Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1881-09-01

tzge and into the best room, which had
not known what an open window was for
weeks. Grey slate was plenty good
enough for her to sit on, but the ladies'
must 90 in.
-And how are times with you, Mrs.
Crnsthwaiteir = inquired Aunt Esther, when
the business part Of the visit was over.
ain middling way, mA'am; nothing to
boast Of"
"YOu have not let your rooms yet" said
Lucy.
"No. ma'am-nOt yet-perhaps not at
ALL"
"How is thati" asked Aunt Esther, ell.
thought you were sure to let-sueh nice
rooms, and such splendid view! Oh, you
are sure to let them"
swell, ma'am, l may, but then 1 may
not. Are you not going to spend the sum-
mer here, Miss Clavering, ma'amf 1
hope you don't think it over bold of me TO
ask"
81" said Lucy in some surprise; '.yes, l
am going to stay here"
"You will be here the whole summer,
ma'am"
"Most likely, and perhaps autumn AMI
winter, too"
"Mrs. Crosthwaite did not look as if the
news were altogether acceptable to her;
she made a sound between low grunt
and groan, and said, swell, that is u
good stay"
at is so pretty here" said Lucy.
"Yes, it's pretty, there's no denying
thatr The good woman's eyes had
strayed away to some large, fiat, deal
cases in one corner, and now she was look
ing ruefully at them.
"What nice, clean-looking packages"
said Aunt Esther. "What are they2 Some
commercial travellers thingsY"
"Nay, nay, nothing o that sort, not
theyl They belong to an artiss-a paint
er he called himself. He was making pic,
turs here last year."
Lucy felt suddenly interested: she earn
estly hoped that Aunt Esther would not
ask his name, for she was almost certain
that she knew it. She wanted to hear
more.
"He was an industrious gentleman
Early and late and late and early, he was
always on the CO. And the splendid pic
turs he did paint! 1t was just for all the
world as if you had shut up the trees and
mountains in a pictur-frame for anyone to
look at"
sand you are expecting him back here
I supposed" said Aunt Esther. 81 am
glad of that"
swell, expect him and don't expect
him. You said you should be here till
the back end. Miss Claverng"
Lucy felt strange thrill of vexation
and discomfort. In a moment she had un-
derstood all. This was where Mr.. Rich
mond had lodged before and now hewant-
ed to come again, but not if she were at
the Grange. "My stay is uncertain" said
she: 81 may go sooner. might be oblig-
ed to go at once"
Mrs. Crosthwaite's face frightened visi-
bly,. 81 was sure you would never stop
the whole year here! l said so"-and
then she looked confused. and reddened,
as if ashamed she had said so much.
II suppose" said Lucy, artfully, "this
gentleman sometimes paints about the
Grange-in the gardens and woods. 1
daresay he would feel more free to go
about as he likes if the house were emp,
tyr
"Yes, think that's it,
Lucy was in great terror lest Aunt Es-
ther, who was manifestly much puzzled,
should ask his name. She made her a
sign to say nothing: she did not want this
Mrs Crosthwaite to be able to tell Mr..
Richmond that Miss Clayering had guess
ed who wanted to come. If possible his
name must not be mentioned between
them. "He, perhaps, asked you," said
Lucy, "to write and tell him when the
house was unoccupied again, and then he
would come and finish what he had be-
gun2 Did he not?" for now she remem-
bered that Mr.. Fraser had told her that
Mr.. Richmond was busy with large pic
ture he could not finish.
TO BE CONTINUED.