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

Nhen the young man has gone, Ron
ME turns TO her sister, and placing her
arms round her, gives her a good hug.
l couldn't half do it while he was
looking" she saws. though think him
very nice, nevertheless"
He was very kind, at all events,
says Clssy, gratefully. Wasn't it a
wonderful adventuTe?"
1T might have been a terrible one"
replies her mother. with a shudder
oh mamma, and who do you think
was there besides me?"
"WhO?"
major Jervis."
major Jervis! And he saw your"
asks Mrs. Rivers, in a hoTTOr-Stricken
tone.
"Yes-but- And vet he didn't see
me-" continues Cecil And then sire
gives them the entire history Of her
escape from the Major and her terror
on the occasion.
When she has finished her recital. her
mother draws breath Of deep relief.
You are sure Mr.. Craven won't be-
tray you?' she asks, still q little neTv-
Ouslv.
Quite surel Mamma. how couldvou
think him a traitor"
Il didn't. my dear. I was merely anx-
iOus," answers Mrs. Rivers. hastily
Then she rises and quits the room for
some domestic purpose.
What nice eyes he has" says ROnnie
when the girls are alone again. And
how he uses them-thOugh only on one
object, | grant. l firmly believe, though
he has been here to-day for nearly two
hours, he would not, if put on his oath,
know me from mamma, or mamma
from me-"
q don't think he is such a stupid
young man as you seem TO think" re
turns CISSy. mildly. And il Is folly
what you say, dearest; any one can see
that mamma is az all events a year or
two older than yOu.'
q am not accusing him of stupidity
/ have no doubt he iSa second Socrates"
reJOlnS ROnnle. meekly. Il merely
meant to say he never took his ewes of
you from the time he came till he went
away. | was but as dTOSs III his sight
Wei. never mind, | wonder. by the
bye. when we shall see him agam:"
S9ne time next year, perhaps" II
is now close on Christmas.
some time Tomorrow should say"
"ROnnie, how can you be SO absurd?
What could bring him here again SO
sOon?' says Cecil; but she bushes vivid
ly as she puts tire question.
Well, you, ! suppose" rejOinS Ron
ME. unabashed. Little hvpocrite that
you are, why don't you confess what
you know IN your secret heart: What
do you think he meant by asking mann
ma if she wanted some books to read?
Simply an excuse to put in an appear
ance here early in the morning. Now,
mark my words. ii VIII be early. And
/ shouldn't at all be surprised If he or
dered up the whole library book-shelves
and all, for your delectatIOn. My
own opinion Is" adds Miss Rivers,
laughing, that this poor young man is
head-Over-ears in love with YOU"
Cecil leans back IN her chair and
laughs also.
And what do YOU think his name isyn
she asks, still laughing. 1t is Duke"
Then YOU are bound to marry him."
says ROnnIe. meTrily. You always de
clared you would marry Duke II you
ever met one. You certainly cant 90
back from it now
Il have another idea. too remarks
Cecil. Il think-iujeed / feel sTe-he
is Nar.a's young mani"
"No." cries Ronnie. But yes, of
course. He is 'Hi bon partj, and just all
we ever heard OF the happy man VINO
has been laid aside for her. Poor
Maria! | am afraid il was a luckless
day for her when you lost your way IN
the snow"
We'll, it is all mere supposition about
Maria" says Cecil. "OI course. Mr.
Craven may not be the man assigned Tor
her by the Major"
"Of course not. But | prefer think
ing he is the man. 1t makes il all so
comfortable. You said you would like
to cut out Maria. If only for vengeance
sake; now YOU can do il. You Id yOu
would marry a Duke; now, too, YOU can
do it. 1t is all ike tine tulhllmeIt OF a
pretty dream >
But HdJ about YOU, dearest. asks