The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1884-06-06


and from the ashes rise the handsome
man who, with smile lurking beneath
his dropping mcustache, was quietly
waiting for her to regain her self-pos.
session. .tr..f .Hrs...
"Allow me to present my aunt" he
said, kindly, leading the confused
housekerppr up TO the gentle old lady
with silvery curls falling over her soft
cheek--an invalid, as Etbeline saw at
a glance.
allow do you do, my DEAR" the
lady said, kissing the girls ripe lips.
"Miss Reynolds, my steward, Mr..
Anderson" her employers voice then
broke in.
Etheline looked mp with a start, and
met the bold glance of the gentleman
whom she had not before noticed.
"lIappy to meet so lovely lady,"
Mr.. Anderson said, in silky tones,
bowing low over the girls unwilling
hand.
Miss Reynolds only acknowledge
ment of this somewhat ELUSIVE com
pliment was a cold inclination of the
mead, but she mentally concluded that
household who she would never like,
and she was not altogether sure that
he was not one whom some day or
other she might learn to fear.
Time sped swiftly at the Grange.
Under the new housekeeper's reign
the domestic machinery moved as
smoothly as clock work.
Etheline soon became great favor
ite with all the inmates of the old
house, from the under housemaid to
the gentle invalid mistress who pre-
sided over her nephew's home.
AS for the men about the place, there
was not one, from the humble stable
boy up to the stately butler, who did
worship the fair girl, who always had
a kindly word and pleasant smile.
A man dressed iE a white linen suit,
his broad straw hat pushed far back
from his bold, handsome face, saunter-
ed slowly along one of the numerous
shady paths of Moulton Grange, iaunt-
lily swinging a light cane in his un-
gloved hand.
"lIallo " he exclaimed, as, on turn
ing bend in the narrow path, vision
of loveliness burst upon him. ''By
Jove !" he said, fixing his fiery eyes on
the sleeping form OF q young girl who
was lying under the spreading branches
of an old oak, one rounded arm sup
porting her shapely head, her white
bosom slowly heaving beneath the del
icate morning robe she wore-with
one velvety hand resting carelessly on
the open leaves Of copy of Tennyson
that laid upon the emerald sward.
The sleeper stirred uneasily under
the mans burning gaze, and quietly
opened her gray eyes.
"Ah! good morning, Miss Rey-
nolds." .l..f"HtE7.
The girl flashed glance in the di-
rection of the oily voice, and hastily
sprang to her feet, her beautiful face
| flashing crimson ,.. ....s
"Good morning, Mr.. Anderson"
she said, coolly.
81 hope l do not intrude ?"
"Not at ALL The grounds are as
free to Mr.. Anderson as to me-" Ethe-
line answered, quietly, STOPPING to re,
gain her book.
"Allow me, Miss Reynolds"
| The gentleman gracefully raised the
volume from the ground and presented
it to the lady with a low bow.
! AS Etheline extended her white
hand for the book the mar
imprisoned her soft fingers in his
clasping them lightly as he devouret
the girls perfect figure and glowing
face with his bold eyes.
"Please release my hand, Mr.. Ander
son must return to the house."
"Wait one moment, my dear girl,
he said, in low, intense tones. 81 hav'
waited patiently for this opportunity
you have been an inmate of the Grang,
for three months, yet this is the frs
time | have seen you alone. You ar
either dangling at that old woman
side, Or"
| "Stop, Mr.. Anderson T. the gin
broke in, with flashing eyes. "Do no
say anything against dear Mrs. Scott
She has been more than kind to me
| Now please let me CO.
| SIN one moment, my dear. Ethe
cline, you must know l love you. Wi
you be mine? | will surround yo
with every luxury. Although l an
only steward, l have money, an,
plenty of it. We will go far iron
here, where no one will recognize u,
and revel in one long dream of perfec
happiness
| "Mr. Anderson, please say no more,
Etheline pleaded, 'I-I-cannot b
your wife"
/ "The man broke into loud laugh
and while Etheline looked at HIM i
amazement he wiped the tears of mel
| riment from his eyes with the snow
cambric as he bent his handsome fac
very near her own.
| swell, you are unsophisticated. nj
beauty, am not asking you to MARI
mel"
Il "What are you asking me, then
the girl broke in, slow flush creepin
over her soft cheek, even up to tn
roots of her waving hair, as she Ike
her bright eyes upon the mans amuse
| face. @
"Etheline y he cried, losing all sci
control, and seizing the struggling gi
in his arms, he imprinted q burning kis
on her lips. "My beautiful"
Further speech was cut short b
two rows of pearly teeth being faster
ed in his hand. "You young will
cat y he exclaimed, with cry of pail
as he released the girl, who sped {
light as fawn across the path and
among the tall trees.
With a muttered curse, he startt
in pursuit of the flying figure.
Etheline ran lightly on, her hair III
bound aud waving in the gentle breez
Her breath came with labored gasI
from between her scarlet lips, She u
tered low, terrified scream, as Il
mans grasp closed over her perfect
nodded arm, that shone like ivo