The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1891-06-25
/! UNWILLING GUESTS.

coast of Scotland, heaves like a sheet OF
liquid gold in the sun-rays, changing to
emerald in the shadow Of the sentinel hills
where the waves run up the loch. This IS
no fresh-water lake, but an arm OF the sea.
running inland between gray rock, and pur
pie mountain, and fair green braes.
On the right shore of the loch stands an
old grange, its stone walls softened and
tinted by moss, and lichin, and shining IVY.
Behind the house rises the dark forest OF
frs. and, yet higher, purple moor and dls-
tant peak Within, the grange is cosy and
comfortable The front door opens at once
into the living-room. Doors on the right
and left of this apartment lead to other
rooms, one being the library. Beyond the
library, and communicating with It, are
several rooms, recently added to the build
ing, and furnished in more modern style
than the rest Of the house.
In one of these rooms a dark-eyed brown
haired girl is standing by the open window
through which the sunset streams.
sit is a most beautiful place." she says
sand the fact of not being on speaking
terms with ones host gives just the excite,
ment that makes it perfect Why did you
not send for me sooner, Aline! To think
that you have been enjoying all this for q
whole fortnight already"
81 have not enjoyed it at all, responds her
sister, a fair pretty woman, some years
older. eYou see, / have not been able to
get out much But now that you are here
dare say l shall like it better-though, of
course" she adds, II feel the awkwardness
of our position"
"Wen. I am dreadful sorry for Henry's
broken leg; but you tell me it will soon be
as well as eyer, asS e cc.4r=-e 7 csssa.:.s oce-.
Germ myself about it as much as you do
he's not my husband. / do wish you had
sent for me at once Is there nobody here
to help you nursing him9"
Il have had plenty Of help. There are an
old housekeeper, Elspeth, who is always
ready to do anything, anl . man-sefvant,
who waits upon Henry entirely. Still ]
have not found our stay particularly agree
able did not like to interrupt your Edin-
burgh visit"
81 wish you had After I had seen the
'toon,' as everybody called it, 1 was very
dull indeed Here | SHALL really enjoy
Bonnie Scotland AS for what you term
the awlzWardness, l enjoy that most of ALL
Do you really mean to say that you and
Henry never see Mr.. Munro? What is his
Christian name, by-the-way!"
''Archibald"
archibald! II rather like it. 7 sup
pose his friends call him Archie. Do you
never see Archie Munro l can't imagine
how you can help doing so if you ever go
out. This is queer house-no hall; one
has to pass through his sitting-rOom"
Mr. Munro generally goes out shooting,
and does not come home till dusk"
''And you take the opportunity of slipping
out while he is away! [ understand. I
shall learn the ways of this establishment
in time"
"Of course, pursues Mrs. Thorburn, 81
have seen Mr.. Munro once or twice"
'sBut when and how! What is he like?
What did he say? What did you say?0
'sReally Sylvia "-and Mrs Thorburn
laughs. ''WelI, saw him after Henry had
been brought here. I told you how the ac-
cident happened Henry slipped down
on the mountain-side, and broke his leg?"
Sylvia mods.
eve did not know then that the Grange
belonged to MIR Munro" continues Mrs.
Thorburn. tOur guide ran here for help,
and the servants carried Henry in, while
one Of them went for DR. McKie. Mr..
Munro came home about an hour later
/ explained the reason of our presence and
he kindly wished US to remain till Henry
was well Now you know all about it,
Sylvia"
" 4'No, / don't ] wish to know whether
Henry has seen him"
''Mr. Munro proposed that; but Henry
thought the interview could not be pleasant
to either"
Glow unfeeling," cries Sylvia, throwing
knew was coming, and should naturally
wish to behold the individual of whose
hospitality I was to partake! What :. stu
atiOn Taking possession Of a mans house
at least, of half of it-and never seeing or
speaking to him! l declare it is modern
version of Beauty and the Beast
I must positively inspect the BEAST must!
Now, Aline, don't look SO solemn. You
have married a man who cannot see joke,
and you are growing just like him"
How can you be so absurd, Sylvias
You had better come and talk to Henry a
little"
Sylvia obediently follows her sister to the
room in which Mr. Thorburn is lying prop
ped up by pillows, and with pile Of news
papers beside him. He is thin sallow
man, with a high forehead and slow
measured manner of speaking
Rather pity to bring you here. Sylvia!
he observes. II am afraid you will find this
dull Aline did not urge you to come, did
shea"
"Oh, moi But was very sorry indeed to
hear of your accident, and supposed you
would both be glad of my society. Besides,
1 thought it so good of the,ogre to send me
an invitation that | must needs accept 1T.
Mr.. Thorburn looks mystifed, and turns
to his wife for an explanation.
Sylvia means that your cousin, hearing
had a sister staying in Edinburgh wished
me to send for her if I liked
''This place ought to be mine" Mr.. Thor
burn remarks. after pause; but his wife
speedily introduces a fresh topic of CONVEX
sation.
After while Sylvia returns to the sit
ting-room. During her absence old Elspeth,
cook and housekeeper at the Grange, has
placed lamp on the table; but the window
is still wide open and the curtains are un-
drawn, SO that the whole room is distinctly
visible to any one passing outside.
Since her DarentS' death Sylvia has lived