The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1886-01-02

she plckeu, Su0 rosa, last spring and
gave to little Billy sniffen, in the 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 feyer-poor little mite &
and did long for them so. / knew it
was wicked, but the temptation came
over me so suddenly that couldn't
help it. And now ii Mr.. Raven has
told Uncle Joseph, and Uncle Joseph
is going to scold me"
Elsie drew deep inspiration Of
horror at this idea, but she must face
her fate, and endure it as best abe
might. And in her hes: frOck, which
WAS scant and fasle'i enough IN AT
conscience. she descended with u
heavy heart to the "hest room"
"Bring her in! Bring n,r in 4"
said Uncle Joseph with chuckle.
II never yet sold n yearling calf with.
aut giving the purchaser chance Ia
look at his bargain--ha, ha, ha And
if you really want the child, Squire
-
Mr.. Raven rose cOurteously and
put chair for Elsie as she entered
with dropping head and cheeks
afiame.
1--WE are old friends" he said.
"Are we not ?"
AT the sound nf his geutle, measur-
ed accents, the prickings of Elsie
Linn'S conscience became into cradle.
She lifted her large startled eyes To
MIR. Ravens face.
"I'm very sorry, sir" said she.
"Please, IN never do it any more"
"Do what ?'' said Uncle Joseph,
saring.
II am quite at a loss to understand
YOU" said Mr.. Raven.
"The grapes, please" faltered Ell
sic. getting re1drr and more confus-
ed than ever. II didn't pick 'em for
myself; il was for little Billy Snitfin,
and"
"Never mind the grapes, Elsie"
said Mr.. Raven. "Let me see-how
old are you ?"
Seventeen. sir" said Elsie in a
low voice.
"And / am seven-and-thirty," said
Mr.. Raven slowly. "Do l seem like
very old man in your eyes, Elsie ?'
She shook her head. and then,
embroidered by the fact that Uncle
Joseph had disappeared, and Aunt
b. tsey was drawing water at the
well. she added:
"When / write my novel, shall
make the herojust like you. IwOn't
call him Raven, lest people should
find out hut Rivenburn. or Belrav-
en-. or some such name. You won't
miid, sir, will you 2"
Mr.. R,ven smiled a strange. seri.
Gus smile.
"Elsie." said he. "would you like
to come and live at the Manor
House ?"
Elsie's dusk face frightened.
"Oh, so much ~. she cried. "But
Mrs. Perkins don't want me; she
says Pm too flighty and young"
"EIsie, you misunderstood me.''
said Mr.. Raven. with another smile
~ don't mean as Mrs. Perkins assis
tant-I mean as my wife.
A sudden crimson flooded Elsie's
face. neck and throat. All ofa sud.
den the scales seemed TO fall from
her eyes the world stOud before hel
in its true cOlOrs. She was maiden
out of the pages of romances. Robert
Raven was her lover. He took hel
hand tendprly i'm his.
"Elsie," he said, "could you teach
yourself to love the? For love yOu
with all my heart"
And she cried, "Oh, yesl Oh
yes !" and laid her flushed face across
on his shoulder, and wept and smiled
in turns.
She had entered the room a child
she went out woman, leaning OF
her lovers arm. Even Uncle JOSEPH
noticed the change. and Aunt Betsey
vaguely wondered what had come t.
tour Elsie"
So Elsie's problem was solved
She went to be lady at the Maho
House, to gladden. the heart OF thi
modern Kirg Cophetua who hat
fallen in love with the nineteenth
century Beggar Maid. And as he
dark beauty UlOOmed out into perfec
loveliness. people wondered that the.
had heen SO blind.
} But Mr.. Rtyen said quietly:
Il knew ii all along. When first
saw her picking dai-ies in the park,
knew that she was the most beautif,l
| crpuf tIra in a n tho fulintrv I foil 4