The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1886-11-25

her think of all the stories she had read
of enchanted palaces in the realms of fair,
land.
AS Lilias sat on the silken sofa. waitinp
with throbbing heart for the appearance
of her unknown cousin, the thought stole
into her mind that he wasn't 60 much of 8
"miser" after all and then came a sick
sort of misgiving that her mission was all
in vain.
"For surely" she thought, glancina
tremulously round the elegant appart
ment, che will not want any one to make
bread or look after the kitchen expendi
lures. wish-oh, wish that was safe
at home again p s<
The thought had scarcely framed itself
IN her mind when door at the farther
end OF the room was opened, and q tall,
handsome man, scarcely thirty years OF
age, entered.
~ beg your pardon, SIR" falterea
Lilias, all in flutter, "but I wished to
see Mr.. Glencross." /
81 am Mr.. Glencross."
"You ~ Lily rose up tand sat down
again, coloring vivid scarlet, This, then.
was their "AHofF' cousin, and how vide.
ly different from their dreams and fancies!
Apparently the gentleman saw and pitied
her painful confusion, for he said politely :
"May ask in what manner I can be
useful to youp"
81 am Lilias Wayland 70 she answered,
In a tone that was scarcely audible.
"Wayland % A shadow, faint yet dis
tinctly preceptible, overspread his face at
that word, and Lilias saw it with a fail
ing heart. She forgot the labored speech
OF palliation and excuse that she had pre-
pared. She had forgot that he was no
sllverhaired patriarch, but a handsome
young man, surrounded by all the ad-
juncts of wealth and luxury. She remem-
bered only poor Charley and her own
sickening idea of debt, disgrace and ruin :;
and sinking on her knees at his feet, she
sobbed out her pitiful story.
"He is 80 young," she walled, $50
young, surely you will not refuse to give
him another chance for name and fame |!
will work and toil for you until the FIVE
hundred dollars are every cent paid. 1
Will be servant, a seamstress-what you
please, only promise me that you will not
VISIT him with the penalties of the law -
Her voice died into quivering silence,
but her eyes still appealed.
"Rise, Miss Wayland," said the young
man, without a moments Consideration
u promise that this offence of your broth
er's shall be overlookcdsfor the sake of
the sister who has pleaded SO eloquently
for him.
"And what can l do for you ? What
must do? For if cannot repay the
money in some shape or other l shall die
OF shame and modification -
II will take the matter into considera-
tion," said Mr.. Glencross, gravely, yet
not without certain CLEAN of amuse-
ment in the corners of his mouth at the
idea of that pretty, slender creature rem
dering up to him the equivalent of the
five hundred dollars. "And now, cousin
Lilias-for l believe we may claim rela-
tlonship, although it is somewhat distant
Il shall insist upon you as my guest for
while. Let me ring and send for my
mother!'
Mrs. Glencross, a stately old lady in
black silk and Valencinnes lace, welcom-
ed Lilias Wayland with smiling hospi-
tality which belonged to the ancient re-
gime, and almost before she knew it the
girl found herself chatting innocently
away to her hostess, as if she had lived
all her life in the sunshine of that pleas
ant smile; while Paulus Glencross, busted
among some papers at the table beyond,
watch the sweet changing countenance
with a new interest.
81 never saw such lovely face in nv
life," he thought "The profile is as pure
ly Grecian as the face of the Hero on my
mothers cameo, and the eyes are as full
of shifting lights as a diamond! Upon
my word, this little new cousin is an ac-
QUESTION p
When Lilias wrote her happy letter
home that night Mr.. Glencross added q
pleasant postscript and Charley Wayland
knew that his season of peril was over.
Lily had been nearly a month the guest
of the stately old lady in black silk and
Valenciennes lace, when one day Paulus,
coming suddenly into the purple twilight
of the drawing-rooms, found her sitting
all alone with teardrops glittering on
her peachy cheek.
"Why Lily, what is the matter p
"Nothing, Paulus"- had grown
to be good friends by this time-"only 1
have been dreaming very pleasantly, and
the time of waking has come at last"
"You mysterious little sphinx, what on
earth do you mean?"
She colored and cast down her eyes.
'The five hundred dollars, Paulus-
they are yet to be paid. No-don't in
terrupt me. | cannot consent to indulge
your generous impulses. I must pay you,
and there is no other way for me than to
seek situation as governess or instruct
ress in some seminary. So Paulus, l
have written an advertisement, and if you
will be so kind as to take it down to the
Office of some one of the daily papers,
"Give it to me !" he interrupted.
She placed it confidently in his hand !;
lie tore it deliberately in strips.
'Paulus," she cried in amazement.
"Lily, this ls nonsense. Ifyou want to
pay me you can."
in all the world p
"You have yourself-to me the most
precious gift the aforesaid world contains. :"
81 don't understand you."
"Must 1 speak palmer? Well, Lily,
give me yourself: I love you, darling,
and would fain make you my wife. Are
you content to pay me in this coin ?"
"Oh, Paulus p she faltered. 81 never
dreamed of so much happiness"
And so Lilias Wayland's indebtedness
was settled most satisfactorily.