The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1892-06-04

Euston was indeed tedious, and the yer,
worst cab horse Il London drew the
hanson which took me to the house. A
strange servant admitted me.
Eyes, sir. Miss Daniels Is in. Your
card, please
The old reception-rpom seemed TO
have changed; its furniture was newer,
more elegant; it breathed an air Of coz
ventionality that oppressed me: and like
premon1tion Of some impending mis-.
fortune, it made my heart beat a funeral
knell.
The door opened.
threw wide open my arms. "EISier
/ cried.
A stately woman, wearing long flow
ing dress, walked slowly toward me;
and, with calm, courteous voice and
manner, plainly ignoring my emotion, she
said:
"Why, Mr.. Hoyt, l am very glad to
see you. Do be seated. Did you have
pleasant trip home, and do you find me
much changed in these--let me see--oh,
yes, five years or sol But do take a
seat
"Elsie," / managed to gasp, as sat
down, lis this the manner in which you
receive met Is this the requital for my
deyotion2 Have recorded each throh
OF my heart--to--to--3, do not know
whittier my impassioned indignation
would have led, had she not interrupted
me with bright merry peal of laughter,
such as she had often greeted me within
the past.
Then drawing herself up to her full
heigEt-she was only little woman, but
SIZE sat on a high chair-she looked
down at me, and said:
~ Dear, dear mel surely you have not
continued to think of that childish folly.
Why, Mr.. Hoyt, we followed up baby
notion; we spoke Of interlacing our
lives, as If they were toys. But now you
must be-let me see"-she feigned to
meditate-.'yes, you must be fully
thirty, and am woman of twenty-five.
We are different persons"
| do not know what else she said. l
remember only that after hearing her
voice for long time, l rose to go. Ny
heart was broken.
"You will not take 1t amiss, Mr.. Hoyt,
that / have spoken so frankly; will'youa
really wish to count you among my
friends and hope you will visit us often.
am at home Thursdays, and you will
meet very many pleasant-yes, charming
people here. And do you recall, when
was your little sister, Mr.. Hoyt, how
you chided my boisterousness9 l feel
sure you will have no occasion now to
even deplore my lackof conventionality
Indeed, fatter myself that do not
need a mentor any more"
This last stab aroused my indignation.
81 am quite sure of that, Miss Daniels, /"
I said stiffiy. "My only regret is that I
may not be able to attend your At
Homes, as do not expect shall be in
England next Thursday"
| "ohl" she responded, quite as stif1ly.
81 shall very much regret it."
"Good day, Miss Daniels"
"Good day, Mr.. Hoyt."
My hand was on the door knob as
made my last bow. Before could raj So
my head again, however, Elsie had come
to me, and clasped her arms tightly
about my neck; and whist tears of Joy
were raining down her face, she pressed
burning kisses upon my lips.
sob! Frank, Frank, what a bad,
naughty darling you are to mistrust your
Elsie, the same hoydenish, unconveu-
tional Elsie to you that she ever was, no
matter how diguifed and proper she
may be to the world"
l was astonlshed beyond expression.
"Kiss me, Frank" she pleaded con-
tritely. "Kiss me to show that you for
give me, or,"-she again became the
hoydenish Elsie-''Tll tell papa to with
draw his consent"