The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1892-07-13

Thank you, and at the same time
let me assue you that /, too, am en-
ioying myself excellently well!" and
Hugh bowed to the young girl, whose
eyes dropped beneath the warm light
of admiration in his blue ones.
81 hope you will enjoy your visit,
Mr. Colewood," she said, to change
the subject. 81 know Mrs. Thurston
and Ethel will do all they can to make
your stay pleasant"
"Thank you; I've no doubt l shall
find it pleasant, returned Hugh. "You
too, are one of Mrs Thurston's sum-
mer household, l SUPPOSED"
yes" with smile. "You see am
a distant relative to Mrs. Thurston;
then Miss Wayne is my cousin, and
exercises a kind of cousinly guardian
ship over me, which no doubt is neces-
sary.
$50 you are Miss Wayne's cousinP"
I do not remember hearing Nj. Grams
ton mention you. I did not expect to
have the pleasure of meeting any ladies
but Mrs. Thurston and Miss Wayne"
"How unkind in Mr.. Cranston not to
prepare you for this meeting" and
there was roguish CLEAN in her eyes
which Hugh did net see. Il had up
to date regarded Mr.. Cranston as one
of my best friends, but to ignore me
utterly, when he knew l would ac-
company Cousin Ethel here, looks like
downright intentional neglect"
"You have not given me the pleas
ure of knowing your name," said
Hugh, both amused and pleased with
his pretty driver.
ooh, I'm Wayne, too, she answered
laughingly ethel Estella Wayne,
variously nicknamed, as you will OBJ
serve later on"
Two Ethel Waynes! Here was real
surprise for Colewood. Why had
Cransten not mentioned that strange
fact to him?
If the Ethel Wayne referred to in the
will was only half IS animated and
generally captivating as the one by his
side Hugh thought it might be an easy
matter after all to obey that condition
which had so vexed him.
Colewood received cordial welcome
at Mrs. Thurston's pleasant home. He
found Miss Wayne to be tall. digni-
fed girl of about twenty-three, with
coal black hair and deep gray eyes.
She was as unlike her little merry
hearted cousin as it:was possible to be.
Yes. Hugh decided she was just such
woman as his eccentric aunt would
be likely to select as the wife of her
heir.
In the weeks which followed Hugh's
arrival he saw a great deal OF Miss
Wayne, although much of her time
was divided between her taste for lit
erature and in demonstrating against
the innocent pranks of her cousin.
1t did not require a long time for
the young man to realize that he could
never love Miss Wayne as the man
should love the girl whom he intends
to marry.
He made another important discov-
ery-that his life would be failure
without the little cousin to furnish
daily sunshine and wifely cheer for his
own home.
He resolved to- let Miss Wayne have
one-half of his aunt's estate and the
orphan asylum the other. He would
marry the girl of his own choice, pro-
vided he could win her, and boldly
fight his own way through life.
Having so decided Hugh set out for
stroll along the river, feeling more
manly for his resolve.
He came suddenly upon little fig
ure in white, reading, in little whey
nook by the rivers side.
"Wait, Estelle," he called, for she
had started to run away. 81 shall
leave tomorrow, and have something
to say to you which you must hear"
The telitale flush which swept over
face and neck at his words might have
| Soma hint of an aoCV- CIIrrpOHer.
! However, in moment she had re-
gained that customary piquancy which
had more than once eXasperated Hugh
"I'd be sorry to have you leave Us
with any burden on your mind, she
said provokingly.
at is needless for me to tell yoT
why it was arranged for me to meet
Miss Wayne here" he said, unheed
ing her light words. "You know,
suppose"
"Some slight idea, believe" she re
turned, lingering her book.
"Wen, may as well tell you thai
that condition in my late aunt's will
can never be fulfilled"
"And why not?"
Because [ love another" he crieG
passionatelv. 70, Estelle! can yor
not see how tenderly, how ardently
love you? Without you | shall mak'
failure of life. Won't you SHOW
mercy, Estelle?"
"Oh, Hugh! would you marry poo
Girl when you have chance to win
, dignified bride and retain those prince
) ly estates?" she asked.
"Yes, darling. l prefer you will
J love in a cottage to the wealthiest wO
man with all the estate in the world!
} Rash statement, young man."
at is true. Do not torture me long
} er, Estelle. Can you not love me
: httle?"
= mo-
7 "Then you do not love me?"
"I'm afraid | do"
t "Do not mock me, Estelle."
, 81 am not mocking you, Hugh" in
e very sweet voice.
s "Then you do love me little?"
g "No, not little, but very much"
e He would have caught her to hi
= breast, but she eluded his arms, CRY
s ing:
a "Oh, there's Uncle Cranston!" an
It she rushed forward to greet the littl
d lawyer, who had approached them III
seen.
d at is uselessfor me to ignore facts,
|. said Mr.. Cranston pleasantly. Il oil
= not mean to overhear your convers;
ton, but / arrived unexpectedly an
= thought I'd hunt up my sprlte hel
Ell and surprise her. l see you unde
stand aooI o+Io,. Y1rettv clearly"