The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1882-08-05
The Ghost Of the LaburnUnS.

"Why do you not invite your humble
servant to the Laburnums, Fan2' asked
pretty Raphaella Fai,lie.
Because it is so lonely there. Rae"
"For that reason shall come and keep
you company for whole week, just as
soon as can get away from the city. 1
knew you and Phil were mopiag.'
A sudden gravity went over Fanny
Brudenel's gentle countenance, yet her
eyes frightened eypectanty.
II should love to have you there, of
course" she said.
When the train time came and Fannie
had left Rae's pretty studio and the city,
the little artist still sat daiutily touchiug
the photograph she was coloring, aud
evidently closely thinking OF something
else She was lot sure that DR.. Philip
Brudenel would exactly approve of her
going to the Laburnums, but she meant
to go for all that, for she loyed him, and
she could plainly see that he had cares
and perplexities of which she knew moth
ing. And though they had been engaged
over year he made no proposal of mar
rying soon, but looked moody when the
subject was mentioned. Rae so enjoyed
his company that she could live with him
in the black hole Of Calcutta, she declar-
ed to herself, but probably Philip did not
think 50. Anyhow she was going to the
Laburnums. his home at Lowshore, be-
cause she felt that her love gave her o.
right to know what was disturbing him.
Ten day later she locked her studio
door and took the train to Lowshore, aud
soon the depot carriage had set her down
at the door OF tiny cottage hid in the
laburnums.
Fannie kissed her affectionately.
"What delightful apparition you are
Rae, she said, and led her into little
sitting-room.
Everythi e was very plain and very
tiny, Rae thought. accustomed to city
apartments; and when Fannie had taken
her hat and travelling-satchel. and gone
to spread lunch for her, Rae looked
around aud saw that the carpet was
threadbare and the furniture extremely
oli-fashioued, Suddenly a door opened,
and an old lady leaning ON cane totter-
ed into the room. Her tace, bordered by
snowy cap, had a strange, puffy look but
yet she showed signs of having been very
pretty iu her youth.
What are your" she asked RE, "a
fairy? Do you think you can better our
fallen fortunes2 No, no, that eau never
be-"
Rte's check burned under the strange.
ly significant words but she guessed i'm
mediately that the ol lady's mind was
wandering; then Fannie entered the
room.
Come, mother, come aud rest now, y
she sal gently, and drew her from the
room. Sue came back, saying to RE,
my mother is demented. Do not bt
troubled by anything she says"
twas evening when DIR Philip brought
his fine presence into the home. HIS
start of delight on seeing Rae was sue.
ceeded by rather sad smile.
"What pleasure did you expo ct to fl d
here, dear chilI?' he asked, holding her
hands.
Perhaps did not come altogether foI
pleasure, Philip"
For what thenP'
profit"
Il find very little Of that here"
Two days passed. Rae saw plainly
what life was at the Laturnums mnnot-
onous, meagre' but ever since Philip had
brought his sister to he studio Rae had
loved Fannie, who was older than hers, IT,
aud patiently becoming one Of the sweet.
est Of old maids So she enjoyed sister.
ly talks with Fannie, Philip was absent
m 1st of the time. In one of these talk,
Fannie said,--
"You ought TO have come in the early
autumn, Rae, it is prettisr here then. II
November we have nothing attractive.
have often expressed the wisL to PHILIP
to have you visit us; but he alway,
speaks of the eoatrast between your lift
aud ours-you in the city, with access tC
50 much that is entertaining, aud We s.
shut ont from tho world But beeaus,
it is you, think, Rae, will show yor
the house in the hollow"
"rhc house in the hollow. FAM"
eyes, our ancestral home; for Philil
aud l came OF a prosperous race, poor al
we now are, and the old house is full o
what is beautiful and rare. Get your ha
, and We will 60 now"
Through long lines OF laburhums, across
a tiny kitchen garden, along decay I'M
orchard INTO u slope still green ia tn