Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-05-07

corning the dream. or vision, whichever it was
30 that 1t had not become an eight day wonder
In the household. She rarely allowed Ellie {.
dwell upon 1t to her, and when, year later q
new interest sprang up in the girls life, shs
rejoiced, feeling sure the gnost would now bs
rfed and two honest brown eyes now haunted
her waking as we'll as her sleeping moments
and sense OF peace and security nedged bel
| told the tale, and Launce had petted anC
| soothed her, and made nothing Of it; and with
her hand In bis. and her head on his shoulder
| 1t was once more the beginning OF August
when. one bright morning Launca unex-
| pectedly received summons to join his regt-
| ment; court martial, or some duty equally
important, required his presence Poor Rifle
wandered about the house like an unqulet
| spirit after mis- departure. At length bright
Mother. this would be the very time for my
visit to the Hollis: Let me send telegram to
say l will arrive tomorrow. They have
always begged me to come at moments no.
tice, and may not be able to 60 later on"
But they have people staying with them"
objected Mrs. PercevaL \
Never mind: they will put me I'D somehow.
Very wen, dear" agreed her mother. rather
reluctantly; 10 oppose any wish OF Effle'5 was
an an. 1hmpossioiity to ner. "You must take Susan
Ca, yes: and my diamonds" laughed lie.
do you remember was to have taken taem
last year to show Mrs. Holt? She was 80 envl-
GUS ct my good luck In having them lef6 to me;
"a Chit IKE you," remember she sa,d.'
Mrs. Perceva1 rejOced to ind that all rem en-
braDce OF the shock her daughter had suS-
taiDtd year ago seemed botted oat OF her
mind No painful thoughts appeared to unger
OF that interrupted visit to the Prory.
but you need not say your diamonds VIII ac-
company YOU" she added; laughing.
Enc flew up up 70 the Lite village POST
II am coming tomorrow for few days, I'M
less you telegraph back to the contrary"
In The evening Mrs. Perceval inquired II shs
"Oh, no; told them not to answer unless
they could not have me-
"sti!l wonder you have not heard re.
was all right, so no more was said.
Next morning she was up early putting the
finishing strokes to her packing, laughing and
Good by, darling mother. 1 shall write TO you
tomorrow. Isn't 1t odd? 1t was this very day,
August 4th, that we were to have gone TO the
Hoits last year" Still no painful remlnts-
cences On the subject Her mother kissed and
they parted.
on arriving at X station, Effie was some
what surprised to fad that no vehicle awaited
her from the Priory; however, she was BILE to
procure fly without any difficulty. the Omls-
s sion W., was OF little consequenee Il 50 happened
friends though they were. They had met
abroad and at the houses OF common friends,
but something had always come in the way OF
believe she was really on her way thitner. AS
the fly drove up to the door of the old house,
she saw Mrs Holt In the garden, and, putting
out her head, nodded and smiled gaily. Up
ran her hostess, exclaiming, "Ehie, my dear
child, what delightful surprise! Why didn't
you let us know you were comtng:"
day?"
mo; did you send one? On. that dreadful
boy at the post office! He really must be got
rid Of This is the third telegram he has lost In
month-careleas, good-for-nothlng young
rascal Never mind about that now, however
How delightful to think you really are hers at
% But Is 1t convenient? Are you sure you can
put Inc up?" asked Ellie.
"Oh, forgot! every room is full" cried her
hurrytug her into the house. ''But | can
manage; you won't mind. On, yes, / know;
that viii do nicely. There's Fred: he will be
called cut to her husband. who was coming
down stairs.
: "Eftie Perceval! Can believe my eyes?r
49, Yes; and she telegrapheo Yesterday 10 say
she was coming, and tnat horrible boy must
have lost the message. Fred. you must have
him sent away"
While Efle was lunchlng, Colonel Holt ran
the house, and Of the neighbors who were
coming to dinner.
~ nope you. have brought smart dress,
young lady, and all your diamonds. for there Is
TO re perfect invasion of natives
"Oh, 1. think 1 shall do" laughed Efle,
Though was not prepared for SUCH a les
t1vity."
"They don't happen often, thank goodness;
why. now think or it, you left US In The ,urcn
On the last grand occasion; this very day, last
Yes. On, we won't talk of that" said IL,
shuddering and turning 2 Ne she was relieved
by tne entrance Of Mrs. Holt, who OF .rei to
take her 10 her room.
~ have done the best can dear; ordered
my den TO be turned into q bedroom for YOU.
Tn5re was literally no o,her room available
long passage, has no lock to th9 door, and is
not very near any other room"
lit will do beautifully, am sure cried
Effie, veXed at the trouble she was giving, and
feeling she could not 10 reason make auy ob-
Jections, though the idea OF an i.olaCed room
oil not strike her pleasantly.
That Is my husbands dressing ROOM" said
MRS. Holt as they passed an open door. "NoW
turn to the right and at the end of this passa &c
Is your room. l chose it for my den on acc punt
OF is inaccessibility."
bright little room, with the afternoon sun
streaming into 1t, that Effie was charmed. I'll
feel lonely can keep Susan With me-" she
Now | shall leave you to rest" said Mrs.
Holt "Ir you could get a lite nap before din
ner; you would be all the better for IT,"
VIII be better than sleeping. and win refresh me
quite as much. What Time do you dine! 1880!
very well; eood-by till then"
| head, said Colonel holt to his wife as hs came
into her roo m half an hour before dinner.
what has he done now. them"
"The fellows manner is so odd l can't I'M.
derStand him. AS soon as you had taken Ellie
up to her room sent for him to say an extra
place must be laid at the dinner table, and
stated the reason. He didn't make any an
SWer, and looking up / SAW he was white as
death and shaking all over then he began q
staulmering request to be allowed to go away,
he was not well, and SO on. However, cut HIN
short, and told him il he wanted to 90 he must
walt till tomorrow, and that then, IL 90 he
would, 1t must be for good; But tnat, OF course
he must stop and do his work tonight. With
| that left him, and just now / saw him al
work In the dining room, SO l suppose he has
| recovered his senses"
How very strange his conduct ts," said Mrs
Holt; :" 1t Is exactly year ago TO day since his
| last vagary."
| Contrary to her wont, Mrs. Holt felt some
| what OF an anxious hostess as she greeted her
| guests that evening, but she was treasured by
| Simmons's manner. which was as composed as
usual Ef1ie ooeying her natural Instincts
| was late, and reaching the drawing room after
| dinner had been announced, fell to the lot of q
shy, red-halred youth. who took her In in solemn
| silence, apparently abashed by the radiance OF
| her diamonds. 1t was pleasant, soctable din.
| ner enough, ana all went Well, to Mrs. Hollis
| secret relief She gave sigh OF salts action
| on reaching the drawing-r room, feeling now
| that all danger was over. Never had Ell been
brighter or merrier. AS soon as the meu came
up. Mrs Holt persuaded her TO sing, She adj