The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1883-09-12

through the gorges of the hills, ant
at last, as twilight was settling dowr
on the stormy earth, and Louise wa:
sitting thoughtfully and restfully be
fore the fire, John came in with {
message
Miss Louise said he, there's twt
gentlemen, rain bound, outside
pears they've missed their way, anC
their horses are clean tuckered out
and it's full zen miles round, bein
as the Chestnut Bridge is washed
away on the main road, and they
| want to know if we can't give then
a nights shelter. / told them Mrs
Carlisle was sick. and | wasn't boss
but | would ask the young woman
who does the work
Louise involuntarily WINGED a lit
tie, and then laughed at Johns un
polished language.
of course they may come in, sh,
said. Il would not turn a dog away
from the door such night lik,
this
But imagine her amazement when
turning to welcome the strange gen
tlemen, she beheld 10 strangers ii
them at all, but Mr.. Philip Marion
and Mr.. Max Hubert, literally
drenched with rain, their noses red
| dened with the cold wind.
They stood blankly regarding her
but Louise, fully mistress of the sit
uation, went forward with the grace
of young duchess.
Good evening, gentlemen Pray
come a little nearer the fire. / hard.
ly supposed that in the storm bound
strangers who sought shelter here, j
was to welcome old acquaintance
| am glad, however, to be of service
to you. John, will you see that the
gentlemen's overcoats are attended
to at once? p? They are indeed drench'
ed
oh, Miss Raymond exceedingly
glad to see you, / am sure, STAN
mered Mr.. Marion, as he awkwardly
permitted his frog-like hand to touch
hers, but, if / may inquire, what
may you possibly be doing in such
place as this?'
Didn't John tell you p she asked,
with demure innocence, i am doing
the housework here.
Miss Raymond !
well, why not?'
But Mr.. Marion had no repl,
ready, he only rubbed his hands and
smiled feebly, as ne advanced toward
the grateful red blaze, while Max
Hubert was in turn exchanging hi:
greeting.
1T is surprise, Miss Raymond
to see you here he said, frankly
and a very agreeable one
And away down in her hear
Louise wondered what new kind o
gallantry had taken away all Man
nubert's awkwardness.
Its as good as a play she felt,
gleefully, when Mr.. Hubert had ex-
planned that unexpected business
had taken them across the country
thus bringing about such an entirely
unanticipated meeting.
She had gone into the kitchen to
get cream for the table, and as she
stood there skimming off the golden
accumulation, she heard Marion's
voice.
OF course old Raymond has failed
and they have lost everything, else
she wouldn't be here. What pity
for with that face of hers she might
have married we'll
And what is to prevent her from
marrying well now?' Max Hubert
asked, deliberately.
My dear fellow, we must all look
out for the main chance. In fact, |
was once little gone myself, but OF
course that's out of the question
now
And Louise, as she stood there
with burning cheeks, was glad some
how that Mr.. Hubert made no an
swer.
When she came back to preside at
.he tea table, with John democratic
ally seated at the lower end, she was
as cOmposed as ever.
For two davs the rain storm con-
tinued with unabated violence, dur
ing which time Philip Marion yawn-
ed over the weeks old newspaper,
and Systematically ignored Miss
Raymond's presence.
For fellow must not get himself
entangled, he reflected, mentally.
But Max Hubert reasoned quite
otherwise. He haunted Louise's
footsteps with love like persistency,
and somehow, although Louise de-
clared "he was a nuisance" she
rather seemed to like it.
On the third day the weather
cleared, and John brought around
the guests horses.
Come, Hubert Marion said, i'm
patiently, are you going to stand
there all day making your adieu?'
You can be off as quick as you
like Hubert returned, calmly. 4
am not going
Not going? But business
What do care for business was
the unaccountable reply. Miss
Raymond has promised to be my
wife, and my business is here. just
at present.
And Mr.. Marion rode away, ejacu-
lating under his breath:
Did ! ever see such fool in all
my life?'
And then Louise told her lover
the truth, and the whole truth.
But / didn't want to marry an
heiress,' Hubert said, biting his lips
almost vexedly.
Perhaps; but you want me, Max,
don't you p Louise said, with the
prettiest coaxing little way in the
world
Well. l guess l do be said. but,
my darling, l have had bright
dream OF love in a cottage.
And it shall all come true Louise
said. lightly, in spite of the detri-
ment in the shape of the fifty thou
aand dollars you'll have 10 take with