Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1903-04-21
Sunny Bank Farm
FLOYD LIVINGSTON
FLOYD LIVINGSTON
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tered sent an electric thrill through my
nerves, and brought me to my feet. fol-
they were, Come this way, Uncle Dick
| reckon she's in the school ROOM
The next moment he stood before me
the dark man, scanning me curiously, but
still without anything like rudeness in
his gaze. 4 bright. beautiful smile broke
over his strongly marked features and ]
felt as If CLEAN of sunlight had shone
Tor an instant over my pathway. Taking
my hand in his. he bid Jessie leave us, Us
he wished to see me alone. She started
to obey, but ere she reached the door
she turned back and asked him to stoor
down. whispered in his ear. loudly enough
Tor me to hear, Il want you to like her >
"Of course | SHALL" he replied, and
again that smile broke over his face.
l did not expect him to recognize me
for with the exception of the night at
the theater he had never fairly seen my
features. When l spoke, however, and
he heard the sound Of my voice, he
started and looked me more fully in the
face; but whatever his thoughts might
have been, he seemed to be satisfied that
he was mistaken. and seating himself al
me as Familiarity as if he had known me
all my life. Gradually our conversation
turned upon books, and ere / was aware
OF it / passed through what l now know
to have been a pretty thorough examina-
ton of all the branches which Mrs. Ian
sing had wished me to teach.
You play, believe. l would like to
hear you," he said at last, laying his
| hand an cb 10 l. 4
me to the parlor.
Instantly the blood rusned to my face,
for since the night of my disgrace | had
not touched the piano, neither did l wish
TO again. So | .fied to excuse myself,
and when he insisted / finally said, with
my eyes full of tears, please excuse me.
sir, for l can't play. l failed before
your sister, and / shall do the same be-
fore you"
No you won't" he replied. at the same
time drawing my arm within his and
leading me toward the door. You have
nothing to fear, Miss Lee"
He spoke as one having full authority
to do as he pleased, and l instinctively
felt that though nominally Mrs. Lansing
was mistress there, he, in reality, was
the leader, the head, whose bidding every
one obeyed. At last, when l thought
his patience was nearly exhausted, l
wiped my eyes, and starting up, said,
You have made me very happy, Mr..
| Delafeld, for l could not have borne the
disgrace of being sent home as incompe-
tent. can play for you now, of for
| Mrs. Lansing, either"
And the result proved that was right,
for | exceeded my own expectations. and
was astonished at myself
Angelina" said he, in a slightly COM
handing voice. as that lady looked curl
ously IN at the door, "Angeline, come
here and she crossed over TO his side,
where he detained her by placing his arm
about her waist.
For a moment then I wavered, for
though | could not see, | could feel the
naughty gaze of the. large black eyes,
which | knew were bent upon me-
You have done well, Miss Lee" he
said when at last / arose from the in
strument. at the same time playfuly
touching my cheeks, which were burning
with feverish excitement.
That night, after l had retired to my
room, Halbert and Jessie came to the
door. requesting permission to come in
| admitted them, when Jessie, jumping
into my lap, said, ooh, I'm so glad you
are going to stay. Hal says So"
Yes" put in Hal. Uncle Dick told
me that you mustn't be sent away, for
you were heap better scholar than she
had represented you to be-"
When 1 went down to the breakfast
room next morning Mrs. Lansing greeted
me rather coidiy, and appeared slightly
embarrassed. l had purposely donned
my travelling dress, for though Mr.. Della
field had said | was to stay l felt that
she. too, must do the same ere l had a
right to remain. The sight of my dress
seemed TO annoy her, for it brought to
her cheeks two bright red spots while we
were at breakfast. When it was over.
and the children had gone out. very
composedly asked her how long before
the stage would call for me-"
Turning her flashing black eyes upon
me. she said, do You mean TO insult me-
Miss Lee? The stage has been gone an
hour. | supposed you knew you were
to remain"
MIR. Delafield intimated as much"
answered. but my engagement was with
you. not him, and until l hear from you
that / am expected to stay. | do NOT of
She frightened up perceptibly, and
after saying something about Richards
meddling in her affairs, replied, Il pre-
sumo you were embarrassed when you
| first came, and so could not appear to
advantage; and as my brother thinks you
are a tolerably fair scholar l have de-
sided 10 keep you"
/ bowed in acquiescence, and she con-
tinued. There is something, however.
which | must first say to you: but as this
is not the proper place, you will so with
me to my ROOM"
| complied with her request. and clos
irg the door, she began with long pre-
aable TO the proper way for a young
lady to conduct herself in the presence
of gentlemen. especially those who were
every way her superiors For instance"
said she. there's my brother Richard.
who is rather noted for his familiar, af-
fcctionate manner toward the ladies. "A
long as he confines himself to his equals
do not SO much mind 1t; but when he
lavishes HIS attentions upon my gov
ernesses. l think it wrong, for he might.
you know. raise hopes which of course
could never be realized. Miss Montrose.
Of whom you have heard nv speak. will
NfODIDll DC NOME lt4lS anu
his time will be Occupied with her. | do
not think he will ever marry any one. but
if he does, il will undoubtedly be Ada"
That night cried myself TO sleep. half
wishing l had never come TO Cedar
Grove. for l knew Mrs. Lansing would
prove an exaeting. unreasonable mis-
yress; and when Ada came home. my sit
uation. thought. would be anything but
agreeable | was surprised when. the
next morning. in the presence of his sis
ter. Mr.. Dela6eld handed me hand
Some bouquet.
Mrs. Lansing's face. which had been
unusually placid and serene. now looked
cloudy aud disturbed; but she said moth
ing: neither did she ever again make any
alluSion to the flowers which so frequent
IL came 10 me from Magnolia Grove. l
saw how anxious she appeared for Ada's
return. however. and how much interest
Mr.. Delafeld. TOO. seemed TO take in her.