Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1885-02-06

lie is growing ola ana L must humor
him. Ella shall not go out again as
governess. 1t makes ne mad every
time that think she has been compelled
to work for living. 1t shall not occur
again. Tell me, Archer, what do you
think of her 2"
GLOW could l think otherwise than
we'll of my friends sister2 am aston
ished that you should ask such ques-
ton, old boy"
II am rather astonished myself, but it
was anxiety, Archer, for it would be a
grievous disappointment to know that
you did not like her. There's the din
ner bell now. We are just in time"
CHAPTER ".
Mr.. and Mrs. Plover were quite old
people. They looked as though their
spirits, once gay and vigorous had been
broken. The empty row of cabins fall
ing into decay; the once rich land
now futed with innumerable gullies
the black stumps where the boughs of
the walnut grove once whispered in lux
uriant browse; the falling roof of the
gin house-all may have had much to
do with throwing the shadow of sadness
on the faces of the old man and his
wife.
After dinner the family assembled in
the parlor. One by one they went away
until Archer found himself and Ella to
be the only occupants of the room.
"We are much gratifed with your
visits, Mr.. Archer" said the young lady,
"and we hope that you will accompany
brother every time he comes home"
81 warmly appreciate the kindness
you have all shown me, Miss Ella. This
place reminds me so much of my own old
home, whose smile was blighted by the
frown of war, that never tire of con-
templating its surroundings"
~ nope the inmates, too, receive q
share of your attention"
"Oh, yes. To the inmates, think,
belong the especial charm"
THANK you. l did not think you
could be so gallant"
"You are mistaking mere truth for
gallantry."
"Do you know that I once thought
that yonr conversation was surely as
musty as the old books you read7 Yes,
and could in imagination see you rak-
ing the cobwebs from your voice"
"An inconsistent conceit, Miss Ella
for in the first place l do not read musty
books. Some of them may be old
which makes them all the better-but
they are not musty. Mustiness does not
necessarily accompany age. If so, old
wine would be no longer sought. Where
did Louis go2 1t was our intention to
return this evening""
"If you are not entertained I will call
him2"
He looked up quickly, and studying
her face, to discover whether the remark
were in jest, replied:
"Another inconsistent conceit. You
must think that am beyond the range
of entertainment.
"Oh, no, Mr.. Archer. know that I
am dull. / know there are persons with
whom you can find keener enjoyment"
Archer began to grow nervous and
| long for q chance of escape. Her face
was flushed, and with stare almost
brazen, she gazed into his eyes. "You
would rather talk to Eva Gladrow, and
you can't deny it. o., know am
dull"
"You are certainly peculiar, Miss
Plover"
An adroit admission. Peculiar pco-
pie are always dull. Shall l call my
brotherW
eff you please"
Louis and his father we're standing in
the yard. She went to the window and
called. A moment later Louis entered
the room.
"Your friend is very restless" she
said. "You'd better take him back tC
town ~ n------
"Ready any time, Arch. The horses
are at the gate. Goodbye, sis. Wei
be down again pretty soon"
"Good evening, Miss Plover."
"Good- evening, sir"
Louis looked in astonishment.
"What makes you so silentY" asked
Plover to his friend, when they had rid
den some distance toward town.
"Your own silence, Louis, must hav
suggested the remark. You have no
spoken since we left the house."
81 was thinking of sister,"
$50 was l." Archer could not he'll
but rejoin.
"She is dear girl, Arch, but fea
that you do not understand her."
"Rather strange, think.
"How stranger Louis eagerly asked
"Oh, don't know"
"Of course not. If you knew, sh
- would not be strange. Mystery cease
when we understand it, and the fac
7 that you do not understand her, make
her strange. Don't you think she is lik
G my mother"
4 "No."
"Like my father, eh3"
v "No, she is unlike any one have ev'
y seen."
"You are not in very good humo
y Arch. ] don't believe | ever befo
found you to be so gloomy"
CHAPTER V,