The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1892-05-27

woman's company2 It seemed that sho
had. No glance of hor eyes nor move
ment of the lids above them betrayed q
memory.
1t had seemed an easy thing last night
to say he would court her-whenever ho
pleased, he had thought; how and when
had not figured in his calculations. He
had considered all difficulties passed
when he gained his own consent; but
to be refused an audience was some.
thing he had not at all taken into consid-
Grafton.
The longest day will wear away, and
This one was drawing to its close. Itwas
now sunset, the fashionable tea hour, and
the gallery was deserted, for the ultras
who roamed along it would rather have
gone supperless than appear at the table
at any other hour than the one on which
fashion had set its stamp. The children
were on the lawn, Mrs. Tressylin was in
her room, and he was alone, keeping
company with his fears and forebodings.
But suddenly there was happy break
III his revery. Away at the farther end
of the gallery appeared Lulu, bearing on
Il little silver tray cup of chocolates
vcriable chocolate girl-the cap, the
lischu and dainty apron, brought back
the beautiful picture before which he had
stood rapt in admiration. But what a
travesty of this it was-what guy in
comparison!
slow delicate her features - how
Shapely her hands, he thought, survey.
ing intently the pleasing apparition.
How light and soft her tread. Surely
che will give me glance of recognition!"
But no, her eyes were bent on the little
cup before her. A shadow of disappoint-
ment settled on his face as he looked
after her retreating figure, shadow
quickly followed by one of surprise and
fright as he saw her trip over a child's
toy and fall prone upon the floor.
In an instant he was at her side. He
lifted her up in his arms and took her to
chair.
Lulu, are you hurt?" he asked, in
tone tense with interest.
"No-no, believe not, she faltered,
blushing to her finger tips, and trying to
resume her dignity. "No, I'm not hurt
-but-rve spilled the chocolate and
broken the cup-my beautiful cup!"
"Who cares for the cup-or chocolate
either?" said her rescuer; and in his
hasty effort to help in some way he
picked up with the fragments the saucer,
that had escaped sound and whole, and
pitched it over the balusters. Lulu, ]
tell yon what it is, you have no business
spending your life at this, packing around
chocolate and waiting on people from
morning till night. You are out of your
sphere-you oughtn't to be a lady's maid,
you ought to be some mans wife.
don't mean just any mans, of course
but gentleman's-iu fact, mine, Lulu
want you for mine"
He was standing close by her side,
holding both her hands, and looking
down into her blushing face. But her
eyes were averted.
"Mr. Norman, she faltered,"I have
been deceiving you. 1 didn't think it
was any harm when commenced-but
but I'm not what you think"
"Are you married then, Lulue know
of nothing else that would make any
difference with me.
"No-no, not married; but Mrs. Tres.
sylin is my aunt, not my mistress. I'm
not lady's maid"
"Oh see! That's the trouble, is it?
Well, it isn't insurmountable. l can get
over that. To marry a lady's maid was
not one of my ambitions. I had never
promised myself that I would. l had
not pictured my wife servitor-not
oven chocolate girl; but"
And this is what your attentions to
m old lady meant" said Mrs Tressylin,
who unobserved had approached and
stood smiling on the interested couple
"You want to rob me of my maid?"
mo, mol" replied Norman, gallantly
lifting the old lady's hand to his lips. II
won't rob you of your maid; only sug,
gest an exchange-that you exchange her
for nephew"
"A nephew, indeed! Well, well, to be
candid, do need a nephew; and-and !
believe you will answer better than any
body know. I'll mako the exchange.
There was little stir over this romance
when it came to be known, but all agreed
it was pleasant affair save one OF two
naneuvering chaperons who pronounced
it clever ruse of Lulus, and made note
of it for next seasons use.