The morning call., 1890-07-01
CHAPTER II.
MISS cAvAN's LAST DISCOVERY.

MISS CANAN'S LAST DlSCON Eh1s
Gray felt well enough on the morrow to make
his appearance at luncheon. Perhaps curiosity
had 81 ven Il fllip 10 his movements; II Is certain
that lie felt keen desire TO know whether Mrs.
Lorton had been induced TO dismiss her gov
eTueSs. Oddly enough, too, he had spent 4
wakeful time In tie middle of the night in re-
calling Popnies pr ases OF her dear Miss Alnsiie
and meditaling on The generous sympaihies as
played by the young gill whom Euphemia CaYan
pronounced moi TO be rusted.
BY some strange chance he encountered Evelyn
AiDsie on The stairs, just as lie mad contiived 10
let fail pile OF pamphlets lie was about to re-
turn 10 Their shelf in the doctors study.
Without the slightest hesitation she sprang 10
his assistance, gathered up the scattered book
let's, found The place OF loose leaf and pinned 1t
in, ana so packed them altogether that they
could be tucked under Mr.. Denlsons arm with
less danger OF another mlshap.
When this was done she went her way, family
smiling reply to his few words OF thanks; OF
her downcast face he only obtained a brief
GLIMPSE, but il enabled him TO see that her soft
BLACK eyes were sweled with weeping. The mis-
chief maker had done her work. Poor, friendless
Evelyn Ainslle had received her dismissal. and
Grays hatred OF Miss Cavan rose higher than
before.
Dr.. Lorton rarely contriyed to appear at the
luncheon table. III had to suffer the penalties
Of large and increasing practice, and snatch his
meals whenever lie could get few minutes
leisure.
But Mrs. Lorton and Miss Cavan were stand
ing at The luncheon tray, bending over small
square object that lay beside Gray's plate
/ recognized II Immediately" the charming
color-the peculiar-Oh. dear me, Mi. Denison,
is il you?"
Was it an embarrassing consciousness that
Gray must have seen how she was employed,
aud heard her unfinished sentence, that made
Miss Cavan address him SO stlfiiy? Mrs LortOn,
toe, was she acluated by the same causes when
she Redeemed stammeIed In her greeting, and
behaved quite unlike The genial hostess who had
hitherto seemed as aifectionatey anxious for
Gray'S recovery as her husband.
Ii was a relief 10 see the door open, and Pop
pie follow Into the room the servant who brought
up one OF those appelzug curIies of which Miss
Cayan had always taken the credit.
BPuppie flung herself on uncle Gray. and when
tarIly called to order by Miss Cavan made such
cOnlical gfmace at that lady that she was
Threatened with expulsion unless she behaved
better.
AS the little maiden was hungry this threat
reduced her to submission. She sat meekly De-
side her mother, and her voice not heard
again iii the cravings oil her appetite were APP
peased.
Then her chattering could be no longer re-
pressed, and everyone else was unusually
silent that POppie had The field TO herself.
Uncle Gray. what does II mean, leaving it to
Peace, you troublesome chatterbOx!" NUT
tered Miss Cavan angTily.
Little girls mustn't ask questions" said Pop
pies mother, in the same b. cath.
But Popple persisted In repeating her inquiry:
81 must ask because want 10 know. When
mamma scolded Miss Ainsiie this morning. and
Miss Alnslle asked what she had done to make
her so angry, mamma said something about
leaving II to her conscience"
% Tue poor ElTI Hdu DtBll Sharply leCtureQ on
her heinOus otfensesl II possible Gray detested
Miss Cavan more bitterly than before; but he
eved his hostess. embarrassment by inviting
the little 81 IN TO come and assist in opening lhe
letters the second post had brought him.
Why did Mrs. LorlOn aud her sister exchange
such significant glaDces? and why did they fix
their eyes on a certain pale PINK envelope of
rather unusual shape and dimensions, addressed
to Gray Denlson Esq, in very pretty feminine
csligraphy?
Quite unconscious OF their interest In bis cor
respondence Cray picked up the pink envelope
aud lmmedia tely there was a burst OF delighted
giggllng from Poppie who pressed closer TO him,
watching his movements III u state of suppressed
excitement.
"Hao!" cried Gray, beginning to discern that
there was something In The air. q Do YOU know
anything about this letter, young lady?"
- It's a secret" said POpple, Importantly. "a
body"
"Do you hear that, Jenny asked Miss Cavan.
In sepulural tones. do you hear how your
Innocent chlld's principles have been tempered
with? ?"
Mis-. Lorton, now really distressed, arose and
sat down again; while Gray, prrplexed beyond
measure, TOOK foppie on his Knee and tore open
the mssIVe.
Out fell a childs drawing-a bunch of flowers,
painted or rather daubed, in crimson, lake and
ulti amarine, with leaves Of marvellous shape and
color.
- It's your valentine, uncle Gway," cried the
delighted POppie, with all a child's pride In her
achievement: " aud dld II all myseli--every bit
65edgse knew you'd be 80 pleased with t.
directions and posted II at RenWoItb, so that
you might not know who sent 1t to you"
Before Gray Iequlted the little girl by covering
her rosy face with kisses, lie bent on Eupnemia
Cavan such stern look OF rebuke that the Of
Tended splnster determined 10 20 and spend Z
few days with a dear friend, and not return to
The LOTIONS I'LL this silly AFFAIR had quite blown
over.
When she did come back Gray Denison was SO
nearly convaleseent as TO be talking of return
Ing 10 bis Work in tile East.
"Alone Oh, surely you viii not go aloneP'
sighed EupheInia.
Mrs. Lorton smiled, and the doctor coughed
behind the newspaper With which lie WAS enjoy
Ing half an hours leisure; but Gray, though his
color rose, answered promptly and uDhestat-
iugly:
" Dol 60 alone? l hope not. Only this morn
Ing asked DEAR good girl 10 accompany me,
aud she did not refuse. Evelyn Ainslie, Miss
Cavau, has consented 10 be my wife"
81 It's great risk ~ gasped the disappointed
maiden.
" Not at all. Her conduct when cruelty mis-
judged first taught me 10 love her; II proved That
she was WOMAN not only TO be admired, but 10
be trusted and am sure she Will DO honor to
my choice"
declaration to which the mortified Euphemla
could make no reply Lie.