The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1885-09-11

malicious stabs, from the velvet-tongued
heiress, but her poor passionate heart
suffered an agony of jealousy. Justine
stepped in between her and Paul Daver-
ant She claimed his attention almost
as right, and, with fine assumption
of careless indifference, he allowed her
to do it.
Perhaps it amused him, perhaps it
pleased him Rilla thought the latter,
and blushed scarlet with shame and in
dignation to think that she had given
her heart to a man who cared nothing
for it.
She grew cold in her manner toward
him, and avoided his society so persist
emily that he must have noticed it,
though he made no sign. But she was
miserable and half-reckless, and rather
fnncied the idea OF spending q night OF
the lonely old Grange, which had not
been inhabited slice the captains death.
Perhaps it was haunted, as some of
the Ignorant country people said, and
perhaps something would happen to her,
and then she would never have the
heartache any more.
Suppose you go tonight, said JUS
tine, after few minutes thought. 1--WE
can leave you as we go on to the party,
and call as we return.
"But Mrs. Williams said she wanted
Rilla to be sure and come and then, I
want her to enjoy the party"
Nonsense! It is sure to be dull
affair and then, Mr.. Daverant has gone
to the city to-day. Our dear Rilla would
not enjoy it unless"
81 am sure you are altogether mis-
taken; but 1 care nothing for the party,
and-yes, I will stay at the Grange to-
night"
"Oh, Rilla, don't-mamma will be so
angry!" pleaded distressed Bessie.
"She must not know it until after
ward, and then it will only be q Joke
said Justine. after all, Rilla's heart
will fail her when the time comes.'
"Not so; it is made of tougher ma
terial than that, said the girl coldly.
SIS it I thought it was rather soft
and weak"
"Did you? That proves that even
you can make mistakes sometimes. :"
And Rilla met her cousins hooking eyes
steadily.
That evening, Miss Penrynn held
% a
conversation made up of terrified pro-
tests on one side, aud threats on the
other.
"Oh, dare not!" sighed the woman,
clasping her hands.
Then consider yourself dismissed
from my SERVICE" said the mistress
coldly. And then, to save her situation,
she submitted.
Rilla put on her white party dress,
fastened some superb crimson roses on
her breast and in her hair, and with her
deep, dark eyes, her fresh, delicate
color, and piquant face, am not sure
that she did not look lovelier than her
cousin with all her laces and glittering
jewels.
The Grange was mile from Hartwell,
and Bessie almost wept when Rilla
sprang out of the carriage before the
lonely gate; and BERTHE MILFORD, their
escort and Bessie's lover, used all his
powers of persuasion to change her
mind
But the amused glitter of Justine's
eyes. she remained firm, and waving the
hall-door key at them in farewell, she
fitted up the leaf-strewn walk to the
dark, desolate old house.
A light SILVER crept over her as the
hall-door swung open with noisy creak
of its rusty hinges, and gust of damp,
ill-smelling air rushed out but lighting
bit of candle she had brought with her,
she mounted the stairs to her grand
fathers room.
Most of the furniture had been re-
moved, but the old mans armchair still
stood by the window, and the chart hung
on the wall opposite.
Rilla did not feel afraid, but rather
sorrowful.
Poor grandpa! you intended to pro-
vide for me" she said, and patted the
chair.
Then she opened the window, and
sat down by it to keep her long vigil.
The hours passed, and for all her