The Delta independent., 1888-03-06
ELFIE.
BY j. S. L.
CHAP TER I.

CHAP TER 1.
LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT.
The Ravensw oods had chosen Scot.
land for their summer holiday, and after
much delib grafton, Muthill in Perth
shire was decided upon,
Mr. .Ravenswood was city merchant,
but could In no wise be called self
made man, for his family was an ancient
one, although for many years they had
been traders. and thought themselves
none the worse for the fact which rem
dered them substantial instead of poor
gentlemen.
The present representative of the name
was a man of some fifty years OF age,
with whom things prospered, and it was
easy to see that such was the case with
one glance at his open face. which was
free from care marks and thoughtful
lines.
He had married when he was about
thirty, and having had time to SOW his
proverbial "wild OATS" he settled down
happily into Benedict, with the woman
he loved as his wife.
One child only had been born to them,
little girl, who made her appearance
apon the stage of life two years after
tneir marriage.
1t was q disappointment to them that
no son had either preceded or followed
her, but they were pleased with the
small being with whom they were
blessed.
She was q dark-eyed child, full of
mischief and fun, and the name which
they has bestowed upon her suited her
exactly.
Ellie very quickly entwined herself
around her fatner'5 heart with her win
ming ways, and was her mothers dar-
ling.
Tney we're not to be blamed, perhaps,
for thinking their one ewe-lamb perfect,
they spoiled her.
Ellie had her own way in everything.
No one must cross her path or her wishes
and they never did so themselves.
What Ellie said was law she reigned
hood. What wonder that when she be-
came a woman they could not control
her
visit to Muthill, and the cho cs was not
bad one. Mr.. Ravenswood went on
and selected a house, which he felt sure
Woulu pl0d90 Lib WIZ anu
Nothing could have been more lovely
than the view from their windows, and
the balcony which ran round the house.
The Grampiln Hills were right in
front of it, with the picturesque town of
Grief at their foot, while Drummond
Clstle lay at ihair ltf:, surrounded with
is magnificent woods.
To ihs right sn open country spread
s,,.< L.. "A l<tt t,l
estates, the residences of the nobility
and gentry of the neighborhood.
Upon the high land on which Hillside
Yves situated (the house which Mr..
Rivenswood had taken), looking down.
the view was exquisite and the air in
vjgorating.
L. was 'the season." and many visit
ors were at Muthill.
M. Ravenswood soon found several
among then with whom he was person
ally acqualnt 80, and excursions were
daily organized, p cnlc-parties formed,
sightseeing undertaken, the entsrtain-
mepts being got up first by one family,
then another.
Sir Walter and Lady Douglass had
he'd possession Of plscs close to Hill
side, and invite d the Ravenswoods to q
picnic in glen some eleven miles dis
t,nt.
1t was a glorious morning the sun
god looked down upon them in his full
msjsst aud splendor.
lhe party were assembled upon the
barJnet's lawn, ald the bright-taced.
we'll l-dressed crew were soon all pa cked
int, TIE carriages of every sort and
rs aud waved their gloved hands as
tley were wbirled away one afi er ancth-
or, laughing merrily as they went along.
Eifie had been separated from her
parents, and found herself upon the
hands ome man for her companion but
il she had been regularly introduced to
him, she had missed hearing his name
and had no idea of it whatever.
However, that did not. distress her
one bit, for che was no prude, and she
was close undsr Sir Walters ewD wing,
for hs was driving the trap himself, and
whoever her companion was he was her
hosts guest.
E fie was not one whit shy, and she
had made up her mind to enjoy herself
thoroughly. So when the stranger
showed disposition TO be friendly, the
girl res d;ly met him half way, and long
DelOIc ln9 OrlVo was over, Inc man
handsome mesmeric eyes w,re fixed up
on her with deep admiration, while his
mobile mouh h, which was hidden by no
II on stache, showed that he fund 10th
plea urs and amusement in her society.
And Elfie's feelings were quickly di.-
cernible in the sparkling, dsrk, laugh
ter-loving oros, the aucv tip tilted nose,
the mutinous little mouth and the flush
ed cheeks.
"feu like drivingP" said he, inter-
rfgatively.
That depends upon circumstances.
che laughed. 1.-The Row is an abomina-
lion to me, but this i, delightful it
makes one as trash rs o twO-year- old"
Would vdu not have preferred the
front seat P" he enquired with apr aren't
innocence.
..Nv, shouldn't don't like talk
ing to maj cd men their wives are al
wtys jsaloue, and then one has to suffer
Cor Il. their toneu ues are SO wondrous
attys. Iwculd r-ther be here.''