The Sunday herald. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1866-1887, 1886-02-14
THE PRETTY PILGRIM.

"and You can't miss the way First, you walk up
this street about six blocks, and 1t ia straight all the
Si, and still you follow it, almost iii Il gets straight
again. almost to the end OF the curve. You Will see
church on the corner, and the sreen,house s close
and his brother keep It together, and they live in two
houses alike right beside it, Now don't you think
"Yes, indeed said Cecy, 81 always can ind my
way anywhere. what Is 1t you want besides smilax,
"a half.grown tea-rose and some heliotrope. And,
oh! Cccy, q few rose geranlum leaves. You are
such good girl to 90 for me, dear. i there was
her gray waterproof. "You know always do like
10 20 on on exploring expeditions alone. 1 should
Ike to Be pilgrim going over all the world and
"Upon my word, she looks like IT, .don't she,
mother 2" exclaimed Belle laughing with her gray
pilgrimage hadn't some lofter aim than merely to
get me some flowers to wear to Kate Groves recep-
ton"
"How like a schoolgirl you do look with your short
hair"
vember morning, walking rapidly along the frozen
rosy with the exercise, while the wind, blowing
fresh In her face. kept the wavy brown hair back
1t was a picturesque city--it could not help
being, Cecy thought, with such hill in 1t as she
should presently ind the street curving around.
There were houses on the heights above high enough
for eaees eyres and then on the left as she looked
down the descending ground there were houses be-
low. Down there the factory people lived and the
smoke lowered
thought Cesy. was only two days before that she
had come to stay at her aunts, partly to visit and
partly to help Belle, who was getting ready to be
married. For Cecy was an orphan, and went from
one relatives house to another, always bright, hope
full, and welcome.
"But it's getting to be lonesome said ,Cecy to
hpr aaa ho yya a
ones own to go TO-. Now here's this place: just as
soon as get used to all these streets and houses
over over again. But am pilgrim! don't care Il
have to go all over the world. There, I'm getting
away round the hill, and there's the church, and
there, yes, there's the greenhouse"
There 1t was, sure enough-mpossible to miss II,
as Aunt Maria said. II was fine large house
on the side hill, with. smooth lawn In front; and
there, on either hand, were the houses Of the two
Ravels-- handsome brown houses, built almost pre-
cisely alike. Mr.. Rayel and his brother must find
thought Cecy, and through little side gate she
entered and took direct path across the lawn to
the glass door, which was open. j.,
In an ndertone, after she had descended the three
or four steps which took her fairly down into the
greenhouse. She stood there in the warm, fragrant
plants, more than half Of them in full bloom.
walked softly along the boarded path, walled in, as
1t were, by beauty and perfume on either side Now
and then she imidy touched some radiant petal for
a greeting, and bending, she placed her cheek
against the COOL green FERNS fancying herself for
moment back again under the gray ledge In noble
hour among the wild ferns growing there. ''' ="
"But where Ia the gardener" said Cecy at last,
suddenly realizing that she was alone In the green.
late for breakfast, and Belle mnst be ready for the
reception by half.past ten. oh, there's another
door: suppose it leads to where they keep the sand
there. I'll lust look any way"
The door was ajar, and she pushed 1t open thus
finding that It was another part of the greenhouse
on its Shelves and some rough, bristly stems climb
ing up the framework In the centre OF the room
plant, and standing on bench, examining the top
most, was the gardener. Not Mr.. Ravel, Cecy
thought at once. he was not old enough for that hui
probably one OF his assistants. He was handsome
young fellow in rough, gray working suit and knit
vest. Hearing Cecy's step. he turned, and with an
I @
II came for nowers.' said Cecy, proceeding n,
once to business. i want a tea-rosebud and some
"Certainiy, with the greatest OF pleasure I" sale
the young man, springng down from the bench, AND
morning In has relief7'
They went back to the rose shelf, and. with hal
a dozen csSs s m sr bsd
"Why, only want one" she said, IN concerned
voice. 81 have only dollar to pay for the whole
and want heliotropc and smiax and geraniun
"Pay !" exclaimed the young man, in mystnet
tone.
