Democratic messenger., 1888-11-03

Some clarmi : followed. There
were excnrsis Ae river, long strclls
J ss.ss:..s:...s-.s. : -. aud readings from favorite
poets. I would have been happy had not
LeI,aron Swallowed me wherever I went.
Sometimes I eludcd him, and had quiet
walk and chat with Mr.. Worcester; and
then Il dawncd upon me that Aunt Eve
lyn did not relish the idea Of my receiving
any attention from her friend.
One evening Mr.. Worcester and l had
sauntered down to the riverside, and sat
In the cool shadow Of tree. while we
watched the brook In the distance and
talked Of many things. Amer while he
said:
"Stclla, if this goes on, people will say
that we are too much together, and Aunt
Evelyn will scold you, maybe. Have you
thought Of that?
"Shc does not like our fricndshipa bit,' =
] replied In my simplicity.
"Ah I thought as much," he replied.
"l,ut VIC do not care for that, do We, Stellar
smiling down into my eyes.
II didn't much mind Aunt Evelyn; II
she is cross and insists In this LcBaron, I
can go home" said.
"0h, Il must not come to that r. he said
hastily, and as met the gaze Of his ten
der, sympathetic eyes grew hot and flush.
cd In confusion.
A short time after this seriously Of.
Tended my aunt, and she treated me TO a
long and severe lecture upon what she
called my Irritation with her friend. She
said had been disappointment to her
from the first; she had no idea I was Sd
obstinate and willful. As for Worcester,
he cared nothing about me. and was only
amusing himself.
"You love Worcester, Stella" she ex.
claimed suddenly, closely watching to see
the effect Of her words.
"What does II natter" cur,ly answer.
ed.
"Don't equiyocate-tell the truth :! she
said, looking at me with angry eyes.
That's my affair."" jerked out IN a
manner decidedly emphatic.
well, you had better not grow sen:i-
mental over Cyril, because he is not q
marrying man, and if he were he would
choose woman Of the world for his wife.
So you must not snuh LeEaron, who is So
kindly disposed toward you that he is
ready 10 take you at any time. Don't hc
foo, and throw away certainty for an
uncertainty
Then she left me alone TO think Of her
words.
After this was shy Of Mr.. Worcester.
who was much in my aunts company. II
is true she sought him, and that kept
out Of his way, and he could not be rude
TO lady in her own house. But never
thought of the case, and became profound.
ly miserable.
One evening soon aitcr. the entire par.
" had gone off TO some place of amuse-
mcnt. To cvade lie Baron ] remained at
home. was passing alc> the hall, mis-.
erably wondering il,sE Worcester was
my-aunt's escort N. just as passed
- gparlor doS 40 should emerge ~
yrll hIms6s
wy .ar. a, you here: In disO' :.
7! laughed. ~
.! did not care TO with the
o" explained.
Ah--anothcr of my Stella's devices to
avoid certain obnoxious suiior! thought
as much. Aud you are wcllg'
"Qui,e," said, smiling. "Bu, how is
it that you are here."
"wcll." you see, never meant to go
with the party, therefor. stayed away
until after their departure. have been
meandcring around the house wondering
II you had gone" he said, sailing down
at me.
did not answer II was all so uncx.
pectcd, so very nice and pleasant To he alone
with no danger of intrusion for some
hours, that forgot he was reported to be
aunts lover, and in all probability would
be her husband.
ave are going TO make the most Of our
time together" he remarked, "now that
those tiresomc people are gone--and es.
pecially this LeBaron. Why don't your
aunt marry the fellow herselfs She seems
to think him perlec, paragon"
l was silent. What did he mean by
such crraiic talks Then lie went on TO
ask why had avoided him of late. and
told the truth.
Does Mrs. Roe really torment you
thus 7" he asked in surprise.
"Yes: she is determined that shall be
Mrs. LeBaron.
"Stella," he said with sudden energy,
':let me stand between this fellow and you
III promise to keep him at bay for life.
II Will you be my little wife. dear ?"
Your wife. Mr.. worcestery Are you
lot going to marry my aunt, then :"
l"Nol if have chance Of becoming her
nephew" he gayly replied. "You blind
little mousse Could not you see that was
courting the aunt for the nlecs's sake
the little niece with whose picture ! fell
In love before ] saw the original. Why.
deaf, that is what brought me here in the
first place."
We'll, do nc, know how It all came
about, but ! let him Kiss me, and he said I
was his darling stella now and always.
The next day we went on n river cx.
cursion. When all were ready for the
start l.ebaron came towards me. but one
look brought Mr.. Worcester to my side
and he appropriated me just as coolly as