Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1878-06-20
After Many Days.
"Anu your husband has been dca

"And your husband has been dead
four ycars?''
eyes, four years.
Nothing could be lovelier than Angc-
liuue Wharton's pale, pensive profile,
cen in the twilight.
Hubert Knox locked at it earnestly,
and Z Isle White, sadness and vague
fear coming over her happy heart, gazed
too. She had not known before that
Angcliquc was beautiful; but life at
Neptune House seemed tc change her
Her loose, sha'lowy hair, and a dress Of
black velvet made her loneliness itself
that evening.
And is it pleasant at Linden Walks"
son, yes cried Elsie; " it is beauti-
full"
But Knox continued to look at Mrs.
| Whorton.
| ELSIE has told you," she said look
ing up and meeting his eyes.
| After moment she rose, sighed heAy-
i.y, AMI walked slowly down the long
verandah.
"My cousin is very handsome-don
you think so:' asked little Elsie, visit
fully.
Knox was silent for moment
"She is very handsome woman, no
doubt"
Something in the cool voice cheered
Elsie little. She slipped warm little
hand into her companions, and he re-
ceived and held it tcndcrly.
"Angelique's health is much better
than it was at Linden walks. She is
very nervous, and never likes to be
alone.
She chatted on merrily now, treasured
by that warm handclasp.
Your cousin is not much like you"
No; it is strange that we are Of the
same blood, for Angelique is not at all
like me-"
Elsie yielded to the caressing arm and
pillowed her youn!, cheek on the strong
breast, all unseen in the starlight.
How did you come to make her
house your home!"
We'll, there was large family of us
at Fern cottage, AID, when Apgelique
came there visiting, she took me home
with her. Linden Walks was lonesome,
she said, though Angelique was quite a
stranger to mel had never seen her un-
til then that SUMMER finally consent
ed Papa was willing. He has four
daughters left now
land how long have you lived thcre?"
/ "Two years this summer"
Though Hubert Knox knew so little of
Elsie Whites circumstances, it was none
the less true that they were lovers. a
little tenderness, and the strong, fearless
man had won her heart as the lily is
opened by the sunlight.
She was very young-only seventeen.
She never thought to ask him of his his
tory or circumstances. She only knew
that she had never feared him, as she did
most men, and he was kindness and tend
erness itself.
Her young heart held perfect wor~
ship over him, and yet he had little
thought beyond the happy present. She
ONLY knew that she loved him, never
troubled herself about his ''intentions,'
and let the days go by, never realizing
that she might be laying up store of
misery.
Afterward she remembered that even
ing. the white surf rushing up the beach,
the rocking and glimmering cold in the
moonlight, the sky piled with silver
edged clouds, and all along the pale
beach people sauntering to and fro.
It was getting late in the season, and
the place was less crowded than usual
The long verandah was1 quite desolated
but for those two.
Knox was very quiet, yet she could.
feel the strong beating of his heart
gainst her temple.
Bv-and- by. Knox looked at his watch
"it is past ten o'clock, little pet
Here came sudden, light step along
the verandah.
j" Still in your corner, truants Every
body is on the beach, and / thought to
see you there. Mr.. Knox; l want to
speak to you moment" said Mrs,
wharton, for he was turning away.
He came toward her.
'Elsie and I go back home next week !;
it is the last Of September. Pray come
and see us at Linden Walks
Elsie, who mad not before known the
time of their departure, listened breath
lessly for the answer. 1t came:
"Thanks! But am going directly
to London
Two rosy lips paled and broke apart
/" / shall be very closly occupied with
my new book until Christmas, continued
Knox.
'And you will have it finished by that
time2"
"I intend to-
"Well, then you will need vacation
I am to have dinner party at Christ
mas" continued Mrs. Wharton, " and
should be very glad to have you join u.s."
"Tharks, again."
"But will you not Gomez" asked the
lady.
Knox stood. with his head bent down.,
Suddenly he lifted it, and cast glance
I at Elsie's drooping little figure.
! 81 will come, think" - -
"Well, it is an engagement then. I
shall expect you Come, Elsie, it is
time for little children to be in bed"
cit makes their eyes bright" laughed
Knox, as happy Elsie went away.
Angeliques arm was around her as
she went up the stairs
dear, are you engaged to Mr.. Knox?'
she whispered,
NO." answered truthful Elsie.
my love, my love, you mus be more
prudent" !. :: (..s
She opened the door of her room.
Elsie followed her with dropping head.
~ must warn you, my child. Of
course, Mr.. Knox admires you very
much; but men weary of girl who
shows her preference as openly as you do.
If yous want to marry this Mr.. Knox
though they say he is poor-you must
not follow him about so like a pet kit
ten. You must not sit at his feet and
let him caress you SO openly" .->,.
| "There was no one on the verandah,"
cried Elsie, her cheeks on fire. Mr..
Knox would not let me do nythine that
was wrong"
Angellque laughed merrily. -,
." You little simpleton! Well, I have
warned you. and if he tires Of you 1 shall