The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1893-02-02

Frances, feeling uneasy and excited at
the prospect of meeting him, had run
away, girl-like, and gone to pay her
mother and sister visit at the tiny
house in which they had established
themselves at Highgate. One of the
children opened the door to her. On the
parlor table stood bunch of glorious
roses, rich pink, crimson and damask;
and roses were roses, too, at this late
season Of the year. Edith came flying
in and flung herself into her sisters
arms, but when she saw Frances glance
at this fragrant bowl, she turned nearly
as pink as. the flowers themselves.
'Well, who is the sender" her sister
inquired.
Mr.. Josselyn, of course" Edith re-.
piled stoutly. Then, as Frances opened
her eyes at the sight of her guilty
cheeks ooh, they are quite as much
for mamma as for me, assure you," she
maintained.
''You!--such a mere child as your
Frances calculated.
well, I'm not such child but that
shall soon grow to be woman" said
Edith smartly. Then she suddenly
threw herself down by her sister and
clasped her arms around her waist, tears
streaming from her shining eyes
''Oh, Francie, dear, I'm not going to
school any more; I'm going to work
hard at home for two years and learn
all sorts of things-cooking and busting
and sewing and everything useful-for,
Francie, wranglers aren't always rich,
you know, and oh, I'm so happy don't
know what to do with myself"
Frances Rugged her tight, but could
not resist little teasing. "Why, Edith,
what about the tall, handsome, rich
young man with curly hair, who was
to be the only lover you would look
at
"Francesr said her sister reproach-
fully, II was silly little goose then,
but know better now After all, what
do appearances matter if the heart is
good and true--and-and all your own"
You wise little woman" said Fran
ces, kissing her fondly. "Thank God
you have found that out in time"
She made her way back to The
Grange in the dusk of the evening. and
stole up stairs into her own room. She
would not intrude upon the family
party that night; they should have their
boy all to themselves, and she was glad
enough to postpone the meeting she
could not help dreading.
Next morning Mrs. Smith sent for her
to come to the boudoir.
81 missed you last night, Francie
DEAR" she began, "but I suppose you
came home late and were glad to 60 to
bed" She had adopted the family pet
name at the girls own request. She
found Frances" too stiff. 81 had
dear friend once called Fanny; should
like to call you SO, if you don't mind,
my dear?" she said.
1t happened that Fanny" was q pet
abomination with fastidious Frances;
her color rose, but a moment after she
answered gently, Certainly, if you wish
it, Mrs. Smith, but-at home-they call
me 'Francie,' and / think that is pref
tier" OF course it was adopted ut once,
as nearly all Francie's ideas were.
On this particular morning Mrs.
Smith wanted Frances to write note
for her which a man servant was pres
emily to take. The girl sat down to the
writing table, and Mrs. Smith went to
give orders for the man to saddle his
horse.
In minute or tvo Jack Smith came
sauntering unsuspiciously into the room;
seeing the slight figure in its plain black
dress bending over her work, he said to
himself, "The new companion, l sup
pose" Her back was toward him; he
could not see her face. She raised her
head. Something in the turn of the
neck, the rich coils of bright brown hair,
seemed familiar; he made hasty move
ment-she looked around; then she rose
and faced him.
Good heavens. Miss Lislei You
herey'
Eyes. Oh, don't you known Her
face was scarlet. Hasn't your mother
told you? I'm her companion
'sNeverr' All this establishment was
summed up in the one word. She drew
nearer.
"Yes. My father died, and we were
very poor. Then Mrs. Smith took me.
She has been so good, so kind. Oh,
won't you forgive me? l was ignorant,
stupid-what you will; have repented
bitterly. Your mother is fond Of me;
your father thinks so much of me; /
love them both dearly. Don't tell them;
can't bear it; spare me that; let them
love me still. All, think you might
forgive me-now"- She bravely tried
to keep back the tears that blinded her
and nearly choked her utterance. He
came forward and took the hands she
was holding out to him with such sup
plicating gesture.
'I-almost think there's nothing-to
forgive" he replied slowly, as if half
dreaming. Then Mrs. Smith came in
and they moved quickly apart.
"Well, Johnny, my dear, suppose
you haven't forgotten Miss Lisle2 This
is the dear young lady have told you
about, who is kind enough to come and
be a daughter to me. And very good
one she is, too, Johnny; don't know
what should do without her. We nm
derstand each other, don't we, Francie?"
The girl turned and kissed her, once
twice-too much moved to utter a word,
then passed swiftly out of the room. He
would have followed her, but his mother
caught him by the arm. "One moment,
Johnny, dear. There was some hitch
between you and your love; tell me, was
it us, father and me-because"-
mo, no, mother, dearest-theres
nothing-God bless youi-there's moth
ing now
Frances had scarcely reached the foot