Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1912-01-31

Disc admirably. What if she s4oui
e turned ay!
"The owner of the place is in Eu-
rope, I believer" she asked
Eyes. Jim's about made up his
mind to live in Paris for good | ex-
pect He's my nephew, you know My
sister and l came UP last spring from
Philadelphia to live and he asked US
to take charge of the house over
there
After half an hours interview, sat
isfactory arrangements were conclud-
ed and, with the key tightly clasped
in her cold fingers, Francesca found
herself for the first time in three long
years walking TREMENDOUSLY up the
flower bordered path that led to the
low veranda.? Her breath came in
little jerks and the blood pounded in
her temples. She applied the key |
to the lock almost in a dream and !
pushed open the door.
At sight of the familiar objects
within a sudden sense of suffocation
came upon her. 1t passed in a mo-
ment and she entered the first room
she came to mechanically. The air
was fresh and clean, and not sign
of dust was in evidence. The spinster
aunts had attended to that, and the
girl sank into a chair with a sigh Of
relief. She had fully expected to find
the place musty and damp and had
been mentally bracing herself to meet
the emergency.
She must have sat there at least
quarter of an hour, her dry eyes trav-
cling from one well-remembered OBJ
iect to another. Her emotion made
her physically weak, and the only
thing she could do was to sit and bat
tie for self-mastery There was no
need to explore further into the
house; every nook and corner was
printed on her memory. A clock strik-
ing three reused her. She rose by an
effort and crossed to one of the win
dows and looked out at the blooming
flowers below. How well she re-
called the day they had made the
flower bed together.
But my dear James, how absurd!
The place was going to rack and ruin
for want of a tenant. We imagined
you'd be highly pleased"
Francesca caught at the sill for sup
port. Every atom of color fed from
her face.
Il appreciate your interest, OF
course, Aunt Sophie. But for reasons
best known to myself I prefer to keep
the house vacant. | should have told
you, I suppose. But somehow, in the
rush of things, omitted to do so. But
T as long as the people haven't moved
2 in thereH be no trouble about it."
Francesca turned as the man ap-
; reached the room alone. Her first
] impulse had been to fly, to hide-to
t seek refuge in any way she could. But
j all avenue of escape was cut off, and
the only alternative was to stay where
she was, and hurriedly draw down the
thick veil she wore.
t. II beg your pardon" Langdon be
a gan. apologetically, but it was all a
mistake about this house being fol
q rent The fact is, I've just come home
v from Europe unexpectedly and shall
e want to occupy it for myself"
Francesca nodded.
I'm awfully sorry you've been pu
to this trouble, but you see"
n I'm sure you needn't apologize,
e she interposed quickly, in a low tone
n 'I-perfectly understand"
l. Langdon smiled gratefully. "Thanl
y you very much" he said.
Francesca moved across the foo
g toward the doorway To reach it sh'
was compelled to pass close to Lang
d don. He was watching her narrowly
II Suddenly he caught his breath, turne'
n pale, then red-then pale again. Whe1
she would have passed through tn
n opening he barred her way.
i francesca" he cried, breathlessly
MAY I-pass?" she faltered, weakly
N mo; you may not" He deliberate
e. ly lifted the veil from her face an
Ii looked long and deep into the misty
gold brown eyes. Satisfied, he CAV
IL little soft laugh, and drew her
IL most roughly into his arms.
II We've been a precious pair of nun
skulls, haven't WEI" he demanded.
y 'T-I-think we have, dear"
:, But we've learned wisdom throug
q experience, eh?"
~ "I-hope so, jim"
- His lips touched her hair. His arm
y frightened. "And it's not too late
. go down and look at that Clipper
~ dale?"