River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1878-06-20
frosty lace. between which a woman's face

Her guests had all arrived save one-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 Hebe her
self in ita 1t did not matter if all the
rest OF the world cried approval if his
blue eyes did not look gratified.
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.
Suddenly rapid wheel ground sharp
" up the drive. The driver sprang
down and opened the carriage door, and
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.
He was talking with Angelique in the
drawing-room when she came down.
"And Mr.. Israel Wharton had no
children?n
The words were uttered by Mr. Knox
In a casual manner, but close observer
might have discovered that he was in
tent y listening for the lady's reply.
She began to look little bored.
p1tna IN nt
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. But she was at
ease and happy as soon as she felt the
clasp of his warm hand and looked into
his face.
Yet Elsie was hardly the confding
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, confiding days
were gone. Knox was grave and preoc-
cupied, and Elsie felt the presence of a
shadow which she could not dispel.
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 by this mature
woman. so much more his peer than she
foolish, adoring little thing9 Did he
dream of loving her-the heiress OF Lam
den Walks2
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 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 here9''
eyes"
"You said that Linden Walks was a
beautiful place." he said, after moment
"But think it a very melancholy place,
Elsie"
"Is it because of the time of year?"
said Elsie
mo, it is not that"
"What is it thensn
perhaps I will tell you sometime. Ell
sic, do you know where the key is to this
cabinets"
1t was all old Louis XIV. cabinet of
ebony, with mosaic pictures upon the
panels.
"There is bunch of keys in the house
keeper's 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.
Suddenly a hidden drawer emptied q
letter into his hand. Elsie saw the super
scription. 1t was " Rupert Wharton"
Knox examined it eagerly, seeming
quite unconscious, in MS strange eager
ness, of the wondering eyes of the girl
beside 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 Angelique should discover the
stradge transaction.
The guests of the previous day still
remained at Linden Walks. But when
| thew assembled at dinner, MIR. Hubert
Knox was not of their number, and nc
one knew where he had gone. A servant
saw him go down the avenue, but he
could 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.
| az have a delicate matter to explain
| Elsie" said the former. But it is best
/
| .Knox's increasing attention to me.
have reason 70 believe that he will soor
make me an offer of marriage; and L
well, | can afford to marry literary
man without fortune, and adore talent
With you it is different. You must have
| a rich husband, Elsie. | have been
thinking that for the present, to relieve
| the awkwardness of this affair, you would
like TO 90 home to your fathers house
She paused.
by. and-by you could come back, you
know, and | would do my best to get
| Won well settled in life. What do you
saya"
II will go home,' answered Elsie
/ family.
| The gathering twilight hid her palloi
and trembling. She could not move to
leave tile room and her cruel cousins
o-oroa ;,,er fI,en for the walls were