Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-08-11

C'DJCC duu lOaOl SC1it up. w lJCu SIG lltLl
finished she summoned me again
''Renie, go put on your plainest
wraps" she said. 'and thick veil. and
twait for me in the library. I want you
o go with me this morning.
Wondering at her manner, so quiet
and self-containcd, so almost humble,
more than at the message, I arrayed my
self in a waterproof cloak, and drew a
thick veil closely over my hat,and waited
for her as she'had directed. She came in
presently, habited almost like a nun. /
could see how white her tace was under
the muller she had drawn across it.
Placing in my care a parcel and a
small basket, she led the wav, leaving
word with servant that she might not
be back to luncheon.
That the Grand, whatever 1t was, was a
secret one, [ knew by her manner, for
she was nervous, and evidently suffering
from some inward agitation. For sever
al squares we walked along silently, and,
on turning the corner of an obscure
street, she was joined by gentleman
whose face l did not see at first, but
whose firm, elegant figure was unfanil-
lar to me.
heard Miss Laura say, in answer to
some iow-voiced remark:
~ can trust her there's no risk, Phil
ip.'
So this was the handsome cousin! OPP.
pressed with almost oyerpowering anxiety
l fell back step or two, and followed
slowly and unwiilingly.
On and on they went together, talking
but little, and In low tones, till they had
reached the lower plane, locally and
morally, of the city.
The house before which we stopped at
last was somewhat different from It's sur
roundings. twas thanked on one side
by grim, deserted looking ware house
on the other by an old Dutch church,
whose few leaning, moss-covered head
stones in the small graveyard in front
seemed sinking with age into the yield
ing turf. The house was grim and faded,
the paint dingy, and the front door FULL
of seams and cracks; but it had the re-
deeming quality of seclusion, for it sat
far back from the street, overlooking a
narrow garden-plat. One window over
the hall-door was draped with scant
ioSS wi ldluS tiio q PoO VI
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
his pocket, and we entered long, cheer
less hall, and from there the dreary par
lor, in which there was no vestige of fur
niture save two wooden chairs.
"Sit down, Renie," said Miss Laura,
face and manner preoccupied; 81 will
take the things, and you will wait for me
here; l shan't be gone long"
My heart sank as she disappeared, lcay-
ng me alone with my thoughts. AL
ready had heard the tread of a man s
foot up stairs, and soon, in addition, the
closing of the door ABOVE, and light
footstep. Never had so keenly expe-
rienced the dread of utter desolation as
now while l sat in that deserted room
DOUBTLESS children had played in it, and
light hearts sung, for it had evidentl y
been cheerful home once, as the defaced
ornamentation and faded frescoing gave
evidence of former beauty. But now the
pIastering was broken, tie 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 co n
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
Come, Renic, said voice outside.
met Miss Laura in the hall. I thought
she had been crying. She handed me a
basket, that seemed heavier than the one
l 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 TIE cor
ner, and there stopped.
Had not better get you carriage?''
he asked
No, indeed, Phillip. / had much
rather walk she answered. 1Come up
soon mamma likes to see you, she adj
ded, with an assumption of ease.
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 a plate
OF cake, and goblet of milk, stood ready
Tor Miss Laura on the table in her room.
.'Reaie," Miss Laura said, 'syou will
obligc me if you will eat nav luncheon
for me. My head aches, and ann going
to lie down
| drank the milk, but was not huaorv
and took The tray back to the kitchen.
l tancied even the under. servants looked
at ME unspiciously, and hurried back to
my room.
1t was quite late when Miss Laura rose
almost time, in fact. I dressed
her hair, and was just putting on the fin
ishing touches when she spoke abruptly:
Don't you think my cousin fine look.
ing2"
He is handsome, Miss Laura" said
sThe handsomest man Lever saw
''That's the general verdict" she re-
piled.
"But added, eagerly, Il don't like
his face: there are beautiful faces, sup
pose, one can't like. Now, Mr. Walder