Year: 1876

to conceal her confusion for she was moi


skilled in the art of deception. A vague


sense of the truth flashed on Lulu's


mind, and she laugbingly exclaimed


"Elsie, bashful Elsie, is it possible that


you have ever firted! Not with Mr..


Howard ?" Elsie gave her look oi


unutterable establishment, then point.


ing to the clock said, ''See it is getting


late" Her tone sounded little offend


ed and her sister quickly replied "Je


vous demande pardon, did not sup


pose you would attempt Irritation with


him, and as the thought of it seems to


shock you, so l must confess | am


greatly puzzled. Now, sister, relieve


me from suspense


"Not tonight Lulu Somnus has


sent that indefatigable messenger of his


to shake poppies over my eyes, and |
can keep them open no longer"


! "You have at least acknowledged my
suspicious have some foundation. l will
await your convenience to hear the
story; and before you know it, l will
be in dreamland, thus proving that one
Of our sex can sleep with unsatisied
curiosity" m @


CHAPTER %.


The house at Willow Grove stood on
a slight eminence commanding fine
view of the surrounding country East
ward lay the picturesque village Of
D.. A noisy brook crossed the
road which led to the village and was
spanned by rustic bridge with seats
on either side serving as delightful rest
ing places in summer. The morning
following the disclosure of Elsie's cher
ished desire dawned bright and clear.
Nature was clothed in dress of the
freshest green. and the air laden with
the fragrance of May flowers Elsie and
Lulu stood on the low porch, which ran
round three sides of the house, admir-
ing the scene which lay before them
A grassy bank sloped down from the
porch to low stone wall which sepa-
rated the yard from the meadow. This
wall was almost concealed by woodbine
and other vines which trailed over it,
A short distance beyond the wall stood
a grove of willow trees, whence the
farm received its name Through the
trees might be seen the sparkling little
brook splashing along over its stony
bed. and dashing over rock forming
small waterfall Of about two feet. Elsie
half-unconsciously rolled the croquet
balls off the porch, then seizing mallst
tripped down the velvety slope after
them, and with well-dirscted strokes
sent them in the direction of the grove.


Lulu left alone, turned her attention
to the road, and presently perceived two
figures crossing the bridge. She turn
ed to apprise Elsie of the approach Of
the croquet party. but she had wan
dered on to the edge of the brook to
gather violets. As the figures entered
the lawn Lulu recognized Mr.. Howard
A little in the rear appeared two more
gentlemen accompanied each by lady. |
When Mr. Howard and his companion
reached the porch the quick eye of the
former caught glimpse Of Elsie's dress
Leaving his friend conversing with
Lulu, he turned toward the grove to
''see if the wickets were in readiness.
and to recall Miss Elsie. ere she was
enchanted away entirely" be said


Charlie Howard was grave, digni-
fed young man. He had been early
left an orphan with little more property
than was sufficient to educate him A
wealthy uncle had given him a home,
but seldom took the slightest notice of
the lonely boy. His wife, worldly.
extravagant woman, idolized her own
children but had no love for the warm
hearted, generous boy, whom she re-
garded as an intruder.


Charlie was not slow to perceive that
selfishnsss was the predominant charac-
teristic of the whole family, SO he gladly
withdrew from the society of his cousins
and repaired to a small room in the
attic, which be had easily gained his
aunt's consent to use, she having no
possible use for it, Here be freely and
uninterruptedly INDUCED in his passion
for painting. The sweet, sad memory
of loving, gentle mother, and a kind,
thoughtful father, was great solacs to
Charlie, who longed for real. true
friend to whom he might confide his
sorrows and joys. As his years ripened
into manhood, Mrs. Howard was proud
to introduce the handsome, notebook
ing youth to her fashionable acquain-
tances as her husbands nephew He
was openly flattered, much to his dis
gust. Society was exceedingly weari-
some to one whose soul was filled with
such noble aspirations. The ladies We'd
with each other in the costliness of dress
and entertainments. The highest am
bition of the gentlemen seemed to be to
win the hearts of the prettiest or most
wealthy ladies. In their eyes the chief
charms of womanhood were wealth and
beauty "Ah" thought Charlie, chow
thankful I am that my life hitherto has
been what it was, or | too might be
blind and deluded as are these gay and



worldly people"


His college course ended, he an
nounced his determination to become an
artist He would spend his days in the
seclusion Of a studio which should be
located in some quiet spot in the coun-
try remote from the din and hustle of
the city. He would strive to excel in
bis beloved art and be content. He
conided his wishes to a class-mate, a
valued friend who recommended bis own
native village as pleasant resort, and
Charlie soon found himself comfortably
settled in D, boarding with quiet
couple in the decline of life. For awhile
be pursued his avocations undisturbed
and felt no alarm when one day he over
heard his landlady remark to her hus-
band that her precious darlings, Elsie
md I,u1u wara co,p;no fo t.ko toa MI |