The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1895-02-22
[coNTINUED.]
CHAPTER II.

DrOOk, Un0 mems anu CuICheuS ran hl
sight of Elsie. There was twinkling
of legs, futter of fet theirs, a whilTing
and clapping of wings, for Pauls pi-
geons had joined the little cloud of fowls
that surrounded Elsie as she stood in
the farmyard the day after Uncle Sis
funeral. She looked younger and more
girlish than ever in her black gown
Uncle ST had been laid away to rest
in the grassy corner of the Bolton grave
yard, and few friends and neighbors
had gathered out of respect to the quiet,
! undemonstrative man who had lived
among them void of offense for over 70
years. And now it was all over. The
curtains We're drawn, the clock again
set in motion, doors clapped; the old
dog barked; the hens came scratching
under the front window; the wheels of
life that had paused for time while
the kind old man, the master, lay stark
Oh his bed in the kitchen chamber We're
moving again to their accustomed tune.
The young man we have seen inscrib-
ing his name. Arthur Hapgood, on the
hotel register was riding along the conn
try road ON bay horse. Elsie saw him
from where she stood feeding the fowls
in the farlnvard and knew at once wno
he was. She remarked how well his
clothes fitted and what a firm seat he
had in the saddle even before she ran
forward to greet him as he was fasten-
ing his horse. to the fence near strag
Cling row of hollyhocks. Elsie was
bareheaded, and the breeze had rufTled
II 1oaI-,
head. She looked so slim and girlish
the young man gave her rather an open
stare Of admiration.
"You are Mr.. Arthur Hapgood," she
said as he got down from his horse.
''We have been looking for you. was
SO sorry you could not be here yester-
day"
eyes, I know" he returned unblush
ingly. "Poor Uncle ST! 1t was impossi-
Bile, you see; train was late, and did
not arrive in time. Of course it made
no difference to him." and he bent his
eyes upon her with familiar, patroniz-
ing smile. And you are Elsie Ray, my
little correspondent"
eyes, I am Elsie Ray"
Cousins I Think he said, switch
ing Off the dust from his trousers with
his riding whip
'fOh, no" she returned, ''not at all
related am only the child of Uncle
Sis first Wits niece. But he was very
good to me-" she added quickly. "He
never let me know the difference.
'Who wouldn't be good to you?' said
Hapgood in marked way that made
Elsie color. She took the bride of the
bay horse and put it lightly over her
arm. eff you will step into the house,
Mr.. Hapgood, will put your horse in
the barn. Paul Raynor is i'll the field,
and Aunt Prissy and Aunt Hetty are
waiting to welcome you -
$50 it appears have relatives here
after all?''
"No real kin, am afraid" said FL
sic. '"They are the sisters Of Uncle Si s
last wife. He gave them home and
took care of them for a great many
years. He always let them think it
was great privilege to have them
here"
"Old?" asked Hapgood, making an
Interrogation point Of his eyebrows.
eyes, very old and infirm-I am
afraid rather childish. Aunt Prissy has
cataracts coming over both her eyes.
Aunt Hetty is very hard of hearing. but
they are very sensitive about these things
and like to have it supposed they can
see and hear as well as ever. They never
forget that they were bellies once, the
Misses bingham of Littlefield, and
danced at one of General Lafayette IS
balls"
Indeed" returned Arthur, "I am
afraid don't share my uncle's taste for
old women. What a very extraordinary
establishment he must have kept!'
Elsie made no response. If he meant
it for joke, she thought it was in very
bad taste.
"And who is Paul Raynor?" he asked
abruptly.
"Oh. he is not relation either" re-
turned Elsie, coloring vividly in spite
of herself. "Ee is the son of one OF
Uncle Sis old friends who died poor,
And uncle took Paul and partly adopted
him. "
"Made him a stable boy" said Ar,
thur quickly, "and as he is away you
propose to put up my horse"
HE is not stable boy" returned
Elsie, with pretty air of dignity that
amused Hapgood. "Uncle 81 was very
fond of him and could not have treated
him better had he been his own son.
Paul is naturalist.
"lndeed?" returned Hapgood, staring
more than ever, Excuse my mistake,
/ hardly expected to find such remark
able people under my uncle's roof. :"
Elsie colored rather violently, fol
something in the young mans tone
made her angry, though she hardly
knew what to say in reply. She there
fore turned and was leading the horse
away to the stable.
''If you will insist on being groom.
will go with you, said Hapgood, keep
ing close to her side. 81 would like tC
explore the old farm with you, and ther
we might look over the house together
I dare say you will have many thing.
OF interest to tell me. -
Elsie stopped and hesitated and look
} ed down at the toe of her rather shabby
little shoe. II am afraid the old ladies
may feel hurt They will think you are
not showing them proper respect unless
you go in to them now. They have beer
up expecting you since Z O'Clock anC
have put on their best gowns. They
have seen you come from the window,
Hapgood looked as if the propose
e We're bore, ''If you say must go,