Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1889-05-30

dDcOlulcIl uOb " W 10 oCChA
It was, perhaps, as a areadjustment of
the balance that she arrayed herself in
her new covert-coat and most becoming
hat to go down to the vicarage that
afternoon. As she walked into the
drawing-rocn, with head held very high,
Mrs. Morrison thought once more what a
very distinguished-lOoking girl Miss Fair
fa= was.
They were very busy over Sunday
school reports when the maid opened the
door end announced, "Mr. Hayes"
Ellie looked up. She was curious to see
the absentee owner of Woodleigh Court,
particularly as his arrival was so unex-
pected. What was her horror to see the
stranger of the morning calmly advanc-
ing, with the self-same amused smile on
his facel The memory of her stern re-
buke of trespass flashed across her, and
she wished herself under the floor.
"Bernard, my dear boy!" cried Mrs,
Morrison, holding out both hands. "This
is pleasant surprise"
CdluC cdIucI ludu was OApCSbOO1
after my usual habit, you see, " he said,
returning. her greeting with warmth.
elbow delightful Of you! Let me in
troduce you to Miss Fairfax"
Ellie bowed stif1y. Mr.. Hayes was
equal to the occasion. sI think we met
this morning." he said, holding out his
hand affably; but the twinkle in his eye
was an insult to Ellie's feelings.
81 am afraid l behaved very badly this
morning, but was so charmed by your
defense of my interests that l hadn't the
heart to undeceive you, he went on peni-
tently. "Beside, l really am a stranger
here, and my own woods are mystery to
me. The Court has been let till within
the last year or two, and 1 have spent so
much of my life abroad that Woodleigh
has never been my home till now."
II am afraid l behaved very badly; I
am sure l must have been very rude, " she
said apologetically. "And there is moth
ing so irritating as to detect oneself in
such a silly blunder," and she looked up
laughing, though she could not restrain
a faint blush at the memory of her IN
lucky speech.
''It was all ry fault" he SAID, eager
ly. He was really quite handsome when
those dark eyes lit up. ''It was quite
too foolish of me! hope you will con-
tinue to wander and steal in the woods,
to show that you bear no malice; and
may come and help Bob with his fern
erv?"
"Oh, certainly, L It won't bore you to
Ceath. I am sure my mother will be very
happy to see you," said Ellie, smiling.
"Who is Miss Fairfax2 It is quite q
new name to me-" he asked of the icar-
ess, when Ellie had taken her departure.
''NIrs. Fairfax is an officers widow
who has taken the Lawn. Ellie is a
nice girl, but her brothers are rather
overpowering. advise you beware
Of them, ;" said willy old Mrs. Morrison.
Of course, he did not take her advice
cutie the contrary. He called at the
Lawn next day, and toiled the greater
part of the afternoon over rocks and fern
roots, to the great delight of the boys.
After that he became indispensable tc
their amusement. He played cricket with
them, fshed and boated with them, and
Joined all their expeditions.
Ellie was deeply grateful to him, fol
the boys were always safe with him, and
they we're ct times rather care to her.
Bob, in particular, had arrived at that
age when boys think that nothing that a
woman says can possibly be right if il
differs from their own opinion, and il
was great comfort to her to find hel
own ideas upheld by Bernard Hayes's au.
thority and influence.
One fine morning Il occurred to Ber.
nard that it would be al excellent thing
if he were to give large garden party
us return for the hospitality lavished OF
him by the neighborhood. Of course thu
plan must be discussed at the Vicarage
and so he took bis hat and went of t.
see what would be said to it.
Halfway down the quaint village
street he met Ellie strolling along in
slow, quiet way, very unlike her usua
brisk pace. She was not alone. By he
side loitered young man with fai
bushy beard, whose air and gait spok
Enthusiastically the sailor. She had de
jected look, and Bernard's practise'
glance noticed at once that she wa
dressed in careless, negligent way, a
though her appearance was beneath con
sideration. u
She looked across the road, and smile'
and nodded at him, and half hesitated
as though expecting him to come owe
and Join her. But for once Bernard wa
blind to the unspoken invitation. He
smile struck him as forced, and there wa
q sudden look of curiosity on her com
panion's face that annoyed him. Fl
merely bowed and hurried on to tn
Vicarage.
Mrs. Morrison was tying up carnatior
in the garden and he joined her there.
"Have you seen Miss Fairfax thi
morning2" he asked, after casual goo
morning and a remark or two about th
flowers.
eyes, l saw her go by just now."
"Who is that with herr"
Mrs. Morrison was silent for moment
then she said quietly: "The man she
engaged to-"
"How do you know she is engagedl
cried Bernard, fercely.
strangely enough. heard it in Il
t--;a.in yesterday. 1t seems to be secre
but wish / had known it before"
Mrs. Morrison went on tyinp I'm h,