The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1878-06-20
'osty lace, between which = woman's face

n0r and agate.blue eyes-Angelique !
Wharton's. It was Christmas morning.
Her guests had all arrived save one-and
for that one she cared more than al the
rest. s. 5:i H
No! Hubert Knox had not come, and
in he: dressing room little Elsie was
piling up her chestnut braids with 4
heavy heart. What did it matter that
her beautiful rose pink dinner dress was
done, and that she looked IKE Hebe her
self in itG 1t did not matter if all the
rest of the world cried approval if his
blue eyes did not look gratified. f.
1t was nearly twelve o'clock, and
though she had letter referring to his
expected visit at Linden Walks, no had
not arrived. Gradually, as the minutes !
went by, her heart sank in her bosom
until it felt like lead.
Suddenly rapid wheel ground sharp
~ up the drive. The driver sprang
down and opened the carriage door, and
gentleman leaped out.
Little Elsie turned from the window
to the mirror. Her cheeks were as red
as roses, and they matched so beautifully
the pink silk. She was glad that it was
done now, for the newcomer was Mr..
Hubert Knox.
He was talking with Angelique in the
drawing-r room when she came down.
sand Mr.. Israel Wharton had no
children9"
The words were uttered by Mr.. Knox
in q casual manner, but close observer
might have discovered that he was in
tently listening for the lady's reply.
She began to look little bored.
"There was runaway son, not of
age. I never saw him, and Mr.. Whar-
ton did not remember him In his will.
Elsie, dear, do you not see that Mr..
Knox has comet"
Elsie was waiting to give her heart
time to calm its rapid beating before she
spoke to Hubert Knox. But she was at
ease and happy as soon as she felt the
clasp Of his warm hand and looked into
his face.
Yet Elsie was hardly the contiding
child she had been six weeks before.
She had received still other hints and
warnings from Angelique. But Knox
did not understand. He missed her
frank glee, and thought she seemed more
womanly and less child.
But the old, care.free, confding days
were gone. Knox was grave and preoc.
cupied, and Elsie felt the presence of a
shadow which she could not dispel.
Angelique was 80 beautiful! No long.
er she wore mourning, and the pale, nall
tint of widowhood. Her dinner dress, Of
azure silk, made her alluringly hand.
some. Constantly Knox talked with her
| Was he fascinated by this mature
woman, SO much more his peer than she
foolish, adoring little thing9 Did hi
dream of loving her-the heiress Of LIN.
den Walks2
He remained at the old mansion tou1
days. Elsie had certain duties to per
form, and among them was the supervis.
ion OF the sleeping rooms Of the establish
ment.
! She was in Mr.. Knox's chamber mex
morning, giving the servant some in
structions concerning it, when his foo
) sounded on the stairs, and he entered til,
apartment.
At first he did not see her. He bega1
walking the floor, his hands locked be
hind him, his head bent, evidently think
ing. She put down the vase of chrysan
themums she held and he turned toward
her.
"Elsie, are you here?"
EYES,"
''You said that Linden Walks was
beautiful place" he said, after moment
"But think it very melancholy place
Elsie"
lis it because of the time of year?
said Elsie.''
mo, it is not that"
"What is it then;"
"Perhaps I will tell you sometime. Ell
sic, do you know where the key is to thi
: cabinet2"
1t was an old Louis XIV. cabinet q
ebony, with mosaic pictures upon tn
panels.
/ "There is a bunch of keys in the house
: keepers room. will 20 and get them.
She came back with the string of key
believing that he wanted to examine tn
quaint structure of the cabinet. BIT wit
an impetuous movement he receive
them, and applying them to the princips
doors, Enclosed aperture after apertuur
with ready hand.
Suddenly hidden drawer emptied
! letter into his hand. Elsie saw the super
! scription. It was Rupert Wharton.:'
4 Knox examined it eagerly, seemin
quite unconscious, in his strange cage
!. ness, of the wondering eyes of the gil
beside him.
"A message from the dead" he mu
INJURED.
His hands were shaking violently. T
5 her amazement he broke the seal, glance
at its contents, and strobe from the room
Amazed, puzzled, and half frightene,
Elsie hastily locked the cabinet, fearin
less Angelique should discover til
> stradge transaction.
The guests Of the previous day sti
| remained at Linden Walks. But whe
:; they assembled at dinner, Mr.. Huber
Knox was not of their number, and \
one knew where he had gone. A serva1
saw HIM 60 down the avenue, but
could not be found in the grounds, an
the family were obliged to dine withor
him.
In the afternoon the remainder of til
guests went away, and Angelique an
!, Elsie were alone in the drawing-room.
II have delicate matter to explain
Elsie," said the former, "But it is bes
to be frank. You must have noticed NJ
Knox's increasing attention to me.
have reason to believe that he will 500
make me an offer of marriage; and l.
! we'll, I can afford to marry literar
man without fortune, and adore talen
With you it is different. You must hav
rich husband, Elsie. I have bee
thinking that for the present, to reliev
the awkwardness Of this affair, you woul,
like to 60 home to your fathers house.
She paused.
"By. and-by you could come back, 20,
know, and l would do my best to re
you we'll settled in life. What do 70,
!say2"
II will 60 home," answered Eleie
family.
The gathering twilight hid her pallol
and trembling. She could not move to
leave the room and her cruel Cousins