Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1885-05-14
CARLETON LEIGH'S FOLLY.

pour swept along in binding gusts.
The wind came wailing over river and
valley, sounding dreary and desolate
to the inmates of Leigh Manor House,
set on the hill amid its groves of
naples which were just budding
in the early spring-time of the
year.
Carleton Leigh threw down the
book he had been reading, arose from
the sofa with Il yawn, lit cigar, and
with his hands in his pockets
sauntered to the window. In front
spread out pale blank of driving
rain, and farther on the avenue of
trees that led from the broad highway
to the mansion, through whose branch
es he could see the river IN the valley
below, and the roofs and steeples of
the distant village. Overhead the dis
NAL April sky, leaden and sunless,
spread far and near, above and below,
all was dull and desolate.
'.It's terrible Storm he said after
time as he turned from the window
to the elegant room with its carpets
and tapestries, bronze cabinets and
rich upholstered furniture, all lighted
up by the the cherry blaze that burned
on the marble hearth.
''Do you suppose our friends will
come, CarlP" asked Mrs Leigh, glanc-
ing up from her embroidery.
al sent James an hour ago with the
carriage, and L hope they will not dis
appoint us. We are getting lonesome
hero. Cousin Ellice's gay laugh will
make the old rooms merry. Are you
acquitted with her friend Miss Armi-
tage ?"
al used to know her, though we
were never very great friends. think
there is Creole blood IN her veins. She
Is very beautiful, but always thought
her trife vain and deceitful. / am
almost sorry she and Ellice are such
great friends. and that she is coming
here"
''Fie, Lillias," said her stately, six
foot, handsome husband. "rhe more
the merrier, and l am glad she is good
looking. detest homely, dowdy
women. / should never have married
you if you had not been passably fair.
L believe they called you a beauty in
those days, and l don't see that you
have faded very much, though yoked
to such tyrant as myself"
Lillias Leigh blushed like girl.
She was indeed pretty woman, and
she looked very sweet and graceful
that afternoon in her stylish dress OF
purple velvet, and her brown hair
sweeping in short curls from its couture
upon her neck. She was only %, and
they had been married only three
years.
"Oh, you flatter," she said smiling
ly, doubtless you think | shall be
jealous of Miss Armitagc, but i shall
not, Carl. l know my husband; and
now promise me that you will treat
are disposed to be little brusque
sometimes. Now for my sake do not
be rude.
He drew himself up with an air OF
mock gravity. 81 tiatter myself that
shall make as agreeable host as you
may desire, and if Miss Armitage is
very very handsome, why, I-I-may
--whewl there is the carriage now"
Carleton Leigh was hardly prepared
to see so superb a beauty as met his
eyes when Maud Armitago stepped
from the carriage into the hall like q
bird seeking safety from the storm.
And as Ellice Beaumont introduced
them in her easy, nonchalant way,
''Cousin Carl, my friend Miss Armi.
tage," and he held for Il moment the
small warm hand and glanced into the
dark slumberous eyes, he was thrilled
with power and a magnetism such as
he had never experienced before.
After supper when the lamps were
lighted and they all adjourned to the
parlor he had time to study her. How
different she was from Cousin Ellice
who was a small, lively thing, running
over with laughter. Maud Armitagt
was tall and queenlv. with voluptu
Gus languor that told OF Southern
blood. Her eyes were very dark ano
lustrous, her face almost pale will
Just faint sea-shell tint on either
cheek, and her hair, neither brown
nor black, but of n pale gold which
she wore like coronal upon her head
might have rivalled the glow anC
splendor of the tabled Lilithis. Eacl
shining strand was a fairy chain tC
bind as with the gives of slave the
heart of man.
She was brilliant conversational.
ist, and Carl, who had some talent in
that direction when he chose to exer
else il, soon found himself engaged
in most delightful discussion with
his lovely guest. At late hour they
separated, and as Carl took his wife,
arm and walked up to their chamber
IL suddenly flashed into his mind thai
until that moment he had not beer
cognizant of Lillias' presence one,
that evening.
The days and weeks pessed at Leigh
Manor House. The June roses were
showerlng their rosy leaflets dowI
over the lawn which sloped to thu
river, like an expanse of emerald vel
vet; the apple trees had just lost thei
mantle of pink bloom, and morning
and night the thrushcs sang from th'
maplcs-a whole orchestra of mad, be
witching music. Very merry were tn
doings at the misunderstanding on thu
river, riding in the PARK. playing Gro
quot or tennis in the garden, and play
ing and singing in the dim, shadow.
parlor, or talking on the piazza ii
tho soft moonlight. Carleton Leigl
thought 1t was the happiest summer o
his life.
He scarcely realized. though, hov
powerful an influence Maud Armitagt
had obtained over him. He simpl
know that he was best content whel
Al III 80