Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1878-06-20
frosty lace, between which = xomansstsce

Her guests had all arrived save one-and
for that ono she cared more than, all the
rest. es>- .-5-s.e.r <-s;,~+--,-,&
I o!Hubert Knox had not come, and
h he: dressing-r room little Elsie j was
piling up her chestnut braids with a
heavy heart. What did it matter that
her beautiful rose7pink dinner dress was
done, and that she looked like Hebe her.
self in it2 1T did not, matter if all the
Test of the world cried. approval if his.
blue eyes did not look gratifed.
It was nearly twelve o'clock, and
though. she had q letter referring to his
expected visit at Linden Walks, he had
not arrived. Gradually, as the minutes
went by, her heart sank in her bosom
until it felt like lead. .,: -, ." -, 4
Suddenly rapid wheel ground sharp
ly up the drive. The driver sprang
down and opened the carriage door, and
a 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. '~''.. q ~,
He was talking with Angelique in the
drawing room when she came down.
: Sand Mr.. Israel Wharton had no
children2" &c.. ..., .:.it ...,y. ~
The words were uttered by Mr.. Knox
in a casual manner, but a close observer
might have discovered that he was in
tently listening for the lady's reply.
She began to look little bored. =
IF
age. never saw him, and Mr.. Whar-
ton did not remember him IN his will.
Elsie, dear, do you not see that Mr..
Knox has Gomez"
: Elsie was waiting to give her heart
time to calm its rapid beating before she
spoke to Hubert Knox. T. But she was at
ease and happy as soon as she felt the
clasp of his warm hand-and looked into
his face. =: ...; 49,.
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, coniding days
were gone. Knox was grave and preoc-
cupied, and Elsie felt the presence of a
shadow which she could not dispel. t:
Angelique was so beautiful! No long
er she wore mourning, and the pale,. half
tint of widowhood. Her dinner dress, of
azure silk, made her alluringly hand
some. Constantly Knox talked with her.
Was he fascinated Shy this mature
woman, SO much more his peer than she
foolish, adoring little thing? Did he
fdream of loving ,her-the heiress OF Lln-
den Walks? =. 80. -.
He remained at the old mansion tour
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 MI. Knox's chamber next
morning, giving the servant some in
structions concerning it.. when his foot
sounded on the stairs, and, he entered the
apartment.
At first he did not see her. He began
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?''
"Yes.''
"You said that Linden Walks was a
beautiful place, - he said, after moment.
"But think it a very melancholy place,
Elsie" 49,. .,.>
"Is it because Of the time of ,yeara'
said Elsie.'
/ mo, it is not that"
"What is it them" .'-> 80
|: "Perhaps I will tell you sometime. e.
sic, do you know where the key is to this
cabinet?" =.
It was al old Louis XIV. cabinet of
ebony, with mosaic pictures upon the
panels. ...-.. g.. -.
"There is bunch of keys in. the house.
keepers room. I will go and get them
She came back with the string of keys
believing that he wanted to examine the
quaint structure of the cabinet. Bat with
an impetuous movement he, received
them, and applying them to the principal
doors, Enclosed aperture after aperture
with ready hand. .s:r 80: :: -. :, T..
r. Suddenly hidden drawer emptied a
letter into his hand. Elsie saw the super
scripton. It was 6 Rupert Wharton
Knox examined it eagerly, seeming
quite unconscious, in mis- strange eager
ness, of the wondering eyes Of the Cir
Epeside him. 49,: =. g.. =.
"a message from the dead" he muir
INJURED. ....,.t....., z....., -.
His hands were shaking violently. tt
her amazement he broke the seal, glanced
at its contents, and strobe from the room
Amazed, puzzled, and half frightened
Elsie hastl locked the" cabinet, fearing
less Angeliquc should discover The
stradge transaction. = : . 7,'''2 S' =.
! The guests of the previous day still
remained at Linden Walks. But when
they assembled at dinner, Mr.. Hubert
Knox was not of their number, and nc
one knew where he had gone. A servant
saw him 60 down the avenue, but he
4could not be found in the grounds, and
the family were obliged to dine without
him.
In the afternoon the remainder of the
] guests went away, and Angelique and
Elsie were alone in the drawing-room: ;
Il have a delicate matter to explain
Elsie" said the former But it is best
to be frank. You must have noticed Mr.
Knox's increasing attention to me-; ]
have reason to believe that he will soon
make me an offer of marriage; and l.
well, can afford to marry q literary
man without fortune, and adore talent
With you it is different. You must have
rich husband, Elsie ~ have been
thinking that for the present, to relieve
the awkwatdness 81 this affair, you would
! like to 90 home TO your fathers house,
sshe paused. u; ;lt,'% IH7 ! ga
fsSss' BY !and-by you could come back, you
know, and I would do. my, best to, get
you we'll settled in life, What {. 60 youa
~ II will go tlhlomei," answered Elsie
family: i 81 3 Is q" u! "i ! ,'-''52s.s<';
The gathering twilight hid her pallor
and trembling. She could not move to
leave the room and her cruel cousins
,,roconco it1at then for the fva1la .Spero