The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1889-08-22

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 windows? Iwould 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 had not seen them
since she was child of y. She had
been at school for five years.
"Did my grandfather live in these
dark rooms, full of black mahogany
and books? l 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. lie was 10.
The girl, who had placed her hat and
scarf on chair, was examining the
candelabra on the mantel.
How old and quaint! By the way,
Uncle Ambrose, did tell you how fond
Harold is of antiquities?"
''Do you mean Mr.. Feldon, LEAP"
Yes"
"Why do you call him Harold?"
"Whv?" repeated the girl. "WeH,
because | am engaged to him."
She spoke with low. musical laugh,
and looked with open smiling fearless
ness into her companions face. He
looked startled and then grave.
LEA, you are but II years DID," he
said, gently.
'.Seventeen-yes." she answered,
carelessly, bending to examine dark
old picture set upon the floor. Harold
is very fond of queer old things that
have a history"
Ambrose ReXford was silent, but re-
garded 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
DC no IcttbI, Hti tdl iii DSduIN
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 replenish, as was
often her custom, Il 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 4 faint look
of surprise. THAT which papa left
me, you know, Uncle Ambrose. l am
buying some lovely things for the
rooms-to brighten them up. They
need it"
cheek. He laid the glitterng little
| purse down, well filled once more, in
silence and turned away.
And Lea drove to town in the plain
but handsome Rexford carriage, and
! purchased a 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! | love beauti-
| full things! And the Clyte is just what
that shelf needed. am going to have
things as pleasant as l can for Harold.
| He is coming tomorrow"
..And when all is done your Harold
will be taking you away TO adorn an
other house with your vases and roses. ="
Not while he is poor He is quite
| poor, you know-artists generally are,
| am afraid,n said Lea, assisting a
| heavy bud to hold its head up. There
| is my money, of course; but he will not
| touch it. Oh, but we are young, and
don't think of marrying yet. Fame and
/ fortune will come by the time we are
ready
\ half-sad, half-tender smile passed
over Mr.. Rexford's face.
Mr.. Feldon is promising artist"
was all he said.
And when Harold Feldon came to the
old mansion he was very kind to him.
The young man was already welded
| to his work and the girl was hall
jealous that he never forgot it. He
| sketched and copied local colors in all
their walks. and SO enjoyed himself
that his enthusiasm communicated it.
| self TO her.
He admired the fields and fells
about the old mansion, too. and made
| himself a favorite with Mr.. Rexford by
his unworldly wisdom and simple sin.
cerity.
The young man was quick to feel the
others kindness.
II like your uncle so much, Lear
Uncle Ambrose is well enough,
but" said the girl discontentedly-
'.but so close in money matters! He
never spends any money. Now,
think money was made to be used, and
spend all can get. 1t frets me-yes,
it does-to have him frown and hesi
tate every time | want little. What
is n hundred dollars when one is among
the storeS?"
The young man did Lot reply. Ht
had seen the time when he had been liz
AGONY for less than half that sum,