Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1879-08-15
Trapped by an Heiress.

Trapped by an lleiress.
A cosier place than the big sitting
room at Hillcrest would have been hard
to find, if one had travelled from Land s
End to John O'Groats; and this event
full evening, when the destinies of two
worthy people were about taking def
mite form-two people who had never
seen each other, and who had heard of
each other so often that both were Gu
riously eager to meet-on this impor-
tant evening the sitting-room at Hill
crest had never looked pleasanter or
cosler.
A huge fire of logs glowed like mol
ten carbuncles in the open fireplace !;
on the table in the center of the floor,
whose cover matched the glowing
crimson of the carpet, was a silver
stand that held dozen snowy wax ia
pers, whose beaming light contrasted
exquisitely with the ruddy glow of the
fire.
Beside the table, in big, cushioned
chair, with his feet thrust to the genial
warmth on the hearth, his gray dress
ing-gown sitting comfortably on his
portly form, his goldrimmed glasses on
his nose, sat the owner and master of
Hilicrest, Mr.. Abiah Cressington, rich,
good-natured, and fond of his own way.
Opposite him was the mistress of the
place--httle, shrewd- faced sharp nosed,
merry Aunt Cornelia, his sister, who.
since her widowhood, had come to Hill
crest to make her bachelor brother s
home as pleasant as she could.
That she had succeeded was very evil
dent by the way now in which he looked
up from letter he had been reading
the confidential, kindly way in which
he did it.
Walter writes a curious letter in
response to my invitation to come and
spend few weeks at Hillcrest as soon
as he gets over his fatigue from his
ocean voyage home, after his five years
tour abroad. I'll read it to you.'
He leaned near the softly glowing
lights, and began the short, concise re-
ply that Walter Austin had written
from his chamber in the Temple:
You are very kind. indeed, Uncle
Abiah, to ask me down to Hillcrest for
as long as wish to STAY, and can as.
sure you that have been so long
wanderer that the idea of home is
very pleasant to me. But when take
into consideration the peculiar impor-
lance you propose attaching to my Wis
1t, am unwilling to accept the invita-
ton. 70 me, the idea Of having my
fancies and inclinations put into har-
ness, and to feel that am on continual
duty to win my way into the good
graces OF my second cousin, Mabel.
whom you are good enough to wish me
to marry"
Mrs. Cornelia interrupted sharply
"Abiah, you surely never went and
told our grand-nephew, that you had in
view his marriage with Mabel 2"
Her tone was energetic, almost re-
prehensive.
Why not? certainly did. told
HIM IN my letter that il was chance
for him he'd never get again, and that
ne needh t feel under such terrible oh.
legations to take fancy to Pills little
Mabel, but to come down and be cous.
inly, and If anything should happen,
it'd be right all round"
Mrs. Cornelia knitted vigorously, her
lavender cap-ribbons quivering in the
mellow txper glow.
All l have to say is, you're-a fool.
Abiah Walter is right. A Young
man doesn't like to have his fancies un
der rein and whip, and the very fact
tnat we want him to marry, will make
him 1ndlsposed to do it. You've made
very great mistake in the beginning"
Mr.: Cressington looked aghast at bis
sisters determined face.
p" Why 7 1i5p't roollr ,,,.. =,
VI course you didn't. It's only
your natural stupidity, You dear old
fellow Men are all alike. Don't I
know them like book? And you've
ruined your hopes for Mabel and Wal.
ter at the very outset
Mr.. Cressington started discomfit.
eddy. ''00'
am sure l meant it all right
enough, Cornelia. l certainly wanted
waiter TO know what little darling
our Mabel is, and what a nice LITTLE
wife she would make for any man
>. Very commendable. indeed ONLY.
II you had consulted me upon the letter
you sent, should have advised Won To
say nothing about Mabel, or her charms.
or her expectations. 1 should have
SIMPLY asked him to come and see MS
and have left the rest to Mabels blue
eyes. You see, Abiah o.
hls lips compressed slowly.
:, think l see. And my hopes in
that direction are all ruined.'
Inc silver needles clicked rapidly.
and the snow white yarn came reel1ne
merrlly OFF the ball under her arm.
Not at all. Leave that to me. and
LII see what can be done. Trust a
woman wit to get even "A laundering
Old fellow like Yourself out Of scrane 3
She smiled and nodded, and looked
altogether SO mischievous. tint Mr.
Cre.sington became quite excited over
her little mystery.