Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1892-05-12

ular day, the place. with its sIlenc'
and gloom, and the white stones
marking all that was left OF many
generations once young and gay, like
myself, seemed In consonance witt
my mood. Iclimbed the hill, entered
the churcyard. ADD picked my way
among the graves, until reached the
spot Ia which all the dead and gone
Laurences for more than q century
had been buried.
A tall marble shaft marked my hus
bands last resting-place, and, as
stood by II, q sudden sense OF the un.
satisfactoriness OF life came over me-
Was there never to be any OF that
| fullness OF Joy which had dreamed
but only the calm resignation that
my Cousin Rachel assured me was
the best thing in the world? With
the restlecsness OF youth, / rebelled.
and two hot tears fell ON my hus-
bands grave-tears OF selfish repin-
ing far more than of real grief.
CHANGING up at this moment saw a
man approaching. Ihad been stand
ing in the shadow OF a yew tree, and
he evidently had not noticed ine un-
til that moment. for he started per-
ceptlbly as our eyes met. started,
too, for the stranger was no other
than the person TO whom Jupiter had
showed such friendly recognition.
There was n moments pause OF en-
barrassment, then the gentleman lift
ed his hat and apologized for his APP
pearance.
:" beg your pardon, madam" he
said. had no intention of intrud-
ing, but did not see that any one
was here until this instant"
No apologies are necessary" I
answered hastily. / did not mean
TO remain here, at any rate. I" And
before he could say anything to pre-
vent me bowed and walked rapidly
away.
As I went I heard him uttering
more apologies and disclaimers at my
goinga way, but 1 paid no need. L
could not help wondering who he
was, though and had curiosity
enough to look back when I reached
the foot of the hill. He was stand
ing exactly where 1 had left him,
holding his hat in his hand, us IL he
had barred his head in reverence.
Was it possible-the idea had flashed
into my head for the first time
could he be my husbands cousin?
hurried home. hoping Rachel
might already have reached there,
but she had not, though she appeared
soon afterward. In some excite
ment, told her about my second
meeting with Jupiter's friend, and
my conjecture as to his identy. She
did not seem SO much interested as /
thought she ought to be, but busled
herself hunting for book while she
listened TO me.
VERY likely you may be right"
she said, when expressed my opinion
that IL must be Wayne Goodwin.
Il should like to know my hus-
bands cousin" remarked, Though
Mr.. Laurence never said much about
him."
" But he may not want to make
your acquaintance; he may regard
you as an enemy-an interloper,"
"Nonsense!"I said; but 1 con-
Guided to let Mr.. Goodwin make the
first overtures.
Some days later business called me
to Philadelphia, and while there 1
took it into my head to remain some
time. wrote to Rachel Of my inten-
ton, begging her not TO let the fact
OF my absence be generally known.
l began to fear that my husbands
cousin was staying in the neighbor-
hood TO spy on my actions. Rachel
promised TO do the best she could, so
l finished my visit and returned 10
Greystone with some friends.
My cousin took this opportunity to
60 away, knowing that 1 would not
be lonely in her absence and, though
l missed her,I was glad she was going
TO have u change. Hardly had she
gone when / received call. 1t was
from Wayne Goodwin. went down
To see him, and, suIe enough, he was
the stranger whom / had met in my
walks. He rose when entered, and
held out his hand.
May | claim relationships" he
said, cordially. &C. ventured to call
on that ground, though l had never
met you in the regular way, and you
had not expressed any desire to zee
me-"
"Oh, yes, had, answered, laugh
ing, for all my suspicious had vanish
ed at his tone; and then L told him
OF my previously spoken wish.
That broke the ice at once, and we
became very good friends before his
call ended. He came again in day
of two, and we were soon on excellent
terms. My house party broke up,
but Mr.. Goodwin still remained in the
village. We laughed good deal
over the peculiar terms of my hus-
bands will, though he was kind
enough to express some disapproval
thereat. He Indignantly disclaimed
any intention Of protiting by its pro-
visions.
But you couldn't help it," / said.
-" 1t depends on me-"
Yes, it depends on YOU" he an
swered thoughtfully.
/ told him about my absent cousin.
and praised her good qualities until
he declared lauGhingly that / was
insane on the subject. He never had
much to say on those occasions, but
that was natural, for he did not know
my relative, and therefore could not
be aware OF her projections.
At last / received a letter from
Rachel setting day for her depart
ure, and telling me the train on which
she would return, so that / might
drive to the station for her. / did
not mention to Mr.. Goodwin that she
was coming; thought IL would be
pleasant to have them meet unex.
pectedly-I don't know why, except
that was young and foolish enough
TO like surprises. The coachman
drove me over at the right time. but
my cousin did not arrive. There
would be another train along in a
little while, though not an express, so
/ let the carriage wait for it, while |
walked home the day was raw and |
windy, and the waiting. room not |
very comfortable, SO preferred this |
to remaining. On the way met Mr.. |