The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1879-07-01
TRAPPED BY AN HEIRESS.

Lands End TO John OGroats; and
this eventful evening, when the desti.
nies OF two worthy people were about
taking definite form-two people who
had never seen each other, and who
had heard Of each other so often that
both were curious 10 meet-on this i'm
portant evening the sitttng-room al
Hillcrest had never looked pleasanter
or cosier.
A huge FIRE OF logs glowed like mol.
ten carbuncles jim the open fireplace;
on the table in the centre of the floor
whose cover matched the glowing
crimson OF the carpet, with a silver
stand that held a dozen snowy wax
tapers, whose beaming light contrasted
exqusitely with the ruddy glow of the
fire.
Beside the table, in big, cushioned
chair. with his feet thrust toward the
genial warmth on the hearth. his gray
dressiug-gown sitting comfortably on
his portly form, his gold-rimmed
glasses on his nose, sat the owner and
master of Hillcrest, Mr.. Abiah Cress-
ington. rich, good-natured, and fond OF
his own way. Opposite him was the
mistress OF the place-little, shrew-
faced, sharp-nosed, merry Aunt Cor
nelia, his sister, who, since her widow
hood, had come TO Hillcrest to-make
bachelor brothers home as pleasant as
she could.
That she succeeded was very evident
by the way now in which he looked up
from letter he had been reading-the
confidential way in which he did 1t.
walter writes a curious letter in re-
SPONGE 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
light, aud 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
so long as / wish to stay, and / can as.
sure you that / have been so long n
wanderer that the idea of a home is
very pleasant TO me. But when j take
into consideration the peculiar i'm
portance you propose attaching to my
visit, am unwilling TO accept the invi-
tation. To me, the idea Of having my
fancies and inclinations put into har-
ness, aud 10 feel that am on continu-
al duty to win my way into the good
graces OF my second cousin, Mable,
whom you are good enough TO wish me
TO marry"
Mrs. Cornelia interrupted sharply
"Abiah, you never surely went and
told our grandmother that you had in
view his marriage with Mable?'
Her tone was energetic, almost rep
rehensive.
"Why not? certainly did. / told
him in my letter that ID was a chance
for him he'd never get again, and that
he needn't feel under such terrible OBJ
legations 10 take fancy TO Phils little
Mable. but come down aud be cousinly
and il ANYTHING should happen, it'd
be right all around.
Mrs. Cornelia knitted vigorously, her
lavender cap-ribbons quiyering IN the
mellow taper glow.
"All have to say is, you're-a fool,
Abiahl Walter is right. A young man
does't like TO have his fancies under
rein snd whip. and the very fact that
we want him TO marry will make him
indisposed to do il. You've made a
great mistake in the beginning.
Mr.. Cressington looked aghast at
his sisters determined face.
"Why, really didn't suppose"
"Of course you didn't. It's only nat
ural stupidity, you dear old fellow
Men are all alike. Don't ! know them
like book? And you've ruined your
hopes for Mable aud Walter at the very
outset.
Mr.. Cressington started discomftted-
ly.
.I am sure / mean. it all right
enough, Cornclia. certainly wanted
Walter 10 know what little darling our
Mable is, aud what a nice little wife
she would make for any man.
Every commendable, indeed; only, IL
you had consulted me upon the letter
YOU sent, / should have advised you 10
say nothing about Mable, or her
charms or expectations. / should have
simply asked him 10 come and SEQ MS,
aud have left the rest 70 Mable's blue
ewes. You see, Abiah?'
His lips compressed slowly.
81 think see. And my hopes in that
direction are all ruiLed!'
The silver needles clicked rapidly,
and the snow-white yarn came reeling
tnerrily off the ball under her arm.
"Not at all Leave that TO me, and
I'll see what can be done. Trust II
" voman's wit to get even a blundering
old fellow like yourself out OF q
scrape."
She smiled and nodded, aud locked
altogether so mischievous that Mr..
Cressington became quite excited over
her little mystery.
"Do explain, Cornelia.
And when she explained he leaned
back ia his chair, with an expression OF
positive awe and admiration on his
face.
"What a woman you are, Cornelial
declare, il beats anything j heard IL
the whole course Of my lifel"
After dark, a glorious winter day,
with here and there a star twinkling II
the pale gray sky. aud the lights and
fires in the Hillcrest sitting-rOom max
ing an eloquent welcome TO Walter
Austin, as he stood in the midst of the
home circle. tall, gentlemGnly. hand
some and self-posessed.
Old Mr.. Cressington was ia the rich
eat humor as he led forward Two young
girls.
"Come, don't be shy, now. Walter
this is your cousin. Mable Cressington
aud this is her good friend aud insepara
ble companion, Irene Vance, come K
help entertain you. My nephew, Mr.
Walter Austin, girls. And this is Aun
COrnelia - you remember her vel
enough, hey?'
Aud 40 the presentation was merril,
gotten over, aud Walter found himsel
at home in the most pleasant family b.
had ever known.
They were remarkably pretty girls
with blne eyes-although Miss Vance
we're decidedly the deeper blue an'
more bevitching- lovely, yelloy
gold hair Walter found himself ad
miring the style Of Miss Nanoe's COZ
/ Fsrs before he had known her an hour
aud when he went mp 10 his room tha
night he felt ss IL between the two
rongish Mabel and sweet little Irene Ia
never would come out heartwhole.
For Mabel ~ q good little darling
thought he. and will take GreatzRcl
] Abiah's advice aud fall in loyd'Nitl
her, aud thereby secure a generou
share of the Crcssington estates. Egad
that's n happy thoughti
But the handsome young gentlema
went 10 sleep aud dreamed. instead o
Mabels laughing eyes, OF Irene's gen
tie tender ones: and awoke somewher
! - a.. ..slala Of tla nsoht uuable 4