Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1889-12-27

and the beautiful cluster OF flowers
half Gaping from it, made bright
bit OF color against her pure white
dress.
..She's perfectly lovely! don't won
der Lindley delights in his exile II it
is turned into an Eden by such angels"
..Be quiet. Andy" Alex said angrily,
using the old boyish, but much detest-
ed name he had been wont to address
his brother with in former times.
"She might hear you"
al don't care il she does! I've good
mind TO speak TO her. Ask her if
Lindley does live here? You know we
are not quite sure" Ferdinand added
undauntedly.
Alex could not help smiling; but his
brothers idea caught his fancy, and he
seized upon it with an eagerness that
surprised him.
"Come along, then. But don't you
speak, however; you might brighten
her with your rough ways"
"Oh, like that! As if my manners
weren't as good as yours. All the
same you may begin, as | am certain
to break down Mt the Lrst word"
Moving from Lindley's gate they
went bravely to the next, and leaning
over it little way, gazed admiringly
at the girlish form.
81 beg your pardon" Alex began
after moments hesitation. in which
he had had time TO get little con-
fused. but can you tell ne"
Avice, for it was she, turned abrupt
ly at the sound Of a strange voice--a
gentlemanly well-bred voice, such as
they rarely heard, and h"r astonished
gaze arrested the poor fellow polite
query.
Ibid you speak to me?" she asked
in her low gentle tones, and she moved
swiftly toward them. "Can l help
you in any way?"
She meant to put them at their ease,
but instead threw Alex into n tit of
agony such as he had felt in his more
youthful days.
Avice waited patiently, watching
the handsome boyish face regain its
natural hue and expression. She
could have smiled, but delicate sense
of pity prevented her; how thankful she
felt just then that mischievous Nance
was not present. 1t would have been
difficult TO have kept her from laugh
ing out loud.
Gould you tell mel am sorry to
trouble you-but | want Mr.. Lindley,
and am not sure whether he lives here
or farther on"
you mean Mr.. Lindley, the artist,
do you not?" Avice inquired gravely.
Yes, suppose so. Yes" Alex an
swered in growing despair.
He lives next door. | dare say
you will find him at home, though he
is not expecting friends-at least,
don't think So.
"Oh no; we are quite unexpected.
Akind of pleasant surprise" Alex went
on, giving "A ghastly laugh. Good
morning"
Good morning. the girl replied.
and for brief instant the blue and
grey eyes met; then Avice turned
| away leaving the strange new corners
to commence the first assault upon
| Lindley's door.
Il envy that man! He knew what
he was about when he made up his
mind to endure poverty with that girl
sooner than marry his cousin" Alex
exclaimed as they rang the rather
cracked bell.
You are not sure he does love her.
! swatched her closely while you spoke
of Lindley, and there was not the
slightest consciousness in her face
NOT a11ad tipoa of colon. -
Then he must be Internally blind
not to see so sweet a flower blossoming
in this Wilderness.
"Oh, come now, don't get poetical,
or we had better turn back. Clare
would carry on finely If she had heard
you taking the syren's part"
Bother Clare!n Alex muttered i'm
patiently; then he laughed to see Fer
dinand's astonished air.
At that moment the door was OPEN
ed, and Mrs. Dracy appeared on the
threshold.
Her keen gaze wandered from one
| frank face TO the other, but she did not
seem inclined TO ask them their bust
ness, SO Alex, as spokesman, was
forced to begin.
lis Mr.. Lindley at home?r
The woman hesitated, and dissat-
isfed frown crossed her face.
"Yes, he's at home!" she said at
length. What name shall | say?"
"Nisbet. Tell him we have come
all the way from London on purpose
TO see him, and the road from the sta
ton is both long and wearying.m
Mrs. Dracy smiled grimly, and
| opened ore OF low doors that lined the
wall. As the visitors sank restfully
down on the cosiest chairs she banged
the door and left them.
''Well, here we are at any rate.
We've bearded the lion in his den, and
l. for one, don't mean to desert him
yet"
Nor l." Ferdinand answered duti-
fully. 81 promised Clare, and her
wish is sacred thing with me-"
''Be quiet" Here he comes," he
muttered; and with looks of calm
bravery on their faces, but fear at
their hearts, they waited the entrance
OF their host, both hoping he would