Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1880-06-24

| of those drenching days quite character.
istic of an English November. Still,
about three o'clock, Miss Leslie insisted
on riding to the village. Her grand
father made some opposition, but soon
gave in to "Kate's set ways" and her
decided declaration "that she would be
| Ill without her gallop."
Arrived at the village she stopped at
the parsonage door, and nodding pleas
antly to the housekeeper who opened
| It, she said she was very wet, and
would like to see her cousin, and dry
her habit.
The parson was gone to the bishops,
| but If Miss Leslie would come in there
was fire in his parlor, and she could
warm her feet and have warm cup OF
tea; and Miss Leslie, after n little
affected hesitation, and little more
pressing, consented to do so.
She pc rmitted Martha to remove he
hat and bring her some tea. Il shall
rest half an hour, Martha, and II
Cousin Archie is not back by that time,
l must go, or else ! shall not reach
home before dark ="
AS soon rs the door was shut she
glanced round the room. 1t was a cozy
place, full of bachelor comforts, and
pleasantly Uttered with books and
papers. The Indian cabinet stood in
little recess between the two windows.
She quietly selected her grandfather's
key, and tried the lock. 1t opened at
once, and with an ease that showed it
was in constant use, and the first thing
that greeted her was the faint scent OF
rose leaves.
But the letters were not in the
drawers, and she was on the point of
closing the cabinet in despair, en- she
remembered that her grandfather's had
n secret door that slipped away, and
hid closet between the drawers. 1t
was likely Archie's had the same.
She sought the spring, and it responded
Mt once to her touch, and there lay the
letters, all tied together in one little
bundle. There was not more than half
n dozen, and Kate, with a smile OF re-
lief and satisfaction, put them in her
pocket. and relocked the cabinet.
She had scarcely done 50 when she
heard some one open the front door
with pass key, and come straight up
the stairs. In a moment she had decided
that it was not Archie's footstep, and
that it must be one of his intimate
friends. In moment, also, she had
decided that if she did not know him.
he should not know her. Whoever it
was, he did not at once come TO the par
lor; he went into an adjoining room,
removed his wet coat and boots, and
came louuging in, with slippers on his
eet nd a cigar in his mouth
Kate had Just finished arranging her
hat and gloves, and was going quietly
out of one door when he entered by the
other. For moment they stood and
looked blankly at each other; the next,
Kate advanced few steps, and said: Il
am waiting TO see the clergyman. Do
you know how soon he will return,
sirpr
81 think he will be here Immediately, ~
answered the newcomer, whose first
instinct was to say the thing most likely
to detain so beautiful a girl. 81 am
sorry to have intruded, but will retire
at once, il you desire it,"
"By no means, sir. / shall not re-
main longer. / expected my brother
with Mr.. Fleming, but as my groom is
with me, there is 40 need TO wait. espe-
cial ly as it is likely to be dark very
early"
II left Mr.. Fleming at the bishops,
with three other clergymen. Your
BROTHER"
"Oh, my brotheri3 clergyman; :"
and then suddenly remembering a friend
of Archie's who lived mt least ten miles
away, she said: :" / am Miss Crowther,
of Hill Top-perhaps you know Mr..
Henry CrowtherP"
The young gentleman looked Mt Kate
in utter amazement. In fact, he was
Mr.. Henry Crowther himself, and he
was not aware that he had ever had any
sister. Who was this beautiful girl
claiming so pleasant a kinship with
himp
But almost with the announcement
Kate disappeared. He watched her
horse brought round, and saw her
mount and ride away, and then sat
down to smoke in a whirl of curiosity
and excitement. What bright face
What frank, charming mannersl What
figurei wish to everything had n
sister or something nice-like that girl.
do wonder who she isl" The next
moment he had rung the bell, and pulled
the bell-rope down.
"Lawks, Mr.. Henry, I knew that
was you a-ringing, which Mr.. Archie
never rings that outrageous way. What
be you wanting, sir?"
81 want to know, Martha, who that
young lady is that left the house twenty
minutes ago"
"Well may you ask, sir, which to do
shows your good sense. That is Miss
Kate Leslie. sir-Mr. Archie's cousin
very beautiful young lady, sir. and a
good one. and proud her grandfather
Is of her."
THAT is all, Martha"
Very we'll. SIR"
When Archie returned he found
Harry Crowther pacing the room in
the greatest impatience. "How long
you have beenr he exclaimed; land
here has been the most beautiful girl
waiting for you; and, by everything
she says she is my sister; and, still
funnier, she did not know that I was
her brother"
"What do you mean, HarryP"
"Just what say"
"Oh, this is too bad / must ask
Martha about it. She ought not 10
permit strangers TO come into my
rooms"
"Stop, Archie; 1have asked Martha.
| Her name was Miss Kate Leslie"