The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1910-09-16

New York. come to visit his aunt.
Miss Cornelia Wade
The door slammed shut. and the
sound OF hasty feet descending the
steps on the other side caused Hamp-
ton 10 turn in surprise, He was alone.
His guide had gone.
The blindness now partially left the
youth. He turned 10 confront two
young girls. evidently sisters. and a
smiling elderly woman,
Uncle Oscar is 80 eccentric" said
one OF the girls, advancing toward
Hampton, and relieving him OF his
suit case. His eyes caught the ruddy
CLEAN of her hair. the cloud.blue OF
her eyes. A spot OF red dotted. for a
passing second. the white OF her
cheeks
"T am Virginia" said the girl
simply. Let me Introduce my
mother and my sister, Louine."
The two women came forward
Louise was a young maid in looks
and actions the double Of the fair
Virginia She had the same grace
full carriage; the same rich voice,
Oscar Is a tease" contributed the
matron. "One-especially a stranger
never knows how to take him " Her
laughing eyes peered out at Hampton
and a roguish twinkle told OF
kindred love for humor.
But" ventured Hampton, III at
case, 81 am sure there has been
mistake. 7"
"Oh, we all understand" laughed
Virginia I'VE all know Uncle os-
car"
But"
Positively no explanations. They
are not needed"
81 only wish you understood" half
whispered Hampton. gazing wistful'y
at the girl. She had made a great
impression on the youth from the
city. With a social footing in New
York second to none, and An income
that had allowed him to travel ex-
tensively, he had imagined that the
gentler sex had palled upon him.
Hence this early-spring fitting TO
Lukesdale He was cloyed with So
ciety-and women.
This girl was a revelation. Conf
dent of poise, cool. wholly at ease,
under what must be to her, to scy
the least. singular circumstances sho
was, withal. prettily natural and sim
pie.
Probably Mr.. Hampton wishes TO
bathe his hands after his long ride
on that hateful accommodation"
It was the elderly woman who
smoke Show him to his room V'r.
ginia. He can Join US at his cor
venience."
With a resigned sigh, Hampton
been expected by these good people.
In short time the proper guest
would arrive, and then-well, Hamp.
ton impostor, would be kicked out,
This would end his acquaintance with
this rare maid.
Timidly, Hampton again entered
the parlor
A wheezy voice greeted him. How
dye do, Hampton? Feeling re-
freshed?"
The young New Yorker glared at
the returned joker. Uncle Oscar
shifted about uneasily under the pro-
longed and eloquent stare.
"Um-m-m," ventured Uncle Oscar.
81 guess I'll have to speak with
Hampton alone for a moment.
Unceremoniously he dragged the
youth into the library.
TITS all right" he interrupted,
rising r pudgy hand to the young
mans wrathy vociferations. TITS all
right, Hampton. Don't get excited
met your aunt on my trip to r.
personally acquainted with h
know. She was called away SUI
only to the bedside of sick friend,
and she asked me to find you and
bring you here to my sisters home.
where she had made arrangements
for you to stay until her return
Satisfied"
Surely" beamed the youth
More than satified. like"
Eyes, I see you do" said the old
man. Virginia likes you, too. See
how she flushed when you came back
-eh? Well, good luck to you, Hamp
ton AS for me, I'm going home"
The old man disappeared down the
hall leading to the street door
Hampton hurried back to the parlor