The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1883-11-23
SELECT STORY.
A GIRLS FOLLY.

trailing over its rustic porch, a greer
lawn before it surrounded by flowers
and charming country landscap,
spreading ont in the distance. In
side, in its email bat very pretty par
lor, on the red table cover, waited th
tea try, with its cups and saucers. Th
window stood open to the sill, warn
autumn air, and the French porcelain
clock on the mantle piece was striking
five.
A slender girl of some 20 year
came in. She was very lovely. Bu
her bright blue eyes bore sort o
weary or discontented look, and he
bright brown hair was somewhat ruffled
She wore a print washing dress o
black and white, neither very smootl
nor very fresh, and a lace neck col
lar fastened with bow of black rib
bon.
| She had made an appointment t,
meet Reginald Vavasour, a rich youn,
gentleman who has made her acquain
tance down by the willow walk, ant
her lover, Thomas Watkyn, has tol,
her he could call that evening. Jus
before he left he said:
"May l ask you to do me littl
favor, Thomas 7"
"What is it p ne repeated.
''If you would not very much mint
going home by the hill and woult
leave this note at Miss Fords / par
ticularly wish her to have it this even
ing"
II paused for an instant, not reply
ing She went on, hurriedly:
81 see that it is disagreeable to you
l have offended you too much"
''Not that" he answered, holding
out his hand for the note. 'But l cal
hardly spare the time for the long way
this morning, as l have to call at Xii
lick's for my father. However," b,
said no more, but took the note.
"Good bye, Thomas
"Good bye"
M'm glad he took the note l shal
be safe now.
Miss Alison Reece was a clever
young lady. The direct and nea
way to Mr.. Watkyn's home woult
lead him past the willow walk. Sh'
had devised this impromtu note to hel
dressmaker in the afternoon to preven
his taking that usual route. Had hi
seen young Vavasour cooling his heel,
within the precints of the willow wall
he would inevitably suspect he wa.
waiting to keep lovers tryst.
Alison was busy in the kitchen mex
morning when she heard her mother
open the front door and some on,
come in. "It is that chattering Mrs
Bennett" thought she, as she driet
the teaspoons.
"Allison, come here called he
mother, in quick voice,
She went to the parlor Just as sh,
washer sleeves turned back at tn,
wrist, large brown Holland apron on
Very pretty she looked with it all. Blu
it was not Mrs. Bennett who sat will
her mother; it was venerable, white
haired old gentleman-Mr. Watkyn
the elder.
81 am come to ask about Thomas,
said he. 81 believe he came here las
night, Miss Alison; at what time die
he leave you?'
A prediction struck her with sor
of terror that something was wrong
"He left quite early she faltered :
"Well, he has never come home
'.Not come home!" she said, with
whitening face.
81 sat up till o'clock, and then
thought the mist must have kept him
that he had stayed at some friend
house. knew not what to think, ant
that he would be home the first thin.
this morning. But we have not seel
him, and cannot hear of him.
Mrs. Reece was impressed with tn
frightened, guilty look that Alisol
could not keep out of her countenance
and began to feel uneasy. "Canno
you tell what time it was when he lef
you?" she demanded, sternly.
''It was after dusk. 1t was jus
after sunset-before the mist came on
1t must have been near 7 o'clock"
(Which road did he take?' pursue,
Mrs. Reece. And very reluctantl
Alison answered, for she foresaw
would bring on further questioning.
"The long road-round by the hill.
"Round by the hill 7" echoed MI
WatkyD, in alarmed surprise. "Wh
did he take that way?' ....
Alison flushed and paled alternately
her lips were trembling. The fea
creeping upon her was that he an
young Vavasour had met and quarre
ed. Perhaps fought and injured ON
another fatally. In these dread me
ments of suspense the mind is apt t
conjure up far-fetched and unlikel
thoughts.
81 asked him to go round that way,
she replied, in timid tone. 81 wante
him to leave a note for me at the dres
makers"
Old Mr.. Watkyn sank into chai
putting his hand before his troubled fac,
81 see it all, he breathed family. "H
must have fallen down the Scar"
Alison uttered a scream of horror.
Deceived by the mist, he must ha,
walked too near the edge" continue
the old man. "Heaven grant that
may not be so, but l fear it. Was |
mad, TO attempt to cross the plateau c
. such night?"
Catching up his hat, Mr.. Watky
went out swiftly, Mrs. Reece grabb,
her daughters hands. They were i,
cold.
"Alison, what passed between "
and Thomas last night?"
"Don't ask me, mother. Let 7
follow Mr.. Watkyn. / cannot rest i
doors. Oh, it cannot, cannot be as
fears2'
"Not one step until you tell I
what passed." said the mother, firm
"There's more in all this than met
the eye.
"lIe asked me to-give up talki
to Mr.. Vavasour.'
Sand you refused, Well?"
"lIe told me that | must choose
tween Them" continued Alison, bur
ing into tears. "Oh, mother, it "
: all my folly, my temper; he could |
see that, and when he went away
said he went for good