that you are here, Mir. Iredell, will you not cali, this evening? Mrs. Meston can infer that you are sketching through the country and not word about me, beg" t.t
 Shall I see you again, if come ?" he inquired, extending hls hand with that masculine empressment natural in ad- dressing young wonaan.
 A man trudged across the slope-a bur- ly tramp, ragged, dusty, travel stained, with bundle slung over his shoulder on stick. He looked up at the pair with a snllen. ferocious gaze, in which was re- fected the smoldering envy of the vicious poor. He went slowly on. and disappear ed with muttered curse at the sharp stones of the path, which wounded his feet ..- . .a= ~s. ''I do not play in the drama at all," said. the girl. ignoring tue profered hand, and, hastening away up the walk. A trifle piqued by this abrupt leave taking, Francis Iredell betook himself to the village tavern-a low, white building on the street, with long piazza, flavor the imposing name of the United States hotel. At eight o'clock he again climbed the hill, at the same time heartily wishing himself at his club instead. In the star light the house was dimly defined only by illuminated windows in different portions of the building; the trees of the avenue, the evergreens on the lawn, were masses of shadow. He was admitted into mar. ble-paved hall, where tinted lamp swung from the ceiling, revealing large Chinese vases, medallion coat-of-arms on the wall, and circular stairway rounding up- ward as If to support statues in niches He smiled at the coat-of-arms: his uncle had made fortune as a master-carpenter
 In a.small parlor, opening on larger dimly lighted drawing room, sat an old lady and an old gentleman playing beg ique, with much lively recrimination as to the points of the game. Francis laid down his weapon of satire on the thres- hold, as Mrs. Meston rose to greet him. A aster-carpenter, forsooth If she chose to play the grande dame, she filled the role remarkable well. Purple moire and rich lace may be worn by hostess to entertain 8 gentleman in @ wig, if she chooses, especially if she possesses bright black eyes. strongly marked brows, and puffs of milk-white hair arranged about delicate, yellow old face. Jewels spark led in her ears and loaded her thin, Wrink- led hands.
 .'To be sure r she said, in high crack ed voice Francis Iredell, of all the world am glad to see you, my dear, although you do not often afford me the pleasure. It is ten years, if it is & day. since you have given me civil word" ssMy dear aunt, what possible impor- tance can my movements have to you?" he replied, lightly saluting one soft old cheek.
 '..We do not like a Mordecai at our gate sir. POlitenesss is cheap to old women." .Had supposed you needed il, I would have come before. :" he said, quietly. | Mrs. Meston regarded him sharply. He was no loager an awkward boy blnshing at her notice, and his very independence of bearing pleased the oapricious woman, Could she by any means chain him to her chariot wheel? ,H ~ .Dr. Sharpe, my nephew, MT. Francis Iredell. I don't know whether he's gen. jus or lunatic." .s The old gentleman in the wig took of his spectacles
 s"Piease rememberBthat it is my deal, ma'am. How are you sir.
 ''Where Is Hannah? How stupid young girls are in these days
 "I am here, l" said quiet voice from dark corner. f.. .s Miss Leieune, Francis" The girl of the summer-house placed her hand in his with downcast lids. "Now tell me how it is that Holmcroft is honored by your presence" pursued Mrs. Meston, with gaiety which suggest ed an uncertain temper.
 r Francis could not resist stealing glance at Miss Leienne, who was intently absorbed in drawing worsted through a bit of canvass.
 s-sOh! the country about Holmcroft is charming, aunt. An artist must gather honey while the sun shines Mrs. Meston nodded her head in great