The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1881-02-03


she nodded carelessly.
The eoverness, | supposeP Come
+ :c, tie count is downstairs, and
wants to consult you about something
w neither tomatoes will grow il
Saxony, | believe. He has learned tC
dote ON them, and wishes garden O
them around his castle"
Eric took leave with a polite bow
and Rod, who had been silent for the
space of tive minutes, said:
hate Francia Dormer. She's s
snake!'
Gertrude kept the irrepressible ones
quiet till their tea time with her inven.
tions She had some talent in that line
ard felt glad and relieved to find that
she held most potent weapon TO bf
used iu her new kingdom.
Rod bad really an active mind, AMI
she won him by her praise; Nina fol-
lowed his example; and when he found
he could gain the pleasure of hearing 6
story by diligence, he began to apply
himself.
Eric said the children were growing
so tolerable he quite enjoyed looking in
Oh them once in s. while; to which Rod
replied: What makes YOU look al
Miss Gertrude all the time, then -
Gertrude blushed, aud began to feel
uncomfo Portable about the visits.
Sometimes Gertrude was requested TO
come down in the evening to play, and
then she saw Bertha and her betrothed.
The elder sister was too busy just now
to look into the schoolroom. Her in
tended, Won Arnhein, who was an
officer in the Prussian army, was a
rather id-looking German, with
scant blonde hair, good natured blue
eyes and a beaming smile. Bertha was
sallow, but had fine dark eyes and
dazzling white teeth.
Sometimes Francia bestowed her
and confidence on Gertrude /;
at others she assumed naughty and dis
tant airs. She delighted in outre
toilets, wore the most wonderful COM
bjnations, glowed and glittered like
some rare tropical bird. SO the months
went on OF that winter, and the wedding
day drew near:
How do look?" exclaimed Francia
one night as she opened the schoolroom
door. GoodP hoped the imps were
in bed. Heavens ana earth how hate
children! pity you, Miss Winthrop!
suppose you dream OF an escape some
day !-some fairy prince will open your
prison Wild golCen key!'
No; expect nothing" answered
Gertrude. 81 am trying to cultivate
the spirit which TennysOn eulogizes :
"a Not TO desire or admire is better by far
lhan to walk all day like the sultans of old in
a garden Of spice
go away, Francia Dormer," cried
Rod, from the next room. You keep
me awake with yocr chatter. You're
worse than nightmare
"Oh, you angel! are you awake!"
cried the girl. Then goodbye. Miss
Winthrop. Comfort is at an end. You'll
have the house to yourselves tomorrow /;
we're of on an excursion, all OF US. The
snow is just right, so hard and white
bah. what a poor fire you have" And
she disappeared.
"She has everything" thought Ger
trude, "beauty and fortune (she had
heard fabulous accounts OF Francia's
in Cuba), "and she will win
Eric at last-who can doubt itP"
Still Gertrude, remembering certain
words and looks, did doubt it in her
heart. The next morning, when the
tuck in the Sables about Fraucia, and
uGdlu lDC SOuuO vi lllCll NOlNNGS
the old schoolroom looked very cod
cared history very ahsently.
Enter Betsey with note and bouquet
cream white camelias, blue heliotrope
and crimson bouvardia.
"Sure they was both left thegither,
but they're not after belongin' thegither,
as the post by brought the letther."
Gertrude dropped the history and
yloated over the flowers in delight. She
had never owned bouquet of dollhouse
lowers before, and then she knew
" hose kind heart had remembered her
when all the others were absorbed in
heir own p easure. Ii seemed as if
they would make the whole day fra
grant. She had almost forgotten the
note.
There was only one person in the
world to write to her, so she opened
The note leisurely as those do W ho have
little to hope or fear. But as she read
she started anxiously. Betsey had not
lett the room.
"Oh, must co." she said, decidedly.
'' l shall have to give the children holi-
day; shall have to leave them in your
care. My aunt is very sick and alone.
will return this evening il can ar
range things. You will explain to Mrs.
if / am not here"
Sure and | wull that, said the girl
yood-naturedly, land holiday vii do
he young wons good"
"Golly, a holiday" cried Rod, in
great ecstasy. "Oh, I've got a famous
)lan!'
mo michief," said Gertrude, anx-
ously; II shall think of you"
"Oh, we'll be quiet; you'll be so
,lea ,ed !" exclaimed the boy, with q cO-
ility that would have alarmed Gertrude
she could have stopped TO think about
As it was, she hurried her prepara-
ions only remembering to take the
lowers with her. as she thought they
night cheer the sick room, to say moth
ng of her own reluctance to lose sight
# them.
Her ride in the cars laste,.. only half
n hour, and she found herself before the
title brown cottage which was the only
lome sha remembered, as she had been
eft an orphan to this aunt's care in her
arllest childhood. Poor and plain as
appeared II thrill came over
Ter mt sight of it, and she hurried with
cal anxiety into the house, whose door
TODD open.
Aunt Rachel was in bed, and neigh
'or's girl had come in to wait on her.
The Old woman had sweet, patient
ace, and her eyes lighted up as she saw
he young girl in whom all her love and
arthly hopes were centered.
II feared / lad done wrong to send
Or you," she said, but there was a
title business to settle. Do you know,
ny love, the age OF miracles is not
verP"
Gertrude smiled and held her aunt's
yasted hs nd very fOndlg.
.oil -, .hav tho hnrao-.n 7