Mexico weekly ledger., 1889-03-07
CHAPTER XI.
A LITTLE KEY.

A few days later Carol had a note from.
Miss Everleigh, asking her to make the lat
ter q weeks visit.
ssTell your brother | am not selfish enough
to take you away without expecting him to
spend the evenings with u.s." ran one clause
of the missive, and Carol smiled knowingly
to herself, thinking that this would make
Lyman's consent certain, but much to her
dismay, Lyman seemed to regard the plan
unfavorably.
"We must not presume too much upon her
goodness, he said. 'Ithink, Carol, we had
better keep TO our own quiet life
Now, brother Lyman, you don't think
any thing of the kind. At least 1 don't.
What would be the use of good fortune COM
ing to US il we were not to take the pleas
ure of it, 1t would disappoint you as much
as me not to go, and you know it"
"Would it ~disappoint you, Carolr asked
Lyman, almost wistfully. "Weli. in that
case, go. Ill see as TO myself"
Carol was greeted most warmly by Miss
Everieigh, and kept for u half-hour's chat
in the room which was to be hers during
her stay. Then they went Town to the
drawing-reom, but Althea turned back at
the door.
go in," she SAID. You will find a
friend of yours there. Excuse me a mo-
ment, please. Unjust lay out papa's dress
ing-gown and slippers. I really had no
idea it was so late"
So Carol entered alone, and a young man
who rose rather llstlessly out of a deep
lounging chair, flushed suddenly radiant in
the genuiness of his surprise.
$50, you are the expected visitor!" he
exclaimed. How delightful! Do you know,
I was half dreading tho meeting with
Alfhea's young lady friend, and felt in
ciined to beat a retreat without ceremony.
I an not drilled in the ways of society, as
you probably know, and an very easily put
out of countenance. You don't know what
o relief-what a pleasure this Is"
81 can imagine laughed Carol, mentally
deciding that he was handsomer for the
state of invalidism he had passed through.
He told her that he had been gaining every
day. and only submitted to Aithea's de-
mands upon him because he had nothing
definite in view-not that he felt the need
of further rest.
Still, it was proved that he was not averse
to petting, and the two girls We'd in max
ing the time pass pleasantly for him.. Mr..
Everleigh was we'll pleased at having the
young mar there; Norris caught his eyes
on him now and then, with q speculative
look in them, and the young man found
himself blushing as he tried to decide what
it meant.
HIf it were not too presumptuous to sup
pose, l should say he thinks I am making
love to Al.hea and is not aversc 20 it; but
then he would not be unkigd 70 a coal
HEAVIER II she were to fancy him. Now, /
know she is only kind to me as Il sis.e- is to
o brother, ~but-but-I wish she did not
show it quite so much at all times"
This thought zane when Carol began TO
draw away from them in the evenings.
Norris thought he read q suspicion of some
thing which did not please her in her looks;
and, in truth, Carol was disappointed that
Miss Everleigh manifested no great interest
in her brother as the days went by. Ly-
man had not awaited himself of his invita-
ton, and when Carol made inquiries, Mr..
Everleigh reported him stepped in business,
taking more ON his shoulders than there
was any need, in fact, yet it was evident
that the senior partner was pleased at the
enterprise of his young associate.
However, toward the end of the week he
came, and if he was annoyed at finding
Norris there, he did not show it. The in.
evitable business was not out of his mind
yet, apparently, for he and Mr.. EverIeigh
retired TO the study. aud Norris was sum
moned to Join them after the first half-hour.
ave been turning over an idea all week,
and now that Childer is here, it is time to
speak of it. We are bound to need extra
help. You, Lyman, have just been showing
me how we can extend our connections. but
an iron man could not stand the work you
are laying out for yourself. Now, here Is
Norris with nothing to do, and he is a lad ]
can trust. Why should we not take him in,
give him 4 clerkship first, with the promise
OF advancing him TO the cashiers place. |
am sure we can't do better, nor, | think,
/ can ke.H
There can be no doub. aboa. tho last, !,
/ said Norris, gratefully, then looked search.
fngir at Chiider in an effcs; TO read his
thoughts
b younger partner had d set smile or
his face, but beneath it Norris faueiod hi
could asssea reluctance aad uis.sss, though
what =. ...d was mildly Ia favor of the
plan.
AN u1.a yeu recommend. Mr., Everleigh
Of course viii be satisfactory 10 nj. II
view OF the future it will be we'll enough
still there is no hurry. Bergman viii hardI,
be IN working trim before the first Of III.
year,
q feel well enough now, SO far as that il