Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-03-24

from her appearance-and this was what she
read:
Keep watch on Miss dArlage while she re-
mains under your roof. She deceives you. She
goes to East Campton for purpose you do not
dream OF. Do not fatter yourself that she is 30
fond OF her relatives as to make such exile
agreeable. You know little of her past life.
but look well into her future. You are held
responsible by one to whom her welfare is as
dear as it is to you.
There was no signature and no clew to the
writer. The envelope bore the New York post
mark. 1t was that battling, tormenting thing,
an anonymous letter.
Miss Parkhurst was sitting in the same place
anu IN precisely the same attitude, when, hall an
hour later. Ellie Arlage came into the kitchen.
iou look worried. Aunt Malvina. Don't.
Tisnt natural and 'tisn't becoming. Tell me
what the letters abOut-or perhapsits secret"
sne added. with little hesitation
"Have You any Secrets Efiei" Miss Park
hurst asked, pOntedly.
The quick blood rushed in torrent over the
gether, while frightened look shot into her
great eyes.
at is true then"
Miss Parkhurst's face fell as she spoke the
words reproachfully. She unfOlded the letter
WITH sudden decision to show It to her niece
and tall figure darkened the doorway. Miss
larkhurst thrust the letter into her pocket as
she rose to receive the newcomer.
why. Bert Blodgett! I'm glad to see you!
Come In come in. My niece. Miss d'Arlage-
Mr. Blodgett. You've put up your team sup
pOse?"
The young man nodded rather abstractedly
He was surprised by the dazzling vision which
confronted him in the dingy old farmhouse-a
beautiful young woman standing straight and
6nnr
'Pliny's down in the east meadow this after
noon. Bert. Have you seen him?"
Not yet"
Hes decided to let you take all the news
papers that are stored In the corn barn. It has
got to be torn down before long"
We'll. l shall be glad to get them I've been
TWO years, you know. trying to persuade him to
give them up. There he is now. coming across
lots, the young man concluded, with a glance
through the open door.
And supper's all ready. If my biscuits are
done" Miss Parkhurst remarked making hasty
trip to the oven.
She fully understood and partly sympathized
with the gloom upon her brothers brow as he
sat that night at the tea-tabre
Your uncle Plny would rather serve ont
term in the county Jail than part with those old
1t76nnes." she said, as the two men left the
Kitchen after supper. Il really feel queer about
1t myself They have been accumuating so many
years-ever since was Young girl in fact
that it seems as if this disposal of them makes
an era in the family history"
And who Is Mr.. BlOdgett, Aunt Malyina?
He's a wonderfully handsome fellow, at any
rate"
And one OF the best. too on the face Of the
earth. A tin-peddler, Eff1e. One of my men
iolks call him. I'm as fond of him-well as
1ond as woman of my years ought to be-" and
she gave merry little laugh. .'He arranges
his trips so as to stay here over night as often
as he can. Pliny and like to have him, and
70 a ,SorA
way"
I'm going out to the barn to see them, Aunt
Malyina'
The young girl caught up her hat, never
very far OFF, as she announced her determine
ton Her aunt's question, fortunately inter-
rupted by Bert BlOdgetts arrival, had alarmed
her. She had no desire for renewal of the
subject; she would give her no opportunity
for it.
Pliny Parkhurst, sitting on an empty barrel.
looked silently and disconsoately upon the
vigorous labors of young BIodgett, who was
throwing down from loft overhead great
plies of old. yellow newspapers.
Miss Observation-Disclosures"
The young man had paused an instant in his
WOrk-iong enough to pick up letter which
ndu !aneh OUT from among the papers, and
read the address. He turned it over in his
hand. ~
Never been opened" he added. "That,s
queer! Looks fifty years old, too"
He swung himself down from the loft and
passed the letter to Miss dArlaoe who in
stinctively held out her hand for it. 1t was
different from modern letters, a large sheet
folded and secured with sealing wax, and Bert
biodgett had not exaggerated concerning its
appearance of age. 1t was addressed in a
large, handsome hand. but the ink had 80
faded as to be scarcely legible. Effie d'Arlage
carried 1t into the house with more eagerness
than she had lately manifested in ANYTHING.
Another letter for you. Aunt Malyna," she
called out as she entered the kitchen; zone
with strong flavor of antiquity even in its
nowadays, they say, but don't believe it,
wonder If this one proved true?"
she placed the letter in her aunt's hand.
The elder woman looked at it with mute curl
osIty, which seemed to grow into terrified
wonder as she recognized the handwriting.
and turned it over to gaze at the unbroken seal.
''Where-?" she began, with white lips. a
strange pallor creeping over her face
Her niece anticipated the question.
MI Blodgett just found it, out in the corn
years and years, suppose. Isn't it queer!
But why don't you open it, Aunt Malvina?"
Miss Parkhurst seemed like one stunned. She
passed her hand slowly over her eyes and with
one or two inarticulate words crossed the
kitchen to her little bedroom beyond and
quietly shut the door. Ellie d'Arlage looked
after her with anxious eyes.
ION, l hope it's not more trouble" she
thought. with little gasp. I'm SO tired of
misery"
She went out again to the piazza. and. throw
ING herself listlessly into her favorite seat-an
immense rocking chair-tried to amuse herself
with a novel which she had left lying there some
hours before. But twilight was fast diving into
darkness. She was forced to close the book.
and she fell into a reverie concerning many
things. including. at last, the young man who
looked more like prince than peddler the
old letter and its mysterious effect upon her
aunt, as well as her aunt's mysterious question.
1t was late when the two men returned from
the corn-barn. Pliny Parkhurst passed on into
the house, and his companion was about to fol-
low him, when movement on the part of Miss
dArlage checked His steps. She pushed to-
wards him with an unmistakable air of invita-
tDn smaller rocker standing near her own.
Within the last halt-hOur she had grown most
desperately lonesome. She must do something
TO Keep herself from the tempest of tears which
inevitably followed such q mood
The young man seemed to hesitate for half a
minute. as If trying to make sure that he had
not misunderstood her intention; then. with
a courteous THANK you'll" took the seat indi-
Gated. ---N'
my uncle Pliny." she began, by way of OPEN
Ing a conversation, ''seems positively unhappy
over this little business transaction"
Yes; I'm sorry. He would have done better
had he disposed Of all that rubbish before the