The weekly herald. [volume] (Cleveland, Tenn.) 1876-1888, 1881-07-08

out again under the rifting, drifting
April sky, and going cityward as fast as
the street cars could take her.
In the thickest, busiest portion Of the
city, up two flights Of dingy stairs went
Viva.
A timid knock at Room IL.
"Come inP
She turned the handle, and with the
green veil well down, went in.
Two or three gentlemen, writing at
baize-covered desks, looked up care
lessly as she entered, and went on with
their work. 8 W
A gentleman enveloped in clouds Of
cigar smoke, with feet considerably ele-
yated above the level of his head.
glanced toward the door, as the grace
full figure in threadbare waterproof
came timidly in. Down came the feet,
ont went the cigar, and Clifford Chandos,
pushing chair forward, bowed gravely,
quostioningly, to the lady before him.
"I-I called to inquire about cot
tage. advertised" .u4
"The cottage? Oh, yes, to be sure
Will you please to be seated, and / will
give you the particulars"
And Viva, taking the proffered seat,
listened while the tall, grave man, with
straight, black brows and keen, kindly
eyes, explained the terms with pleasant
courtesy.
And when she lifted the obnoxious
green veil moment, to conclude some
necessary arrangement, Clifford Chandos
started ever 50 slightly as he saw the
pretty, girlish face before him, as serene
and dignitied in its grave, business-like
composure as though its owner were
eight-and-ffty instead of eight-and-ten.
"When will you look at the pl, ce,
Miss" a
"Raynerp supplemented Viva.
"NIiss Rayner. Shall we say to-mor.
row at one?"
"At two, if as convenient"
"Certainly. Two, if preferable"
Then he held the door open as courte-
ously as though she wore sealskin and
diamonds, while with quiet grace she
bowed slightly and passed from the
room.
And Clifford Chandos went slowly
back to his chair, softer light in his
keen gray eyes, and actually for once
in bis life forgot to relight his cigar.
The day came at last when, from the
stuffy city house, the Rayners moved to
the pretty, roomy, raftered cottage,
where honeysuckle and wild strag-
gIed at their own sweet will over roof
and porch.
And Viva, coming home from the
dusty city three evenings in the week,
pale and tired, frightened and laughed
her own low, happy laugh at the sight
of her mothers face-grown young
again-at the window, at the sound of
Dick and Jessies boisterous laughter.
It was curious all the repairing that
cottage needed after they moved in. 1t
was more curious that their quiet, hand
some landlord should insist on super
vising it all himself.
He grew into their simple lives in
those days. Mrs. Rayner came to think
the CHEEKY voice better than any medi-
cine, the children to shout Justify at
sight of him, and Viva to listen for the
sound of his firm footstep on the gar
den path. ~ a'd a.A 90
One evening" when the soft May wind
was swaying the "lady-fngers," as the
children call them, over the door, Viva
snatched up her hat and strolled down
to the pretty rustic gate. r
Just little more tired than usual
after a desperate struggle to teach an ir-
ritably obtuse pupil the mysteries Of
crotchets and quavers and demi-semiqua-
vers. a'-'a'.''''.'
She stood there, fair, girlish figure
in her soft white dress, a great bunch of
bluemeadow-violets at her slender throat
and waist. The scented wind gently
loosened the dark brown hair and blew
fitful drift Of rose-bloom into the
pure, pale face. fa
Very prettyp
Well, Clifford Chandos thought so,
at all events, as he came along the un-
even country road with his light, firm
football
Good evening, Miss Raynerp
She turned suddenly, the faint flush
deepening to carnation.
"Good evening, Mr.. Chandos y
think person can give one very
tolerable shake hands without holding
ones fingers quite minute. But APP
parently Mr.. Chandos thought differ
emily.
"Miss Rayner, will you come for n
walk just little way down the road ?
There is show place there I should
like TO have You see.'
He asked pleadingly, hurriedly, as
though fearful Of o refusal
ar. "a 60, ~