Waterbury evening Democrat., 1890-02-15
The House on theMarSh.,
THE MYSTERY OF THE ALDERS.
BIZ 4LoRENcI WARDEN.

iSACo UP lHc SNculuR WIFI IuuSlC. <AlIcE
several of the ladies had given speci-
and l chose Schumann "Arabesque,"
and they seemed astonished because
played it hy heart. heard Miss Reade
whisper:
II don't like her style. That great
difference between forte and piano,
seems to be an affectation."
While was playing, Mr.. Laurence
Reade came in to take his sisters home;
When I had finished, every body
looked at us as he shook hands with
me in rather distant manner; but he
managed to press my hand before he
let it go; SO l did not mind. And
very body listened, as he said: :;
''We heard up at the Hall dreadful;
reports that you were i'll, Miss Christie,
and wouldn't be able to come to the.
school-treat.
''Oh, no, wasn't i'll. One of the
servants gave me alright inthe night, -
said I. IL woke up in the night and
found her ransacking by things. Then
| screamed with all my might, and Mr.,
Rayner came up and called her out
and scolded her"
Twas glad to be able to give this ex-'
PLANTATION, which was listened to with
much attention by all in the room, for
l felt sure rumors had gone about.
Then Mrs. Manners spoke to Mr..
Reade about the bazar and he prom
ised to come and help.
'You are going to have a much
gra, Z affair than usual, l hear" he
said.
1T sounds ungracious to say so,"
she returned. rather anxiously, ''but I
am rather sorry that we have not kept
to the old simple custom. Still, when
Lady Mills offered a marquee, and to
come herself to help to sell. and to
bring her friends, we were obliged to
make difference. But if Lady Mills
men, and they will make fun of every
thing; and l don't want those fast
gentlemen from London to get to talk
ing to the village girls
Il don't think they will want to do
so," said Mr.. Reade.
And in the slight hustle of departure
he whispered to me:
"Wait, and I'll come back and take
you home"
But, when had put on my hat and
mantle, and Mrs. Manners had led mo
down into the drawing-room again, to
say few last words to me, heard
ring and Mr.. Rayner' voice in the hall.
1 started and blushed, and Mrs. Man
ners stopped in her talk and looked at
me very searchingly.
''Mr. Rayner must have come to
fetch you home," she said, coldly.
Iwould not have missed the walk
home with Mr.. Reade for the world.
II am afraid So" stammered.
She looked colder still at my con-
fusion; but there was only one way out
of it. so I burst out:
ooh, Mrs. Manners. Mr.. Reade said
he would come to fetch me! What
shall do?"
"You would rather go with himp"
"Oh, yes, yes"
Her manner changed all at once.
She put her arm around me and drew
me to the French window.
''There, my dear-run out there and
wait at the gate on the left. That
the way they always come from the
Hall. 1t is little deception, 1 am
afraid; but there-go, child, gol He is
good lad"
So ran swiftly across the lawn in
the dusk. The path curved just at the
end, and as Mr.. Reade dashed round
the corner, running, too, fell against
him, and then painted out: II beg your
pardon" very much confused. He had
caught me by the arms, and he did not
let me go, but held them very gently,
while he said;
gize. Where We're you running?"
"I-Iwas going home,' stammeret
in low voice.
"But that is not the way"
said nothing.
"Why did you want to run home so
fast alone, when 1 had promised to
come and fetch your"
IL didn't want to trouble you"
''That Vas very kind of you. But, if
happen not to mind the trouble. may
1 see you home now am here? Or
would you prefer to go alone?'
II would rather go alone. thank
you," said l, though it was heart
breaking to have to say it. But I
thought it was time to show some
/ spirit, for saw that Mr.. Reade did not
believe me
He stepped aside to let me pass, and
raised his hat very stiffly; then his
manner changed all at once.
"Why are you crying! My darling,
didn't mean to make you cry!''
could not stop him-I did try-but
he was SO much bigger than that he
| /
get away:
sob, Mr.. Reade, let me go!' said,
frightened.
But, as 1 held up my face to say it,
he kissed me, and, after that, of course
it did not matter, for I knew that he
loved me and that was safe with him.
remember every word he said to
me as we walked toward the Alders
that night; but, if were to write il
down, it would read just like the same
thing over and over again, and not al
all as it sounded to me.
We did not go straight back, but q
longer way round, for fear the grass
should make my feet wet; and we
passed the front gate and went on to
the side gate that led past the stables.
And there Laurence left me, for did
not want that spiteful Sarah to see him
with me. went through into the
shrubbery SO happy that l could scarce