The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1878-08-15

deeming quality of seclusion, for it sat
far back from the street, overlooking a
narrow garden-plat.s One window over
the hall-door was draped with scant
lace curtain, and q pot of geraniums
bloomed underneath On the sill.
The young man, With . few eager,
whispered words to Miss Laura, unlocked
the door with kew which he took from
bis pocket. and We entered long, cheer
leas hall, and from there the dreary par
lor, in which there was no vestige of fur
niturc save two wooden chairs.
"Sit down, Renie," said Miss Laura,
face and manner preoccupied; II will
take the things, aud you will wait for me
here; I shan't be gone long,"
Ny heart sank as she disappeared. leav-
ng me alone with my thoughts, Al
ready I had heard the treao of mans
foot up stairs, and soon, in addition, the
closing Of the door ABOVE, and .. light
footstep. Never had I%ss kcenly expe-
rienced the dread Of utter dcsolation as
now while sat in that deserted room.
Doubtless children had played in it. and
light hearts sung, for it had evidently
been q cheerful home once. as the defaced
ernamentation and faded frescoing gave
evidence of former beauty. But now the
plastering was broken, tie walls were
black with cobwebs, and the windows
quite crustcd with dirt. 1t was evident
that the place had been long unoccupied.
had seated myself, when step Oh
the stairs and the opening Of the doc
caused me to spring up in terror. Philip
Lansing stood on the threshold, hat IN
hand, and his face absolutely lighted up
the room. 1t was, as had heard, radi-
antly beautiful, with haunting dark eyes,
all the more fascinating that their ex.
preston at that moment was intensely
| sad.
"Cone, Renie." said a voice outside.
l met Miss Laura in the hall. thought
she had been crying. She handed me a
basket, tina, seemed heavier than the one
I had brought.
"Renie, this is my COUSIN, Mr.. Philip
Lansing" she said. "He has lately re-
turned from abroad and this Philip is
the little protcge told you about"
Mr.. Philip condescended to touch his
hat, and We went outside into the little
yard.
Mr.. Phillip accompanied US to the cor
ner, and there stopped.
"Had I not better get you carriage?'
he asked.
mo, indeed, Phillip. l had much
rather walk" she answered. "Come up
oon-mamma likes to see you, she ad-
ded, with an assumption Of case.
We walked home rapidly, and in ST.
lence. Miss Laura seemed plunged in
deep and painful thought. 1t was past
lunch time when We arrived, but plate
OF cake, and goblet of milk, stood ready
for Miss Laura on the table in her room
"Renie," Miss Laura said, "you will
oblige me if you will eat my luncheon
for me. My head aches, and am going
to lie down.
drank the milk, but was not hungry
and took The tray back to the kitchen
l fancied even the under. servants looked
at me unspiciously, and hurried back tc
my room.
! ~ was 4u4tC 1tlC "uCu VI 1873 1lhul6 IOSt
almost dinner-time, in fact. dressed
her hair, and was just putting on the fin
ishing touches when she spoke abruptly
Don't you think my cousin fne-look
ing?'
"Hc is handsome, Miss Laura" sale
'The handsomest man ever saw
That's the general verdict" she re-
piled.
"But added, eagerly, IL don't like
pose. one cant like. Now, Mr.. Valdez
on"
"You surely don't call him handsome2'
she said, with soft laugh, that did no
quite like; then in an undertone: "Hand.
some is that handsome ooes. Well pool
fellow! poor Philip" she added, with .
sigh that I could not help resenting, anG
fell into fit of musing. Just before the
bell rang for dinner a servant came in
with note and great armful of water
lilies. How lovely they were Theil
fragrance filed the room.
In an instant Miss Laura's eyes were
81 arkling. She tore open the note with
eager fingers, read it once. twice-smiled
then came burst like sunshine over hc1
face.
"Oh, the sweet, sweet things!" she
cried it an ecstasy. Il am 50 fond OF
them Poor Philip! poor" Her voice
sank to d murmur. How could I think
otherwise than that note and flowers
came from her handsome cousin, as she
placed the lilies in a basin of water
whele, with their lustrous leaves and
long, coiling stems, they formed a beauti
full picture?
Philip came after dinner on the follow
ing day. A bright, we'll dressed, elegant
and jubilant young gentleman-the
change was great from Philip in d
slouched hat to Philip in all the glory ot
a fashionable suit. HIS ease of manner,
grace, beauty of form, and merry laugh
made him almost irresistible. I sat in
the little alcove leading from the general
sitting room, busy with some old lace
had been mcnding for Miss Laura, and !
could see them both BY incIining my head
a little. They were glorious pair, but
it seemed to me that Philip had no right
there-he was taking Mr.. Walderon 4
place, and sudden jealousy sprang up
IN my neart, which changed almost to
terror when the door opened and the rec
tor of St. Paul's stood on the threshold
That same light that had come into her
face when she received the lilies flashed
over it again, for in the il :erim caught
one glance Of her as she rose to meet MIR
Walderon. l fancied there was, also, a
timid, beseeching look in her sofe eyes as
she came forward, with outstretched hand
to meet him. But the rector advanced
slowly, and greeted Philip, to whom he
was presented, courteously but colby
willis Miss Laura divided her attentions
between the two, and Philip addressed
her with more than cousinly freedom
AS for myself, tried to think of mani.
fold excuses for my mistress. 1 would
not allow that the sweet girl at whose
shrine worshiped was a coquette; and
slill..-at least so it seem,d to me. who
sat there under protest--.-her manner