Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1878-08-15

now while sat in that deserted room.
Doubtless children had played in it, and
light hearts sung, for it had evidently
been cheerful home once, as the defaced
ornamentation and faded frescoing gave
evidence of former beauty. But now the
plastering was broken, the walls were
black with cobwebs, and the windows
quite crusted 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. It was, as I had heard, radi-
antly beautiful, with haunting dark eyes,
all the more fascinating that their ex-
preston at that moment was intensely
sad.
''Come, Renic," said voice outside.
l met Miss Laura in the hall. thought
she had been crying. She handed me a
basket, that 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 protege told you about"
MI. 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 not better get you carriage?"
he asked.
mo, indeed, Phillip. I had much
rather walk she answered. ''Come up
soon-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. It was past
lunch time when we arrived, but plate
OF cake, and a 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.
I drank the milk, but was not HUNGRY,
and took The tray back to the kitchen.
I fancied even the under servants looked
at me unspiciously, and hurried back to
my room.
It was quite late when Miss Laura rose
almost dinner time, in fact. I dressed
her hair, and was just putting on the fn~
ishing touches when she spoke abruptly
Don't you think my cousin fine-look'
ing?"
"He is handsome, Miss Laura" I said
1.-THE handsomest man ever saw"
"Tha1's the general verdict" she re-
piled.
"But I added, eagerly, II don't like
his face; there are beautiful faces, ] sup
pose. one cant like. Now, Mr.. Valdez
On"
"You surely don't call him handsome?''
she said, with soft laugh, that I did not
quite like; then in an undertone: "Hand-
some is that handsome ooes. Well poor
fellow! poor Philip" she added, with a
sigh that could not help resenting, and
fell into fit Of musing. Just before the
bell rang for dinner servant came in
with note and great armful of water
lilies. How lovely they were! Their
fragrance filled 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 her
face.
"Oh, the sweet, sweet thingsl' she
cried it an ecstasy. II am 80 fond OF
them Poor Philip! poor" Her voice
sank to a murmur. How could I think
otherwise than that note and flowers
came from her handsome cousin, as she
placed the lilies in q basin of water
whele, with their lustrous leaves and
long, coiling stems, they formed beauti.
full picture?
Philip came after dinner on the follow
ing day. A bright, we'll dressed, elegant
and jubilant young sentleman-the
change was great from Philip in 6
slouchcd hat to Philip in all the glory o1
fashionable suit. His ease of manner
grace, beauty Of form, and merry laugh
made him almost irresistible. sat il
the little alcove leading from the genera
sitting room, busy with some old lace
had been mending for Miss Laura, and ]
could see them both by inclining my heac
a little. They were a glorious pair, bu
it seemed to me that Philip had no righ
there-he was taking Mr.. Walderon'
place, and a sudden jealousy sprang uf
in my heart, which changed almost tt
terror when the door opened and the rec
tor of st. Paul's stood On the threshold
That same light that had come into he1
face when she received the lilies flashed
over it again, for in the il :erim I caught
one glance of her as she rose to meet MIR
Walderon. l fancied there was, also, {
timid, beseeching look in her soft eyes az
she came forward, with outstretched hand
to meet him. But the rector advanced
slowly, and greeted Philip, to whom hi
was presented, courteously but coldly
while Miss Laura divided her attention!
between the two, and Philip addressed
her with more than cousinly freedom
AS for myself, I tried to think of mani
fold excuses for my mistress. / woul<
not allow that the sweet girl at who's
shrine worshiped was a coquette; ant
s,ill---at least 50 it seemed to me, VIII
sat there under protest--.-her manne1
grew colder and yet more distant towart
the rector. He seemed to notice tn
gradual alteration, for an hour had scarce
" elapsed before he took his leave.
| $50 that is Mr.. Walderon, the famou
rector of old St. Paul's2" I heard Phil
say when, he had gone.
. eyes; how do you like him2" Mis-
Laura asked with something like eager
ness
s'He must look imposing. in his dra
peries," Philip replied. ''Well, there
no accounting for tastes.'| y" '''f ..1''
The speech seemed to sting her, for sh
replied, in al altered voice.:
"Thats what thought yesterday"
"Oh, come, now, Laura, "'he said, "don
be hard on me. If you could have see
Celeste in her tropic home, in her Aeec
i white muslins, her cheeks tinted wit
the rich glow Of health, you'd alter you
opinion. She is not looking at all lik
herself; in fact, this base climate is kill
ing her. Besides, her face depends upo
expression for its beauty, Such 3horribl
chills would make the best complexio
sallow.": et.sr":"
:, was all ears. Celeste2 who was Ct
lestea Should l listen unwittingly
some secret2 Was I forgotten in m
corner9 Had better goa I felt relut
E tant to face them, having heard 50 mucl
zzs "Oh, I didn't mean to depreciate he
Philip" S7> s=s
:: UOnly to punish me for not appreciat