Milford chronicle. [volume] (Milford, Del.) 1878-1974, 1885-08-28

L AANAHgAN -
"Aunt Sylvia is foOlishIy prejudic-
3D." she thought. "He is as true and
noble as he is handsome, and none but
the carping and enviOus could pick q
flaw in his character OF demeanor.
As if I would go to Antonio Wyllis'
and leave him herel How graceful
he looked on the 'croquet ground
yesterday-and how well he rides. 1
wonder if I shall ever see Magnolia
Dell, that sunny home of his which he
describes so eloquently. I don't think
it is altogether impossible, for l think
yes, 1 am quite sure-he loves mel
His lips have never spoken words to
that effect, but there is language of
eye and manner, and"
AIinnie's mind was absorbed in these
fancies, when a knock came to the
do and the old housekeeper put her
head into the room.
'DIiss Minnie, the sheets is ready
for the linen closetP
"The sheetsl" Minnie shrugged her
shoulders a little impatiently. "Why
couldn't old Peggy have waited?
Very well. Peggy, I'll see to that,
presentlyP
"But they ought to be put away
now, MISS" persisted the Obdurate old
servant. ave strewed sprigs of law
ender and dried rose leaves between
all the folds, and if you'd please to
put them on the shelves now"
Minnie rose with a scarcely sup
pressed sigh. She knew Peggy too
well to hope for any peace until her
behests were fulfilled.
The heap of snowy linen lay on the
hall table, white and fragrant through
the tolls of Peggy's skilled digits, and,
taking a pile on her arm, Minnie Dart
ford went to the linen closet, small
room, opening out on that allotted to
the present occupation of Clarence
Lee and Mr.. Herbert Arundel.
She glanced timidly in before she
entered, to make sure that neither of
her brothers guests were in the apart
ment, and then hurried through, t
place the linen in its nook.
She had scarcely reached up to de-
post the pile on the high shelf above
her head, when voices and footsteps
fell on her ear, and, with a palpitating
heart, Minnie felt that she was like q
Gagged bird, among the shelves, laden
with sheets and pillow-cases. Mr..
Arundel had entered his room-the
spicy odor of his cigar already pro-
claimed the fact to her olfactories,
even were there no other witnesses,
and with him a stranger had BEEN
ushered in.
Minnie stood quite still, hoping that
their incursiOn was but for a moment,
and their withdrawal would presently
leave her free to beat a retreat. The
door of the closet was partially drawn
to, and she was at least sure Of not
being discovered. The color rose to
her cheek at the idea of thus involun-
tarily playing the part Of eavesdropper;
but what else could she do?
"Sit down, Lewis" cried Mr.. Arun-
del, drawing forward an easy chaiTs
"make yourself at home. Your cigar
isn't out, hcpeT"
."No, it's all right" said the strange
voice. 81 say, old fellow, speaking of
making ones self at home, it strikes
me that you are practising the thing
yourself rather extensively hereP
Arundel laughed.
81 am at home" he said complacent-
ly. "Why, bless your heart alive,
Lewis, the good people here think Pm
the greatest man alive"
They'll find their mistake after
awhile"
"Not until I've made sure thing
of It," answered Arundel. -
"What do you meanP"
81 mean that am going to marry
the girl"
"What, the little helressP" echoed
the man whom Arundel had called
Lewis.
"Well. yes, If YOU choose to call her
so. No great heiress, after all; but 1
dare say I can find a use for her twen-
ty-fve thousand dollars. And, to
crown all, she's desperately in love
with me"
The other laughed hoarsely-a
sneering sound, which made the blood |
boil Indignantly in Minnie Dartford's
veins.
"You always did play the deuce
among the girls" he said. $50 she's
in love with you, eh ?"
eyes. It's quite amusing to watch
the progress of her infatuation,"
answered Arundel. II haven't pro-
posed yet, simply because 1 don't want
to preclpitate the moment. Bless you,
she jump into my arms tomorrow If 1
were to pop the question:"
"She'd jump out again quick
enough, if she knew you half as well |
as I dol jeered the other.
"But she don't. you seer said
Arundel. "'Where ignorance is bliss,
tits folly to be wise'-you know the
old saying. And the best Of 1t is that
I've somehow contrived to cut out
another lover, who has been hanging
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