The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1898-07-28

lovely OLD trees when urOOpeu dfOunt
the mansion that was to lie their abode
for the future weeks Then came /
frank, bright faced young man, sup
porting fat, rather elderly lady, who
looked a mixture of helplessness ant
good humor.
Mrs. Lorimer won't be ready t.
leave home for nearly month, SO
ventured to take her place and tax,
care of my nephew until she comes,
announced the fat lady, who was sooI
afterWard introduced as Mrs. Harris
Mrs Spencer WAS glad to see Mrs
Harris, and hoped that she would fine
her room comfortable Mr. Lorimei
looked about him, we'll pleased, and
conversed with the Boston ladies
Miss Grant and Miss Burton, very
pleasantly. Mrs. Spencer could not
account for her feelings; but she could
not help regarding him with pangs ol
suspicion, though she allowed that his
countenance and bearing were any
thing but calculated to excite suspi
clOn.
When Jennie came an hour and a
half later. the ladies were all in their
rooms, resting from their journey, OF
preparing for dinner, and Mr.. Lori
mer was the sole inmate of the parlor,
sitting in semishaded window. look
ing over photograph album, which
contained pictures of the family, with
an expression of deep satisfaction on
his fine, clear cut features.
Jennie did Dot percei 7e him at first,
and walked carelessly into the room,
swinging her broad brimmed hat by
the strings
He rose and came quickly toward
her.
oh" said she, coloring deeply and
betraylng recognition in spite of
herself.
Il am delighted that you remember
me-" said he. Il think it is just one
year ago to-day since | went sketch
ing on Pine Hill, and had the pleas
ure of meeting you. 1t was the first
day L ever spent IN this neighbor
hood; but l made up my mind then
that 1t should not be the last"
Jennie bowed, and, with great dig
nifty, left the room. running swiftly
up stairs to her own little chamber.
Her mother, anxious for few conf
dences on the new arrivals, came hur
riedly slipping in.
II think i shall like them all. Jen.
me-" said she. The two school teach
ers are dreadfully homely, and affect
ed, too, l think, bnt they seem to be
nice, pleasant women, and Mr.. Lori
mer's aunt, Mrs. Lorimer isn't coming
for some time yet, SO he took his aunt
III his wlfe's stead)is very social, and
not bit airy. But, dear me, | must
hurry down again; for Pm not sure
that put the cover over the ve2e-
tables, and they will be getting cold.
I'm going to ring the bell for dinner
now"
At the mention Of Mrs. Lorimer,
Jennie had started a little, and vivid
pink flush O'erspread her features: ::
and, as soon as her mother had dieap
peared from the room, she produced
from "A drawer a certain scrap of pa
per which she had cherished very ton
derly for year; and on which was
drawn a hasty sketch of Pine Hill
scenery, and tore it into little bits
which she scattered to the four winds
of heaven. Then with an extremely
dignified air she walked down stairs
and entered the dining room where
the boarders were already assembled
Il = lp E
of the school teachers and quite at the
other end of the table from Mr.. Lo-
rlmer, who looked as if he did not ap
prove of the state of affairs After
dinner he started off for a walk, and.
wheh Jennie was about half way to
school, appeared suddenly by her
side on the bridge
May l walk with you a little way ?''
he asked, looking down into her face.
Il am going over to Grants Pond"
Il certainly cannot forbid you the
use of the highway" she said. laugh
ing, especially as it leads you direct
ly to your destination"
But you prefer to walk by your
self" he said, stopping suddenly, and
looking both confused and hurt.
81 assure you it is a matter of per
feet indifference to me-" she answered,
haughtily. The school house is not
far, only just beyond that bend in the
road"
"Confound it. what has come over
the girl? ?" he thought. How differ
ent she is from what she was that day
on Pine Hill. She's prettier than
ever, though her manner has grown
fearfully pert and disagreeable, like
that of her Cousin Jacks at his very
worst"
when do you expect Your wife,
MIR. Lorlmer7" questioned the object
of his thoughts with cold clearness,
startling him out Of his senses. He
was walking on the other side of the
road. looking decidedly unhappy.
My wife! Miss Spencer, indeed,
was not aware of possessing any such
commodity How strange for you tc
imagine that | was married.
Il didn't imagine it, Mr.. Lorimer
My mother told me so;'she thinks SO
N1IC Sdld yOllI VILE WHSIl
ready to leave home yet, so your aunt
came in stead said Jennie trying not
to look glad.
My mother wasn't ready to leave
home. An old friend came to visit
her from the West I suppose l said
Mrs. Lorimer tshe is only my step
notherl, and she misunderstood me
When | wrote to her concerning
board, | spoke of her as Mrs. Lorimel
also."
81 am quite sure you did, for she al
ways supposed that you were HUSBAND
and wife instead of mother and son
and-Mr Lorimer-if you don't mint
l think it will be just as well TO let he
think So"
"Why?.' exclaimed Mr.. Lorimer
looking very blank. II dent wish he
to think so by any means, aud thel
my mother viii be here in few weeks
and she certainly must know then"
Jennie burst into an Immediate fl