Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1886-09-08


AS Lilias sat on the silken sofa, wait
ing with throbbing heart for the ap
pearancc of her unknown cousin, tn
thought stole into her mind that h
wasn't so much of "miscr" after all
and then came a sick sort of misgivin.
that her mission was all in vain.
"For surely" she thought, glancin!
tremuously round the elegant apartment
che will not want any one to max,
bread or look after the kitchen expendi
lures. ! wish--oh, l wish that l wa
safe at home again!"
The thought had scarcely framed itscl
in her mind when door at the farthe,
end of the room was opened, and tall
handsome man, scarcely thirty years o
age, entered.
"I--I beg your pardon, sir" faltercd
Lilias, all in huttcr, "but l wished tc
see Mr. Glcncross."
81 am Mr.. Glcncross."
"Youw Lily rose up and sat down
again, coloring vivid scarlet. This, then,
was their "Tar-o cousin, and how
widely different from their dreams and
fancies! Apparently the gentleman saw
and pitied her painful confusion, for he
said politely:
'Nlay ask in what manner I can bs
useful to you2"
II am Lilias Waylandm she answered,
in tone that was scarcely audible.
"Waylandw A shadow, faint yet
distinctly pcrceptiblc, ovcrsprcad his
face at that word, and Liias saw it with
a failing heart She forgot the labored
speech of paliation and excuse that she
had prepared. She forgot that he
was no silver haired patriarch, but a
handsome young man, surrounded by all
the adjuActs Of wealth and luxury. She
remembered only poor Charley and her
own sickening idea Of debt, disgrace and
ruin; and sinking on her knees at his
feet, she sobbod out her pitilul story.
"Hc is so young" she walled, $50
young, surely you will not refuse to give
him another chance for name and fame.
will work and toll for you until the five
hundred dollars are every cent paid. l
will be q servant, u scamstress-what you
please, only promise me that you will
not visit him with the penalties of the
laww
Her voice died into quivering silence,
but her eyes still appealed.
"Rise, Miss Wayland," said the young
man, without moments consideration.
81 promise that this offence of your
brothers shall be overlooked for the sake
of the sister who has pleaded SO eloquent
ly for him."
"And what can do for youH What
must do? For if l cannot repay the
money in some shape or other shall die
Of shame and modification"
81 will take the matter into consider
ation," said Mr.. Glencross, grsvely, yet
not without certain CLEAN of amuse-
ment in the corners of his mouth at the
idea of that pretty, slender creature rem
dcring up to him the equivalent of the
five hundred dollars. "And now, Cous-
in Lilias-for l believe we may claim re.
lationship, although it is somewhat dis
tant-I shall insist upon you as my guest
for while. Let me ring and send for
my mother"
Mrs. G!cncross, stately old lady in
black silk and Valencinnes lace, wei
coined Lilias Wayland with smiling
hospitality which belonged to the an
cicnt regime, and almost before she
knew it the girl found herself chatting
innocentIy away to her hostess, as if she
had lived all her life in the sunshine of
that pleasant smile; while Paulus Glen
cross, busted among some papers at the
table beyond, watched the sweet chang
ing countenancc with n new interest.
~ never saw such lovely face in my
life" he thought. "The profile is as
purely Grecian as the face Of the Hero
on my mothers cameo, and the eyes are
as full of shifting lights as diamond !
Upon my word, this little new cousin is
an acquisition!'
When Liias wrote her happy letter
home that night Mr. Glcncross added a
pleasant postscript aud Charley Way
land knew that his season Of peril was
ovc".
Lily had been nearly month the
guest of the stately old lady in black
silk and VOlCncicnncs lace, when one
day Paulus, coming suddenly into the
purple twilight of the drawing-rooms,
found her sitting all alone with tear
drops glittering on her pcachy check.
"Why Lily, what is the mattcr'"
"Nothing, Paulus"-they had grown
to be good f:icnds by this time "only
l have been dreaming very pleasantly,
and the time of waking has come at
last"
"You mysterious little sphinx, what
on earth do you meanl"
She colorcd and cast down her eyes.
''The five hundred dollar, Paulus---
they are yet to be paid. No-don't in
tcTupt me. cannot consent to indulge
your generous impulses. l NUT pay