The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1886-02-19

though she refuses to meet her glance,
still feels deeply for her.
Il think any young man who keeps
philandering after two girls for months
together, without coming to the point
you see, know everything, my dear
Elinor-should be summarily dealt
with. have heard a good deal, and
think Sir Sydney should get his congo.
If he is not going to marry the girls, he
ought to be forbidden at the house."
lie can't well marry us both, poor
SOUL" remarks Cecil, demuTely. "The
law forbids."
"Eh? Eh?" says Uncle Gregory, ir-
ritably.
"At all events, he certainly can't
marry me-" Cecil goes on, suavely, in
spite of a warning glance from her
mother, which she pretends not to see.
Because the duke wouldn't hear of i'll"
"The dukel What duke?" demands
old Sir Gregory, raising himself from
his recumbent position, to stare blank
ly at her.
"My duke" replies Cecil, boldly,
though her eyes are sparkling with
laughter Didn't you know of it? l
have made up my mind at last, and
uOIllHlS uilNtCA VIII
content mel"
at is only Cecn's nonsense" says
Mrs. Rivers, in an agony.
Her dearest Cecil, she tells herself, is
so inconsiderate, and so thoughtless;
and if the old man should be offended
But the old man is not offended. On
the contrary-strange to say-he is
amused, and gives way to a prolonged
chuckle.
"Eh? Eh?" he says again. This is his
favOrite ejaculation. $50 you are fly
ing high. are you? Well, l wish you
luck. But"-with a relapse into his
former tartness, and a glance at Ron
ME, who is sitting calm and pallid as
an early snOwdrop-"dOn't have your
duke Gdi.gling after you for months,
making you a laughiug stock for all
your friends"
Ronnie sighs. and grows even a shade
paleT. Her mother, seeing this, turns
hastily to Sir Gregory.
Il agree with yOu," she says, though
the words almost choke her. And to
prevent any further nonsense of the
sort YOU speak Of [ think of taking the
children"-they are always children to
her-"down into the quiet country, that
is. if you approve of the move"
To the cOuntrv?7 repeats Uncle
Gregory. taken aback. Then he tells
himself she has taken TO heart his ad-
vice about avoiding the sullying influ-
ence Of toWn-life, and he is fattered.
"WeU, I'm sure I'm glad you have at
last determined to act on my sugges-
ton" he says, in a gratified tone. Come
to me again tomorrow. and we shall
see what can be done about your re-
moval into the country. You are a
very sensible woman, ElinOr-very SEN
sible indeed"
BY which they know he VIII put no
obstacle in the way of their gong to
the new abode on which they have so
set their hearts.
That night as Ronnie and Cecil are
brushing their hair, preparatory to go
ing TO bed. Cecil. turning suddenly to
her elder sister. lays down her brush,
and places her arm around her.
Dearest" >" she says tenderly, "hOw is
it you want to leave town now, just
when he has returned home again?"
You mean Sir Sydney WalcOtt, l
| suppOse?" answers Bonnie, in tremb-
L
| because want to test him. 1t is all
/ quite true what they say. lie has been
coming here for months and months,
as you know, and yet he has not spoken
| to me about-He has not"-with vio-
/ lent effOrt-"asked me to marry him"
! And what of that?" says Cecil, val
/ iantly, patting her shoulder, with re-
! assuring touch. "He wilfask you some
| day, l know very WELL
And, in the meantime. | am to be a
/ laughing-stock 10 nay friends" returns
/ Ronnie. bitterly.
Don't mind that cross old man. dar-
! ling; such a speech as that only meant
an additional twinge Of gout,"
Nevertheless, 1 shall be glad to leave
town; 1 can not bear it longer" says
Ronnie. earnestly. "If he honestly
loves me, he will follow me to Branks-
mere; if not-weu. then, if not"-with
little heaFt-broken sob, Il shall know
/ he never loved me at all.D
/ You viii never know that" is the
consoIing answer-'never. HewiIl fol
! low you. He adoreS you. l feel it-I
know it"
At this ROnnie, turning suddenly tC
her sister, kisses her warmly.
AT all events. this visit to the coun-
try viii decide all things she says
with some renewed hope in her voice
81 trust Uncle Gregory will not put any
obstacles in the way of our going, al
the last moment"
"Ile won't-Major Jervis is out o1
/ town" says Cecil, significantly.
Time proves her words true. Before
! another week has flown they lind them.
selves established in a pretty, old-fash-
ioned house, i'll the quiet country.
CHAPTER II.
The snow is falling fast at Branks
mere. All the air is full Of it. Tn,
wintery wind, coming with a rusl
round the angles of the house. catche.
it and floats it toward the windows
where it clings to sill and pane Tn,
laurels at the end Of the lawn. and al
the evergreens in the strawberries. hav,
lost their individuality and have chang
ed from green to dazzling white. Fal
below, in the bay, the suilen oceaI
rushes inland with a roar, and dashe
against the giant rocks. which take nc
heed of its passion. Above is a sky al
dUli and leaden-hued. below a worlC
m0notonously white-a world in whicl
the trees, bereft as they are of leaves
and gaunt and bare as skeletons, shov
black against its chilly purity.
Cecil. standing at he window, con
templates this dreary picture with
slightly discOntented expression on he
usually smiling face.
"Just like my luck" she says, in
plaintive tone.
Presumably she is addressing he
mother and sister, who are sitting be
fore a glorious fire. piled high with fra
grant pine-wood; but her eyes are fixe'
with mournful reproach upon the de
scending snow.
What, darlfngy" questions her moth