The River Falls times. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1894-1933, 1898-08-30


S588@SJU Y but Mr.. Lorraine
%a4Rsr would not hear of
it, and at his earn
est request she consented.
"She is your best friend" said the
minister, land you must not offend
her.
every well, l will co. answered
Marjorie; but l shall come home early
in the afternoon. She'll never ask me
to stay all night? If she does, can't
do it,"
"Why not, Marjorie?"
''The Castles eerie enough at day
time, but at night it's dreadful, and
Miss Hetherington creeps about like
a ghost. I'd sooner sleep out in the
kirkyard."
At a quarter before nine she started,
for she had three miles to walk, and
she wished to linger on the road,
which lay through pleasant country
pastures and among green lanes. The
morning was bright and clear, though
there were clouds to seward which
spoke of coming rain. Passing up
through the village, the way she had
come the previous day, she saw young
Sutherland standing at the gate of the
weaVer's cottage.
Good morning, Marjorie. Where
are you going to SO early?"
up to Miss Hetherington's at the
Castle" she replied.
''Are you going to walk?"
eyes"
''Then may 1 come with you piece
of the road?'
''Not today, Johnnie" she said,
nervously. I'm late, and must hurry
on
The young man sighed, but did not
press his request. Troubled and vexed
at the meeting, Marjorie walked quick
ly away.
She followed the downward highway
till she came to the crossroads where
she had alighted from the wagonette.
Close to the CROSSWORD there was
stile. and she was about to step oyer,
when she heard a voice behind her.
Turning quickly she saw to her as
constituent the French teacher from
Dumfries.
He was clad in a dark walking-suit,
with broad brimmed, wideawake hat,
and was smoking a cigar. He looked
at her smilingly, and raised his hat.
She thought he had never looked SO
handsome, as he stood there in the
sunshine, with his pale face smiling
and his bright black eyes fixed eagerly
upon her.
Monsieur Caussidiere!" she cried in
establishment.
Eyes, it is r." he replied in his sad,
musical voice. 81 have walked from
the town, and was going down to see
you
"To see mew she echoed.
eyes, mademoiselle, and the good
man your guardian. You have spoken
of him so often that l longed to make
his acquaintance. and, having two idle
days before me, 1 came mere, as you
behold"
Marjorie did not know what to say
or do, the encounter was SO unexpected.
She stood trembling and blushing in
such obvious embarrassment that the
Frenchman came to her relief.
"Do not let me detain you, if you
have an appointment. Or stay! per-
haps you will permit me to walk
little way in your company
And before she quite understood
what was taking place, he had lightly
leaped the stile and was handing her
over with great politeness. They
strolled along the foot-path side by
side. Suddenly Marjorie paused.
II am going UP to the Castle" she
said. land I shall not be back till the
afternoon. Do not let me take you out
of your way"
The Frenchman smiled and shrugged
his shoulders.
ooh! one way is to me as good as
another" he exclaimed
But you said you wished to see Mr..
Lorraine?"
precisely; but 1 prefer your COM
pany, my child.
HE is at home now, and will be so
glad of some one to talk to"
az see you want to get rid of me,
little one" said Caussidiere, paternally.
eff 1 go will you promise to return
soon? Remember, I shall not depart
until you do return
eyes. l will promise, answered Mar
iorie. Il would rather you did not
come any further"