The Sunday herald. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1866-1887, 1882-11-19
A LITTLE COWARD.

That was what Miss Merivale called hei
that morning when she trembled and turned
pale because the black mare reared with
her. She begged Sir Robert to take her of
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 IL
But no one had seemed to mind IL unit
Agatha Morivale came with her bold darl
eyes and her dashing ways, her riding and
hunting; and everybody admired Agatha sc
much, even Sir Robert.
She almost hated Agatha! You see, unit
Agatha came they had been so happy at d,
Rossett. Little Orphan Madeline Leigh had
never been so happy in her life as here al
the hall with sweet Lady De Rossett, who
was her guardian, and her son, Sir Robert
They were so good and kind to her. They
petted her and loved her so. And now
Agatha had come, ami for two weeks had
monopolized Sir Robert and kept the hous,
in turmoil of gayety, and laughed at Lima
and made her life wretched.
Lina's maid reported that every body said
Sir Robert was to marry Miss Merivale
Lima made stern resolve that she would
run away from the hall when that even
took place. Run away She would rur
away now Not far though---she was toe
much of q coward to venture far into the
world alone; but she would 20 away across
the fields to " Aunt Margaret's," as she
called Lady De Rossett's widowed sisler.i in
law, who lived in quiet, comfortable house
a mile away from the hall.
Mrs. Harrington was an invalid, para.
lyzed, and confined to her bed. She was
rather II grim old lady, and most were in.
clned TO shun her. But ut the little gate
that led from the park into the fields Lima
was greatly disconnected by an unexpected
encounter with Sir Robert and Miss Meri
vale, 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 turned bacl,
to speak to her.
" Where are you going, Lima 2" he asked
To Aunt Margarets," she answered, not
looking at him.
"Alone, Lina2 Are you not afraid L
you will wait little while | will go with
you" Sir Robert said, looking down kindly
at the girls flushed cheeks and averted
eyes.
Ono, thanks" Lima answered. hastily
" will not trouble you. Leo will take care
of me. And you would be late for dinner il
you went with me-"
MAY come for you, then, after dinner p
Sir Robert asked.
Thanks, Pm not coming back. shall
stay all night was the hurried answer. and
Lima turned to go.
But Sir Robert detained her for a MON ent
Lima" he said, in low tone. I" what
makes you avoid me so lately2 What have
done to offend your"
Lima raised her blue eyes hastily to his
for one moment and then dropped them
again.
al have not avoided you" she said
coldly. " You have been very much occu.
pied with-other people. There, | will moi
detain you
She waved her little hand haughtiiy and
walked away from him. He watched the
pretty, whiterobed figure for a moment and
then Leo came aud fawned on him.
Leo, Leo" called Lina's voice.
eco, Leo" said his master, and the ODE.
dient dog trotted off down the path after the
girl.
1t was rather dreary at the "lodgc " that
evening. Mrs. Harrington was out OF
humor, because her agent had failed to call
that day to receive $1,000 that she wished
him to deposit for her. And Parkins, hel
nurse and housemaid, let the maid servants
all go of to a fair in the village, "where
they will certainly get into mischief" Mrs.
Harrington said.
But when Lima had talked TO her and made
her laugh little she forgot her grievances
and chattcd away very pleasantly. At lC
O'Clock she declared she had laughed till
she was tired, and Lima must give her her
drops and let her 90 to sleep.
" There the spoon is gone. Where can
Parkins have put it, Child, would YOU
mind running down into the pantry and
kins, but she told me she wanted to get M
some muslins this evening, and would come
up as soon AS she had finished
Lima did not altogether like to pass dowi
the long stair and silent entries leading &c
the pantry, but she went, and Leo trotted
after her. As she stood in the pantry looking
round for spoons, with no light but II fain
CLEAN from the hall lamp, sound of voice.
reached her ear.
The pantry was on the ground floor, its
iron-bound, suffered window looking int,
the garden. The sound was outside the
window, and Lima paused to listen. Tn,
first word that caught her ear startled her
"A thousand pounds, aud all the ole
woman's iewelry and plate " said mani
voice in a husky undertone.
YES" was the reply, in woman's
voice-the voice, Lima knew, of Parkins
Mrs. Harringtons model, soft voiced, lady
like nurse and there won't be any trou
BILE about it, because | have let the woman
go away to stay all night, and sent the gard
ener on fools errand to Missus' brother 5
twenty miles off,
" But this girl that came to-night-wha
about her ?'' asked the man.
sob, she will go to her home presently
and stay there if she is wise. She'd be No
hindrance, anyway silly, timid it'll
thing. But it's as well TO let her get out O
the way" said Parkins, cooly.
But see here. Molly, why not do /
now Then We'll have more time to sc
away before daylight" said the man.
" tell you it's not safe before l / o'clock, ,
Parkins said positively. People may com
in, Sir Robert don't like her out of hi
sight for long, and that idiotic youm
Marsden may come incoming i'll. Wait I'll
half past eleven, and the west door her
will be open. And, Jim, look here, whel
you get this swag, you are to take me viii
you-your wife, mind"
The voices grew fainter. Evidently tn,
speakers were moving away from the house
But Lima had heard enough. Sick with ter
ror she leaned against the pantry wall
moment and tried to think. What did it al
mean Robbery, murder And no hell
near. Her first instinct was to fly out of tn
house and across the fields to the hall
But her absence would be instantly dis
covered she knew, and then poor Aunt Mar
garet would be alone with these wretches
No, she must not gO-but to stand there idl
would do no good. She flew like n brt
along the halls and up stairs, Leo pacing b,
her side. AT Aunt Margaret's door sh
paused, and sudden thought came to her
She would send Leo home for help.
Where is the spoon, child How lon
you stayed. Good heavens what is tn
matter :" cried the old lady, as she saw tn
girls terrified face, Lima began som
evasive answer, but instantly remembers
that Aunt Margaret must be told the Who'll
story, or nothing could be done to save her
She did tell it, and Aunt Margaret listeno,
IN silent CONSERVATION and then ourBt GU
impetuOusly with:
"dood heavens, child Why don't yol