The Delta independent., 1888-03-13
CHAPTER Ii.
ELFIE MAKES A FRIEND.

ELFIE MAKES A FRIEND.
Ellie experienced her first lecture the
following morning.
As soon as breakfast was over Mr..
Ravenswood called her to his side.
sMy darling,' he sa d. Il have an
offer for your hand, which am certain
your good sense and sound judgment
will tell you at once to accept. Lord
Cranburn is everything could wish in
a son-in-law, and he Is coming here
before noon to day to learn his fate at
your hands / might not have given him
permission to speak so soon, but for the
preference you showed for the society
of that play-acting fellow yesterday.
and the marked attention he paid you.
Ellie, my dear child, if that affair be-
came serious, / could not consent to
any such insane match. and hope you
have taken no fancy to him." and he
eyed her attentively.
"Oh. he isvery NICE" she answered
with little yawn, land wonderfully
good company, if he were here should
not feel half SO sleepy and stupid. You
must admit, too, that he is genius.
Tho man is decidedly clever actor;
but such people are not calculated for
domestic happiness"
"ReallyP" asked the girl with appar-
ent interest, "How good it is to have
father to point out the pitfalls into
which we unfortunate women have q
risk of falling! Are these profession
ais all regular wolves in sleeps cloth.
ingp"
"You are not far out, my dear, Sc
you may guess my annoyance at hear
ing your name publicly coupled with
that of Paul L'Estrange. as it was yes
terday. He is no fit companion for you
Ellie, and l do request that you will
avoid him in the future"
"Are you not little narrow minded.
father?" she asked. "An actors can.
not be scamps. The assertion is d
sweeping one."
well, my dear, we need not argue
the point. You understand my wishes
both as regards Lord Cranburn and
Mr.. L'Estrange Look, his lordship is
coming up the drive. You will see him,
"Oh, certainly"
HE is worthy of your esteem"
..He has it. ! assure you. / believe
Lord Cranburn to be one of the kindes
of men,
That is right" returned her fathel
with smile. You will never regIe
your choice, my dear, am sure"
IL am sure 1 never SHALL" sht
answered with a wicked smile.
And Mr.. Ravenswood went off tc
meet his friend well coptented with hi
mornings work.
He shook his lordship warmly by thu
hand.
"Well," said his visitor, "wha
news?'
81 have paved the way replied Mr.
Ravenswood cordially. .It is for yol
to do the rest;" and he led him at ono,
to the room where Ellie was sitting
with bright eyes and flushed cheeks
and, making some excuse, left the tive
together.
..Elfe Miss Ravenswood, begal
Lord Cranburn nervously, 81 am |
plain man. When have a thing t.
say like to say it in as few words as
can; but i6 is not very easy to speal
| sometimes when the heart is full. You
father, however, has opened the wa,
for me; he has told you of my love-"
..He has told me of your offer for m,
hand,'' she said, looking up at hin
kindly; land, you dear old thing, d.
Ike you 50 very much that. had no
| given my word to someone else, ther
Is no knowing what / might have con
sented to do. As it is, Am sure yo
have too much pride and honor to wisl
10 cut out anoihcr person -too muc
truth and loyalty to desire me to braal
NY p'ig'IIed word, =