The Penn's Grove record., 1888-08-11

lie ran down stairs and FOUND his
mother IN the drawing.room. The
door of the MUSHROOM was partly
open; he caught a glimpse Of Elsie
standing by the piano, the professor
playing the accompaniment, a rather
prim governess seated in the window,
knitting.
"Rodney. you look more like your
old SELF" said his mother.
Rodney fixed a pair of rather dreamy
gray eyes upon the fire; he vas strange
ly silent, his mother glanced at him
with secret pride. What a manly fell
low he was-hthe and strong, self.
reliant ,and rather masterful. The
grave and gentle expression he had as
sumed became him well.
"MOtherl" he said at length.
"Well, Rodneyp"
"Your ward is not like ordinary
girlsp"
mo, Rodney, she is not. Do you
still think she could be happy in a
boarding SCHOOL,"
"No, mother, you were in the
right" he SAID. 81 acknowledge that"
81 will not send her away from me-"
returned the lady, gently. ''until l
must. when some golden-halred prince
carries her off, as | suppose II will,
some day"
Rodney pulled his mustache medita-
lively.
"IIas she met many of your friends,
motherP" he inquired.
He tried to speak quietly.
"No-but she must soon. l fear she
leads rather a lonely life, although she
seems very happy"
'She has a charming face" he re-
marked thoughtfully.
land Il charming disposition, al
though she does not lack SPIRIT" said
the lady, working away busily at the
screen she was embr0idering. "When
she has completed her studies, l intend
to introduce her formally to my friends.
She Is an accomplished little creature.
Her music master expresses himself
delighted with her, and he is very slow
to give praise.
A light footstep was heard In the
hall.
"Where are you, auntie dearp" que
ried a soft VOICE, and Elsie Fletcher
entered the
The girl started as her eye fell upon
Rodney, who had risen; a faint blush
tinged her cheek, but her frank brown
eyes regarded the young man with shy
curiosity.
"Elsie, darling" said the lady, "this
is my % Kidney, home again at
last"
''Welcome homei" she said, extend
ing a dimpled hand.
Rodney bowed over Is, thinking he
had never looked upon Il fairer, more
tiower-like face than Elsie Fietcher's.
Seating herself upon a low cushion at
Mrs. Morton's feet, the young girl
gazeJ into the tire, feeling rather shy,
and conscious that Rodney's gray eyes
were regarding her. GentIyMrs. Nor
ton stroked the. soft brown hair.
Elsie. what do you suppose this
Young gentleman suggested that /
should Go?"
The girl looked up into Mrs. Nor
toms face in Il pretty, puzzled fashion.
"That l should place you at board
ing-school; he thinks you would feel
happier there, amongst others of your
own age" earnestly regarding the
girl.
"Mother!" exclaimed the young man,
beseechingly. 1t would have been diff
licult to describe his feelings as Elsie's
lovely, childish face was turned upon
him. full of wonder and dismay. "Mi3s
Fletcher, believe me, l did not know
what l was saying, for l had not Q
you them"
The girl cast one grieved look up
lnto Rodney's face.
81 had thought you would be my
friend" she sad. II am disappointed
in you"
Ii she had known half the pain
these words occasloned the young man,
her soft heart would have ached for
him.
''Miss Elsie, forgive me. III go to
boarding-school myself rather than
send you away" with a laughing flash
in his eyes.
Elsie burst into a gleeful laugh, aud
placed her hand in his.
"Thank you, he said, carrying the
slim hand to his lips. 1--WE will be
friends; is it not sop
''Oh, yes, let us be friends" agreed
Elsie, softly; and then her eyes turned
to the fire, and Il shyness stole over
her. She sat still as a mouse, her
brown head resting against Mrs. Nor
toms knee, looking so thoroughly lov-
able that Rodney did not wonder that
his mother should stroke the pretty
head that rested ~cOntentedly against
her.
By-and-by she went to the heavily
cIrtained window, looking out upon
the deepening twilight. Rodney soon
crossed the room and stood by her
side,
at is growing dark, "she said. "The
twilight hou: sometimes makes me
feel a little sad"
"You are very impressionable, are
you not" glancing down somewhat
tenderly.
''Perhaps," looking off into space
with lovely, t~houghttul eyes,. "Don't
you love to watch the lamp-llghterp l
do" continued the girl. "He always
seems to me such a lonely, mysterious
being. | never imagine he is seen in
the full glare of daylight, but every
evening he a be seen coming down
the street. There lie is now-quite an
Old man to brave snow and hail and
rain. | am glad this evening is such a
ine one for his task" in "a voice of
sweet pity, anu Watching MIN WIN
dreamy eyes.
perhaps he works cheerfully all
LAY long at a trade; he looks robust,
his hair is so white"
please do not spoil my fancy; he
does not work all day long; half petu-
lantly. "Iie Is a mysterious person.
age, who springs out of the ground at
iusk; they all do; for who ever heard
Of a Iamp-lighter who died or married
like other peoplep"
Rodney smiled at the earnest, up
turned face of the young girl.
A young man came rapidly along; he
glanced up at the woman expectantly,
aud bit his lip as his eye fell upon Rod
ney. Elsie had drawn back into the
shadow.
"And is that your blond prince,
Miss Elsiep" questioned Rodney, strly-
ing to speak lightly.
MY princel' she said TT+Sse blush.
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