The Osceola times., 1882-02-11

lulely. "If either Of us leaves the house
it must be me. Elsie has a right 70 the
shelter of your roof, She is your adopt
ed daughter"
"From this moment" said the old
lady, sharpcly, "shc is nothing more to
me"
A cloud had come over the soft star
light Of the autumn night; 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 hp and ominously grave
visage and neithersp0kc
Sweet and sprightiya a laugh sounded
on the frosty silence outside, a merry
footstep tripped up the three stone steps,
and like a gale Of fresh, pure air, in Hut
tered Elsie Bennett hersclf-Eisie, with
cheeks painted the solte5t carminc by
the brush of the great frost artist, brown
trcsscs escaping from under The bfim Of
her black straw hat, and eyes sparkling
like blue jewels.
81 thought / should take you by sur
prise" said Elsie looking triumphantly
around. "One OF the school trustees is
lead, aud we've got vacation un'il
Monday. So | took the first train aud
here | am. And, dear me, what's the
natter" as for the first time She pcrcely-
ed the inscrutablc change in the faces Of
Mr.. Sunfold and Aunt Pheira. as
anybody sick? Has anything happen
ed?'
ooh, Elsie, Elsie" said the elj lady,
how can you stand there looking MS in
the face SO calmly
"Why shouldn't, /, Aunt phelra?' said
the girl, giancing from Ralph 10 the old
lady and then back again.
Sunfold stepped forward and took Der
hand.
"Aunt Phedra," he said, 81 would
pledge my existence on her truth and
sincerity"
Bat / don't understand you,' said
Elsie. Il 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 a state of uery-
Gus excitement 50 great that the appear
ance Ofa frey fying dragon on the scene
would scarcely have been beyond her
expectations.
Mr.. Suufold went to the door. There.
in a tapping felt hat and a diugy
bottle green suit, stood the individual
who combined the three professions of
stage driver, eXpressman nd mail car.
carrier 10 the village of Bnxbury. He
mi 1ht at one time possessed last name,
but no one knew what it was, and he
was universally known a. simeon"
"pyc made a mistake" said this gen
tlcman, taking of the felt hat TO scratch
his head. 1--WE left young Squire Tulips
trunk here this morning, and sent the
young lady's TO Tulip hall. And hare it
is in the wagon, if y'u JUS lend hand,
mister, 10 get il out"
"Nly trunk al Tulip hall" cried
Elsie.
Squire Tulips trunk here" ,hrieked
Aunt Pedra, Then that accounts for
the cigarettes and the smoking jacket
and the. And oh, goodness, Ralph,
c'utchiug nery0usly at her nephew
sleeve, we've been and broken into a
strange mans trunk. Do You suppose
the taeyll arrest ms for burglary or petit
larceny
But Mr.. ~uuroli only laughed his
heart was 50 light that he could have
laughed at anything now-and az he
helped old Siemoa bring the pretty little
uncovered trunk in, egauced meTi.
ly at his aunt.
Il 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 maam
all.
Teas ready.' said the old lady, pres
emily, putting her layerder-rihboned cap
INTO The room.
"S.op minute, Aunt Phedfa" said the
Young man. Before % 10 tea / want
Won 10 give your c1usen'--tJrmallv, mind
to our marragel
"Yes, yes said the old lady, II con-
sent"
with an your heart?" misehicvously
demanded pretty Elsie.
Yes, with all my hcart' said Aunt
phedra.
And she looked as if she really meant
il.
Because" said Aunt PhedrA 10 her
self, 81 have done her injustice in my
heart