The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1879-03-07

she was, warning her that because he is uu-
worthy, because he has betrayed the trust
put in him, have disinherited Godfrey
| HILL
There waa no specific charge, no direct
accusation, but the young heiress was warn
ed against her cousin.
Yet, in the many long conversations the
two had held together, Godfrey Hill had en-.
deavored to convince his fair cousin that
his grandfather had been influenced by false
friends to believe statements to his discredit
utterly untrue.
He had almost convinced her that he was
an innocent victim to unfortunate circum.
stances, victim to mistaken sense of hon
or.
She was young, naturally trustful, and
her heart was free so it is not wonderful
that Alice Hill was inclined to restore the
oisinherited man to his estate by accepting
the offer of his heart and hand. Absorbed in
her reflections, Alice did not notice that
clouds were gathering, till sudden summer
shower broke with violence above the tree
tops.
The rain came through the branches sud.
denly, drenching through her thin black
dress, and she ran quickly to the nearest
house for shelter.
The nearest refuge proved to be the cot.
tage where Mrs. Mason, who did the wash.
ing for the great house, lived with her daugh-
er, Lizzie, one of the village beauties.
There was great bustliug about when
Alice presented hersefat the door.
Mercy sakes You're half drowned the
old woman cried, hurrying her unexpected
guest to the kitchen fire. You're wet to
the skin, dearie. Now amt it blessing
there's whole washing in the basket to &c
home You can 60 into Lizzie's room and
change your clothes, and I'll do up them
you've got on. Dear, dear Your hat il
ljust ruined--crape won't bear ..wetting-and
you've no shawl. You must just put on a
dress of Lizzie's, to go home in. It's nearly
dark, anyway
Where is Lizzie p Alice asked.
Sewing at Mrs. Gorham's dearie. She'll
be coming home, soon. 1 alters make that
part of the bargain that she's to be lei
home afore dark and it gets dark now by
six-fall days are shorter than summer ones.
So she'll be here soon. Its clearing up
1t was clearing up, and it was also grow
ing dark, so promising to send home the
borrowed dress in the morning, Alice started
for home.
She smiled at herself as she stood before
the cottage mirror, for she had not worn
gay color since her fathers death five years
before.
Lizzie's blue dress, scarlet shawl and gay
Sunday hat were oddly out of place upon
the slender figure, and setting off the pale
refined face of Alice Hill.
Dear me- said the old woman. Il hope
you'll soon chirk up bit, Miss Alice, and
take off your black. The old gentleman hai
been dead a year, now. Them roses do sui
you beautiful
Alice glanced at the staring red flowers re
fected in the mirror, and smiled as she said
Il will take great care of Lizzie's hat, Mrs
Mason. Goodbye, and thank you.'
1t was nearly dusk, and there was quar-
ter of a mile to walk before home was reach
ed, so Alice hurried through the grove
where the trees had already shut out tn,
lingering daylight.
She had tied a small veil of gay tissu
over the gaudy hat, as she left the cottage
and she hoped,if she met any acquaintances
she would escape recognition.
When she was half way through the grov,
she heard quick footsteps coming from tn,
village, and moment later a voice said
"You are punctual,' and she was caught 70
a moment in Godfrey Hills arms.
She knew his voice, and struggled to fre
herself, before realizing that he had mistak
en- her for the village beauty.
; Pooh p he said, releasing her. Don
put on airs, Liz. Were you going to th
house p
Yes she answered, family, indignan
, and yet curious, her woman's wits quickl,
5 seeing his error.
Il must CO. too before long, though haC
far rather stay here in the woods with yol
e sweetheart
Your sweetheart is at the house, Alic,
said, trying to assume the jealous tone o
, an uneducated girl.
r What That chalky faced girl in black
Not bit of it. Didn't l love you long be
: fore she came to take what is mine |?
And curse followed, coupled with he
own name, that thrilled Alice Hill with hor
: ror.
But they say you will marry her. sh
:, persisted, calming her voice as well as sh
e could
They say right l will marry her, an
d have my ownl Then, when she is dead, yo
: shall have your old beau again, Lizzie, an
: come to the great house, my wife. 1t is onl
!, waiting year or two
e But as she may not die ? gasped the hoI
ror-stricken girl.
n She will die I'll have no fine lady tax
u ing what is mine-mine, | tell you Bu
y what ails you You are shaking as if yo
i had an ague fit. Pvetalked it all over ofte
enough before, and you never went off int
J. such shakes 1t is nothing new Pm tellin
IS you
'But-you-would-n -murder-her
q the poor girl gasped, drawing her veil clo'
Il her.
n Come now, none of that, was the roug
% answer you're not going back on me, nov
"a after all you've heard of my plans. You's
sworn to keep my secrets, or I'd nevt
!. have told you them. But what is the ma
"a ter p
,r And here Alice found herself shaken wit
,e no gentle hand,to her great indignation. Bl
4 her fears overmastered her anger. Godfre
was heir at law to her newly-acquired fortun
At and he suspected her identity, in those dar
d woods, she did not doubt, after what he ha
already said, that he would take her life.
s. Il am not well,' she said, freeing herse
lie from the rough grasp on her arm, aud
must hurry ON. Wait for me, here, until
Of do nv errand at the house and con