The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1878-08-22

at sight of her old lover.
On awaking the following morning, I
found the sun shining broadly in my
room. Miss Laura was an earlev riser,
and must have rung for me- Hastily
was up, sitting in the great arm chair
listlessly, like one dreaming with open
eyes.
did you ling for meg | asked.
81? Yes. | believe l did" she re-
piled, with start. Dress me as quick.
ly as you can," she added, with forced
quiet; Il will have my breakfast brought
up stairs. You can make some excuse to
Miss Knox-say am not we'll and | really
not. | don't care at all about break
fast, but. as I am going out, I suppose l
had better eat something
l dressed her, and had tray with
coffee and toast sent up. When she had
finished, she summoned me again.
''Renle, go put On your plainest
wraps" she said, 'and thick veil and
wait for me in the library. l want you
go with me this morning.
Wondering at her manner. 50 quiet
and self-contained, SO almost humble,
more than at the message, arrayed my
self in waterproof cloak, and drew a
thick veil closely over my at,and waited
for her as she had directed. She came in
presently. hab,ted almost like nun. |
could see how white her lace was under
the muller she had drawn across it.
Placing in my care parcel and a
small basket, she led the way, 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 l did not see at first, but
whose firm, elegant figure was unfanil-
lar to me.
l heard Miss Laura say, In answer TO
some ioW-vOiced remark:
~ can trust her-there's no risk, Phil
ip."
So this was the handsome cousin. OPP.
pressed with almost overpowering anxiety
l fell back step or TWO, and followed
slowly and unwiilingiY.
On and on they went together talking
but little and In low tones, till they had
reached the lower plane, locally and
morally, Of tie city.
The house before which we stopped at
last was somewhat different from It's sur
roundlngs. 1t was flanked on one side
by grim, deserted looking house !:
on the other by an Old Dutch church,
whose few leaning, moss-c0vered 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 full
Of seams ana cracks but it had the re-
deemins 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 Il pot Of geraniums
boomed underneath Gu TIE sill.
The young man, with 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
Tor, in which there was no vestige of fur
niturc save two wooden chairs
''Sit Gown, Renie," said Miss Laura,
face and manner preoccupied; IL will
take the things, and you will wait for me
here; l shan't be gone long"
My heart sank as she disappeared, leav-
ng ME alone with my thoughts. AL
ready had heard the treaa of 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 sat in that deserted room.
DOUBTLESS children had played in it. and
light hearts sung. for it had evidently
been a cheerful home once. as the defaced
ornamentation and faded frescong gave
evidence of former beauty. But now the
plastering was broken, ire walls were
black with cobwebs, and the windows
quite crusted with dirt. II was evident
that the place had been long unoccupied
l had seated myself, when step Oh
the stairs and the opening of the dec
caused me to spring up in terror. Philip
Lansing stooc on the threshold, hat IN
hand, ana his face absolutely lighted up
the room. 1t was, as had heard. radl-
antly beautiful. with haunting dark eyes.
ali the more fascinating that their ex-
preston at that moment was intensely
SAL.
'.Cone, Renic.' said voice outside.
met Miss Laura in the hail. | thought
she had been crying. She handed me a
basket. thai seemed heavier than the one
had brought.
"Renie. this is my cousin. Mr. Philip
lansing" she said. He hiss lately re-
turned from abroad and this Philip is
the little protcge l told you about"
Mr.. Philip condescended to touch his
har, snd we went outside into the little
yard.
Mr.. Phillip accompanied Us to the cor
ner. and there stopped.
Had not better get you a carriagefH
he asked.
No, indeed. Phillip. 1 had much
rather walk. she answered. 'sCome up
soon mamma likes TO see you, she ad-
ded. with an assumption of ease
We walked home rapidi.. and in 81
lence- Miss Laura seemed plunged in
deep and painful thought. Ii was past
lunch time when We arrived, but a plate
OF cake, ani a GO lie: OF milk. stood ready