Year: 1875

~ ~ ~ A- ~ 1AoO
morning air revived her; the bright SUNSHINE
chased away the phantoms of the night, anc
the cheerful twitter of the birds, as they
hoped from branch to branch, seemed to an
innate her with renewed hopefulness and cour
age. The handsome, open countenance, franz
bearing, and chivalrous manner of her pro
tector, inspired her with confidence in him
He reminded her a little of her cousin Mau
rice, and the resemblance worked powerfully
in his favor


They found the good people at the farm
house waiting to receive them, though full O
evident wonderment and curiosity, and Alice
felt, that, for her own sake, she had best tak'
them partially into her confidence. She
therefore, related to her hostess, Mrs. Martin
as much of her story as was necessary to ex
plain the plight in which she had been dis
covered, and found the worthy woman quite
ready to sympathize and condole with her ir
her misfortunes. She gave her own name al
Marion Lyle, and carefully suppressed those
of her relatives, being fearful lest these people
might be acquainted with them, and inform
them of her whereabouts.


"Miss Lyle" said young Delatour, "if yor
can make yourself comfortable here for TWEEN
ty-four hours, l think can arrange plar
which will ensure you freedom from future
molestation, and provide you with at least q
temporary refuge"


"You are too kind" said Alice, blushing
deeply, "but you have already taken somuch
trouble on my account, that feel ashamed tc
| fnrt


"Impose! 1t has given me: the greatest
pleasure to render you this trifing service
My plan is this, to ride up to my mothers
place to-day, and send or bring down our car
riage, which tomorrow can take you to Elm
wood my mother will be charmed to receive
you as her guest, and"


"But how strange she will think it," said
Alice, shrinking senstively from the thought
of intruding herself in this unexpected way
upon total stranger. "Indeed, don't think
that would answer at all | am very much
obliged to you for your kindness-more than
can tell you but can't take advantage Of
it in such way"


miss Lyle, entreat you not to speak so,'
cried Gervais, imploringly. "As assured
you just now, my mother will be only too glad
to have you. "You don't know my mother
or you would not doubt my assertion" he
added, smilingly. "Come, won't you agree te
my proposition ?"


Alice considered for little while; thel
turning toward him Frightening face, she
exclaimed


"Have you any little sisters that I could
teach ?"


"Sisters No, I am sorry to say I have
none,". he replied 81 have the misfortune tc
be an only child But, if that would be any
inducement, know of some little girls in oul
neighborhood whom you could take as pupils
ifyou are desirous of teaching"


"But maybe they wouldn't come to ME,
said Alice in doubtful tone.


"Oh yes, they would" confidently replied
Gervais, who was delighted at finding 80 tan
gible an inducement to her to yield to hi
proposition. Il know them all very well
and I would tell them all about you, of course
and represent to them that-that-"


THAT am an accomplished teacher" sale
Alice; and the absurdity of the idea of this re
commentator, on so brief an acquaintance
striking them both at the same moment, they
could not refrain from joining in merry
laugh, which served to put them on a more
sociable footing and Alice finally agreed tt
the young gentleman's plan, which he pro
ceeded at once to carry into effect.


She spent that day quietly at the farm
house, the owners kindly pressing their hos
pitality upon her for as long time as sht
chose to partake of it. But she was secretly
very anxious to get away as quickly as posi-
BILE from the neighborhood of Mrs. Broderick
and her brother.


About dusk, light carriage drawn by two
pretty bay horses, drove up to the door. NJ
one was inside, but neat.looking mad-ser
want occupied the seat beside the driver, anc
she handed to Alice the following note:


"Mrs. E. M. Delatour begs to say to Miss Lyle
that she will be most happy to see her at Elm
wood, and hopes she will feel no hesitation in ac
cepting the invitation given by her son, in which
Mrs. D. cordially joins The servant who carries
attend to her comfort during the Journey


How kind How very kind, thought poor
Alice, to whom it seemed as if these new
friends had been raised up to her almost by a
miracle. She slept that night with tighten
ed heart, and early the next morning, after
taking kind leave of her entertainers, she
found herself en- route for her new destination


They travelled slowly, and it was near three
o'clock when they entered a long avenue Of
elm, and the maid, looking into the'carriage,
informed her that this was Elmwood, and
that the house would be in sight directly. A
turn in the road brought it into view a pref
ty snowwhite dwelling, embowered in nest
Of trees, with a smooth lawn in front, and
bright flowers clustering around the front
steps and porch. AS the carriage stopped,
Gervais Delatour came out to meet Alice
with glow of pleasure Illuminating his hand
some face and before she had reached the
top step, an elderly lady, very slight and up
right in figure, with pair of large blue eyes
and delicate, youthful bloom in her cheeks
appeared in the doorway, and held out hel
hand in kindly greeting to the timid guest.


"You are heartily welcome, my DEAR" she
said as she conducted her into the sitting
room, pleasant apartment, luxuriously fur.
nished, and adorned with number of elegant
knick-nacks, more costly than useful, the like
of which Alice had never seen before. She
felt out of place in her torn, shabby dress
which had suffered considerably in her es
capade of the night of the fire, and feeling Of
painful embarrassment crept over her as she
| r,a aooto1 m +ba dopopdant poe;tion in which