Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-12-27

WEAKNESS. My head glided back upon the reti-
cule, and dozed uneastly until morning. Every
murderers hung back. When awoke it was
eight O'Clock, and the dollars were still safe
under my head. rose YEARLY, washed myself,
and arranged the tumbled clothes in which
rived from the depot. Next, put back the bed
and mattress, and then l took the dollars and
whether to laugh at my last nights terror, or %
congratulate myself on my lucky escape FROM
den OF robbers At the foot Of the stairs whom
should come across but Lucretia herself!
In a moment the doubt was gone She was
enchanting. Quite different style Of dress,
but equally lovely and suitable. A long figured
gown OF some fine woOllen material, giving very
nearly the effect Of plain neat print, and made
quite simply to fit her perfect little figure. A
plain linen collar, and quiet silver brooch.
Hair tied In single broad knot above the head,
instead of yesterdays chignon and cheese plate.
Altogether, model winter morning costume
for a cold climate. And as she advanced
frankly, holding out her hand with smile,
could have cut my own throat with pocket
knife as mer1ted punishment for daring to dis
trust her. Such is human nature at the ripe
age of twenty.
1--WE were SO afraid you didn't sleep, Tom and
], ;" she said with a little tone of anxiety; 1--WE
Tom opened the door wee bit once or twice to
see If you were sleeping; but he said you seemed
to have pulled the mattress ON the floor. do
What on earth could 1 answer? Dare tell
this angel how had suspected her? Impossible.
"Well,o1 stammered out, coloring up to my
eyes, 81 was rather Over-tired, and couldn't get
to rest, so put the candle on a chair, took a
book, and lay on the floor so as to have light
to read by. But slept very well after the can
ole went out. thank you"
''There were none but French books in the
ROOM though" She said quickly, perhaps you
read French?''
"Oh what dreadful play to read on Christ
mas ever cried Lucretia, with little depreca-
your breakfast"
1 followed her into the dining-room, pretty
little bright-looktng room behind the bar
frightened as was during the night, could
not fail to notice how tastefully the bedroom
was furnished; but this little sale a-nlungsr was
far prettier. The paper, the carpet the furni-
ture, were all models of what cheap and simple
cottage decorations ought to be. They breathed
OF Lucret1a- The Montreal nuns had evidently
taught her what art at home" meant. The
table was laid, and the white table-cloth, with
its bright silver and sprays of evergreen In the
d6egnaly aRpetting
Lucretia.
do you think SOY" she answered. 81 chose
them, and laid the table"
I looked surprised; but in moment more
was fairly overwhelmed when Lucretia left the
room for minute, and then returned carrying
trap covered with dishes. These she rapidly
and dexterously placed upon the table, and Jnen
asked me to take my seat.
"But, said l hesitating, sam I to under
stand. 900. You don't mean to say.
Are you. going. Ito.
wait upon me?'
Lucretia's face was one smile Of innocent
amusement from her white little forehead to her
chiselled little chin. "Why, yes" she answered.
laughing, ''of course am. always wait upon
our guests when I'm at home And cooked
these salmon outlets, which I'm sure you'll find
nice If you only try them while they're hot"
With which recommendation she uncovered all
the C1shes, and displayed a breakfast that
might m have tempted St Anthony, Not being
ST. Anthony, can do Lucretia'S breakfast the
justice to say that l ate it with unfeigned
heartiness.
So my princess was after all, the domestic
manager and assistant cook OF small country
inn Not a countess, not even a murderess
(Which is at least romantic) but only prosaic
houSekeeper! Yet she was a princess for all
that. Did she not read Victor Hugo, and play
''LucreZ1a Borgia," and spread her own refine
ment over the village tavern? In no other coun-
try could you find such strange mixture of
culture and simplicity; but it was new, it was
morning dress ofdciously insisting upon Offer
ing me the buckwheat pancakes with her own
white hands was Lucretia still, and fell deeper
After breakfast came serious difficulty. /
must go to the Pritchards, but before went
must pay. Yet, how was l to ask for my bill?
Illuminating and at last said p Wonder on T hoW
people do when they want to leave this house."
49,, Why Why, said Lucretia promptly, "they order
tne SlelSn."
eyes" I answered sheepishly. mo doubt.
But how do they manage about paying?"
Lucretia smiled. She was SO absolutely trans
parent and so accustomed to her simple way OF
p1ehend my difticulty "They ask me. of course
and tell them what they owe You owe US
half a dollar"
Halt a dcciii.ar-two shillings sterling-for
room, a regal breakfast, and-Lucretia to wait
upon one! 1t was too ridiculous And these
We're the good. simple Canadian villagers whom
had suspected Of wishing TO rob ana murder
me! never felt so ashamed of my own stupid
ity in the whole course OF my life.
must pay it somehow, l supposed, but
could not bear to hand over two Shilling pieces
into Lucretia's outstretched palm. 1t was des-
took the half dollar with the utmost calmneSs,
and went out to order the sleigh.
drove to the rector's, after saying goodbye
to Lucretia, with clear determination that
before left Richmond she should have con-
sented to become my wife. OF course there
were social differences, but those would be for
ever know what Lucretia had been in Canada.
Beside, she was fit to shine in the society OF
duehesses-a society into which cannot hon
estly pretend that habitually penetrate.
The rector and his wife gave me hearty wei
come and found Mrs. Pritchard good, moth
erly sort OF body-juSt the right woman for
helping on romantic love match. SO, In the
course OF the morning, as we walked back IRON
church, managed to mention to her ca 5ually
that very nice young woman had come down
in the train with me from quebec.
You don't mean Lucretia?" cried good Mrs.
Pritchard.
"Lucretia,s answered in cold sort OF way.
81 think that was her name In fact, reineul-
Der she told me So"
''Oh, yes, rybody calls her Lucretia-in-
deed, she's hardly got any other name She's
the dearest creature in the world, simple as a
Child, yet the most engaging and kind hearted
girl you ever met. She was brought up by som.
nuns at Montreal, and being a very cle.-er girl
with great deal OF taste, she was their favOrite
pupil, and has turned cut most cultivated
person.
''Does she paint?" asked, thinking Of the
Beatrice.
son, beautifully. Heriyory miniatures always
take prizes at the Toronto Exhibition. Aad she
plays and sings charmingly."
''Are they w Ii cn?"
'.Nery, for Canadians. Lucretia has money
of her own, and they have good farm beside
the hotel"
''she said she knew you very well. ven
tured to suggest.
"oh yes; In fact she's coming here this eve
ming. We have an early dinner-you know our
simple Canadian hab1ts-and few friends Will
drop into high tea after evening service. She
and Tom win be among them-you met Tom, OF
courSe?"
81 had the pleasure of making TOMS ac-
qua1ntance at l O'Clock this morning" an
swered. 'But, excuse my asking It, ISN'T it a
lite odd for you to mix with people in their
p0Sitton?"
The rector smiled and put in his word. This
Is democratic country" he said, "a mere