Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1892-07-09

leave nm alter all hes done for us"
"Sell, you can do as you like, Lou;
as for me, Pm going at once"
But there was no need of any worry
ing over Uncle Dunkin, for the very next
day he was found drowned in the river,
and the girls left the city within a week
and were whirled away to the North,
through the great, open country, so full
of freedom aud beauty, dotted here aud
there with clean, sunny villages and
within a few hours were safely lodged at
Mrs. Barton's dear old home-picturesque
Oakview.
Once during the journey Lou had
turned to her sister, aud with her voice
so soft and trembling, said:
''Janet, how | wish good old Uncle
Dunkin could have lived to see this. /
should have enjoyed it more If he could
have beea with US"
"I'm thankful he isn't Lou. He was
well enough in our old life, but he
wouldn't do now.
From the date of that speech Lou
had felt a pang of sorrow that was new
to her, and as she sat in the shade OF the
elm tree down by the bridge the change
in her sister came back to her, and she
sighed.
Robert b lrton was Mrs. Barton's only
child, a young man of twenty-five, who
had been abroad for a year, aud was ex-
pected home that evening. The carriage
had already been sent to the station to
meet HIM, and Janet, having made up
her mind to ensnare and capture him
and become the mistress of Oakview,
had been practising the art OF
luxurious leisure from the day of her
arrival.
Lou had remaine1 by the bridge
almost an hour, when she Jaw the car
riage rolling along the lane, aud she
watched it until it rolled u to the gate
and disappeared among the trees that
lined the drive. So intent was her gaz3
and 50 absorbed her thoughts that she
started with a little cry OF alarm whea
she was suddenly awakened by the
sound of footsteps On the bridge close
behind her.
BEG pardon said a dusty, travel.
stained man with Il tanned face, as he
lifted his hat. 81 n sorry thai [ fright
ened yOI. | used to like this walk, and
especially at this time of day, since it is
SO quiet and r%estful, and then the clover
scents always brings back the days of
my childhood, AMI whea we reached the
turn over there / left the carria &c to
walk across to the house"
''rhen you are Mr.. Barton" Lou
said.
eyes; excuse me. I should have in
PRODUCED myself. But whel one has
been away 50 long and is getting home
again he feels wild with pleasurable ex-
element. You, l presume, are Miss
IIariir9?'
al am Lou Harding"
Goa, indeed Well, l an anxious to
meet dear mother, 50 if you are going to
the house we will walk back together"
But little was said by either of them
as they went back across the sward, but
Lou was conscious more THAI once OF
the handsome mans eyes being liXel in-
tently on her.
When they reached the house Janet
affected a manner so cold and distant
and so ~listless that Lou looked at her in
surprise.
That night when the sisters prom
enaded, arm in arm, across the lawn,
Janet asked.
Lou, what do you think OF R)bert2"
81 do not know that [ on ght to ex-
press an opinion" LoI repllel, 'since l
know So little about him"
"Don't you think he is handsome
"Well, no; not handsome, but well
enough looking"
81 hope you like him, Lou, for l mean
that he shall be your brother. D. you
think you will like him for a brother?"
81 shall like him tor your sake,
janet" Lou answered.
"Thank you, sister. Now, sincs YOU
are sucl a dutiful little dun bling, I'm
going to tell you something. Eve got it
all planned out how we are to mana re
when Robert and [ are married and | am
mistress of Olkview. You are to live
with us, of course, aud | know Robert
won't object. Aud as for tue old house,
I'm going to have it overaauled and mod
ernized so that it will be respectable.
And as for aunt and her traps, they shall
be packed off to 50 ne obscure room out
of the way. All, Fin going to have a
thorough renovation, AMI society will
iud OIkv,eT clar ninyly fashionable.
Don't you like thlt2'
ono, [ don't like it, and if I was Mr..
Barton Id never consent to have the old
house changed. 1t is 50 dear in its old,
fashioned simplicity, and, besides, |
know gooi old aunt would not like any
changes. 1t on 5ht to be lett as it is
"You little goose, wlsn will You ever
begin t. lem any5njng2 What do [
care for wlat amt likes, and wa cares
for sim r~licjty2 Dln't [ tell you we are
in society al We must lay aside all old
fashioned nonsense | do hope, Lou,
you won't mprtIfy me with auy of your !
absurd manners and speeches when Rob
ert is present, for if you do l believe l
shall de
Janet printed a light kiss Oh her sisters
brow aud Irippel away. Lou continued
walking slowly to aul tro, ani her face
bad the marks of adcep sorrow.
%'lf tina is to be the outcome of our
riches" she mpsei |, ait would aave been
better for us to have remIine poor for
ever"
Through the succeeding days Lou kept
away from Robert Blrtol as much as
possible. Sac slipped out alone for long
rambles in the fields, or smut herself up
in her room, thus leaving Janet free to
enjoy RI ,ert's company uadisturbel.
Yet Lou was not happy. Unconscious
ly she had learned to love Robert her
self, and as earnestly as she tried to place
him out of her helrG she could not,
One night, when a month had passed,
she walked alone on the lawn. There
was a sad yearning in her soul and a sigh
escaped her. the next moment her
hand was imprisoned in a strong bat ten
der grasp, and looking up with a little
cry she saw Robert Barton bending over
her.
"Lou, he said, "ghy are you so IN
happy
Sac did not speak, bat her han
tremblei aud her eyes were cast do vn.
Lou, . he continued, "I, too, am un.
happy, and oftel Of late [ have sighed.
Can't you, woa't Yol guess the cause Of
my unhappiness3'
II c%anno.," she mlrmureI.
8. Tbuv, ( mus e t,FI ,.N, - L.. ~ mr..