The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-12-05


 Suppose you go tonight" said Jus. tine, alter few minutes thought. "Ws 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, want her to C joy the party"
 Nonsense It is sure to be dull affair; and then Mir. Dlverant has gone to the city today. Our dear Rilla would not CT joy it unless"
 "l am sure you arc altogether mis. taken but care nothing for the party and-y yes, l will stay at the Grange to- night"
 "Oh, Rilla, don't-mamma will be so angry r. pleaded distressed Bessie.
 "Sne must not know it until afterward, and then i, will only be joke, said Jus tine. After all, R,lla's heart will fail her when the time comes" Not so; it is made of tougher mate rial than that" said the girl. coldly.
 "ls itF l thought it was rather soft and weak"
 "Dld you1 That proves that even you can make mistakes sometimes" And RIlla met her cousins mocking eyes steadily.
 Ina, evening Miss Penrynn held quite a conversation with her maid-a conver- sation made up of terrified protests on one side, and threats on the other. "Oa dare notl' sighed the woman, j, clasp,ng her hands.
 Then consider yourself dismissed from my service" said the mistress coldly And then. to save her situation, she sub mltted. K lla 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, deli cate color and piquant face, l am not sure that she did not look loveler than her cousin, with all her faces and glitter ing jewels. The Grange was mile from Hartwell, and Bessie almost wept when R'lla sprang out of the carriage before the lonely gate {; and B-rtie Milford their escort and Bessie's lover, used all his powers ot persuasion to change her mind, But she remained firm, and waving the hall door key at them in farewell. she fl tied up the leaf-s,rewn walk to the dark, desolate old house.
 A light shiver crept over her as the hall swung open with a noisy creak ot its rusty hinges, and gust of damp, lll-smelling ar rushed out; but lighting d bit Of candle she had brought with her, she noun cd the stairs to her grand- fathers room.
 Most of the furniture had been re. moved, but the old mans armchair still stood oy the window, and the chart hung on the wall opposite.
 Rllla did not feel afraid, but rather sor- rowful.
 |" Poor grandpa! you intended to pro vide for me-" she said, aud patted the chair. Then she opened the window, and sat down by + to keep her long vigil The hours passed, and for all her heartache she gre~ orowsy, and sleep VI, ste ding upon her, when a soit, stealthy footfall echoed from the stairs She listened breathlessly. Yes, the steps were coming upstairs and along the hall She could hear the rustic of draperv and then the door swung open, and bracing herself she looked to see who or what it was The sight was enough to try stoute. nerves than young girls Rilla felt an icy thrill ru. h over her, and she caught h ,ld of the ch air-back for support. when she saw the tall, sheeted form standing motionies' in the doorway, but she was at bay, and after the first few moments o terror she found her vo,ce.
 "Who are you and what dc you want 2'
 Miss Justine had not provided for that question, not crediting her cousin with courage enough to ask it, but an ans yer was not needed. A great owl had taken up his abode in the hall, and dis,urb bed by the unusual sounds and the f,ek .r oi candlelight he gave one awful hoot, and, hapPlng his wings swooeed down over the head of the ghost into the room. It was more than the waiting m aid could bear.
 "Oh, Lord. Miss Rlla, what is it?" she shr esed; and tearing her ghostly ramept of, fled for protection. It was a Case ot "run, black devil, white dev,i catch you" and after recovering from her astonishment R,ll. laughed aloud.
 Sarah, what does thls mean D
 Miss Justine made me do it. Don't don't let the thing touch mel dldn't want to do iti i'
 Bat after knocking down the chart wh,ch fell with crash, and upset,iue the candle, the owl flew out at the window -~~~ ANtto SOOtuCQ uCE IGIIlnGQ companion, relit the candle, and then es, saved to pick up the broken chart. But the frame fell to pieces, and out from the back of it rolled a bundle of papers Meanwhile all went merry as marriage bell at the party. Bessie left it to Jas. iine to make excuses fir R,lia, and that young lady dld so with the best grace in ,he world, and then she danced and fiir'ed as though she had not care on her mind.
 l'ut timid Bessie suffered cruel apx iety, and she drew breath of relief when late in the evening, Paul D Averant entered the room. He glanced slowly around, and shade of disappointment crossed his han tsome face.
 Where is Rlla, Miss Sage ?" he in- quired as soon as he reached Bessie.
 That question loosed Bessies tongue. and she nOured ouf the vhol~ escx,, C., .A =