The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1882-08-24

novel in it that it was more divertine
| even than filtration. He did q grea
many things on Stephens account which
he wouldn't have dared to do on hi
own.
1t was quite delightful, indeed, tt
ramble through Welwyn Woods will
such a companion, for he felt 80 much al
ease in her society, having already SCI
her apart in his mind as Stephens wife
And there was peculiar charm in the
long afternoons on the lake, when he
looked so persis'ently at the fair face
under broad Legborn, and reflected
that this was to be his cousin.
So the days went gliding by, and Miss
Lulu was courted, as Val said, "by
proxy" He had kept his promise tc
Stephen, pouring into her ears the mos
glowing accounts of his merits, the
most piquant recital of bis doings, the
most winning reviews of his wit.
Miss Lulu lietened apparently il
wide. eyed wonder, and Val wrote at last
for Stephen to come down to Redner.
Of course it was understood tina,
after that he was to leave his cousin in
full possession of the field, but some
how he was not at all pleased when Ste
phen made the very reasonable sug.
gestion that he should go away from
Welwyn Woods altogether. In short,
he went back to town in very unamia.
BILE mood
Everything was exceedingly dull just
then, and Val was like fish out OF
water. There was nothing to do but
"sit around" as he said, and when
ever he undertook to do that he fell to
thinking of things that made him un.
accountably savage. He began to wish
he never had gone down to Redner, for
it was evidently there that he had alb
sorbed the germ of this unrest. It was
some time before he knew what was the
mater with him, and when he did he
continued to oppose the conviction.
1t was too-too-- too much like retribu-
tion that he should have fallen in love
with Miss Lulu.
He went about in very miserable
frame of mind, though, haggard and
petulant, cursing everything and every.
body, but Fate and himself most of all.
1t had rather a startling effect upon
him when Stephen burst into his room
"Confound you, Val |" he exclaimed.
- knew you'd get me into difficulty"
"Whats the matter?"
"Why, l followed your advice to
the letter, and what was the conse.
qrence"
You're engaged to Miss Lulu, 1
'uppose p
Engaged? The deuce She re-
used NE on the spot. And-and some
tonfounded meddlesome old busybody
as gone and told her about Uncle
iarvey. I haven't the ghost of
hance!"
"Thank God |"
This fervent exclamation rather stag.
cred Stephen, you may suppose. HI
arted at VePs white earnest face, AZ
houRh 1t had been phantom.
"Well," he said, slowly, must
ay-you're fine fellow"
Val had jumped up hastily. He went
Jward his cousin, and laid one hand
cavity on his shoulder
81 say, old fellow" he said in
usky voice, you're not hard hit-ar.
"u? Because 1 am, you see. /
'ouli lin't for the world go back on you.
'lephen You know that. If it makes
much difference to you, won't think
4 it. butt love Lulu Welwyn with
II my heart"
Stephen stared hard at his cousin,
but not unkindly.
eff I didn't know you so well, VAL"
he said. presently, "Id knock you
down."
81 know" Val replied, "it makes
,ne look like scoundrel /; but, before
God, Stephen, I didn't mean it,"
Stephen took several hasty turns up
md down the room, and then grasped
MS hand.
cts all right, VAL" he said cor
daily, "She wouldn't have me, any.
how. 1t don't make 30 much differ.
ence to a man of my age. God bless
you, boy! Go and win her."
Val needed no second bidding. He
was back at Welwyn Woods in two days
time. Bnt he was bent upon u new
purpose. He would win Lulu for him
self-yes! But only on condition that
ne could not win her for Stephen.
She met him in the library, but not
with her old cordiality.
81 have singular errand, Miss
Welwyn," he said, hurriedly, striving
% conceal his emotion. "My cousin
ellis me you have refused his offer of
marriage"
Lulu flushed slightly, but gave dig
lifed assent.
"May ask" he went on earnestly,
q whether you have fully considered
your decision? My cousin is a man
hat any woman might be proud to win
or husband. He is noble fellow.
lie will be rich some of these days, and |
lie certainly is fine looking enough to
nit the most fastidious taste. You can
lot have fathomed the depth of his ma.
ure, Miss Welwyn, or you must have |
him more highly"
"I'm afraid, Mr.. Thorne," she re-
lied, coldly, "that do not appreciate |
our perfect men. / never did"
"Stephen does not profess to be any
hing of the kind" he said, hastily |
You know yourself that he is the sou.
Vt modesty. I am speaking of him as l |
NOW he is, from long acquaintance
With his character. From my heart | |
lonor him, Miss Welwyn, and, as your
'est friend, might urge you to regard
lis suit with favor"
"Your cousin has an ardent cham |
'ion, Mr.. Thorne," she said, with the
anne frigid calmness; I" "but it is quite
impossible for me to marry him. In the
irst place do not love him; and, in
he second, would not marry any man
Rho sought me as his wife only as a |
means to securing fortune to his