Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1880-06-24

| w lISn
Perhaps tomorrow. Archie dimes
with the bishop tomorrow. | shall find
no better opportunity, think"
The next morning proved to be one
of those drenching days quite charac
teristic of an English November Still,
about O'Clock, Miss Leslie insisted on
riding to the village. Her grandfather
made some opposition, but soon gave in
to "Kate's set ways" and her decided
declaration ''that she would be i'll with
out her gallop."
Arriving 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 te the Bishops,
but if Miss Leslie would come in there
was a fire in his parlOr, and she could
warm her feet, and have a warm cup of
tea; and Miss Leslie, after a little af-
fected hesitation and little more press
ing, consented to do SO.
She permitted Martha to remove her
hat and bring her some tea, and then
she sent her down to give the groom a
| SltlSS Oh lllllCu ale. SIltl1 resi- HILL
IN 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 a coy
place, full of bachelor comforts, and
pleasantly Uttered with boxes and
papers, The Indian cabinet stood in a
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 III 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 had
a secret door that slipped away, and
hid closet between the drawers. 1t
vas likely Archie had the same She
sought the spring, and it responded at
once to her touch, and there lay the let
tiers all tied together in ono little bundle.
There were not more than half dozen,
and Kate with smile of relief and sat
isfactiOn, 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 de-
cided that it was not Archie's foOttsep,
and that it must be one of his intimate
friends. In a moment, also, she had
decided that if she had not known him,
he should not know her. Whoever it
was, he did not at once come to the par
Tor; he went into an adjoining room, re
moved his wet coat and boots, and came
lOuging III, with slippers on his feet
and Il 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 a 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,
sir?"
II think he will be here immediate
| ly," answered the newcomer, whose
first instinct was to say the thing most
likely to detain SO beautiful girl. Il
am sorry to have intruded, but I will
retire at once 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 no need to wait, espec-
tally as it is likely to be dark very
early"
q left Mr.. Fleming at the bishops
with three other clergymen. Your
brother"
ooh, my brother is not a clergyman"
and then suddenly remembering Il
friend OF Archies who lived at least ten
miles away she said 81 am Miss
Crowther of Hill Top-perhaps you
know Mr. Henry Crowther?"
The young gentleman looked at Kate
i'll utter amazement. In fact he was
was not aware that he had ever had
any sister. Who was this beautiful
girl claiming SO pleasant a kinship with
him?
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 III Il whirl of curiosity and eX.
element. "What bright face! What
frank, charming manners What a
figure! Iwish to everything | had a Sis
ter-or something nicc-like that girl
| do wonder who she isr The next
moment he had rung the bell, and pull
ed the bell-rope down.
"Lawks, Mr. Henry, l knew that you
was Il ringing, for Mr. Archie never
rings that outrageous way. What be
you wanting sir?'
Il want to know, Martha, who that
young lady is who left the house twenty
minutes ago"
"Well may you ask, sir, which to do
shows your good sense. That is Miss
Kate Leslie. sir-Alr. Archie's cousin
Il very beautiful young lady, sir, and a
good one, and proud her grandfather is
of her"
THAT is all, Martha"
Every we'll, sir"
) When Archie returned he found Har-
ryCrowther pacing the room in the great
est impotence. Glow long you have
beenr' he exclaimed; ''and 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 was her brother"
what do you mean, Harry?"
''Just what say"
ooh, this is too badl [ must ask
Martha about it. She ought not to per-
nit strangers to come into NV rooms"