Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1903-03-24
CHAPTER VI

CHAPTER XI.
Aunt Charlotte, Anna and myself were
sitting in the parlor one morning, about
four weeks after our arrival in Boston,
when the door bell rang, and the servant
ushered in a young lady, who readily
guessed was Ada Monrose, for there was
about her an air Of languor, as if she had
just arisen from a sick bed. All doubt
on this point was soon settled by my
aunt's eXclaiming, as she FASTENED to
greet her, why, Ada, my child, this is
a surprise. How do you dog
The voice which answered was, l
thought, the sweetest and most musical
l had ever heard, and yet there was in
1t something which made me involIl-
tarily shudder. l DC not know that
believe in presentiments, but sure [ am
that the moment | heard the tones of
Ada Montrose's voice, and looked upon
her face, | experienced a most Disagree
able sensation, as IL, in some way or 9th
er, she would one day cross my path. She
was beautiful, yet do what | would, !
could not rid myself of the idea that
she was my evil genius, though how in
any way She a proud Southern belle,
could ever affect me, a plain school girl
of fourteen, was difficult to tell. She was,
as | afterward learned, twenty-five years
of age, but being rather diminutive in
size, and affecting a great deal of child
ish simplicity, she passed for four or five
years younger, and. indeed, she herself
gave her age as eighteen.
Divesting herself of her warm wrap
pings, which she left upon the floor, and
shaking out her long curla, she informed
my aunt that she had come to spend the
day, saying, by way of apologizing for
not having sent her word, that she had
ventured TO come without an invitation
she felt herself so perfectly at home"
Several times l faHcied she seemed to
be listening for something, and when at
last | heard Herbert's voice in the hall
aud saw the deepening flush on her cheek.
l was sure that she felt more than COM
mon interest in him. In his usual good
natured, off-hand way he entered the
room, tossing into my lap a letter from
my brother Charlie, and telling Anna that
her beau hadn't yet written; then, as his
eye fell upon Ada, he started back in
evident surprise. Soon recovering him
self however he said, as he took the lit
tie snowflake of a hand, which she Of
fered him:
"Why, Ada, who knew you were
hereY'
mot you, or you would have come
sooner, l reckon" said she, looking up
in his face in a confding kind of way,
which brought frown to Annals brow.
Maybe l shouldn't have come so
soon," he replied, lahghingly, at the
same time stealing q sidelong glance at
Anna.
I =
Miss Montrose, as she saw him looking
for seat. Il want to scold you for not
calling on me oftener when was sick.
You don't know how neglected l telt.
Why didn't you come, heyY'
And she playfully pulled his hair, al
lowing her hand TO remain some time
among his wavy locks. This was kind
of coquetry entirely new to me, and |
looked ON in amazement, while Anna,
more disturbed than she was willing TO
acknowledge, left the room. When she
was gone, Ada said. letting her hand fall
from Herbert's head to his arm, Tell
me, is that the Lee girl who attracted so
much attention at Mrs. Cores party?"
There was look of gratiied pride on
Herberts face MS he answered, yes
the same-don't you think her pretty? ?"
They had probably forgotten my pres
ence-Ada most certainly had. or else
she did not care: for she replied, Pretty
enough for some tastes, l suppose. but
she lacks polish and refinement. is she
at all related TO your
MY step-father's niece. that's ALL" re-
piled Herbert. while Ada quickly rejoin-
ed in low tone, Then, of course, l
shan't have 10 cousin her"
4. u
swer, which / interpreted one way and
Ada another.
Her next remark was a proposal that
Herbert should that afternoon take her
cut TO ride: but TO this he made some
objection; whereupon she pretended to be
angry, leaning back on the sofa and NUT
tering that "she didn't believe he cared a
bit for her. and he might as well confess
Il at once"
Here the dinner bell rang, and offering
his arm to the pouting beauty, Herbert
led her to the dining room, where she
was soon restored 10 good humor by my
aunt, who lavished upon her the utmost
attention. humoring every within. and go
ing so FAR as 10 prepare for her four
different cups of black tea. which had
been ordered expressly for her, and TO
WAlCQ she 0NJCCSet- AS 0SlAA tNO ASes -
too cold-to0 weak or too strong. 1t
took but short time 10 show that she
was a spoiled baby. good natured only
when all the attention was lavished upon
her. and when her wishes were para
mount to all others.
DiE2er being over. Herbert, taking his
ha., wens ont into the street, in spite
Of his mothers whispered effort TO keep
him at home. This. Of course, vexed the
little lady. and after drumming a few
notes rpon the piano. she announced her
intention of returning home. saying that
she wished she had not come" AT this
moment the door bell rang. and some
young ladies came in to call upon Anna.
They seemed surprised at finding Ada
there. and after inQuiring for her health.
one Of them said. DO tell US. Ada. who
that gentleman was thar came and went
so siyiy. without our ever seeing hims
Mrs. Cameron says he was from Georgia.
and that is al we know about him Who
was heT'
Ada started, and turning slightly pale.
replied, What do you mean? I've seen
no gentleman from Georgia Where was
hef ana when was he here7"
AS much as three weeks or more
ago. returned Miss Marvin. ''AIrs.
Cameron got somewhat acQusinted with
him"
Mrs. Cameron repeated Ada. turn