The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1882-09-15
A LITTLE COWARD.

HaI was WlluI MISS MerlNalc na'
called her that morning. when sh
trembled and turned pale because til
black mare reared with her. Sh
begged Sir Robert to take her off, ant
stood in SYNONYMOUS safety Will
Agatha Merivale mounted Stella ant
rode off triumphantly down the avenue
She was a coward. She did no
deny it, and was sometimes very mucl
ashamed of 1t. But no one had seem
ed to mind it, until Agatha Merival'
come, with her bold, dark eyes ant
her dashing ways, her riding ant
hunting; and everybody admired
Agatha so much, even Sir Robert!
She almost hated Agatha You see
until Agatha came they had been SO
happy at DE Rossett. Little orphan
Nadelaine Leigh had never been SC
happy in her lie as here at the hal
with sweet Lady de Rossett, who was
her guardian, and her son, Sir Robert
They were so kind and good to her.
They petted and loyed her so. And
now Agatha had come, and for two
weeks had monopolized Sir Robert
and kept the house in a turmoil OF
gayety, and laus he'd at Lima, and
made her llle wre,, he'd.
Lina's maid rei-.,ed that every
body said Sir r ,belt was to marry
Mis-, Merivale. Lima made stern
resolve that she would ruu away from
the hall when tnat event took place.
Ran away! She would run away now
Not far though-she was too much of
coward to venture far into the world
alone; but she would go away across
the fields to AUNT Margarets,.. as she
called Lady de Rossett's widowed
sister-in. law, who lived in quiet,
comfortable house mile away from
the hall.
Mrs. Harrington was an invalid,
paralyzed and confined to her bed.
She was rather grim old lady, and
most were inclined to shun her; but
sweet, bright little Lima bad won her
way into the old ladys heart, and WI
always welcome at the lodge.
Yes, she would run away to Aunt
Margarets, and, perhaps, when she
was missed, Sir Robert might feel
moments uneasiness about her. Seiz-
ing her hat and light shawl, she flew
of across the park, calling Leo, Sir
Roberts pretty colley to go with her.
Lima did not like to cross the fields
alone, being possessed by a great
terror of bulls; but with Leo she
would not mind it much.
Leo was calmly taking a nap on the
front portico, but he started up and
raced after her with joyous bark.
But at the little gate that led from the
park into the field Lima was greatly
disconnected by an unexpected en-
counter with Sir Robert and Miss
Merivale, who came laughing and
talking along the path, both looking
bright and handsome in the golden
rays of the setting sun.
She brushed past them with hasty
"Good evening" but Sir Robert turn
ed back to speak to her.
"Where are you going, Lima" he
asked.
ITO Aunt Margaret's," she answer
ed, not looking at him.
"Alone, Lima? Are you not afraid?
If you will wait little while l will 60
with you," Sir Robert said," looking
down kindly at the girls flushed checks
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 if you went
with me-"
MAY 1 come for you, then, after
dinner?' Sir Robert asked.
'Thanks, 1 an not coming back.
shall stay all night" was the hurried
answer, and Lima turned to go.
But Sir Robert detained her for a
"Lina," he said in low tone,
''what makes you avoid me so lately?
What have l done to offend your"
Lima raised her blue eyes hastily to
his, for one moment, and then drop
ped them again.
IL have not avoided you," she said,
coldly. "You have been very much
occupied with-other people. There,
l will not detain YOU"
She waved her little hand haughtily,
and walked away from him. He
watched the pretty, white-robcd figure
for o moment, and then Leo come
and fawned on him.
"Leo, Leo" called Lina's voice.
$50, Leo" said his master, and the
obedient dog trotted off down the
path after the girl.
1t was rather dreary at the "Lodge"
that evening. Mrs. Harrington was
out OF humor because her agent had
failed to call that day to receive a
thousand pounds that she wished him
to deposit for her. And Parkins, her
nurse and housemaid, let the maid
all 60 off to a fair in the
v;1loro ss,ybo,o thny will certsinly oct