The Osceola times., 1881-07-09
TRAPPED BY An HEIRESS.

A cosier place than the big sitting
room at Hilcrest would have been hard
to find, if one had travelled from Land 5
End to John O'Groat's; and this events
ful evening, when the destinies of two
worthy people are about taking definite
form-two people who had never seen
each other, and who had heard of each
other SO often that both were curiously
eager TO meet-~- on this important occa-
sion the sitting-room at Hillcrest had
never looked pleasanter or cosier.
A huge fire of logs glowed like molten
carbuncles in the open fireplace; on the
table in the center of the floor, whose
cover matched the glowing crimson of
the carpet, was silver stand that held
dozen wax tapers, whose beaIring
| light contrasted exquisitely with the
ruddy glow of the fire.
Beside the table, in big cushioned
/ chair, with his feet thrust toward the
genial warmth of the hearth, his grey
dressing gown sitting comfortably on his
portly form, his gold-rlmmed glasses on
his nose, sat the owner and master OF
| Hillcrest. Mr.. Abiah Cressngton, rich,
good.natured, and fond of his own way.
| Opposite him was the mistress of the
place, little, shrewd-faced merry, Aunt
Cornelia, his sister, who, since her wild
owhood, has come to Cresthill to make
her bachelor brothers home as pleasant
as she could.
| That she had succeeded was evident
by the way now in which he looked up
from letter he had been reading, the
confidential, kindly way in which he
did il.
"Walter writes curious letter in re-
Spouse TO my invitation to come and
spend few weeks at Hillcrest as soon
as he gets over his fatigue from his
ocean voyage home, after his five years
tour abroad. I'll read it to you"
He leaned over the softly. glowing
light, ana began the short, concise reply
that Walter Austin had written from his
chamber in the Temple:
You are very kind, indeed, Uncle
Abiab. to ask me down to Hllcrest for
as long as | wish to stay, and | can as
sure you that i have been 50 long a wan
derer that the idea of home is very
pleasant TO me. But when / take into
consideration the peculiar importance
you propose attaching to my visit, l am
unwilling to accept the invitation. To
Inc the idea of having my fancies and
inclinations put into harness, and to feel
| that am on continual duty to win my
second cousin, Mabel, whom you are
good enough TO wish me to marry"
Mrs. Cornelia interrupted him sharp.
ly-
"Abiah, you never went and told our
granddaughter that you had in view his
marriage with Mabel?"
| Her tone was energetic, almost repre-
/ hensive.
"Why not? / certainly did. | told
| him in my letter that it was a chance
for him he he'd never get again, and
that he needn't feel under such terrible
obligations to take fancy to Pills little
Mabel, but to come down and be cousin
ly, and if anything should happen, it'd
be all around"
Mrs. Ccrnelia knitted vigorously, her
lavender cap ribbons quivering in the
mellow taper glow.
"All | have TO say is you're a-fool,
Ahahl Walter is right. A young man
doesn't like TO have his fancies under
rcin and whip, and the very fact that we
want him to marry will make him in-
disposed to do it. You've made great
mistake in the beginning"
Mr.. Cressington looked aghast at at his
sisters determined face.
why, | really didn't suppose"
"Of course you didn't. It's only your
natural stupidity, you dear old lellowl
Men are all alike. Don't | know them
Ikea book2 And you've ruined your
hopes for Mabel and Walter at the very
outset"
Mr.. Cressingten started discomfted-
ly.
81 am sure | meant it all right enough,
Cornelia. i certainly wanted Walter to
know what little darling our Mabel is,
and what nice lille wife she would
NAL for any man."
"Nery commendable, indeed; only, if
you had consulted me upon the letter
yeu sent should .have advised you to
say nothing about Mabel or her clarms,
or her expectations. | should nave sim
ply asked him 20 com and see Us, and
have left the rest to Mabel's blue eyes.
You see now, Abiah?'
His lips compressed slowly.
81 think | see. And my hopes IN that
direction are all ruined"
The silver needles clicked rapidly, and
the snow-white yarn came reeling mcr-
rily of the ball under her arm.
"Noi at all. Leave that TO me, and
III see what can be done. Trust wo-
mans wit TO get even laundering Odd
fellow like yourself out of a scnpe."
She smiled and nodded, and looked
altogether so mischievous that Mr.. Cres-
sington became quite excited over her
little mystery.
DO explain, Uornelia."
And when she explained he leaned
back in his chair, with an expression OF
positive awe and admiration on Lis
face.
What woman you are. Corneia' |
declare, it beats anything ! have ever
heard in the whole course of my life !!
After dusk, glorious winter day,
with here and there a star twinkling IN
the pale grav sky. and the lights and
fires in the HIillcrest sitting room max
ing an eloquent welcome to Walter
Ansiin, as he stood in the midst of the
home circle, tall, gentle, manly and
handsome.
Old Mr.. Cressingtor was in his richest
humor as he led forward two younc
girls.
'ComI don't be shy now. Walter
this is your cousin, Mabel Cressington
and this is her good friend and insepa.
rab'e companion Irene Vance, come to
help 10 entertain you. NV nephew, Mr.