Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1903-03-17
CHAPTER X.


thrown into a state of unusual excite
ment by the arrival of a letter from Aunt
Charlotte, which contained an invitation
for Anna and myself to spend the re-
mainder of the autumn and the whole OF
the coming winter with her in the city.
Rosa" she wrote, could go to school,
while Anna would be introduced into So
ciety.''
OF course we were greatly surprised,
wondering what had come over our
naughty aunt. She must have changed,
we thought, or else there was some his
take about the invitation. But this could
not be, for there it was in black and
white, written evidently in all sincerity,
while added to it was a postscript from
Uncle Joseph, who also Joined in the re-
quest.
1t only remained for us to decide
whether we would accept or not. Anna
and myself said Yes" at once, and after
a grave elaboration in grandma's room,
the same conclusion was also reached
by my parents, who, after giving us
abundance of good advice, enJoined 1t
upon Anna, first, never to dance at the
parties which she might sometimes at
tend; second, never TO wear her dresses
low. as some of the city girls did; and
third, not to Airt with Herbert Langley.
For this last injunction they probably
fancied there was little need, it being
now five years since she had seen INN,
and as they knew nothing of the per
fumed, gilt-edged notes which lay hidden
in her work-box, they very naturally sup
posed she had forgotten him. | thought
so, too, for hers was the last letter.
which had been unanswered for many
months, and Anna, l knew, was far toe
proud TO care for one who had forgotten
her. Occasionally we heard of him
through others, and it was always the
same story, that he was going down TO
d drunkards grave as fast as drink could
carry him; but if these reports produced
any effect upon Anna, it was impercep-
tihle She was now twenty years of age,
and was a fair, delicate looking girl,
whom some called proud. Others cold,
and a few selfish.
1t was a lovely day late in October,
that old SOrrel stood at the door ready
TO convey us to the depot. This was
the first time / had really left home, and
when l saw the tears in my mother 5
eyes, and the trembling of grandma 5
whole body: when Juliet held me so long
to her bosom; when Lizzie and Carrie
stole from me hasty kiss, and then ran
al to hide their grief; when Charlie
and John, who We're both clerks, came
down to the depot TO bid us bood-5ye,
affecting to be very manly, notwithstand-
ing that their chins Quivered; and when,
last of all, my fathers fervent God
bless you, my children" resounded in my
ears. / began to have faint idea of the
bitterness there is in parting, be 1t but
for n few months. As we expected, we
found our uncle's carriage at the depot
in Boston, and ere long we had reached
his house IN Beacon street.
| remember the thrill of delight which
| experienced when first | entered my
aunt Charotte's stylish house and felt
that it was TO be my home at least for a
time. Everything was in perfect order,
and for an instant / looked around me in
silent wonder, almost forgetting TO reply
TO the greeting of my aunt, who, in
heavy brocade and long blue streamers
depending from her head, met us kindly
and hoped we We're well. She had
changed since last l saw her, but it was
more the work of care than of time. She
was much thinner, and the crOw-tracks
around her ewes were now decidedly
deep-eut wrinkles, while her hair was
here and there streaked with more than
one silver thread.
NV uncle was still the same good
hundred. pleasant man, little afraid Ct
his wife, but evidently master of his
own house | glanced around for Her
bert. bat he was not there, and when, or
Annals account more than my own,
asked for him. l was told that he was
down streeI, but would soon be home
Ringing a bell, .ny aunt bid the girl who
appeared. "show the young ladies 10
their rooms" which proved TO be a large
airy chamber with a bedroom. dressing
room and closet adjoining After hasty
toilet we again returned 70 the parlor
where we found a tall. richly dressed
young man, whom l should never have
recognized as Herbert Langley. he was
much altered from when / last saw him
there was a deep flush on his cheeks
which had reached even TO his nose
while the eyes l had once thought SC
handsome were watery and unsteady in
their movement. On the whole. how
ever. he was still what some would cal
good looking. He was sitting with bis
back 10 the door, but at the sound of cur
footsteps he turned around. and coming
toward us. welcomed us most cordially
To Boston. calling US cousins, and
claiming a eorsin's privilege of KISSING
us-me once, and Anna three times, i
not four.
She was a little piqued st his neglect
in answering her last letter. and wishing
10 show proper resentment, she drew
back rather 'haughtily as if wondering
how he dare take such liberties. This
he readily perceived. and Instantly as
suuing an air quite rs Indifferent rs heI
own. he turned toward me, hardly motto
ing her again, though il was easy TO see
that the reserve of both was merely Sc.
fcctation. That evening he was gone
until nine o'clock. and when he entered
the parlor, | noticed on the face Of my
aunt the same anxious expression which
remembered having seen there when
from eur sitting room window, she watch
ed his return. But he was perfectly
sober. and with sigh Of relief she re
sumed her work: while he coming round
TO my side, startled me by saying that
he had just met with friend If mine
DIR. Clayton"
Where I'D you see him? asked An
ma. while bent lower over the book ]
was reading; for that name had still 8
power 10 move me strongly.
why" answered Herbert. Tom VII
son. an old sehoolmate Of mine. boards AT
the same hotel. where he is now lying
very sick. All the old physicians have
given him up. aud so be has employed
this Or. Clayton. / called on Tom this
evening. and while | was there DIR. Clay,
ton came in. In the course of our con
versation he spoke of Sunny Bank, and
then. as a matter of course. said thers
were now in our family two young ladh-,
from that place. When l mentonei