The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1882-10-19
A LITTLE COWARD.

That was what Miss Merivale had
called her that morning when she
trembled and turned pale because the
black mare reared with her. She
begged Sir Robert to take her off, and
stood in ignominious safety while
Agatha Merivale mounted Stella and
rode off triumphantly down the avenue.
She was a coward. She did not deny
it, and was sometimes very much
ashamed of it. But no one had seemed
to mind it until A Agatha Merivale came.
with her bold, dark eyes and her dash
ing ways, her riding and hunting and
everybody admired Agatha so much,
even Sir Robertl
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 hall.
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 monopolized Sir Robert, and
kept the house in turmoil of gayety,
and laughed at Lima, and made her
life Wretched.
Lina's maid reported that everybody
said Sir Robert was to marry Miss
Merivale. Lima made 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
a coward to venture far into the world
alone; but she would go away across
the fields to "Aunt Margaret's," as she
called Lady de Rossetts widowed sis
ter-in-law, who lived in quite COM
Portable house mile away from the
hall.
Mrs. Harrington was an invalid, par
alyzed and confined to her bed. She
was rather a grim old lady, and most
were inclined to shun her; but sweet,
bright little Lima had won her way
into the old lady's heart, and was al
ways welcome at the lodge.
Yes, she would run away to Aunt
Margaret's, and perhaps, when she was
missed, Sir Robert might feel mo-
ment's uneasiness about her. Seizing
her hat and light shawl she flew Off
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 a great terror of
bulls; but with Leo she would not
mind it much.
Leo was calmly taking 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 fields Lima was greatly
disconnected by an unexpected en-
counter with Sir Robert and Miss
Merivale, who came laughing and talk
ing 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 turned
back to speak to her.
"Where are you going, Lina?" he
asked.
"To Aunt Margaret's," she ay
swered, not looking at him.
"Alone, Lima? Are you not afraid?
If you will wait little while l will go
with you," Sir Robert said, looking
down kindly at the girls flushed cheeks
and averted eyes.
mo, thanks" Lima answered, hastily
"I will not trouble you. Leo will take
care of me. and you would be late
for dinner if you went with me-"
"May l come for you, then, after
dinner?" Sir Robert asked.
"Thanks, l am not coming back.
l shall stay all night" was the hurried
answer, and Lima turned to go.
But Sir Robert detained her for a
moment.
Lima" he said, in a low tone,
"what makes you avoid me so lately?
What have l done to offend you?"
Lima raised her blue eyes hastily to
his, for one moment, and then dropped
them again.
~ have not avoided you," she said,
4coldly. "You have been very muc
occupied with other people. There, L
will not detain you"
She waved her little hand haughtily,
and walked away from him. lie
watched the pretty, white-robed figure.
for moment, and then Leo came 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