The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1892-09-09

der the window of Louise's bedroom.
extracted my instrument of torture from
its green bsize cover and placed it 10
my lips.
Just then / felt something shifting
about my legs, and looking down be-
held my aunt's fat poodle. IL had been
locked out by accident by the servants
l conciliated the brute with pats and
caresses, and il lay down contentedly
on the grass at my feet.
/ had started the serenade. 1t went
beautifully. l didn't think the instru-
ment was capable of such pathos had
got halfway through il when the win
dow of the bedroom was opened and 1
dimly saw a white figure half-hidden
bv the ivy which embowered it. This
gave me fresh courage. Louise WAS
looking al me. poured my young soul
through the silver-tipped mouthpiece.
l had got to the last note when a
mournful and discordsnt howl came as
an accompaniment. / raised my foot
and sent the poodle spinning five yards
away.
You wretch
Horror! 1 had mistaken the window
Aunt Matilda stood there in wrathful
Indignation. Here was q pretty predic-
ament. 1 had nearly killed her pet,
which lay alternately howling and
whining under some holly bushes.
Poor Flossie. Don't dare to show
your face within these walls again.
NV darling pet. / knew there was no
good III such stock. Ny precious treas
ure. After being a second mother to
you.' and the window went down with
a bang, while from my uncomfortable
i he =.
ringing. Utterly crestfallen l repacked
the now hateful cause of my troubles.
As | passed the corner of the house 1
heard a suppressed tittering and win
dow was hurriedly closed
Fair and false" ! bitterly thought
as | recognized the dark locks of my
inamorata.
Slowly and sorrowfully I retraced my
steps homeward and with d dull fore
boding of the consequences 10 follow
Nor was wrong. I lost half q day with
the intention OF apologizing 10 my aunt
but was refused admittance.
While l stood at the door, uncertain
how 10 act, Mr.. Raymond, my aunt's
lawyer. made his appearance. This
looked ominous and | turned away
with heavy heart AS / reached the
garden gate Louise came out of the
drawing-room and ran after me She
begged me to enter, and as the servant
did not oppose her / followed. noticing
that her eyes were red with recent
weeping.
What is the matter, Louise?"
Your aunt is much worse" she re-
piled. She caught chill through
that foolish freak of yours / am afraid
she Will never forgive your cruelty TO
her dog"
Hang the brute" eisculsted an
grily.
with all my heart; but You know
how fond she is of IT. She has sent for
Mr.. Raymond"
Yes" responded, moodily. II sup
pose you will benefit by any alteration
of her wilf?''
Don't suspect me of any mercenary
feelings, Bob" she entreated.
"It's rather hard to be robbed both
of fortune and wife by that lout of a
cousin of yours"
You are ungenerous and ungentle-
manly" she rejoined. flushing.
1T is difficult to act the gentleman
under such circumstance But
heartily apologize if have wounded
you
Then we ere friends once more. :"
she said. taking my hand
Louise / said, huskily, II read by
your altered manner that no longer
hold place in your heart. l can't
part with you without pang. for if 1
| have not grown to love you you are at
least dear to me. Let US remain
friends. / am sure / wish you all hap
piness."
The poor little thing hung her arms
around my neck
You are very good, she sobbed. Il
could not help il. / tried to think only
of you, but couldn't help loving Tom.
You believe me, don't ysu?''
II am sure no one could accuse you of
heartlessness- Now, gooa-by; just one
kiss for the last"
A fortnight later Aunt Matilda died.
| attended the funeral and listened to
the reading Of the will. II left me suf-
ticient to buy a mourning ring. Every
| thing went 10 Louise.
| returned home, and taking the
French horn from its case / jumped on
| il till it was past recognition. i then
| pitched it into the lumber attic And
this is the end of INV bright visions Of
| the future. l shall end my days in the
| work house. IN all probability. or some
equally dissgreeable and disreputs-
| BILE
| Rat-tat.
The postman. Another bill, I sup
pose, to keep its disconsolste brethren
company.
1.-TWO letters for YOU" breaks in the
maid, handing me an important-iook-
ing blue envelope and . smaller white
| one.
j tore the former open impstiently.
| What's this?
I'VE beg TO inform you that the sum OF ten
/ thousand pounds sterling has been placed 20
| your credit by Miss Louise Hawthorne. Await
| ing your instrucIions,.~e are, sir, yours ooedi-
| entity, CLINTON Co"
| l opened the smaller envelope. 1t
contained but a few words, but how
tender and welcome:
| DEAR BoB-I could not rest In the enjoy
ment of the entire fortune your aunt left me
| She always intended We both should enjoy IL,
and IN dividing IL with you feel am only car
| rying out her wishes Tom and I 10 be
| married soon circrms stances will permit
| Gm you wish happiness. do this
| with his knowledge and sanction Ever yours
| in friendship, LOUISE"
Spare Moments.