The Russellville Democrat., 1882-02-02

lutely. 'If either of us leaves the house l 1t must be me. Elsie has right to the shelter of your roof, She is your adopt ed daughter"
 From this moment" said the old lady, sharpely, "she is nothing more to mel"
 1 A cloud had come over the soft star light of the autumn night; a sad wind moa'ned among the yellow leaves that had drifted along the roadside; and Mr Sunfold, sitting sadly by the fire, felt as | if his whole life were darkened over and changed. Aunt Phedra, opposite to him, was knitting mechanically away with compressed lip and ominously grave 1 visage-and neither spoke
 Sweet and sprightiy laugh sounded on the frosty silence outside, merry l footstep ripped up the three stone steps and like gale of fresh, pure air, in flut tered Elsie Bennett herself-Elsie, with cheeks painted the soltest carmine by the brush ofthe great frost artist, brown tresses escaping from under the brim of her black straw hat, and eyes sparkling 1 like blue jewels. T thought 1 should take you by sur prise" said Elsie looking triumphantly around. "0ne of the school trustees is dead, and we've got a vac-tion until Monday. So I took the first train and here 1 am. And, dear me, what's the matter" as for the first time she pcrceiv- ed the einscrutable change in the faces of MT. Sunfold and Aunt Phedra "Is anybody sick? Has anything happen ed?'
 "Oh, Elsie, Elsiel' said the cid lady ''how can you stand there looking us in the face SO calmly "Why shouldn't, Aunt Phedra?" said the girl, glancing from Ral ph to the old lady and then back again.
 Sunfold stepped forward and took her hand.
 Aunt Phedra," he said, "I would pledge my existence on her truth and sincerityw
 But I don't understand you," said Elsie q don't know why" At this minute there came a resound- ing tattoo on the door.
 Who's that?" cried Aunt Phedra, who had worked herself into state of nerv- ous excitement so great that the appear ance ofa frey flying dragon on the scene would scarcely have been beyond her expectations.
 Mir. Sunfold went to the door. There in Tapping felt hat and a dingy bottle green suit. stood the individual who combined the three professions Of stage driver, congressman Snd mail car carrier to the village of Brixbury. He mi sht at one time possessed last name, 1 but no one knew what it was, and he was universally known as Simeon" l I've made mistake" said this gen l t'eman, taking off the felt hat to scratch i his head. Eve left young Squire Tulips trunk here this morning, and sent the young lady's to Tulip hall. And here it is in the wagon, if y'll jus lend hand, mister, to get it out"
 My trunk at Tulip hall!' cried Elsie.
 Squire Tulips trunk herew shrieked 1 Aunt Pedra. Then that accounts for 1 the cigarettes and the smoking jacket, and the. And oh, goodness, Ralphl' cutching neryously at her nephew's sleeve, we've been and broken into q strange mans trunk. Do you suppose the theyll arrest us for burglary or petlt i larceny2"
 But MT. Sunfold only laughed-his heart was so light that he could have 1 laughed at anything now-and as he i helped old Siemon bring the pretty little zinc trunk in, he glanced merri ly at his aunt.
 q don't believe we shall find any con traband goods here, Aunt Pedra," said he.
 "But what are you talking about?" "said Elsie.
 And while Aunt Phedra was getting tea Ralph told the little school ma'am all
 '"rea's readyl" said the old lady, pres ently, putting her lavender-ribboned cap into the room.
 "Stop minute, Aunt Phedraw said the young man. Before we go to tea want you to give your consent-formally, mind ito our marriagep
 "Yes, yes" said the old lady, "I con sent"
 With all your heart?' mischievously demanded pretty Elsie.
 Yes, with all my heartl" said Aunt Phedra.
 And she looked as if she really m cant it.
 Because" said Aunt Phedra to her. self, q have done her injustice in my heart"