The Washington critic., 1886-04-01
ELMWOOD FARM.

N''''p hO"'SN 'p iiVih thN hOi
and began throwing copious handfuls
of great. star.shaped snowilakes ali
over the frozen earth. Miss Judith
Wilder, one of the wealthiest spinsters |
in that part of Ohio and mistress of |
beautiful Elmwood, sat in her richly
cushioned rocker before glowing fire,
which cracklcd up wide, old
fashioned fire. place. Her brow, which
50.odd years and some hidden bitter
ness had combined to wrinkle quite
deeply, was contracted with thoughts
of the past. Her surroundings were
luxurious. Yet Miss Judith was not
happy. Some secret or trouble she
had vainly striven to hide for many
years disturbed her peace Of mind.
Miss Wilder was not the sole occu-
pant Of her welfurnished sitting-room.
A young man of "a stood near her
chair. This was Forrest Edloy, Miss
Wilder's handsome ward, just home
from Europe, where he had completed
his education in travel. His parents
had been swept away by prevailing
fever while spending the winter in Cuba.
Miss Judith was the only American
friend stopping at that part Of the island,
so 1t fell to her lot to become Forests
guardian. And, as he had no living
relatives, he had always remained q
much. .pettcd inmate of Miss Judith's
commodious house. The young man
had Just returned to Elmwood to spend
ln hn1ilouo Will, t1,n haut nt.fl,
friend he had since he had been left
an orphan boy of z years. He intend
ed opening an art school in one of the
should expire. Miss Wilder opposed
his doing anything. But Forrest pre-.
ferred occupation to genteel idlencss.
Mother" Che always called Miss
Wilder so, at her requesD, mother,
what bitter night it's going to bel
The snow has completely carpeted the
ground. My heart aches for the suffer-
ing and homeless who are out in this
| storm"
Miss Wilder came back from the
past with guilty start. Looking up
at her wards sympathetic face, she
said:
you are too sympathetic, my dear
boy. Do not worry about what you
cannot help"
"But l am not so sure that 1t is i'm
| possible to help the suffering around
us If we will exert ourselves to find
them out"
"Have done with this doleful sub.
| ject, Forrest You will talk yourself
quite out of an appetite, and Jane will
feel her dinner sadly sighted, indeed"
replied Miss Wilder.
| Forrest was going to speak, but the
entrance of q servant interrupted him.
"Well, Lima" said Miss Judith, ad-
dressing rosy-cheeked Irish girl.
"Ef yez plaze, mum, there's an ould
gint with a prctthy young Teddy out on
the stips as wishes to see ycz," an
nounced the apple-faced Lima.
"That is strange" said the mistress
of Elmwood. "Who are they, Lina?"
'Indade, l could not tell yez, mum.
They never gave me their cards at all,
at all. But III just inquire, num-"
"Hold on, Lima" spoke the young
man. Mother, it is cruel to keep
your visitors out in this storm. Why
not admit them without further ques.
tionf"
"You are right, Forrest. Lima, show
them in here"
Thus commanded, the girl left the
room, and after the lapse of few
moments the visitors were ushered In.
Miss Wilder arose as her visitors ap.
preached. The old gentleman touched
his hat politely to the mistress of Elm
wood, but did not remove it. The
young girl clung timidly to his arm
and turned from the inquiring gaze of
the spinster.
"Have | the pleasure Of addressing
Miss Judith Wilder?" asked the old
man, searching that lady's face with
his keen gray eyes.
"You have" she answered, pallor
creeping over her face
pray be seated" she said,
She resumed her own seat rs her Wis
itors availed themselves of her invita-
tion. Forest Edley took q seat on the
sofa near his guardian and stole oc
c0sional glances at the mysterious visi-
tors. The old man broke the silence
"The nature of this visit may not be
understood without an explanation. II
can claim your indulgence while
, tell my story briefly"
| Certainly, sir. Pray proceed" said
: Miss Judith, growing shade paler as
the stranger spoke.
In the good old days, as the story
books say, there was a dear old place
called Elmwood Nay, start not. Let
me finish without interruption. An af
fectionate but passionate old man was
master there. With him dwelt his two
| children, girl and Il boy. The girl
l was the senior of her brother by severa
years. These two played, sang, read
and studied together They were thu
idols of the old fathers heart, There
, was strong tie of affection between
the sister and brother in those early
t days. But few years developed
characteristics in the sister that he
sweet girlhood gave no promise of; sh,
developed spirit of ayarice. She be
/, gan to scheme how she could secur,
all the wealth to herself, leaving he
brother nothing"
e "No, no, no, you wrong me-" brollt
Q from Miss Judiths white lips.
! "Silenccl Let me finish. The siste
saw her way clear at last. Her brothe
> was secretly, but honorably paying Mt
:, tontion to an orphan girl who mad
: her home at a neighbors. The siste
did all in her power TO encourage tn
p courtslip. She sought out the girl ant
assured her of lasting esteem, en-
couraged her to receive her brother
attentions, and urged II hasty marriage
5 promising to intercede for the lover
y with the proud old master of Elm
! wood. They were married Tn
l scheming sister saw the father. Iii
:. naughty heart was fired with rag
:. against his son. The sister bore thi
i intelligence TO the lovers, who wer
waiting tremblingly for a summons +
Elmwood, The son concluded to sc