The Morning herald., 1876-09-26

4
these another great nephew, but not de-
pendent upon Aunt Huldah. He had
inherited a moderate income, and increased
it by the profession be selected-that Of an
artist.
In vain Aunt HuIdah stormed. Will.
fred was the only relative who would not
submit to her exsctions, except so far as
his own judgment endorsed them, and he
quietly studied, and finally went to ltlay
for six years.
He had never known any home but
Crofton Place, and was coming there, a
man nearly thirty, and already we'll known
in the art-world. Ellie remembered him
well, and treated me to all her childish
recollections, for had never seen him.
From Ellie I drew the idea that he was
tall and blonde, like the Croftons; also
that he was not bit afraid of Aunt Hull
dah-a marvel of courage in Ellie's
eyes.
He came in November, when we were
all at our dreariest. l was holding Aunt
Huldah in my arms while she writhed in
pain, when the servant announced Mr..
Wilfred, ma'amp'
"Go down, Gertrude" Aunt Huldah,
gasped, "Ellie is out. Go tell him he is
welcome. His old room is ready, and /
will see him tomorrow. Come back as
qnickly as you can, for-for-" and pain
held her mute, till, finding | had not
started, she gasped out, "Goy" like the
crack Of rifle.
went then. saw my cousin long be-
fore he saw me, for 1 crossed the long
drawing-room, softly shod, on thick vel
vet carpet, and he stood looking from the
window at the leaves tossing in the No
vember wind. saw that he was tall,
broad-shouldered and straight as an ar
row, with heavy blonde beard, full OF
c-inkles, big blue eyes, large, but well.
formed features, and an erect carriage Of
head and chest. A noble-looking man
rather than handsome. l crossed the
room to his side, and said:
"Miss Crofton has sent me to say that
you are very welcome, that your old room
is ready, and that she will see you to-mor-
SOW. To-day she is ILL.,"
He looked at me in unfeigned surprise.
"You are net Ellie?' he said.
1 burst out laughing. The idea Of the
wee white mouse ever growing to such an
Indian squaw as was.
"I am Gertrude Hemming."
my cousin still, then," he said, ex-
tending hi' hand. "Idid not know you
were here"
'No! 1 noticed in the long letters
Aunt Huldah dictated to me, for you,
that l was too insignificant to mention.
Yet, as you say, we are cousins, and l am
glad to welcome you home again."
"Will you not sit down and chat
awhile p he asked.
II can't. l am head nurse, and needed
in the sick-room. But Ellie will be home
soon, and in the meantime the open CRATE
in his room looked very inviting as l
passed the door,"
"Well, since / must-1 mustV he said,
"but hope you are not always SO closely
occupied p
We sauntered slowly across the hall,
chatting all the way, till he turned in at
the door of his room, and I quickened my
steps back to Aunt Huldah,
She gave me savage glance, and NUT
tered that she thought l meant to stay all
day, and let me resume my interrupted
duty.
A month later she sent for me one morn
ing, and received me in her morning
room, with face like Gorgon's head.
"Miss Hemming," she said, icily,
"when l took you here, pauper, you will
recollect, l defined your duties very
clearly. do not remember that making
love to my nephew was one Of them"
My face burned, and cried, hotly:
"You speak falsely, if you accuse me OF
that p
"Oh, indeed! Perhaps he does not find
you out wherever you may be, twenty
times day? Perhap ps he does not sketch
your face, and call you an Indian queen,
though you are more like a mulatto
Perhaps he does not sing with you, and
praise your glorious voice-eminently
fitted to cry fish in a market?'
(To BE CONTINUED.