The daily gazette., 1878-07-19
GRAVES.
BY M. p.

TO beauty. Here was one of those lovely
faces which to see Is TO love; black hair,
large sparkling brown eyes, white skin,
and a delicately carved mouth, with
corners which curled up, showing her
love for fun, constituted her claims to
beauty.
As she sat, sadly thinking her father
came into the room. As he stood looking
at Lena, the thought entered his mind for
the first time that she had found her home
life dull.
"Lena!"
The girl turned with start.
"Well, father, what is it?"
"Of what were you thinking"
"Of-of-why, what to have for dinner
tomorrow"
"Does 1t take SO much serious thinking
for one dinner?"
81 was planning the work for all the
morning, too"
Mr.. Graves sat down near his daughter,
and looked into her face with an express
sion Of tenderness she very rarely saw
there. At length Lena spoke.
"Does anything trouble you, papa?"
"No, child. was thinking of letter
Juoe iCSCiNCo itOuu yOii huhb
Would you like to read it?"
eyes. But what has she written that
makes you look so sad? Is she ill?"
'No, my dear. Here is the letter read
for yourself"
So saying, Mr.. Graves leaned back
in his easy chair to watch the effect
of the contents of the letter on Lena's
mind. Her eyes frightened, and a rosy
hue spread over her cOlorless cheeks.
"Well, Lena, what do you say to Aunt
Mary's coming to live with us, SO you
can have more liberty than you have
had since your darling mother died
1t is strange that never thought of it
before"
For the letter was an offer from Mr..
Graves sister, who was widow, to come
and live with him and take charge of his
household.
81 should like to haye her come ever
so much! It would be pleasant for us all
papa, dearw
81 should like to have her come and
then see if your cheeks can't get back the
roses, they have lost, "But," he contin-
ued, playtully, "you have not told me
what troubled you when came in"
"Oh, nothing now, papa" she said,
| shyly.
"Was it because you have so many
cares?"
81 ought not to complain of what little
/ do, when you do so much"
$50 it was household trouble? Well,
never mind now, darling; all that is over,
and you can have a play day when Aunt
Mary comes. Now run away and write
your letter."
Aunt Mary Whiting answered Lena's
favorite aunt, and received cordial vel
come. In the evening Lena drew her to
seat on the veranda, for a '.nice long
chat" she said; and it was long chat,
for the young girl had much to tell Of
her griefs, anxieties, and few pleasures
all of which Mrs. Whiting was anxious
to hear. Besides this, they formed plans
for the coming days.
As the family were about to part for the
night, Mr.. Graves said:
"Lena, you must be up early in the
morning, for l am going to the city on
business for Mr.. Station"
"For Mr.. Stattonp"
eyes, he has urgent business there, and
l must go with him. I shall be back this
week."
"Alice told me this afternoon that she
expected her cousin, Guy Station, to-
morrow" said Lena.
eyes, so Mr.. Station said"
Lena went up stairs, wondering what
took her father to the city; but her
thoughts soon wandered from business to
Alice's cousin; for what yonng lady would
not rather build "air-castles" about young
men, especially when they are handsome
than worry about business of which they
know nothing? But it was late, and
Lena grew weary with her pleasant
thoughts; she sank away in dreamless
sleep, and was not conscious of anything
till she heard her fatner's knock next
morning.
After seeing that her father had every.
thing in readiness, and he had taken his
leave, Lena sat down for her aunt to put
in an appearance. Presently Mrs. Whit
ing came down, dressed in a neat wrap
per, evidently ready for work; and after
breakfast the two labored in the neat
kitchen together as though they had don't
so all their lives. Soon all the work was
done, and Lena went to her room Il
make her toilet for dinner, thinking wha
pleasant morning it had been, and hop
ing that all the future would be as pleas
snt;it was so pleasant to be relieved from
carel And it takes so little to make {
young girl happy! Lena was good, sim
pie girl, and her docility and innocenc'
were her greatest charm.
Late in the afternoon Lena sat on tht
veranda, reading, when she heard thu
sound of voices. One she knew to b.
that of Alice Station, and the other sh'
thought must belongto her cousin. In ;
minute more Alice stepped on the vine
covered veranda, and introduced hel
cousin to Lena.
"Good afternoon, Lena. My cousin, Mr.
Station, Miss Graves" The usual civil
ties passed, and they all sat down to chat
Lena. saw at glance that Mr.. StattoI
was handsomer than any one she hat
ever met before, and was very refined IL
his manners.
Presently Mrs. Whiting came in, ant
new introductions followed. After lit
tie more conversation the young people
played several, games of croquet, and
passed delightful afternoon. Evident
Ily Guy Station was pleased with Lena
when they at last took leave of her, Alice