The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1880-09-25

"No" with little scream. "Do you re-
ally, Lou2 But then your cousins have
been brought up with you like brothers. l
couldn't kiss mine,whom have never seen.
If you really think ought, / will allow
him to kiss me, should he show any dispo-
stion to do SO. But will hope that cou-
sins are not SO affectonate in Germany"
"Germans are exceedingly aiiectonnte,
Miss Armstrong" says the young man,
evidently again on the verge Of laughter.
Maud decided that for a groom he is en-
tirely too much at his ease in the society Of
his superiors.
"Iow do you know ?" SHE says, very
coldly, "I don't SUPPOSE you have been in
Germany"
"0h, yes. was there quite a while"
Lou Linwood gives him a sudden suspi.
cious look, and says:
al wonder, George, il you have never
seen Mr.. George Eversley? ?"
"oh, yes" he returns, meeting her aharp
gaze with cheerful composure 81 know
him by sight-I was very we'll acquainted
with his Irish servant"
"Ohp
"What does he look like ?" inquiries
Maud, eagerly.
"Mr. Eversley is a tall, light-haired man
-
alike yourself" breaks in Louj abruptly.
"Well, yes, as regards height and figure
he answers, calmly. ellis clothes fit me as
if they were made fer me l have often
worn Mr.. Eversley's old clothes"
Once more Lou subsidies, and the victor
turns to Maud, his eyes brimming over with
fun.
al wish, if you take the house, you would
take Inc with it,"
"That depends" she replies loftily. "You
would be worry good groom, but should
have to teach you to be more respectful. You
should always say Miss, when you speak to
lady, and you should never laugh or join
in conversation not addressed to you"
He evidently goes through heroic strug-
gle not to disobey one of her commands on
the spot. When he can sufficiently COM
mand his voice, he answers, uheekly:
81 will try to remember, miss. am very
fond of horses, miss, and should lie sorry
to leave the place. Your consin would give
me mmendation-miss."
Every WE'LL then, will give you trial."
Maud says, affably. "Now show us the way
to my great grandmother's turret."
al would not bavg your hilarious disposi-
tion," she adds, looking after him, "lor a
good deal, my young friend. You laugh in
season and out OF season. Lou, did you not
ice him? He was on a broad grin again
when he left the room. Wake up, Lou |!
What brown study you are in. say, did
you notice this groom ?"
"Notice him2-yes. 1t is my opinion
that he is a very remarkable person." says
Lou, sententiously.
The turret-chdmber, bare and unfurnish-
ed, proves a great disappointment, but the
view from its windows is all that could be
desired. Suddenly Maud catches sight of a
person whose presence would spoil the finest
view in the world for her-her guardian.
Mr.. Austin evidently on his way to the
Eversley House.
"Look, Lou Oh, what shall we 90 !" she
cries in roal alarm
The young man rises to the situation. He
says.
''Ify your horses can take a fence or twoj
can show you a short way that will take you
out of sight long before he reaches the door,"
Looks of speechless gratitude from both
girls.
Downstairs they steal to the back Of the
house, where Maud's opinion of his ouali6-
cations as groom rapidly changed by the
mastery manner in which he leads up
their horses and mounts them.
"Now perhaps Miss Lou will give you a
lead ever that hedge" Lou obedently turns
her horse.
"Remember that you have promised me
to take me with the house."
He lowers his voice, and Maud bends
slightly from her saddle to LISTEN What is
this an arm around her waist, fair mus
taehe brushing her lips-"Au repOir p The
audacious groom has kissed her.
She tears her bride sharply from his
grasp, and flies over the hedge after her
friend, with burning cheeks.
He stands looking after her. Mirth, ad-
miration, little doubt, mingled, in his
handsome eyes. Has he gone too far2
The next day Maud hears of her cousins
unexpected return, of the many improve
ments he is making; but, to her guardians
surprise, all her interest in Eversley House
appears to have died out. In vain, day af-
ter day, does he urge her 10 accompany him
thither. If her cousin wishes to make her
acquaintance ne must call upon her, she
says.
At last, one day, Mr.. George Eversley i:
announced. Girl-like, Maud must needs
take final survey of herself ere appearing
before her visitor. He must be very critical
il be can find much amiss in the pretty fig
ure her mirror reflects. From the golden
brown waves of her hair to the little high
heeled slipper, all is fresh ana fair and
dainty.
She trips down-stairs, thinking how she
will urge her cousin, among his other re-
forms, 10 dismiss that insolent groom on
general grounds Of inpertinence, for never
oh, never l--could she bring herself to
mention his real ofiense.
= Opening the Parlor door, she has the vi
sion of tall man in corduroy riding suit
the neither part Of which seems hatefully
familiar then the truth flashes upon her
"PoUP' she gssps, sinking into chair
and hiding her bushes in two white bands
How could she ever have taken him for
a servant? Even coatless aud vestless, with
a handkerchief knotted around his neck and
a short pipe in his mouth, he must have