Belle says she never likes to have her Mowers charged
to her. and only wants few TO wear IN her hair to
reception. am AFRAID MT. Ravel VIII oe angry be
too!s ''' nave ''' ~ 'A''' ''''' ''Ds ''''
"Mr. Ravel won't care,o said the young man, will
roses for nothing II you viii accept them"
"Oh, thank YOU" exclaimed Cecy, delightedly
perhaps you are MI; Rayel yourself?"
greenhouse. but work in It more than he does. :
Imagine you have not been here before9n
easy to and NE Mace. thew gave me- SUCH partcula
directions. knew 1t at once by Its being on the sid
hill, and having the two houses JUS; alike close by
Now some sniilvx, II you please-about thirty cents
The gardener cut generous handful Of the grace
"And now the heliotrope7n he said, pleasant
turning to where II stood, and gathered the hand
soonest blossoms he could nnd. Then breaking
with the others IL cecys basket cecy handed hin
Bellies dollar, which he took, colorlng little, an
'" won't 70 You look around among the flowers
little ~ he asked. "There may be something els
"Thsnk YOU" said cecy. thinking that here wa
the most splendid greenhouse With most obligln
gardener she had ever seen. She wished she ha
brought her purse with her, for at such REASONABLE
at Hun Ma ana they would Be- sas
all winter. The young man watched every chang
OF her expressive face, and felt thoroughly please
with his customer, the fearless, bright young gi
who had come upon him like vision as he stoo
pruning his pet rh0dodendrOn. He wished he cOul
| learn her name and where she lived.
nHow much would this cost ~ asked Cecy, timidl
pointing to clump OF pink mountain daisies.
"Bells prennis-"wee modest, crimson-tippe
Hnd she we nj t on pretty cmo
"Eisht cen,s.r
| .l,a hos arof I NH ,
wanting anything, 80 did not bring any money; bl
II you win let me choose a few VIII come to-mo
and t them and pas ior mi Inc von0
radiantly, and Cecy thought she had certainly new
| been waited on by any one so handsome and poll
| fast as abe chose them, which she did with min
ling desire and prudence that made the mischievol
CLEAN shine out OF his eyes more than once !
trope, small monthly rose, and white Gala III
which, he assured her, unblushngly, was on
"Ail these for sixty cents !" exclaimed Cecy,
her pleasure. ~ will surely come for them to-no
row with the money. should like TO take the de-
trusting me. ! am Cecy Leigh, Mrs Hammond
neice; she liyes on the same street further down.
%3h yes Know where Wasd she ,st ye xo saiS
whole greenhouse, u you wanted II. Miss Leigh"
"Your uncle, Mr. Rayel wouldn't be so connding
said Cccy, laughing and blushing.
Then with pleasant good-morning she walk,
trlskly away, with her basket OF flowers and dalsie
The young man watched her out or the gate, al
then, going back to his rhododendron, laughed lor
| and quietly to himself
"oi ali the adventures ever had this Ia the gem
| he said, mentally. ~ fancy i carried 1t oil pref
| well-Ravel's nephew! wastrembling In my Rho
for fear Uncle Guy would come In and spoil II a
What pet she IL. oh, It's capital joker
But presently he became more thoughtful aud
tribe sad, remembering, perhaps, what lonely Il
low he was after all, In spite OF HIS Kind uncle al
Cccy FASTENED home light ted aud light hearte
She was late for breakfast to be sure, but that W
no matter. Belle went Wild over the tea-roses al
helolrope they were too lovely for anything, 81
declared.
"And here was trembling for fear you might n
get any at ALL sho said "for know that the droy
ordered quantities yesterday and the Rayels dol
keep superabundance."
"Why, the greenhouse was one blaze Of brillia
nowers!n exclaimed Cecy.
must have melted the old mans heart
at wasn't Mr.. Ravel himself" said Cecy, blus
| ing wildly. "lt was his nephew"
This nephew? on, that young man Two 30
there sometimes, polting plants, suppose, Gee
you have nade conquest! shall certainly sci
home such bargains But dear me, can't sal
here. l must Ny and get ready for that reception
Many times that day did Cecy caress her pretty phi
mountain daisies; and abe was conscious OF an
wonied excitement as she looked forward TO h
next visit TO the greenhouse. Her Aunt Mai
Tor her plants, where they would be safe from fro
all wiater; aud Cecy, III fancy, arranged and req
ranged Them while she silently resolved TO spend
I least forty cents more In that wonderful gree
house.
Tomorrow came, and forth she sailed alo
Cecy did not urge her. The road already seem
familiar: abe had trayorsod II With such Ohserya