Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1882-10-24

/. Il KNOW, you OeaF, IOOllSQ llCtlo WO
man. But you shall have your letters
Maggie. SO go to bed, and sleep soundly
on my promise"
"When ?"
Perhaps tomorrow. Archie dine
with the bishop to- morrow. Ishall fint
no better opportunity, think" q,
The next morning proved to be one ol
those dreDching days quite characteris
three O'Clock, Miss Leslie insisted or
riding to the village. Her grandfather
made some opposition, but soon gave in
to "Kate's set ways" and her decided
declaration that she would be i'll with.
out her gallop."
Arrived at the village, she stopped al
the parsonage door, and nodded pleas
antly to the housekeeper, who opened
1t. She said she was very wet, and
would like to see her cousin, and dry
her habit.
The parsOn was gone to the bishops
but If Miss Leslie would come in, there
was fire in his parlor, and she could
warm her feet, aud have warm cup Of
tea and Miss Leslie, after little affect
ed hesitation, and little more pressing,
consented to do SO.
| She permitted Martha to remove her
hat and bring her some tea, and then
sent her down to give the groom glass
of mulled ale. II shall rest half an
hour, Martha, and if Cousin Archie is
not back by that time. must 90, or else
shall not reach home before dark"
AS soon as the door was shut she
glanced round the room. 1t was cOzy
place, full of bachelor comforts, and
pleasantly Uttered with books and pa
pers. The Indian cabinet stood in q
little recess between the two windows
She quietly selected her grandfather's
key, and tried the lock. It opened at
once, and with an ease that showed its
constant use, and the first thing that
greeted her was the faint scent of rose
leaves
But the letters were not in the draw
ers, and she was on the point of closing
the cabinet in despair, when she remem-
bered that her grandfather's had secret
door that slipped away, and hid closet
between the drawers. It was likely
Archie's had the same. She sought the
spring, and 1t responded to her touch aud
there lay the letters, all tied together
in one little bundle. There we're not
more than half dozen, and Kate, with
smile of relief and satisfaction, put
1uCu III uCA poChct, nuu AoiOChcu CAC
cabinet.
She had scarcely done so when she
heard some one open the front door with
a pass key, aud come straight up the
stairs. In q moment she had decided
that it was not Archie's footstep, and
that it must be one of his intimate
friends. In moment, also, she had
decided that if she did not know him,
he should Iot know her. Whoever it
was, he did not at once come to the
parIOr he went into an adjoining room,
removed his wet coat and boots, and
came Iounging In with slippers on his
feet and cigar in his mouth.
Kate had just finished arranging her
hat and gloves, and was going quietly
out of one door when he entered by the
other. For moment they stood and
looked blankIy at each other; the next,
Kate advanced a few steps, and said,
II am waiting to see the clergyman
Do you know how soon he will return,
sir ?"
II think he will be here Immediate
ly," answered the new conner, whose
first instinct was to say the thing most
likely to detain SO beautiful q girl. II
am sorry to have intruded, but will re-
tire at once, if you desire it,"
"By no means, sir. Ishall not remain
longer. lexpected my brother with Mr..
Fleming, but as my groom is with me,
there is no need to wait, especially as it
is likely to be dark very early"
II left Mr.. Fleming at the bishops,
with three other clergymen. Your
brother"
@Oh, my brother is not a clergyman,
and then suddenly remembering
friend of Archie's who lived at least
ten miles away, she said, II am Miss
Crowther OF Hill Top-perhaps you
know Mr.. Harry CrowtherW
The young gentleman looked at Kate
in utter amazement. In fact he was
Mr.. Harry Crowther himself, and he
was not aware that he had ever had
sister. Who was this beautiful girl
claiming so pleasant kinship with
him?
But almost with the announcement
Kate disappeared. He watched her
horse brought round, and saw her
mount and ride away, and then set
down to smoke in a whirl of curiosity
and excitement. What bright face!
What frank, charming manners What
q figure! I wish to everything 1 had a
sister-or something else-like that
girl. I do wonder who she is?" The
next moment he had rung the bell, and
pulled the bell rope down.
"Lawks, Mr.. Harry. know that it
was you aringing, which Mr.. Archie
never rings that outrageous way. What
be you wanting, sir?"
II want to know, Martha, who that
young lady is that left the house twenty
minutes ago."
"Well may you ask, which to do
shows your good sense. That is Miss
Kate Leslie, sir-Mr. Archie's cousin
good one, and proud her grandfather Is
of her."
"That is all, Martha"
Every well, SIR"
When Archie returned he found
Harry Crowther pacing the room in the
greatest of impatience. "How long
you have been !" he exclaimed; land
here has been the most beautiful girl
waiting for you; and by everything!
she saye she is my sister; and, still
funnier, she did not know that I was
her brother"
"What do you mean, Harry 2"
"Just what I say"
"Oh. this is too bad! I must ask
Martha about 1t. She ought not to per.
init strangers to come into my rooms"
'Stop, Archie. have asked Martha.
Her name was Miss Kate Leslie"
MY cousin Kate. Now what could
have brought her here this wet day ?"
He thought Immediately of his inter-
view with Maggie, and of her anxiety
about her letters. "Poor little girl" he
said, mentally. II must not punish
her any longer. I will take her letters
Tomorrow"
So the next afternoon he put on his
hat and coat, and went to the cabinet
for them. Of course they were not
there. For one moment he was con-
founded the next, his mind had in
stinctively OWNED the hand that had
robbed him. He was very angry with
his cousin Kate. He knew at once
it was altogether her doing. If Maggie
had even dared to try. she would have
screamed in the attempt, and betrayed
herself.
It was with a very stern face that be
entered the parlor where Kate was sit
ting, and he would not see the hand
she held out to him. When they were
alone, she asked at once, why won't