Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1882-09-22
A LITTLE COWARD.

A LITTLE COWARD. u
That was what Miss ,Merivale had
called her that morning when she trem-
bled. and turned pale because the black
mare reared with her. She begged Sir
Robert to take her OH, and stood in ig-,
nominious safety while Agatha Merivale
mounted Stella and rode of triumphant
1y down the avenue. W a
She was coward. She did not deny
it, and was sometimes very much
ashamed oft. But no one had seemed
to mind it until Agatha Meriyale came.
with her bold, dark eyes and her dash
ing ways, her riding and hunting; and
everybody admired Agatha so much,
even Sir Robert! go ,sS
She almost hated Agatha! You see,
until Agatha came they had been so
happy at De Rossett. Little orphan
Madelaine Leigh had never been so
happy in her life as here at the hail,
with sweet Lady de Rossett, who was
her guardian, and her son, Sir Robert.
They were SO kind and good to her.
They petted her and loved her so. And
now Agatha had come, and for two
weeks had monopolizedS Sir Robert, and
kept the house in turmoil of gayety,
and laughed at Lima, and made her life
wretched, s,f asaiqN
Lina's maid reported that everybody
said Sir Robert was to marry Miss Mer-
ivale. Lima made a stern resolve that
she would run away from the hall when
that event took place. Run away! She
would run away now! Not far though
she was TOO much of n coward to ven-'
ture far into the world alone; but she
would go away across the fields to
"Aunt Margaret's," as she called Lady;
dc Rossett's widowed sister-in-law, who
lived in quite comfortable house mile
away from the hall, -. .4.. ~. ~
Mrs. Harrington was an invalid, par
alyzed and confined to her bed. She
was rather a grim old lady. and most
were inclined 10 shnn her; but sweet.
bright little Lima had won her way into
the old lady's heart, and was always
welcome at the lodge. 40
Yes. she would run away. to Aunt
Margarets, and perhaps, when she was
missed, Sir Robert might feel q MO
ments uneasiness about her. Seizing
her hat and light shawl, she flew of
across the park calling Leo, Sir Rob-
ert's pretty colley, to go with her. Lima
did not like to cross the fields alone,
being possessed by great terror of
bulls; but with Leo she would not mind
it much. fssrF ~ sfrg .N
Leo was calmly taking nap on the
front portico, bnt he started up and
raced after her with q joyous bark. But
at the little gate that led from the park
into the fields Lima was greatly discon-
certed by IN unexpected encounter
with Sir Robert and Miss Merivale, who
came laughing and talking along the
path, both looking bright and hand
some in the golden rays of the setting
sun. 1l,.s s5
She brushed past them with hasty
.sgood evening" but Sir Robert turned
back to speak to her.
Where are you going, Linap' he
"To Aunt Margaret's," she an
swered, not looking at him.
Alone, Linap Are you not afraid ?
with you," Sir Robert said, looking
down kindly at the girls flushed cheeks
and averted eyes. &.
'.No, thanks, Lima answered hastily.
II will not trouble you. Leo will take
care of me. And you would be late for
dinner il you went with me-"
I" May come for you. then, after
dinnerp" Sir Robert asked.
!" Thanks, / am not coming back.
shall stay all night the hurried
answer. and Lind turned to go.
But Sir Robert detained her for mo.
Lima he said, in q low, tone,
"what makes you avoid me so lately!
What have done 70 offend youpn II
Lima raised her blue eyes hastily tc
his, forlone moment, and then dropped
them again. r. 81 = - W
..I have not dyoided you." she said,
coldly. ~.;.Yon have been very muel
occupied with other people There.
She waved her little hand naughty,
and walked away from him He watched
the pretty white.robed figure for, I
moment, and then Leo came and faWneS
LEO, Mo!sscalledsL LiEs syoicel *
go. Lao, 4 said. .hjs 3asper; and the
obedient do2 trNot tea own the phil
after the girl S .<tIlSl2
1t was father sireary aE the aI.oSd9e''
that evening, Mrs HAfripgtony was on
of hunior becRnse her agenE had iailet
to callsthat day to receivei q Thousand
pounds that she wished him to ,deposi
for her. And Parkins, her 1l,rse ant
houseInaid, let the maid servants all "a
off to afair In the village, .swhere the,
will ceffainly get into riniscliief," Mrs
Harrington said. OLA 81 yd ~
But When Lima had talked to her AM
made her laughs, little, she forgot he
grievance and elattedy away saenl
pleasantly. AT ten O. clock she declaret
she had laughed till she was tired an,
Lima must gixe her1hepxdropsi andaIe
M "Tbsrsi S'fSs sSe ap05d Sa.i il Asfl gone. wbsF,
can Parkins hayeN put il! Child. .wouIl
you mind running down intothe ,paptr,
and bringing me a spoonp f.wouid rin)
for Pafkinss but she told me she wsnte,
TO get pp,ssome muslins this evening
and would come up as soon as she 'hai
finished. 49,. ~ ~ Htg$fs 80 -
Lind did not altogether like 10 pas
down fhe long stairs and silent entrie
leading to the pantry; but She went an
Leo trotted after hers--As she stood i
the pantry looking around for spoon
with no lights but q faint CLEAN from tn
hall lamp q sound Of low Voices caalgh
her ear, Se~.ts q 4la< ~, @ssts a..
The paAtry was nn the. ground fool
its iron -bafred shuttered window look
ing into the garden. tRhe sound wa
outside the window, and Lima pause
to listepsf The first word that caugh
her startled her. !.
"a thousand pounds and all the ol
woma;2s jewelry and plateI' said
mans voice. In a husky undertone.
Yes" was the reply, in "a woman
yoice--the voice. Lima knew. of Park
ins. Mrs. Harrington's model, sof
voiced, lady like nurse and ther
won't be any trouble about At, becaus
/ have let the women go away TO sta
all night, and sent the gardener on
fool errand TO misses brother's tweI