The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1878-08-14

Miss Knox say I am not we'll and ] really
q n not. I don't care at all about break
fast, but, as am going out, suppose /
had better eat something
I dressed her, and had a tray with
coffee and toast sent up. When she had
finished, she summoned me again.
s'Renie, 60 put on your plainest
wraps" she said, sand o thick veil, and
twait for me in the library. I want you
go with me this morning"
Wondering at her manner, SO quiet
and self-contained, so almost humble,
more than at the message, 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. I
could see how white her face was under
the muller she had drawn across it. =.
Placing in my cnre a parcel and a
small basket, she led the wav, leaving
word with a servant that she might not
be back to luncheon. ~
That the errand, 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 a gentleman
whose tace I did not see at first, but
whose firm, elegant figure was unfa mil
lar to me.
I heard Miss Laura say, in answer to
some ioWSyOiced remark.
~ can trust her-there's no risk, Phil
ip." G.. ..u.~
So this was the handsome cousin! Oh.
pressed with almost overpowering anxiety
fell back a step or two, and followed
slowly and unwiilingly. ...ua.
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. sae s.Is
The house before which we stopped at
last was somewhat different from its sur
roundings. 1t was thanked on one side
by a grim, deserted looking warehouse
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 Iull
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
lace curtain, and a pot of geraniums
bloomed underneath on the sill. ...
The young man, with a 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; II will
take the things, and you will wait for me
here;I shan't be gone long" ss-
My heart sank as she disappeared, leav-
ng, me alone with my thoughts. Al
| ready had heard the tread of a mans
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 I 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, 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 OIL
the stairs and the opening of the doc,
caused me to spring up in terror. Philit
Lansing stood on the threshold, hat II
hand, and his face absolutely lighted uT
the room. It was, as had heard, radi
antIy beautiful, with haunting dark eyes
all the more fascinating that their ex
preston at that moment was intensel,
sad. ..,.,- ..... &c.,.
'Come, Renic," said voice outside.
met Miss Laura in the hall. I though
she had been crying. She handed me
basket, that seemed heavier than the on,
I had brought. ~. ~=-#1
'Renie, this is my cousin, Mr. Philip
lansing" she said. "He has lately re.
turned from abroad and this, Philip il
the little protege told you about" 80
MIR. Philip condescended to touch hi.
hat, and we went outside into the littl,
yard. ..1s~" . ~es- f'
Mr.. Phillip accompanied US to the cor
ner, and there stopped. #@ ...* .-~
Had not better get you carriage?'
he asked. s4.ss@ 0s&o=
mo, indeed, Phillip. 1 had mucl
rather walk she answered. "Come ur
soon-mamma likes to see you, she adj
ded, with an assumption of case.
! We walked home rapidly. and in 81
lcnce. Miss Laura seemed plunged i,
deep and painful thought 1t was pas
lunch-time when we arrived, but plat,
OF cake, and a goblet of milk, stood read,
for Miss Laura on the table in her room
! "Renie," Miss Laura said, 'syou vii
oblige me if you will eat my luncheon
for me. My head aches, and am goins
to lie down. ae. ...s - {
I drank the milk, but was not hume ~
and took the tray back to the kitchen
! ! fancied even the under. servants lookee
at me unspiciously, and hurried back tc
my room. F. s.r $500. j.
1t was quite late when Miss Laura rose
almost dinner-time, in fact. dressed
her hair, and was just putting on the fin.
lshing touches when she spoke abruptly