Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1879-07-10

NOOAeAy3 ~ 10 4uAtC oAOCAIAS. III yOl
think, l if came over some day, you
aunt would let me go over it7-it would
be such a treat! 1.-THE smile flashed
into full, brilliant life, Frightening thu
brown eyes so wonderfully that MIR
Freke, quite dazed, said within himself
!" 1t is the most charming fact ever saw
Raby was fond of the old house. Il
vexed her often that her aunt cared SC
little for it, and dwelt on its inconven
fences so much more than on its quaint
ness. No one save herself had ever
seemed alive to its merits before. Mrs
Hunter had made shit"
II think aunt wouldn't MUD it," she
said, half to herself, then. eff you like
will show it to you now. But there is
nothing to see but the house itself. That
is really curious. I never met with an.
other like it,"
"Will you, indeed? How very kindv'
cried Mrs. Hunter. with rapid, raptur.
Gus blink in MIR. Freke's direction. He1
imagination was already at work cheap.
ening the treasures Of the attic, as they
followed their young hostess down the
long entry which separated the kitchen
|
A large square room lay on either side
of the entry. But here disappointment
awaited Mrs. Hunter, for these rooms
were altogether unfurnished. Upstairs
they met the same experience; in the
two occupied chambers the simplest
furniture; dust aud bare emptiness
everywhere else. Even the garret held
nothing to reward search-none of the
spinning wheels, or antique brasses, OF
eight-day clocks with broken cogs, which
Mrs. Hunters soul coveted. Her taste
for old houses was simulated one
What she really cared for was their pur.
chasable contents, and failing these, her
interest visibly tagged. In vain Raby,
with a pretty graciousness, pointed out
the really curious points about the old
dwelling-the wainscotings, the high
carved chimney pieces, the oddly panel.
ed shutters; showed the recess under the
flooring in which valuables might be
hidden in case of need, the bed room in
the lean-to addition, where shingled
roof decended to form part of the cell
ing; and even told ghost story, the
story OF lady in rustling skirt, which
skirt she averred rustled still of windy
nights; she herself had heard it. Mrs
Hunter listened without interest. Hel
thong hts were dwelling on the old plate
and she did not notice, as did Mrs
Freke, how excitement quickened
Raby's bloom and frightened her eyes
with positive beauty as she led the way
from room to room with cordial simple
1inn al N
ness had fed.
"And now about that piece of china
Mrs. Hunter said, suddenly, as they re-
gained the kitchen. edo you think
your aunt would be likely to be in to-
morrow? l must come over and talk
with her about it; or perhaps, Mr.
Freke, you will come for me if the Hol-
mans arrive and am detained?"
"With pleasure"
Raby's face clouded little.
81 do not think my aunt will sell the
plate, she said, in rather constrained
voice; "but she will PROBABLY be st
home"
"We Can but try" laughed Mrs.
Hunter. "Good afternoon, Miss-Miss
Marsh, and thank you ever so much. +"
She swept down the walk. Mr.. Freke
paused.
1t was very good Of you to take so
much trouble for US" he said, in tone
whose sincerity Raby recognized. every
probably your aunt may not care to sell
the plate-1 should not myself if I
owned such one-but if Mrs. Hunter
gives me the commission, shall certain
~ come, for the pleasure of making
another call upon YOU" He lifted his
hat as he spoke, and with a courteous
bow followed Mrs. Hunter down the
path.
CHATS a real gentleman" solilo-
quized Raby, as they drove off. "And
she-I don't know. She's pretty, and
her voice is pleasant, but somehow
there's difference. don't think like
her-quite." She had her own ideas
about life, this little Raby, about "reap'
ladies' and "real' gentlemen, and in.
stinct helped her surely to conclusions
usually arrived at only by the slow
process of experience.
Mr.. Freke did drive over next day,
He was received very grimly by Aunt
oabina Marsh, whom he found intrench.
ed, as it were, in front of her corner
cupboard, and resolved not to cede her
plate, or listen to any arguments on the
subject. This refusal, sooth to say,
caused 10 particular grief to the disloyal
messenger: He cared little for the plate,
out good deal for the chance of an.
'ther chat with Raby, who was more
and pretty than ever, in the
fort to hide her amusement at her
units grim and defiant manners.
Ernest Freke made one more call at
he old house before he went to town.
'ut only one. II could fall in love
nth that GIRL" he said to himself as he
rove homeward; and he made little
icture of Raby in a fresh morning
ress, pouring out coffee at the opposite
nd of dainty breakfast table for two.
'lth sunshine streaming through an
pen window behind, and touching with
limits OF gold all that beautiful hazel
air of hers-a pretty picture. Ernest
'reke was half artist, and his imagina.
on naturally coniured such scenes; but
Q shook his head, He could not afford
marry (that point was settled long
so), unless, indeed-but here he shook
is head again. The chances were
yainst his falling in love with a girl
no had money. He could not do with
ut the money, and he would not do
lthout the love, so he dismissed the idea
marriage. He was an honorable
oung fellow at heart, however, and he
ou,d not 60 again to see Raby. ,
What's the use!" he told himself,
Better not" But Mrs. Hunter and ,
er guests became wearisome to him
ter that, and presently he went back /
town and to his business. in which he :