Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1878-06-20
frosty lace, between which woman tace
looked ont.

HAA Hh" oSAeC>OluC CJco~AuSClI1uC
Whartons. 1t was Christmas morning.
Her guests had all arrived save onc-and
for that one she cared more than all the
rest.
No! Hubert Knox had not come, and
in he" dressing-room little Elsie was
piling up her chestnut braids with a
heavy heart. What did it matter that
her beautiful rose pink dinner dress was
done, and that she looked like 1lebc her
self in it2 1t did not matter if all the
rest OF the world cried approval if his
blue eyes did not look gratitied
1t was nearly twelve o'clock, and
though she had 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
SudNcnl, Il rapid wheel ground sharp
Iy up the drive. The driver sprung
down and opened the carriage door, and
a grntl"HA"n lcaptd out.
Little Elsie ,nrncl from the window
to the mirror. Her cheeks were as red
us roses, and they matched 50 beautifully
the pink silk She was glad that ii was
done now, for the newcomer was Mr..
Hubert Knox
He was talking with Angeli,ue in the
drawing room when She came down.
Sand Mr.. Israel Wharton had no
chi!drcn:'
The words were uttered 10y Mr.. Knox
in a casual manner, bat !. close observer
might have d~vovcrc thar he was in.
tcntly listening for the I;dy's reply.
She began to look a little bored.
"Thcrc was a runaway son, not of
age. | never saw him, and Mr.. Whar-
ton did not remember him IN his will.
Elsie, dear, ii" You not sec that Mr..
Knox has Gomez:
Elsie was waiting to give her heart
time to calm Its rapid beating before she
spoke to Hubert Knox. But She was at
ease and happy Is soon q, she 1t|t the
clasp ot his warm hand and looked into
his face.
Yet Elsie was hardly the coutiding
child she had been six weeks before.
She had received still other hints and
warnings from An&eliIuc. But Knox
did not understand. lie missed her
frank glec, and thought She seemed more
womanly and less child.
But the old, care-frcc, contidiny days
were gone. Knox was grave and preoc-
cupied, and Elsie felt the presence of a
shadow which she could not dispel.
Angeliquc was so beautiful. 10 long
cr 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 hy this mature
woman, SO much more his peer than she
foolish, adoring little thing? Did he
dream of loving hcr--thc heiress OF LIN
den Walks?
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 III Mr.. 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!''
"Ycs."
"You said that Linden Walks was a
beautiful place" he said, after moment.
'But think it a very melancholy place,
Elsie.'
SIS it because Of the time Of year1'
said Esie.''
mo, it is not that"
"What is it tben?'
"Pcrhaps l will tell you sometime. Ell
sic, do you know where the key is to this
cabinet?"
It was al cd Louis XIV. cabinet of
ebony, with mosaic pictures upon the
panels.
"There is bunch of keys in the house
keepers room. I Will 90 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.
Suddenly a hidden drawer ennptied a
letter into his hand. Elsie saw the super
scription. It was "Rupert Wharton
Knox examined it eagerly, seeming
quite unconscious, in his strange eager
ness, of the wondering eyes Of the girl
pcside him.
"A message from the dead" he muir
INJURED.
His hands were shaking violently. To
her amazement he broke The seal, glanced
at its contents, and strobe from the room
Amazed, puzzled, and half-frightened
Elsie hastily locked the cabinet, fearing
less Angcliquc should discover tho
stradge transaction.
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 hun 60 down the avenue. but he
! could not be found in the grounds, and
the family were obliged to dine without
him.
guests went away, and Angelique and
Elsie were alone in the drawing-room.
II have 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.
we'll, l can afford to marry a literary
man without fortune, and adore talent
With you it is different. You must have
rich husband, Elsie. I have been
thinking that for the present, to relieve
the awkwardness Of this affair, you would
like to 60 home to your fathers house."
She paused.
By-and-by you could come back, you
know, and I would do my best to get
you we'll settled in life. What do you
say?'
II will 60 Ilome," answered Elsie
family.
The gathering twilight hid her pallor
and trembling. She could not move to
leave the room and her cruel cousins
r