The Brookhaven ledger. (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1875-1883, 1882-03-02
MISS, .,aTHURSDAY. MARCH g. a1Bs2.r

they" want, was Mays sententious
answer. May be the one you like
don't like you,''
|Aa'Don' t talk nonsense, May Said
Elsie, and let's see which can first
reach that stunted old tree on the
other side.snDIgsk
So in another instant the merry
trio were flying over the ice in a
hetip-contested race. rs .sgEG 4s
| A day later. .i..........-
'Tousin Ally, please let Mamie
tum in, said baby-voice outside
the door, and two chubby hands
pounded Justify upon, the heavy
oaken panneIs in the hope to expe-
dite Cousin Ally's movements.
Another instant and the door was
opened, and Alice Anstruther
caught the child up in her arms
and kissed her, without noticing
that she had companion in anoth-
fer tiny sister who had reached the
mature age of six. ,-n ..s
But here's me, too, Tousin Ally
piped small voice, and Kitty was
in turn kissed and made welcome.
1t was not long before the little
runaways were missed from the
nursery, and Miss Alleyn, their
young governess, came in search of
them to Miss Anstruther's room.
You rogue she said. smilingly,
as she shook her finger at Kitty,
why did you let. Mamie come and
bother Miss Anstruther?'
Mamie tuned, and l tuned to
bring her, said Kitty, 'and we don't
bother Tousin Ally, does we?
No, pet, not in the least. Come
in, Miss Alleyn; l promised the
children to show them my scrap
album, and as there are some things
in it worth the attention of grown
people, perhaps you would like to
look it over with them
Grace Alleyn accepted the invita-
tion, and was soon engrossed with
the pictures. AS she sat with her
head bent and eyes cast down, Alice
took the opportunity to satisfy her
wish to have a good look at her
face. 1t had charmed her artistic
nature at the first glimpse she had
obtained of it, when the evening
before her cousin had introduced
her to her, and u closer study of it
did not lessen the attraction. A
rich bloom lay upon the round
cheeks and colored the pouting lips.
A purple darkness brooded upon
the heavy, curling masses of hair.
which had evidently been cut short
at no distant period, for it was only
just long enough to cluster in great
round rings about her head.
Suddenly, as Alice gazed, death
like pallor overspread Miss 'Alleyn's
face, and she fixed her eyes upon
picture as though fascinated by it.
After q time she turned them upon
Alice with an intense question in
their brilliant depths, as she asked,
in low, strained voice.
will you forgive me if l seem to
be taking the liberty hardly war
ranted by our short acquaintance?
l hear you are soon to be married.
Is that gentleman your intended
husband?' -r
As Alice glanced at the portrait
her lips curved into an amused
smile.
Wayne Clifton is my cousin.
We are just like brother and sister,
she said.
A low cry startled her; but Grace
Alleyn's next words enlightened
her as the cause of her strange ag-
itation.
%, Miss Anstruther,' she ex,
claimed, hoarsely, pity me! l, who
might have been at this moment
the happiest woman upon this earth,
am instead the most wretched of
mortals. Take warning from me
and guard against jealousy as you
would against taking a serpent into
your heart. 0, Wayne, I see it all
now. Well might your love turn
to haten
Ali.e's beautiful eyes were radi-
ant with a happy thought. She
went up to Grace and put her arms
about her. .' '..
so you are Grace?' she said, soft
ly, whom Wayne loved SO dearly
his promised wife. You naughty
girl to almost break my poor cous-
in's heart. l thought should hate
you if l ever met you, but l don't
one bit. l love you, for l see that
you are as unhappy as he is, and
that there has been q mistake. Will
you let me be peacemaker!' r-
What more she intended to say
remained unspoken. for an interrup
tion came. Elsie rushed into the
room, eager and glowing from her
walk to the post office. 4-.
%, Cousin Ally, see what a lovely
valentine has been sent me, and it
isn't any of your stupid boughten
ones; it's hand-painted, and l know
who did it. It's Mr.. Wayne Clifton,
who's visiting Harry Wallis brother
he's his college chum, Harry
SAYS ue5' 81 ass--i.a
Grace had recovered her self.pos-
session by this time, and, but for
the trembling of the hand which
stroked Mamie's curls, one would
not have known that she had heard
the name Elsie's rosy lips had ut
tered. &e ~
Alice examined the valentine adj
miringly, and then handed it to
Grace, saying:
IB'Waync is quite an artist. What
a pretty fancy that is. / will leave
you to look at it for a moment while
| show Elsie a gift | have for her.
Cousin Ally's valentine is a useful
| one ''' - A''
Another moment and with a de-
| LIGHTED lace Elsie was trying on a
sealskin skating cap, while Alice
took the opportunity to VII whisper to to
her: ,,n. s5iit
Il want you to ask Harry, as you
call him, to- tell Mr., Clifton his
Cousin Alice is visiting at your
house, and that she wishes to see
him as soon as he can make it con-
venient 10 call. Ask, Harry to come
with hin to show him the way;