The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1885-12-31
for them so. knew it was wicked, but

for them so. l knew It was wicked, but
the temptation came over me so sudden
" that couldn't help it. And now if
Mr.. Raven has told Uncle Joseph, and
Uncle Joseph is going to scold me-
Elsie drew deep inspiration of hor-
ror at this idea, but she must face her
fate, and endure it as best she might
And in her best frock, which was scant
and faded enough in all conscience, she
descended with heavy heart to the
''best room.
Bring her in, Bring her inr' said
Uncle Joseph with chuckle. Il never
vet sold even yearling calf without
giving the purchaser a chance to look at
his bargain-ha, ha, hal And if you
really want the child Squire
Mr. Raven rose courteously and put a
chair for Elsie as she entered, with
dropping head and cheeks atiame.
I'VE are old friends he said: ''are
we not?'
At the sound of his gentle, measured
accents, the prickings of Elsie Linn's
conscience became intolerable. She
lifted her large startled eyes to Mr..
Ravens face.
I'm very sorry, SIR said she.
please, I'll never do it any more"
''Do what?'' said Uncle Joseph, star
ing.
Il am quite at loss to understand
you said Mr.. Raven courteously.
The grapes, please" faltered Elsie.
getting redder and more confused than
ever. Il didn't pick 'em for myself; it
was for little Billy Sniffen, and"
Never mind the grapes, Elsie" said
Mr.. Raven. LET me see-how old are
you?"
Seventeen, sir" said Elsie in a low
voice
''And am seven-and-thirty!' said Mr..
Raven slowly. '.Do | seem like very
old man in your eyes, Elsie?"
She shook her head, and then, en-
bOldened by the fact that Uncle Jos.
eph had disappeared, and Aunt Bet
sey was drawing water at the well. she
added:
when l write my novel, l shall make
the hero Just like you. [ won't call him
Raven. lest people should find out; but
Ravenburn, or Bclraven. or some such
name. You won't mind. sir will you?'
Mr.. Raven smiled a strange, serious
smile.
Elsie" said he, ''would you like tc
come and live at the Manor House?"
Elsie's dusk face frightened.
'.Oh, SO much!" she cried. but Mrs.
Perkins don't want me; she says I'm toe
fiighty and too young
Elsie, you misunderstood me- said
Mr.. Raven, with another smile. Il don't
mean as Mrs. Perkins ASSISTANT mean
as my wife.
A sudden crimson flooded Elsie's
face, neck and throat. All of Il sudden
the scales seemed to fall from her eyes;
the world stood before her in its true
colors. She was maiden out of the
pages of romance. Robert Raven was
her lover. He took her hand tenderly
in his.
Elsie" he said, ''could you teach
yourself to love me? For | love you
with all my heart
and laid her flushed face across on his
shoulder, and wept and smiled in turns.
She had entered the room a child; she
went out a woman, leaning on her
lovers arm. Even Uncle Joseph no.
ticed the change. and Aunt Betsey
vaguely wondered what had come to
.'our Elsie
So Elsie's problem was solved. She
went to be lady at the Manor House, to
gladden. the heart of this modern King
Cophetua who had fallen in love with
the nineteenth century Beggar Maid.
And as her dark beauty bloomed out
into perfect loveliness, people wondered
that they had been so blind.
But Mr.. Raven said quietly:
Il knew it all along. When first l
saw her picking daisies in the park, |
knew that she was the most beautiful
creature in all the country. | fell in
love with her then, and have been in
love with her ever since"
But to Elsie the whole thing seems
like a dream out of the Arabian Nights.