The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1880-05-27

soun0ly on my promise"
"Whenw
perhaps tomorrow. Archie dimes
with the bishop tomorrow. I shall
lind no better opportunity, think"
The next morning proved to be one
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.
Inc parson was gone to the bishops,
but if Miss Leslie would come in there
was a fire in his parlor, and she could
warm her feet and have warm cup OF
tea; and Miss Leslie, after a little
affected hesitation, and little more
pressing, consented to do so.
She pc rmitted Martha to remove he
hat and bring her some tea. "I shall
rest half an hour, Martha, and if
Cousin Archie is not back by that time,
| must go, or else / shall not reach
home before dark" \
AS soon as the door was shut she
glanced round the room. 1t was 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, when she
remembered that her grandfather's had
y 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
at once to her touch, and there lay the
letters, all tied together in one little
bundle. There was not more than hall
a dozen, and Kate, with smile OF re-
lief and satisfaction, put them in her
pocket. and relocked the cabinet.
She had scarcely done so when she
heard some one open the front door
with pass key, and come straight up
the stairs. In 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.
ne should not know her. Whoever il
was, he did not at once come to the par.
lor; he went into an adjoining room
removed his wet coat and boots, ant
came louuging in, with slippers on hi:
feet and cigar in his mouth.
Kate had Just finished arranging hel
hat and gloves, and was going quietly
out of one door when he entered by the
other. For a moment they stood anc
looked blankly at each other; the next
Kate advanced few steps, and said d"
am waiting to see the clergyman. Dc
you know how soon he will return
sirP"
81 think he will be here Immediately,
answered the newcomer, whose frs
instinct was to say the thing most likely
to detain so beautiful girl. 81 an
sorry to have intruded, but | will retir,
at once, ifyou desire it."
"By no means, sir. l shall not re
main longer. l expected my brothe
with Mr.. Fleming, but as my groom i
Will ue, Iuel 10 nO hoeu W Wuit' espS
cially as it is likely to be dark yer.
early
81 left Mr.. Fleming at the bishops
with three other clergymen. You
brother"
"Oh, my brotheri, clergyman !;
and then suddenly remembering a trien
of Archie's who lived at least ten mile
away, she said: Il am Miss Crowthel
of Hill Top-perhaps you know MI
Henry Crowther?n
The young gentleman looked at Kat
in utter amazement. In fact, he wa
Mr.. Henry Crowther himself, and h
was not aware that he had ever had an
sister. Who was this beautiful gil
claiming so pleasant a kinship wit
himp
But almost with the announcement
Kate disappeared. He watched he
horse brought round, and saw he
mount and ride away, and then sa
down to smoke in a whirl of curiosit
and excitement. "What a bright face
| What frank, charming manners! Whs
a figure l wish to everything had
sister or something nice-like that CIR
/ do wonder who she ism The mex
moment he had rung the bell, and pulle
the hell-rope down.
"Lawks, Mr.. Henry, 1 knew tha
was you a-ringing, which Mr.. Archi
neverr rings that outrageous way. Whs
be you wanting, sirP"
II want to know, Martha, who ths
young lady is that left the house twent
minutes ago."
"Well may you ask, sir, which to d
shows your good sense. That is Mi
Kate Leslie. sir-Mr. Archie's cousin
very beautiful young lady, sir, and
good one, and proud her grandfath'
is OF her."
THAT is all, Martha"
VERY we'll, SIR"
When Archie returned he four
Harry Crowther pacing the room
the greatest impatience. How lor
YOU have been!' he exclaimed; "ar
here has been the most beautiful gi
waiting for you; and, by everythin
she says she is my sister; and, ST
funnier, she did not know that l W
her brother"
What do you mean, HarryP"
"Just what say"
"Oh, this is too bad! / must Al
Martha about it. She ought not
permit strangers to come into n
rooms"
"Stop, Archie; l have asked Marth
Her name was Miss Kate Leslie"
!; my cousin Kate. Now what cou
have brought her here this wet day
He thought Immediately of his int
. view with Maggie, and of her ankle
! about her letters. Poor little CIR
: : he said, mentally, 1 must not puni
| her any longer, I will take her L
l letters tomorrow"
So the next afternoon he nut on