Iuka reporter. (Iuka, Miss.) 1888-1894, 1889-12-12

ilSI preSent surroundings ana the nome
she has just quilted has its effect upon
her. She is impressed with the air of
solid elegance that everywhere meets
her eyes at Eywater Park There are
no sham pianos here, doing duty as
bedsteads OF night. She feels intui-
lively, rather than sees, the fact that
everything is what it seems to be: even
to the dignified old lady who receives
her so coldly.
Overcome for moment ty the un-
accustomed splendor about her, and
choked by feeling of actual home
sickness that will rise up in her bosom.
Loo pauses before her aunt, and stands
trembling, forlorn and pale on the
threshold of the new home that now
receives her.
Captain Hazard sees her confusion
and her air of humiliation. He turns q
glance full of pity upon her. His look
does what words would have failed to
accomplish.
Loo hates to be pitied. The blood
runs through her veins like fire. She
lifts her head erect, the color leaps into
her sallow cheeks, her dark eyes shine
like stars
The Captains look of pity changes
rapidly from pity to establishment, and
from astonishment to admiration; for
Loo, under the influence of strong emo
ton, is handsome She has regained
her self-possession, and returns Madam
Dundas' greeting quietly.
Really, her manners are not so bad
after ALL" says Madam to herself, as
Loo sinks down upon the seat indi-
Gated to her by her grim old relative.
The Captain tells man servant to
drive down to the station for Loos lug
gage, and this necessitates rummag.
ing expedition in Loo's handbag for
the checks. The brasses found, the
Captain goes his way, and leaves the
young lady alone with her aunt.
u wish to say to you," begins Ma
dam, calmly, 'and I may as we'll say it
now as at some future time, that my
object in inviting you to live at Bywater
Park is more to please the Captain
than from any interest which you may
suppose feel in either your father or
yourself. The Captain has some alb
surd ideas about what he considers my
duty is to you. He feels that the ties
of blood which bind the daughter of
Frederic Bolton to me give you the
right to claim something in the way of
assistance from me-"
Loos head lifts itself triae higher
at this, the color deepens in her cheeks,
her eyes sparkle. Madam, who is keen
ly watching every change in that ex-
pressive face, gloats secretly at the
spirit which shows itself.
Aunt Dundas-perhaps should say
Madam Dundas-l came here for the
purpose OF earning that salary which
you were kind enough to offer in return
for my services. / care less for the ties
of blood which bind us together than
you do yourself. 1 look upon you in
the light of an employer; any other
claim which / might have upon your
time or attention is ignored"
Madam taps the polished floor with
the toe of her high-heeIed slipper.
Then she leads the way into the draw
ing-room, and, pointing to handsome
piano which stands open in recess,
says, not unkindly:
Il am passionately fond of music.
Do you sing?"
"a little, is the quiet reply.
"The Captain plays tolerably, but his
efforts are all instrumental vocal.
l think we will be able to get on very
well together. 1t may be rather lonely
for you to live with an old woman like
me; but l am sure shall enjoy the So
ciety of young girl like yourself. We
will drive to the village tomorrow, and
you shall select some new gowns. All
girls are fond of new gowns
Madam, impelled by some impulse,
stretches out her wrinkled old hand
and lays it on the girls head.
The act breaks down the barriers
that have been rising in Loo's heart. She
is quick to feel the change in Madam's
The warm tears spring to Loo's eyes.
She seizes Madam's hand, and raising
it to her lips cries impulsively:
Il don't care for the gowns, aunt:
only be kind to me. Nobody in the
world was ever kind to me-"
Then she chokes-and half repenting
this show of emotion, drops Madam's
hand again.
And Madam rings the bell for her
maid, who is told to show Miss Boil |
ton to the room assigned to her use, |
and to be ready for the usual five
o'clock tea.
Loo went away, wondering curiousIy |
t she had mortally offended her aunt
in the very beginning of their acquaint-
ance. She has hardly time to make a
Tour of inspection through the apart
ments to which she is conducted, when
her one small trunk arrives.
The maid announces demurely that
Madam has ordered her to take care of
the young lady's toilet, and Loo, not
quite daring to rebel against her aunt's
iictum, submits in silence. The maid
rummages through the small trunk and
lrags out Loo's best gown, pale yell
low thing with scarlet ribbons, which
Loo has in her secret heart thought
masterpiece, to be reserved for very
grand occasions only, and insists upon
'obing the young lady in it. The gown
8 cleAD but il ia cartain1v bacon,inrr