Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1880-10-08
The Ghost of the Laburnums.

"Why do you not invite me to the
LAburnums, FAM"
Because it is so lonely there,
Rae."
For that reason | shall come" said
pretty Raphaella Fairlie. ~ shall
come and keep him company for q
whole week, just as soon as I can get
away from the city. I knew you and
Phil. were moping," nodding her curly
head sagaciously.
A sudden gravity vent over Fannie
Brudenel's gentle countenance, yet her
eyes frightened expectantly.
~ should love to have been there,
Of course" was all she said.
When train time came and Fannie
had left Rse's pretty studio and the
city, the little artist still sat daintily
touching the photograph she was col.
oring, and evidently closely thinking
Of something else. She was not sure
that DR.. Philip Brudenel would ex-
actly approve Of her going to the
LAburnums. but she meant to 60, for
all that. for she loved him, and she
could plainly see that he had cares and
perplexities of which she knew moth
ing. And though they had been en-
gagged over . year, he made no proposal
Of marrying soon, only looked moodily
when the subject was approached.
Rae 90 enjoyed his company that she
could live with him in the black hole Of
Calcutta, she declared to herself, but
prabably Phillip did not think so. Any
way she was going to the Laburnums,
his home ct Lowshore, because she felt
that her love gave her q right to know
what was troub ling him.
Ten days later she locked her studio
door and steamed away to Lowshore,
and soon the depot carriage had set
her down ct the door of tiny cottage
hid in laburhum trees.
Fannie kissed her affectionately.
what . delightful apparition you
are. Rae" she said, and led her into Q
Little sitting room.
Everything was very plaiD, and very.
very tiny, Rae thought, accustomed to
spacious city apartments; and when
Fannie had taken her hat and travel
ing-satohei, and gone to spread q
lunch for her, Rae looked around and
INV that the carpet was thread bare
and the furniture extremely old fash
icned.
Suddenly door opened. and an old
Lady, leaning on cane, tottered into
the room. Her face. bordered by a
snowy cap. had = strange, white puffy
!ook, but she Jet allowed signs of hav.
inc been very pretty in youth.
What are you ?" abe asked Rae.
do you think you can better our fallen
fortunssa No, mol that can never
Bass cheek burned under the
strangely significant words, but she
xueessd Immediately that the old lady's
mind Vas wandering; then Fannie en-
tered the soom.
Come, mother, come and rest
now" she said, gently. and drew her
from the room. She came back, say.
ING 70 Rae: Ny mother ID demeuted !.
Do not b troubled BY anything she
Il was evening when DR.. Philip
brought his flne presence into he
homo. His start Of delight ON behold
smile.
" What pleasure did You expect 10
md hare, child?" he asked, holding
her hands.
I" Perhaps I did not come for pleas
ure, Philip"
For what then r.
"Pront.n
!" ] find very little OF that here"
Two days passed. Rae saw plainly
What the life Was ct the Laburnums-
M0notonous, meager; but ever since
Phiiip had first brought his sister to
her studio. Rae had loved Fannie. Who
Vas older than herself, and patiently
becoming one Of the sweeteet Of old
maids. 80 she enjoyed sisterly talks
With Fannie. Philip was absent most
, In one Of these confidential chats
Fannie said:
" Yon ought to have come in the
early autumn, Rae-it is prettier here
then. In November we have nothing
attractive-literally nothing. I have
often expressed the wish to Philip to
have you visit rs; but he always speaks
OF the contrast between your life snd
ours-you in the city, with access TO
20 much that il entertaining. and ve
% shut ont from, the world. But be-
ceuse 1t 10 yOu, I think, Rae. that I
VII show you the house in the hol.
Low.
The house in the hollow, Fan 2"
Yes, our ancestral home; for Philip
and ! came OF prosperous race. poor
- We now are. and the old house il full
Of what IL beautiful and rare. CAT
your hat and We will 60 now"
Through long lines OF laburnums.
eeross tiny kitchen garden. alono :
deeeying orchard into . siope still
exsen in the November sunshine. al
ons end OF the valley which opened TO-
ward the -, WHARF white calls were
noiselessly fitting, stood . large and
house Of painted brick, with
ef.sl Window and other picturesque
1t i not an old houee," said Fan.
me. Il was built by my grandfather,
n his last days. - . Wedding present
. my mother. The old house which
bad formerly stood here no had pulled
Town and this built. He intended 70
'eaide with his only daughter when ahe
married Israel Beaucaire, . French
lev, whom he had chosen for her. But