The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1886-01-20
LAURENS G. H., S. c.. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 20 1886

to little Billy Sniilen, in tho road, the
last day she was at the Manor House.
There were such lots of them" she
argued with herself, changing there in
the sunshine, all purple and fragrant,
and Billy had just got over the scarlet
fever-poor little mite!-and did long
for them so. knew it was wicked, but
the temptation came over me SO sudden
ly that couldn't help it. And now if
idr. Raven has told Uncle Joseph, and
Uncle Joseph is going to scold mo"
Elsie drew deep inspiration of hor-
ror at this idea, but she must face her
fate, and endure it as best she might.
And in her best frock, which was scant
and faded enough in all conscience, she
descended with heavy heart to the
''best room"
Bring her in! Bring her inr' said
Uncle Joseph with u chucklc. II never
yet sold even ycarling calf without
giving the purchaser chance to look ut
his bargain--ha. ha. ha! And if you
really want the child. Squire"
MIR. Raven rose courtcously and put a
chair for Elsie as she entered, with
dropping head and checks aflame.
1--WE arc old friends" he said; "arc
we not?'
At the sound OF his gentle, measured
accents, the prickings of Elsie Lnn's
conscience became intolcrablc She
lifted her large startled eyes to Mr.
Ravens face.
"Im very sorry, sir" said she.
"Plcasc, I'll never do it any more"
"Do whntp' said Unclo Joseph, star
ing.
"I am quite at q loss to understand
you said Mr. Raven courtcou,ly.
"Thc grapes, please faltcrad Elsie,
getting rcddcr and more confused than
ever. II didn't pick EN- for myself; it
was for little Billy Snilon. and ="
Never mind the grapes, Elsie" said
Mr.. Raven. "Lct me see-how old are
your
"Scvcntccn, sir" said Elsie in a low
voice.
And am scven-and-thirtyw said Mr..
Raven slowly. "Do seem like very
old man in your eyes Elsic?"
She shook her head, and then, en-
boldcned by the fact that Uncle JOS
cph had disappeared, and Aunt Bet
scy was drawing water at the we'll. she
added:
"Whcn | write my novel, shall make
the hero just like you. | won't call him
Raven, lest people should find out; but
Ravcnburn, or BaravGn. or some such
name. You won't mind, sir. will youp''
MIR. Raven smiled strange. serious
smile.
Elsie" said he, would you like to
come and live ut the Manor Houscp"
Elsie's dusk facc frightened
"Oh, so much!' she cried. "But Mrs.
Perkins don't want me; she says I'm too
highty and too young"
Elsie, you misunderstood me-" said
Mr.. Raven, with another smile. AZ don't
mean as Mrs. Perkins assistant-I mean
as my wife.
A sudden crimson flooded Elsic's
face, neck and throat. All of sudden
the scales seemed to fall from her ewes;
the world stood before her in its true
colors. She was maiden out of the
pages Of romance. Robert Raven was
her lover. He took her hand tcndcrly
in his.
Elsie" he said. "could you teach
yourself to love me? For l love you
with all my heart"
And she cried, "Oh. yes! Oh, ycs"
and laid her flushed face across on his
shoulder, and wept and smiled in turns
She had entered the room child; she
went out q woman, leaning on her
lovers arm. Even Uncle Joseph no.
ticed the change, and Aunt Bctscy
vaguely wondered what had como to
"our Elsie"
SO Elsic's problem was solved. She
went to be lady at the Manor House, to
gladden. the heart of this modern King
Cophctua who had fallen in love with
the nineteenth century Bcggar Maid
And as her dark beauty bloomed out
into perfect loveliness, people wondered
that they had been so blind.
But Mr.. Raven said quietly:
IL knew it all along. When first
saw her picking daisies in the park,
knew that she was the most beautiful
creature in all the country | fell in
love with her then, and have been in
love with her ever since"
But to Elsie tho whole thing seems
like dream out Of the Arabian Nights.