Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1898-07-14

pocket handkerchief to wipe away mel
tears, having left hers spread over the
bottom of the elegant chair upon
which she had sat in the parlor. Sc
Elite rubbed her fists into her eyes in
stead.
"There, do not weep, my DEAR" said
the lady, taking down the little hands
CAN this is long past, and cannot now
be mended. Think of something else
my love! Tell me about your journey
Was it very disagreeahle?'
"Oh, no, ma'am, it was beautiful!
I was delighted all the way; first
with the lovely steamboat, and then
with the grand train. and now with
this magnificent city"
"YOu are an enthusiast, my dear
Elite! ali. yes, like your mother and
her father. But you look tired. child,
l will ring for cook to send up tea
here. and then you shall so to your
ROOM" And the lady arose and rang
the bell.
eff you please, ma'am," said Elite,
and then she stopped and blushed.
ity'
"1f you please. ma'am, then. should
like to see my grandmother first"
"Ycur-what did you say, my dear
Ettie?"
81 said, if you please. ma'am. l
should like to see my grandmother
first. That is, if she has not gone to
bed: because know she expects me
tonight; but if she is gone to bed, l
would not disturb her for the whole
world"
''Your grandmother, did you say, my
dear?'
Yes. ma'am, please"
"Why, Elite, is it possible that you
do not know that I am your grand
mother?" inquired the lady, in aston
iShment.
You my grandmother said Elite,
half-angry at what she took to be an
ill-tiHed joke. "Oh. no. ma'am,
know better than that, too. if I was
brought up in the woods! You could
not possibly be my grandmother
why, Elite, why not?" asked the
lady, amused at the perfect sincerity
of Ettie's manner.
Because. ma'am, you are beauti-
full young lady," said Elite, glancing
at the blooming face and sunny curls.
plump. white neck and graceful arms
of her hostess-"and my own nice,
dear, good grandmother is quite an old
lady, with hair as white as cotton. and
she wears an old-fashioned black
hombaZine gown, with white muslin
inside handkerchief, and large black
silk apron and black lace mitts, and
nice white cap tied close under her
chin, and also spectacles."
But, my dear, who gave you this
minute description of your grand
mother?" inquired the lady, highly
amused.
Nobody at all, ma'am: but I had
seen great many grandmothers in
our neighborhood. if l Lever had one
before, and so, you see, allowing for
the difference between country and
town, it was very easy for me to fig
ure out what my own dear old grand
mother would look like; and 1 am
quite sure l should know her among
Il thousand"
The lady for a moment forgot the
grief that lay heavy at the bottom Of
her heart, and laughed low, silvery
little laugh, rs she said:
''That grandmother that you have
described is the creation of your own
fancy only-a fictitious grandmother;
l am the real one! Can you not be-
liave it?"
"No, ma'am." replied Elite, stoutly:
because, as said before, you are a
beautiful young lady, in a splendid
evening dress, with low neck and bare
old lady. in black gown, white cap
and spectacles.'
"My love. what was her namey'
laughed the lady.
"Mrs Gertrude Courtney Greville."
'"Ihat is my name, child"
"Ma'aen said Elite, with rising
wrath, "if am simple country girl,
I know one thing; I know it is neith-
er kind nor lady-like to try to hoax a
poor orphan who is longing for her
grandmother, by telling her such sto-
ries! But you cannot humbug me in
that way! l am not to be sold at that
price. And, so far from being my
grandmother. you cannot even be my
maiden auntv
Your maiden aunt? BY the way, 1
will introduce you to your maiden
aunt. CelesteH' said the lady. laugh
ing and addressing her French maid,
who was busy in another part of the
room. "go and say to Miss Howard
that l wish to see her here
''Oui, Madame" answered the girl,
leaving the room for the purpose.
The lady sat smiling upon Elite. who
remained in offended silence until the
door opened and a lovely girl, in deep
mourning, with Il tall slender and
graceful form, regular features, snowy
forehead, rosy cheeks AID lips, clear
blue eyes and pale COLDER riEglets, and
with ii countenance OF the freshest
yOuthfulness. entered tire room and
advanced smilingly toward her man.
ma.
'Lois, my love, this is your niece Els
Their. Ettie. my dear, embrace your
maiden aunt!
Elite looked up to this fresh and
blooming girl, and then at the beauti-
full and stately woman. Mother and
daughter We're the rose and the rose
bud, with the morning dew still spark
lirg on them.
But they We're not what Elite had
expected to find, and so she bowed
very sullenly and went off in high
dUdgeon to Miss Pinchett, and said:
"pinchy. take me to my grandmother
AID auntiu. or else take ME back home
again: | won't stay here for that big
wax doll to make fun Of mev'
"My dear, bless vOur heart. that lady