Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1880-09-10


the telling in my own hands"
Il could not do that. Archie might
tease me to death first
II know. you dear, foolish little
woman. But you shall have your let
ters, Maggie, SO go to bed, and sleep
soundly on my promise.
When .
Perhaps tomorrow. Archie dues
with the bishop tomorrow. L shat
flint no better opportunity, | think.
The next morning proved to be one
of these DIRE chirg days quite charac-
teristic # all + ,gllsh November. SIM,
about three O'Clock, Miss Leslie insls:-
ed on riding to the village. Her
grandfather made some opposition, hnt
soon gave in to I" X ate g set ways and
her decided declaration "that size
would be i'll without her gallop."
Arrived at the village, she stopped
at the parsonage door, and noddlng
pleasantly to the house-keeper, 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 bis parlor, and she could
warm her feet, and have warm cup OF
tea; and Miss Leslie, after Il little a.
fectei hesitation, and little more
pressing, 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 !.
glass of mulled ale. 81 shall rest half
an hour, Martha, and if Cousin Archie
is not back by that time, must go, or
else I shall not reach home before
dark"
As soon as the door was shut she
glanced round the room. 1t was coy
place, full Of bachelor comforts, and
pleasantly Uttered with books and pa
pers. The Indian cabinet stood in II
little recess between the two windows.
Sine quietly selected her grandfather
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 vi
rose-leaves.
drawers, and she was on the point
of closing the cabinet in despair.
when she remembered that her grand
fathers had secret door that slipped
away, and hid closet between the
drawers. 1t was likely Archie's had
the same. She sought the spring, ana
it responded at once to her touch, and
there lay the letters, all tied together i'll
one little bundle. There was not more
than half dozen, and Kate, with
smile of relief and satisfaction, put
them in her pocket, and relocked the
csbinet.
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 footstep,
and that il 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 1t
was, he did not at once come to the
parlor; he went into an adjoining
room, removed his wet coat and boots,
and came lounging in, with slippers on
his feet and 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 q few steps, and
said, ~ am waiting to see the clergy
maR Do yen know how soon he will
return, sir ?" "
81 think he will be here Immediate
~" answered the newcomer, whose
first instinct was to say the thing most
likely to detain so beautiful girl. II
am sorry to have intruded, but I will
retire at once, il you desire it."
" By no means, sir. l shall not re-
main longer. expected my brother
with Mr.. Fleming, but as my groom is
with me, there is no need to wait, e.
pecially as it is likely to be dark very
early"
ST left Mr.. Fleming at the bishops,
with three other clergymen. Your
brother"
"Oh. my brother is not clergy
man." and then suddenly remembering
q friend OF Arches who lived at least
ten miles away, she said, I" am Miss
Crowther, of Hill Top-perhaps you
know Mr.. Eenry Crowther?"
The young gentleman looked at 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 q 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, in whirl of curiosity
and excitement. "What bright face!
What frank, charming manners! What
a figure! I wish to everything had
sister-or something nice-like that
girl. I do wonder who she ISL The
next moment he had rang 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?"
I want to know, Martha, who that
young lady is that left the house twenty
minutes ago."
We'll may you ask, sir, which to do
shows your good sense. That is Miss
Kate Leslie, sir-Mr. Archie's cousin
q yorv beautiful yOunp 1a6v cir ona a