The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1882-09-29
A LITTLE COWARD.

That was what Miss Merlyale had
called her that morning when she trem-
bled and turned pale because the black
mare reared with her. She begged Sir
Robert to take her off. and stood in ig-
nominious safety, while Agatha Meri-
vale mounted Stella and rode off tri-
umphantly down the avenue.
She was n coward. She did not deny
it. and was sometimes very much
ashamed OF it. But no one had seemed
to mind it, until 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 Robert!
She almost hated Agatha! You see.
until Agatha came they had been so
happy at De Rossett. Little orphan
Madeline Leigh had never been so hap
py in her life rs 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 Meri-
vale. 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 q
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 Rossctt's widowed
sister-in-law, who lived in u quiet, COM
Portable house mile away from fine
hall.
Mrs. Harrington was an invalid, par
alyZed. and confined to her bed. She
was rather 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 always
welcome at the lodge.
Yes, she would run away to Aunt
Margarcts, and perhaps when she was
missed, Sir Robert might feel n mo-
ment's uneasiness about her. Selling
her hat and u light shawl, she flew off
across the park, calling Leo, Sir Rob
ert's pretty colley. to 60 with her. Lima
did not like to cross the field alone,
being possessed by q great terror Of
bulls; but with Leo she would not mind
it much.
Leo was calmly taking n nap on the
front portico, but he started up and
raced after her with a joyous bark. But
at the little gate that led from the park
into the fields, Lima was greatly discon-
certed by an unexpected encounter
with Sir Robert and Miss Mcrivale, who
came laughing and talking along the
path, both looking bright and hand
some 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.
ITO Aunt Margaret's," she answered,
not looking at him.
"Alone, Lima? Are you not afraid?
II YOU will wait little while. will go
with YOU" Sir Robert said, looking
down kindly at the girls flushed cheeks
and qverted eyes.
mo, thanks" Lima answered, hasti-
ly. 81 will not trouble you. Leo will
take care of me. And you would be
late for dinner If you went with me-"
MAY come for you, then, after din
ner?" Sir Robert asked.
Thanks, I'm not coming back. l
shall stay all night" was the hurried
answer, and Lima turned To go.
But Sir Robert detained her for q mo-
ment.
Lima" he said, in a low tone. "what
makes you avoid me so, latelyp What
have done to offend youp"
Lima raised her blue eyes hastily TO
his, for one moment, and then dropped
them again.
81 have not avoided you," she said,
coldly. "You have been very much oc-
cupied with-other people. There, l
will not detain you"
She waved her little hand haughtily,
and walked away from him. He
watched the pretty. white-robed figure
for moment, and then Leo came and
fawned on him.
LEO, Leo?" called Lina's voice.
Go, 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 1000 that
she wished him to deposit for her. And
Parkins, her nurse and house-maid, let
the maid-servants all 60 off to fair in
the village, 'where they will certainly
get into mischief" Mrs. Harrington
said. y
But when Liza had talked to her and
made her laugh little. she forgot her
grievances, and ,chatted away very
pleasantly. At 10 o'clock she declared
she had laughed till she was tired. and
Lima must give her her drops and let
her go to sleep.
''There! the spoon is gone. Where
can Parkins have put it! Child, would
you mind running down into the pantry
and bringing me spoonp l would
ring for Parkins, but she told me she
wanted to get up some muslins this
evening. and would come up as soon as
she had finished"
Lima did not altogether like to pass
down the long stair and silent entries
leading to the pantry, but she went and
Leo trotted after her. As she stood in
the pantry, looking round for spoons
with no light but Q faint CLEAN from the
hall lamp, sound Of voices caught her
ear.
Il Nuxu = a