Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1881-07-06
HER ENEMY.

ulViln or his library. so we'll suited
did he appear to his luxurious surround.
lng>. you would not believe he had been
Sir Geotfrey Staines, Bart, only week
had spent but one night beneath the
roof Of Redwood. He had long faced
poverty with the bravest light hearted
ness, and now bore his unexpected hon.
ors as one to the manor born-unexpect-
ed, because the distant cousin whom he
had succeeded was looked upon by all
his friends rs !, man sure to marry.
Handsome and fond Of ladies' society, it
was still mystery to the world why Sir
Henry Stalnes never brought mistress
to Redwood.
The new baronet lay with bis shapely
head we'll back among the silken cush-
ions, IDLY watching the smoke wreaths
Of his cigar, and planning, like the keen
sportsman he was, the total discontinue
Of certain rascally poachers whom his
agent complained of, when there came a
light tap at the door.
"Come in
There entered a very striking looking
girl. Tall, very plainly dressed, but
might have envied; with classic head
around which the dark hair was arranged
us simply as possible; with heavy dashed
gray eyes that held peculiar look of
smoldering fire.
"You sent for me? ?" she said briefly.
Geohrey had instinctively risen and
tossed away his cigar.
"I-I beg your pardon. Whom have
the honor to-"
my name is Elinor Scott slowly,
and breathing freer when she saw the
name was strange to him. Then she
added: II am your housemaid."
Had she said she was one of the royal
princesses it could not have surprised
him more.
GOOD heavens! a servant-you?"
"Your most humble servant" She
courtesied low-not in playfulness and
surely not in humility, more likely in
bitter mockery.
Geotfrey took couple of turns in the
room. His housekeeper had begged him
to rebuke servant, and this was she
DO wonder the good woman had found
her FORTY as dutchess."
g If adversely has driven you to this"
he began, abruptly. twill you not allow
me to help you nay, listen - only
to help you to position more suitable
for lady?"
"Permit me to be the Judge of what is
suitable. l have chosen to enter your
service, and so long as I do my duty in
it | suppose you will not discharge me %
Assuredly not; but"
"Then we will consider that settled.
Now, Mrs. Gritfiths told me you wished
to see me i'll the library; may I ask for
what?'
It's of no consequence. Oh, we'll, if
YOU will have it. It seems my good
housekeeper has arranged some kind of
welcome fer the new -triumphal
arches, tenants cheering. servants drawn
up in the hall, and all that and that you
refused to take any part in it."
81 did,
"Quite right, too" hastily; lawful
bore, that kind of thing! Glad I ar
rived sooner than they expected and es-
capped it all. But Mrs. Grif6ths has
taken it into her head that you entertain
some peculiar dislike for me-
No reply.
"All nonsense, OF course; but the good
woman IS persuaded that you are my Sc
cret enemy.
Ono, not secret J" Elincr Scott broke
ont. eyes, do dislike you. 1 am
ycnr enemy, and / am glad you know it,"
why, never saw you in my life be-
fore. You must be taking me for some
one else
The girl shook her head
II cannot have given you any cause
for this resentmert.'' said Geoffrey, ut
terIy bewildered. ''But if you fancy
L L.11
me, and [ will right it..
81 will tell You nothing but that am
YOUR enemy. I am here to do you an in
jury. Nov, if you like, you can turn
ne away
She looked at him as if she half hoped
to be taken at her word. but Godfrey
Staines squared his broad shoulders and
fairly smiled as he answered:
ado You think I am afraid of you?
don't believe you are the kind to put
arsenic i'll my coffee, and really, I do not
see what harm you can do to me. Yon
are welcome to remain at Redwood as
long as you please.
This was evidently not exactly to her
liking, for she frowned, hesitated, and
finally left the room in naughty silence.
1t is needless to say that, during the
days which followed, the mind OF her
master was very much occupied with
Elinor Scott. To have handsome,
aristocratic-looking girl tell you in one
breath that she is your housemaid, and,
before you have recovered from your
establishment in the next that she is your
enemy, without any cause, is enough to
make any man wonder and speculate and
puzzle himself ia vain.
He found that the library formed part
Of the strange girls charge, and for a
while he haunted the spot about the time
she was occupied there. But he was not
long proof against the look of annoyed
surprise that always met him. Her face
would darken when he entered. She
would accomplish her work as quickly
as possible, never addressing him, and
only replying when he addressed her in