The Arkansaw traveler., 1884-03-29

II great gray eyes fixed on my face, was a knees, and her whole body bent forward in an attitude of profound attention. Over her plain white dress fell the splendid waves and nipples of her auburn hair her complexion was of that clear she'll like tint by which that colored hair is so often accompanied. She was exquisitely lovely-but her face! What was there in il that made me shrink .involuntarily from her. The deep, changeful eyes, the red, perfect mouth, the wildrose colored cheeks, the whole person of the girl, though of more complete beauty than any had ever seen, ye, stirred in me certain indehnable repulsion. Who was she! had hardly realized where was for the moment, but at that question ! remembered. Of course she was the l patient" and the shadow that marred her beauty was the Arrangement for which had been prepared. felt that il would not do to let this repulsion make any further headway, since was to be the companion of the girl before me, so l crushed il down as we'll as l was able, and holding out my hAnd, said quietly ::
 How do you do ~
 Hush '" she whispered, taking my hand :" don't speak too loud, or lane will hear us, and she will want me to 20 away. told her was going to my work but wanted 10 come and see you. You are to be my companion, are you not - :. Yes. Miss Tharpe."
 Don't cali me that she said quickly Cal me isabe'
 :" shall be very pleased to do so, lsa- bel"
 That IS nice," she said. "lou haze very pleasant voice. What is yagr name:
 Frances Graham"
 ". will cali you Iranees,' she said, If you will let re.
 Certainly" l answered, my hear, warming li,,le towards her. Now, Frances, she went on, coming i close to me, and ,wining her arms round my waist E" want you to be my friend and lel me love you. You will, won't you
 of course sad Yes" How could l do otherwise when her soft cheek was lad so caressingly against mine
 :" And you will try and love me: And you will be gentle with me, and not be impatient, and you will not be annoyed if talk too much of my work, You know it IS the only thing care for. ard l mus; talk about u No. one else ever did any work at all like
 What is your work. dSar :@ asl-ed, anxious to show interes; Tn wha, was eei- t.ently her ore topic.
 Oh. you shall see 1t presently s,.e sad. There's no hurry it5 always there yoa know.
 What is |; like :" I, asked.
 oh, l won't tell you wha, i, $ like. :" said Isabel gaily, because that will spoil the surprise for you; but it's very very beautiful
 shall like 10 sec il very much l sad. feeling, Il must be confessed, bu' very lukewarm interest in the matter. was tired and faint, and hoped that should not be reqsred ,o criticlse or ad- mire anything before l had been re- ffeshed by tea. Of this, however. there seemed ns sign, so concluded that in this old-tashioned mansion afternoon tea was unknown, and that should have to wat for the set meal at six, for which ,he Misses Tharpe were evidently coming home. l sighed.
 =" Are you very tired!' said the girl, who was now kneeling in iron, of me holding my hands in hers; because, if you are not, think perhaps we had bet ter go and see my work now. have been down here some time, and l don't want lane to come interfering before you have seen i,.
 There was something strangely child like about her suppliant way of looking up at me. \ refusal would only veN her, l thought. so gathered my tired limbs together and followed her.
 Sse eaugh, ap one of the heavy silver eandles,icks from the table and wen, be- fore me through the dark passages. hold ing II high above her head. Its light fell on the red gold of her hair. whose lus,re seemed to brighten the dim house as sne passed through 1t. It seemed a long way. Upstairs, along passages hung with old portraits that seemed to frown on us as we wen, by {; then down few more stairs; another passage. door. short flight of steps, and we were in.cne of the dain,iest little bowers had ever beheld. Every pleasant device. every charming arrangement that modern dec SAaNtfC ait tOuto SuSaSSAs WCIS uCiC III perfection, and in strongest contrast to the massive antique grandeur of the rest oi the house. 1 had hardly time, how ever. to take in more ,han the tout en- semble of the room, for Isabel caught me by the arm and hurried me through the door on the other side ot the bedroom. and into d little boudoir furnished with the same taste which characterized the room WIG had rus, left. Fresh flowers, cages of singing birds, plenty of books and needlework lying about. Here" thought, she surely keeps her work :" But no, she still hurried me or. The door ot a third room stood open, and through |, we passed into chamber the fac simiie of the hIS; one VIC had entered Only. whereas the other had been neat this was disordered- laces, flowers. and fan lying strewn on toilet table and floor, only, whereas the other seemed empty of human presence, this did not only, whereas the other little white bed