Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1880-01-08
Not SO Bad AS He Thought.

''Here l am-Elinor Roystan; my edu-
cation finished and myself ready to COM
mence life, with y fortune of $500 a year
anda large and varied assortment Of old
valentines, canary which cannot sing, and
pug dog with bad temper, Q! and a
heap of hideous dresses and an adorable
new ulster"
So exclaimed young lady as she stood
in momentary stiffness upon the hearth
rug. after breathless burst into the draw
lng-room of Oaktree Hall. The master of
the mansion, Graham Daglish, had been
reading in the peaceful enjoyment Of a
splendid fire and q luxurious armchair,
which, upon the girls entrance, he had
Quilted, and came forward few steps 10
greet her.
"Well," said Miss Royston, and after
moment's 's pause in tone of wonder and
gazing frankly into the eyes of her COM
pAnion, ''are you not going to ask me how
/ ann"
''How do you do?" Daglish nodded
eoolly.
''I thought YOU were too much engaged
in taking that inventory of your property,
for such ceremony as shaking hands"
''How do you like my ulster2 Don't You
like iti It's all pockets she said thrust
ing her hand into one receptacle, then into
another.
''What silly baby you are" DagliSh
cried, trying very hard 10 frown, and not
to smile, at the lovely glowing face now
raised to his.
sDo YOU want everybody to he the
Nethuselah that you aref" Elinor pouted.
A shadow crossed his countenance at
the random words. Ehnor RoystOn was
l9; Graham Daglish 49,; and as the dew
and sunshine are necessary to the life OF
flowers, SO seemed this wayward, winning
girl TO Grahrn Daglish to be necessary 10
existance When, twelve years ago, she
was left an orphan on their care. both Dag
lish and his mother regarded the trust as a
serious and unwelcome responsibility, but
time had changed both their views he
old lady had called Elinor her sunshine,
and Graham had grown to love the sweet,
various mooded girl with all strength Of his
reselute nature.
Elinor's late absence at school was a
source of deep regret, and now upon her
return home for good high fcsti-
val would be held in the hearts and in the
mansion or Oaktree.
'sAre you not glad that have finished
with that detestable school?' she contin-
ued, after short pause.
''It depends upon how much you
know. What can you tell me conscien-
uously you have learned, Nell?n
She took her stand Immediately before
him, and checked off her accomplishments
on the pretty fingers or the left hand as she
spoke.
'Music, she answered.
''Voice and piano gymnastic, should
rather say
German, the whole OF the French Ian
guage, drawing, painting and geography
Gould you stand a good examination
IN the capital cities OF Europe?" he inter
rupted.
II should not like It." she frankly al
lowed. ''But what does it matter? Every
body is not an old beok-worn like you.
Perhaps when | am your age | shall know
nothing else.
Il have yet to learn that ignorance is 50
interesting, /" said Daglish somewhat Grossly
under the irritation of her illusions
so / am ignorant now and was silly
before. You need not have told me so in
the first hour that am at home-at Oak
tree, | me1n,' she said in proud correction
of herself.
Occupied with his own bitter reflections
he did not notice the halt aud change Of
expression. But his indifference was diff
ferently construed by the girl who gathered
up her hat and gloves and swept from
the room in anger.
''He gave me no welcome although |
gave him 80 many opportunities, she said
to herself, as brushing the tears from her
eyes she shut the door.
However melancholic the effect was
upon his intellect, Mr.. Graham Dagish had
soon to witness the terrible process; for the
next day the mansion of OakIree was full
OF Christmas visitors, and one Of these, Mr..
Arthur Young, fell straightway in love
with the brilliant beauty, Elinor Royston,
and his tender sentiments, Mr. Young by
no means concealed from an interested
world. Miss Royston seemed, too, to be
receiving his attentions with favor and
aemplaisance.
Dagl1sh might witness the position Of
events with despair of apirits, but as her
guardian he could make no reasonable OBJ
lection to Arthur Young, who was an
honest, handsome young fellow and heir to
a coed property. Beforehand, though, he
would not have supposed him the kind OF
man to attract bright, original Belle Roy
ston. Her preference, however, was
clear enough; in fact, with the encourage
msnt Young received, the only marvel was
that he did not urge his suit more boldly
The new year had come in, and all th&
Hall guests were gone save Arthur Young
and he would appear to have taken up
permanent residence there.
81 wish had one Of those crimson roses
there are in the conservatory, said Miss
Royston, late one afternoon, as they al
sat in the drawing-Toom.
''They are all well out now; you car
have twenty said Graham Daglish look
ing off his paper for minute.
''Let me get them for you, Miss Roy
ston," said Young, with very unnecessary
alacrity, Graham Daglish thought.
s'ThanK you; you are always kind.
will show you the tree, replied Miss Roy
ston, with still more unnecessary alacrity
ill-used Daglish considered.
The pair strolled away into the conser
ro+arv Aorl;ch wichinC tao late that b