The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1886-03-05
NUMBER 7.

dl1ShtIS hOuuIe. SLOWLY.
OneE Wen, of course. you could
hardly have had more. To me it seems
a long time since we came here. / fee
indeed as II l had been away from Won
ana mother for q twelvemOnth- But
ter"
1t was short, and not particularly
sweet. 1t began NY dear Miss Rivers
and 1t ended ALWAYS YOURS most sin
cerely. 1t was filed with London COS
sip, and that is all / can tell YOU Of il
until we go upstairs; then you can see
I 1ne original OF what have been telling
you, If you will"
1 think Always yours most sincere
" was very nice indeed" SAYS Cissy.
1 ours sincerely would be common
place, and quite nothing; but the al
ways and the most make such a diff
ference"
I am so glad to have you backi- re-
turns Ronnie, gratefully, throwing her
arms round her sister. do you know
Slssy, what is your principal charm?
L ou always know just what is the right
thing to saw
Ronnie's suTmises prove true. The
very next morning brings Mr.. Craven
again 70 BTankSmere; and for the mat
ter OF that every other morning sees
nm Inere too--untll a week has passed
over their heads
The day Is lOvely-clear and bright.
and fuil of sunshine. All sign of snow
Is gone from the ground; only thin
sparkling frost, that sits lightly on tree
and shrub, makes one certain it is win
Ter still, and not early spring. From
Lhe sea comes up mOauing-sad. but
sweet \ few birds. taking courage
from the calmness of dav and the
warmth Of the welcome god of light.
VINO, up above IN the blue heavens. sits
enJhToned, "dlffusing radiant bliss
around" hop from bough to bough on
the bare trees, and twitter meek little
songs, as though half afraid of their
own temerity.
Indoors the fires are burning brightly.
The logs are cracking on the top of
Goals; the great white Persian cat is
blinking laZ1ly on the hearth-rug. and
pretty Cecil, with a huge black fan in
her hand, IS sitting on the rug too. her
head resting against her mothers knee.
II IS now the seventh day since her
return home. and they are all sitting IN
The small mOrnIng-TOOm-the room in
the house they most affect. it is so snug
and coZy,-with Duke Craven in their
midst, but as near TO Cecil as circum-
stances viii permit
BY the bye" SAYS Craven. suddenly
q pTOpOS OF something lust said by Rom
NE the Major Is with me again. in
spite OF MS dread OF that awful ghost
ne encountered some DAYS ago. He has
heard OF your having taken I'D your
residence here, Mrs Rivers. and declar-
ed Ills intention THIS morning at break
last, OF calling upon sou without loss
OF time. SuUuldn [ wonder ii he came
today"
old Horror" says Ronnie. irrever-
entIs.
Ii ne knt-v he was going to encounter
ms ghost id,t To lace. l don't believe
he would oe Iu Sucu hurry to cal. ~
continues MI. Craven, smiling at CIssv.
who smiles back at him. ami saws, with
Affected fear-
All. II he had found me substantial
nesn ami blood that night instead of
barren bones. what should / have done2
Il know what ] should have done"
SAYS ROnnIe, vIcIOusly. If he had
caught me on that occasion l should
have beaten him black and blue. Death
would nave been his portion that night.
lie should never, with my consent. have
lived 10 tell the tale"
she looks such a ridiculOusly fragile
TO be the author of this awful
speech that everyone laughs.
/ don't think even the Major would
De AFRAID OF NOu.' remarks Craven. DO
you KNOW, N not sure why 1 think IL.
put IL seems 10 me that Jeryis IS rather
put out at your settling down here
he IS speaking now in low confidential
tone To The girls alone Mrs. Rivers hay-
ng gone INTO the next room 10 write a
etter- He appeared Disconnected
"hen he spoke of your being here,
though Why 1 cant imagine"
Al TINS both girls exchange glances:
-Et Slances mean: All. Didn't l tell
you 50: lie Is Maria's young mani"
however, he Is such a grumpy old
map always, / dare say il was Imagiua-
ION on my part thinking so" Craven
goes on. caryleSSIy. Miss Cecil. did
on really mean II. the other day. when
iuu SAID YOU auOred honey Because
Mrs. Richards can't fancy how She
Knew OF your love Tor it-ueSired me to
ell you TINS afternoon she has more
nan she Knows what TO do with, and
wants 10 know II she may send YOU
;Ome.'
Did she really say that?" asks Cecil
'aSerl!. Now isn't she an old dear2
TIve her ny love. please. Mr Craven.
snd say she may send me some honey
rs soon as ever she likes. and tell her.
too, shall give her kiss for il the
very next moment we meet"
Happy Richards" saws Mr.. Craven.
n low tone, with an indescribable
glance that is half amused. and half
earnest. and wholly loving.
ROnnie laughs: and then. Mrs. Rivers
to the room. Craven rises and
lakes his departure. He has not been
gone half an hour when the servant an
Major Jervis."
Mrs. Rivers. rising, receives him very
,ourteously, and the girls give him
heir hands with a paSsablv good grace.
Had no idea until the day before
yesterday that you and the young ladies
had come To reside down here" begins
he Major, when he has ensconced n m
self IN the most Portable chair in
-he room and drawn himself CLOSE uu 10
.he fire. He always calls tie girls the
young ladies'" to ROnnie's intense dis
We rather tired of town life saws
Mrs. Rivers, finding she must saw some
thing.
"Ah, yes, 1t is disappointing at
tines" replies the Major with me.n-
ng glance at Ronnie. who takes no
notice Of it or iEm. ~Bv the hye I saw
)Ur common friend ST. SYDNEY Walcott.
n PicCadIly last week. looking uncom-
monty well and happy. You viii al He
( ldd L. hear good accounts of him. ne
was such an intimate friend of yours"
VERY int mate. / know few people
Ike SO we'll as ST Sydney" SAYS Mrs.
Rivers. calmly but She colors as she
SAYS II.
You have made the acquaintance of
Nj. Craven. hear. remarks the Major.
presently. Il am staying with him, you
now"
Yes. lie himself told us so just
lOw."
All. been here already? Sharp
TOTk,' SAYS the Major. and Cecil. who
s earnestly regarding ham. sees that he
starts little, and that slight frOvn
contracts bis forehead. Early ting;
wasn't U-el2"
is il earjy." asks Mrs. Rivers. Ian
yudly. We hardly thought of that.
I ou see, We know so few people down
here as yet that we make more than
Usually welcome anyone who is kind
enough TO breaI in upon our monoto-
ny"
And he is just the sort OF person To
make than unG Flxr