The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1889-08-21
INTERCEPTED.
welcome home, my dearl And

''Welcome home, my dear! And /
hope you will be happy"
A gray, elderly man uttered the
words. as he lifted the slender, dark
girl from a carriage-the Rexford
coupe-which had stopped below the
Rexford terrace. The girl ran swiftly
up the stone steps, and her companion
followed.
Uncle Ambrose" she said, ..why
do you have those dark yews against
the windowsP IwouId cut them down. ="
"Why?"
because they darken the rooms,
and like the sunshine"
81 had never thought of it, but it
shall be done, Lea
Lea passed into the open entrance of
the Rexford mansion. looking about
her. She recognized her surroundings
but dimly. She Lad not seen them
since she was il child of H. She had
been at school for five years.
''Did my grandfather live in these
dark rooms, full of black mahogany
and books? | should have thought he
would have died. she said.
Her uncle looked at her for moment
in silence.
"Your grandfather lived to a good
age, Lea. He was 75."
The girl, who had placed her hat and
scarf on a chair. was examining the
candelabr on the mantel.
"How old and quaint! BY the way,
Uncle Ambrose, did tell you how fond
Harold is of antiquitiesP"
''Do you mean Mr.. Feldon, Leap"
Yes"
"Why do you call him Harold?"
"WhyP" repeated the girl. "Well,
because l am engaged to him."
She spoke with u low. musical laugh,
and looked with open smiling fearless
ness into her companion's face. He
looked startled and then grave.
LEA, you are but II years DID," he
said. gently.
'Seventeen-yes," she answered,
carelessIy, bending to examine dark
old picture set upon the floor. Harold
is very fond of queer old things that
have history"
Ambrose Rexford was silent, but re-
gardcd the girl earnestly.
And that look of scrutiny, deep and
mute, was often upon his face during
the next month.
That he admired his niece there could
be no doubt; her dark imperious beauty
challenged admiration. That she
soon filled him with regret was quite as
certain.
"Lea, he said one day, when she hand
ed him her purse to repleu sh, as was
often her custom, 81 am sorry to limit
you, but | am myself limited. | had no
idea you were such a spendthrift," he
added, smiling.
Il only want my own money-some
of it," she answered, with faint look
of surprise. THAT which papa left
me, you know. Uncle Ambrose. am
buying some lovely things for the
roOms-to brighten them up. They
need it."
A dull red covered the elderly mans
cheek. He laid the glittering little
purse down, we'll filled once more, In
silence and turned away.
And Lea drove to town in the plain
but handsome Rexford carriage, and
purchased marble Clyte. a pair OF
Venetian glasses, and SeVres vase,
and almost the most superb roses she
could find to overrun the latter.
'Aren't they beautiful Don't you
admire them, Uncle AmbroseP See
| these glasses scintillate! l love beauti
full things! And the Clyte is just what
that shelf needed. | am going to have
things as pleasant as can for Harold
| He is coming tomorrow.
"Aud when all is done your HarolC
will be taking you away to adorn an
other house with your vases and roses.
Not while he is poor. He is quite
1 l. s-AsN anU.nt n Isn
/ am afraid" said Lea, assisting
heavy bud to hold its head up. ''Thert
is my money, of course; but he will no
touch it. Oh, but we are young. ant
don't think of marrying yet. Fame ant
fortune will come by the time we ar
ready"
A half-sad, ha!f-tender smile passes
over Mr.. Rexford's face.
MIR Feldon is promising artist,
was all he said.
And when Harold Feldon came to tn
old mansion he was very kind to him.
The young man was already wedde'
to his work and the girl was hal
Jealous that he never forgot it. II
| saetched and copied local colors in a
their walks, and so enjoyed himseI
that his enthusiasm communicated II
self TO her.
He admired the fields and fell
about the old mansion, too, and mad
himself favorite with Mr.. Rexford b
his unworldiy wisdom and simple sill
cerity.
Tie young man was quick to feel til
others kindness.
81 like your uncle so much, Lea!"
s.Uncle Ambrose is well enough
but" said the girl discontentedly-
s.but so close in money matters! ID
never spends any money. Now,
think money was made to be used, an
| spend all can get. 1t frets me-ye
it docs-to have him frown and hes
tate every time want little. VIII;
is a hundred dollars when one is anon
the storesP"
The young man did not reply. d
had seen the time when he had been
agony for less than half that sum.
81 thought, when | left school,
Should have purse of my own, bl
Uncle Ambrose doles it out to me s
that | never have enough!" said ii
girl, impatiently.
Your father left you and all he ha
in his guardianship"
Yes Papa was like me. He like
everything beautiful and gay. Pc
haps he was a little extravagant
money matters. have ethatimpressio
But he sent me to the best school
the country, and never stinted himse
in anything. Poor papa! He di'
abroad. 1 did not see him after w
IA. Uncle Ambrose wanted me
come and spend my vacations wi
him, but had so many friends amor
the girls and always went home Wi