The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1895-08-09
A SUBSTITUTE.

WIN IrOWn upon ner Stlll good look
ing face. From time to time she CLAN
ced at the thy enameled clock upon
her daintily appointed writing table
and seemed impatient of the slow
movements of the hands. At last a
sound of wheels crunching over the
gravel struck her ear, and she went
to the window with sigh of relief, as
her eyes fell upon carriage driving up
to the front of the house. A few mo-
ments after the door of the room was
flung open and tall servant announce
ed
"Mr. Winchester, my lady"
Lady Riversdale advanced eagerly 10
meet the new conner.
MY dear Mr.. Winchester! You are
Indeed welcome! / owe you the warm
est thanks for answering my appeal for
Lelp and advice so promptly" She
spoke in full, pleasant voice that yet
Lad q ring of authority in 1t, and,
drawing forward chair, reseated her.
self in the one she had previously oc-
cupied.
Il am always glad to be of service to
you, as ! hope you know" answered
Mr.. Winchester, as he took the seat Of
fered him. II guessed that something
really serious and touching you very
nearly was in question, and my
thoughts turned to your son."
you were right, though" answered
Lady Riverdale. 1t does concern him
and this providential absence of his
will give us time to make some plan for
rescue out of the snare into which he
has fallen and act upon it. But had
a Wh a
old. who is, as you know, very fond of
music, had fancy some three months
ago to study harmony thoroughly. Ac-
cordingly he found out teacher who
was much recommended to him, and
began to take lessons twice a week.
Now, as ill-luck would have it, there
lodged in the same house with this
man girl who took lessons also, and
whose hours were just before Harold's.
My poor boy conceived a great admir-
alton for this person, whom he, of
course describes as model Of all the
beauties and all the virtues, and the
day before yesterday told me all this
story, with many highly colored de-
tails which it is quite unnecessary to
repeat and capped it by announcing
his intention OF marrying this object of
his admiration. He left yesterday
morning, and the same train took my
letter TO you"
A smile stole into the grave law
yer's face for moment as he answer
ed cheerily, Come, come, Lady Rivers
dale! You must not be so hopeless. /
dsTesay this young lady, who, from
all you say, seems to be winning her
bread honestly, will not refuse to hear
reason. | suppose Sir Harold has not
proposed YETI"
Lady Riversdale gave a sort of little
gasp as the lawyer pronounced the
fateful word.
Il am afraid he has" she said. His
words were L shall try my luck again
when | return and no girl in her
senses would refuse a good looking
young baronet who is master of himself
aid 5000 a year besides. She is play
inG upon his creduity, pretending to
be shy and coyi"
well" said the lawyer, give me the
address The only thing | can do is To
see her and find out how matters really
stand and then decide how it viii be
best 10 act"
"Of course, Of course" returned his
anxious mother.
The next afternoon, about o'clock,
Frank Winchester stepped out OF q
hanson at the door of No. Fern Ter
race, Bayswater. 1t was a neat row OF
houses, and No. was distinguished by
very dainty lace curtains tied with blue
ribbons What the deuce am to say
to the girl?" thought the lawyer to
himself. as he rung the bell. THE
house looks eminently respectable, and
she is probably worth dozen such
empty headed young cubs as my honor
ed client. Is Miss Grant at home?"
to the servant who answered his sum-
mons.
Il believe so, sir. Will you walk In
here opening the dining room door.
"Who shall say 1t is?"
Winchester gave his name, and was
left to himself for few minutes. Then
the door opened, and a small, slight
girl entered the room. She had curly
brown hair gathered into knot at the
back of her head and gray eyes with
black lashes that had sort of dane
ing light in them. At the present mo-
ment they were fixed with good deal
of curiosity upon her visitor, who had
risen to receive her.
You asked for me, I Think" she
began, in a well bred voice, which Win
chester noticed at once.
II did. You must allow me to in
troduce myself. My name is Winches-
ter, and l am solicitor to the Rivers
dales, of whom l believe you know
something.
"We-that is, I-have heard on very
good authority that the head of the
family, Sir Harold Riversdale, has
been frequent visitor here during the
last three months. Is 1t not so?'
Perfectly said Miss Grant; de-
murely while mischevious look stole
into her eyes. He has been here twice
a week regularly, sometimes oftener."
Then my information was correct.
You will allow that 1t was but natural
should fancy he had some attraction.
"My young client has confessed to
his mother his very strong admiration
lor yourself, and his intention Of pro-