The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1876-06-22

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the carriage with his master. The news
did not meet Llewellyn until his arrival
there He had telegraphed to them from
New York Of the train he would take.
The telegram had been addressed to his
father. He arrived to learn Of his fathers
lifelessness
The awed and agitated servant told him
| blunderingly The young man faced him
sternly.
Bob what are you talking about? You
are drunk -
.Swear to hebben l amt, sab ! It's true
enuf! Marse Sayille's gone to his Almighty
rest, and de family's all waitin' fur you to
come home, an tell 'em what to do
Llewellyn saw the tears in the eyes of
the white-headed old servitor. The shock
was SO great that he turned physically
SICK and, falling among the cushions of
the carriage, silently motoned for Bob to
drive homeward
Pushing away the trembling dog which
fawncd upon him. he alighted at the door,
held open by another halt-frightened ser
want
AS soon as he stepped forth in the hall,
they all crowded about him-men, wo-
men and children. But, for the first time,
they saw him utterly unnamed. Taking
his little sister in his arms, he bowed his
face upon her golden hair, and wept. For
the great Greer love was strong rs the
Greer pride.
By-and-by he obtained command of
himself The duties OF the situation were
assumed and on the following day all
that was mortal of Professor Greer was
laid in the family resting place.
Little Rae's grief was SO deep, for her
years that Celeste gave her unceasing at
tention. She left her sleeping. at last,
and stole down into the DIM library. A
white Minerva cleaned in corner; there
was a glimmer of gold along the book
shelves; the air was scented with the
faint fragrance of Russia leather. Face
downward on a sofa lay Llewellyn Greer
She spoke his name. He sprang up.
He drew her to the sofa. AS the child
had done. he twined his arms around her,
pressed his cheek against hers. With un-
utterable tenderness she comlorted him.
Such grefs were old to her. All, to the
last one. of her household gods had been
laid low She knew by heart such sorrow.
Tenderly as q sister she pressed her cool
palms upon Llewellyn's throbbing temples
-soothed, with her pure magnetism, the
strain Of excited feeling. BY and by the
clock struck eleven Llewellyn sat up.
''Dear little Celeste, what a comfort you
have ever been 10 us all"
A soft light from an alabaster globe in
the hall stole in on them.
But you are looking i'll and tired. |
must not keep you up" he added.
"But, Llewellyn, you must not lie here
grievlng all night
mo; l will retire"
lie looked down at her fondly, and let
her go.
She slept sweetly that night. A sense
Of peace hung over her when She arose
and stood before the mirror OF her dress
ing-room brushing out her long hair.
There came Il little rap at the door
Temperance Darrah's little rap.
Come in p called Celeste.
Thought would come up and see if
you were sick, Miss Grey said the old
creature
NO l am very we'll" Celeste an
swcred
Mrs. Darrah gathered up some soiled
towels-pushed the Jardiniere of tulips
into the sunlight-caught the reflection Of
Celeste's face in the glass
Thought you might be-up so late last
night"
Something in the tone brought a sud-
den red to Celeste's cheek. She turned
about, fixed surprised, questioning look
through the vail of her hair, upon her
visitor. Old Temperance locked back,
meaningly.
"Nhat do YOU mean ?" asked Celeste.
"What do you mean, Mrs Darrah?"
"Well. Miss Grey | don't expect any
thanks for what I'm going to say-not me.
l expect you'll be angry with me; but |
think it's my duty to warn you, cause I'm
old and you're young, and don't know
much of the evil Of this world. You was
sitting alone with young Mr. Llewellyn
last night till past eleven o'clock. Now,
know YOU are good, innocent girl--too
good to think of harm, unless others
would swear to it; but tain't every one
that believes in human natur' as do and
| must-nust warn you, Miss Grey, that
you can't 90 living in this way Mr..
Llewellyn, now his fathers dead. You'll
lose your character. 'Tain't proper"
"But-but," stammered Celeste, "this
is my home | have no other. The pro
fessor has been dear as a father to me
and there's Rae-,
Yes; but you amt her sister, and you
amt Mr.. Llewellyn's sister; and I've my
thoughts about your loving him as a sis
ter Now, you needn't turn so white, or
blush either-folks can't help the voice of
natur'; | don't cast no blame on you for
that, and l can keep a still tongue; but
there'll have to be change made, if your
good is taken care Of And now, if you're
a sensible girl, as think, and will listen
to the caution of a well meaning old wo-
man, you will bear me no i'll WILL but Just
take care of yourself though l should
miss you out Of the house SADLY should,
indeed, my dear
Celeste could not speak for the beating
of her heart and the choking of her throat.
She turned silently to the mirror. mechani-
cally arranging her hair. and Mrs Darrah
slipped out.
When Celeste came down. Llewellyn
had had an early breakfast, and driven
away on business to the next town. Little
Rae, exhausted by grief, still slept.
The Spring sunshine came softly in at
the windows, all the bright luxurious
house was beautiful, but Celeste wander
ed in the rich rooms with sick heart.
Every familiar and perfect object tortured
her her heart ached with dread and ter
ror and unspeakable misery, and so the
wretched morning passed.
They had told her that Llewellyn would
not be back until night, She longed for
his coming, and yet, dreaded to see him.
What should she say to him? Where was
she to go? And then, with a throb of
wild joy, she realized that he would never,
never consent to her leaving Hawkeshome
she felt that she was dear to him, dearer
than she dared acknowledge; the remem-
brance of his voice, his caressing hold up
on the previous night thrilled her heart
with a momentary. warmth and comfort
Yes, he must know what cid Temperance
had said; but that he would wish her to
go, she did not for moment believe. But
then came the conviction that Llewellyn
Greer, unnamed by grief, was not the
one to appeal toto take counsel with.
"SAould 60 away now, that there may
be no tempting when he comes, and is
kind, sad, and needing me?" she mur-