Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-07-15

ner OF the basket.
What have you got there, Nancy A
new cap?
Eyes. Miss; and will you see as those
maids Of yours don't get fittin' un on
Very well. Nancy" said the girl
laughing, as she laid the whip lightly up
on the ponies shining TANKS, and started
afrcsh. Il think that is only Nancy's
delicate way Of putting the case. 1t is in
reality myself whom she is afraid Of not
being able to resist that tempting adorn-
menf
Il am not sure that her mis9ivings are
without reason said Smith, smiling in
his turn. To feel otherwise than friendly
toward this frank girl was as impossible
rs 1t would be to treat her with other than
the truest respect II shall make it nv
first duty TO look after Nancy's interests.
pray do. Come nv beauties, we m1.t
be getting on added she, shaking the
ponies reins encouragingly. II hope
you did not mind my stopping' We try
TO help our neighbors here in the country !;
we have not much else to think Of" she
added alphabetically. turning round and
glanciDg into her companions face.
Il was amused at the idea for moment
but think it was very good Thought OF
yours. answered the young man warm
ly.
short space more Of the country road
with its fOwery banks, and the carriage
turned of, and bowled smoothly up an
avenue Of chestnuts through park Of
small extent; and in very lew minutes
more they pulled up at low. struggling
house. 1t was an irregular building with
high-peaked roof and many angles. but
perhaps in its main outline it might be
said to follow the form Of three sides of 4
quadrangle, having at one bend a short
square tower, which gave dignity to the
structure and somewhat relieved its low.
rambling character.
The door stood open to admit the sum-
mer air, fragrant with the balmy breath
of many roses; and the girl, giving the
reins to the groom. stepped from the ear
riage and conducted Smith across the
wide hall to a room ut the rear of the
house. my father will most likely be in
the library. Yes" said she, flinging wide
the doors after preliminary peep within,
glancing over her shoulder to the young
man who was following her.
Here IL Mr.. Smith, papa
Her father who had been seated in his
study chair reading his newspaper. laid it
down upon the entrance of his daughter;
and taking out his spectacles, rose to greet
his guest witt, bland smile of welcome
on his face. But as his eyes fell upon his
visitor, the urbane expression of his coun-
tcnaDce changed to one of blank surprise,
and he drew himself up stifily.
''Who are you?" cried tie old gentle
man.
jeffrey, upon his part, was little less
taken aback at his reception. "Is Mr..
Lorimer not mt home P"
"How should know. What do you
mean, sir?''
.Is Mr.. Lorimer not expecting me
Where is he?"
'ln his own house, dozen miles from
here. ! should imagine!" cried the little
old gentleman; his face pink. and every
hair upon his white. woody head seeming
to bristle with impugnacity.
"ln his own house dozen miles from
here J" echoed jeffrey Smith, blandly. 81
cant understand YOU"
81 can't understand you, Sir" retorted
the other.
''Stay, there is some mistake said
Lettuce. who had been looking in amaze
ment from one to the other. 'Mr. Smith
whom did you come to seep'
"Mr. Lorimer, of course" answered
the young man promptly, turning to the
girl with evident relief.
'But we have hardly visiting acquaint-
ance with them Why come here ?''
81 have never been there. but it is n
place called The Cedars. and | thought
was coming to it now is not this il ~
What reply the young lady might have
given can never be known, for the old
gentleman. Mr.. Warburton. took up the
subject again. ~ see it allr cried he.
showing up his hands. 1.-The boy should
have gone to The Cedars. and has come
here six miles out of his wayr'
Then this is not Mr.. Lorimer's, How
stupid! was to have gone there on a
weeks visit
Most extraordinary to me-" Mr. War
burton muttercd to himself. .'how a per-
son does not know where he is going, and
takes care he gets there
The color rose to Jeffrey Smiths fore
head; and he was none the less annoyed
that he felt the blood mounting to his ia e.
81 am sorry for any Inconvenience that
may have caused you. sir. he said land
think now that had better lose no time
in starting for my destination
Tut, tut, tut. young man. don't mount
mount the high horse sit down. sit down !,
| was only thinking of you. For ourselves,
If we have not the right visitor. we are
very glad of the wrong one''
You are very kind. but | will take up
no more of your time. Besides. imagine.
l shall get no conveyance in these rustic
parts. therefore. the sooner start the bet
ter" answered Smith. melting into his
own genial self at the others more cordial
manner.
Nonsense there is no conveyance to
be had here. l cannot send YOU surl, a
distance. for one OF my horses is lame; so
You must make yourself comfortable for
the present. You came of your own free
will and choice. and you must STAY now
against it. 1t would be an excellent Joke.
too. but for poor Smith cooling his heels
On Redbrook PLATFORM
IL don't think. papa. he could have ar
rived" said Lettuce. who had laid aside
her straw hat, and seated herself beside
the table.
You were expecting friend by this
train?-Of course" added Jeffrey. cor
recting himself: Tor the mistake could not
have arisen about me. No person got out
OF the train but myself and the old woman
with tho can =, Sp,i1;pu af africa 81