The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1886-06-10

S0am, arfayeu IN neT StCOnu-DeSI lnlnES,
appeared in the kitchen, where Electra
was mopping the floor.
"Tm going over to see old Mrs. Dim;-
ty. l heard she was ill.," she an
nounced. "And | shan't be back to
dinner, so you needn't mind cooking
any. There's enough left over from
breakfast for you"
And Electra made no comments.
having better discretion than to ques-
ton anything her stepmother chose to
say or do.
1t was a snort time after the dinner
hour when Mrs. Feversham returned
The old woman's pretty i'll, an
promised you might 90 over an stay
all night, an set up. if need be-" she
informed her daughter. You can
walk easily enough, for the snow amt
very deep"
Electra had no objections 10 make,
and it would have made no difference
if she had, as her will was seldom con
suited.
Old Mrs. Dimity lived with her son
and little grandson i'll Il small but
coZy cottage situated in the very heart
of the woodland.
She welcomed Electra cordially, but
disclaimed the need of having any one
to sit up with her.
but I'm glad to have some one to
talk to-" she added, land to look after
things little"
Electra and Mrs. Dimity chatted for
awhile, when the Old lady fell asleep,
and after a time her little boy Sammy
came back from an excursion in the
woods.
Look a-here," he cried, "what
found in tree"
And drawing a crumpled paper from
his pocket, he laid it IN Electra's lap.
"Miss Electra Feversham."
Why, it was her own namei And
with some natural excitement she eX-
amined the contents of the envelope.
A birthday card from Malvern Ira
vers! Electra's cheeks burned as she
read the written words.
"But how could it have got into the
treeP" she wondered.
Sammy could throw no light on the
subject except that he had climbed Il
tree after q squirrel, and putting his
hand into a hollow of the trunk, he
found the paper.
dow to see himr' thought Electra, with
|. Then the thought came into her
mind:
Gould she have been sent away on
purpose?'
And suddenly the truth flashed over
her-her stepmother had discovered the
card and secreted it!
Electra felt thrill of indignation al
the thought.
''It must be so," she declared. but
/ will let him know somehow"
1t was growing late, and Electra was
getting supper in the little kitchen,
when the other boy, Tom. came stamp
ing the snow from his feet.
He was not alone, for Electra could
hear him talking in loud, good-humor-
ed tones.
Presently the kitchen door was flung
wide open, and Tom was saying:
Walk in, Malvern, and get good
warm fore you 60"
Then to Electra he said:
Here's some chicken-jelly an elder
berry wine, Malvern has brought tC
mother; his sister sent 'em. FL just
turn 'em over to you; fur I'm III i
hurry. Stay to supper, Malvern
And away he rushed,
But Malvern did not stay to supper.
He stayed long enough, however, to learn
that Electra intended to remain al
night, and that she would have to walk
home in the morning.
Let me come and take you home il
the trap" he urged.
And Electra consented.
Mrs. Feversham looked vainly from
her window ut sunrise the next morn
ing. No living creature appeared. Bu
a couple of hours later she was more
surprised than pleased to behold hel
daughter and Mr.. Malvern Traver
driving leisurely up to the house.
'Well, declare!' she began, angrily
when the latter had driven away.
But Electra coolly drew out the inter
cepted card. and exhibited it to her as
tonished stepmother, who thereupoI
concluded it would be wisest to hold he
peace.
Truly, the ways of Cupid are past al
finding out. and the mischievous littl
| god has many and diver expedients 70
assisting the course of true love 10 rm
| in a smooth channel.