The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1889-04-18
THE HOLLOW ELM.

Up the broad road to the great door
which stood Hospitality open, rolled
the Harrington carriage. In a mo.
ment its occupant had alighted, and in
another she was clasped in the arms OF
young and beautiful girl.
so you have come at last, Maud:
am so giadi / have endured this
solitary grandeur long enough, and
| feel as if needed someone to enliyen
me up. But | shouldn't keep you talk
ing here-you must be tired. Come
this way to your room" and winding
her arm lovingly around her friend
waist, the young mistress of the house
led her guest To the dainty chamber
allotted to her use.
and smOoihed her hair, Maud Gresham
sank into an easy-chair, which stretch
ed out its velvet arms invitingly, and
drew long breath.
''Yes, Maud, isn't it wonderful" ex-
claimed Riene. You see. | know what
your thoughts are. It's just like a
story! A year ago you left Riene
MallOy poor companion, with only
two things to make her of any inn
po:tance-namely, good French ac-
cent, which she came honestly by
through her foreign mother, and a
pair of passable blue eyes, which she
inherited from her Irish father; now
You return and find her Miss Riene
Malloy Harrington, heiress to ever so
much money, and mistress of a fine
old place.
Riene laughed as she spoke, aud
coming to her friend she drew back
her head and pressed kiss upon her
lips.
'But you shall see. my darling Maud,
that all this magical change has made
no difference in your Riene.'
II have found that out already"
answered Maud, as she returned the
caress.
Then Riene seated herself in another
easy-chair, and the two friends chatted
over all that had happened since they
had last seen each other, until the first
bell rang for dinner, when Riene fitted
off to her own apartment to dress. leav-
ing Maud alone to do the same.
After dinner, as they sat busily en-
gagged with their crewels, Maud looked
up from a rose which she was shading,
with:
"Riene, / forgot till this morning
something want to ask you. When
l gave your imperative command to
brother Carl, that he should spend a
few weeks at Harrington, he said that
he should be delighted to come, but
about that time he expected to have a
friend with him. l said that l knew
MIR. Devon was an old acquaintance of
yours, and l thought you would be
Il a. l.
him | would ask you, and write, and
let him know"
As Maud spoke, she was surprised to
see brilliant flush suffuse her friends
face. But in an instant Riene had con-
trolled herself, and replied:
why, certainly l remember MIR.
Devon well, and should be pleased to
have him come with Mr.. Gresham.
The more the merrier,' as the old adage
has it,"
But Maud was not deceived. She
saw with her quick wOman's wit that
there had been something more than a
mere acquaintance between Riene and
Stanley Devon. But she wisely kept
her surmises to herself.
So the letter was written, inviting
Mr.. Devon to Harrington. and the fol-
lowing week brought the two gentle
men.
As Stanley Devon entered the draw
ing-room with his friend, to be pre-
sented to the lady of Harrington, he
was not prepared for the surprise
which awaited him.
There stood Riene, her sweeping
silken robe giving an air of new dignity
to her petite figure; but with the same
| beautiful face as of old, with its deli
cate foreign features and laughing
Irish blue eyes.
Graciously holding out small hand,
she came forward and greeted Mr..
Gresham, then she turned to Stanley.
You do not recognize Riene MallOy
in Miss Harrington. see." she said.
Stanley flushed, and tiny smile
| lurked around the corners of Rlene's
mouth as she noticed his confusion, aud
added:
We'll, it is no wonder, as you were
abroad when it happened. So you
never heard that old Lady Harrington,
after making daily martyr of hel
poor companion for four long years,
Suddenly died, and in her will, on con-
dtion that she took the name Of Har'
rington. left all her worldly goods to
that same poor companion-whose
kindness to her, she said, had touched
her lonely old heart'?"
Thus coolly did Riene explain mat
ters, and then, with tact unusual "
one SO young, she changed the sub
ject.
Soon all were chattering animatediy
together, and before long Stanley
Devon forgot his embarrassment.
Maud watched her friend curiously
She could not make her out. She fel
sure that there had once been some
thing warmer than friendship between
Riene and Mr.. Devon; but their Slan
ner towards each other now puzzleC
her.
Riene always was charming; sh'
talked we'll and looked wen; while Mr.
Devon ALWAYS seemed fretted and i'll a
ease.
So things went ON until the day ar
rived for the tete, for which they hat
been preparing for some time. From
every nook and corner of the spaciou
mansion rippled out girlish laughter
mingled with deeper tones; for tn
house was Tiled with guests who hat
readily assembled at Riene's invita-
ton, we'll knowing her powers OF en-
, tertaining.
Among the number was one youn
: lady who seemed to direct her smile
particularly towards Carl Gresham
handsome friend.
She was lively, and a helle; aud Stan
ley, nothing 10th, suffered himself. t
be monopolised.
The fete was q succsss--so every on
declared; hut when Maud. toe excite