Hilda's Mascot Part 20

"Girls never see me when Fred is around. He seems to know exactly what to say to interest them."

"And 'My Lady's Manor' is such a lovely place," resumed Hilda. "I wish you could have stayed even one day longer and visited there and at 'Friedenheim.' They are such beautiful places, and my friends are all so kind."

"They are indeed charming people. I was glad to meet them and would have enjoyed remaining, but, little cousin, I have something to tell you.

Shall it be now?"

"Yes, now," echoed the girl eagerly.

"I told your Dorton friends that we would remain in Philadelphia until to-morrow with Mr. and Mrs. De Cormis, old friends of my father. A niece of Mr. De Cormis from Woodmont, a village near my home in Ohio, is visiting there, and I am glad to have you become acquainted."

"Is she a dear friend of yours?"

"Yes, the dearest."

"Did she come to Philadelphia with you?"

"No, she has been there several weeks. She has many friends there to visit, for she lived there all her life until the past four years, when she and her father came to Woodmont. Her father, Rev. Horace De Cormis, is pastor of our church and is one of the best of men."

"Will she go back to Ohio with us?"

"No, her visit is not yet completed. Her uncle, Mr. Robert De Cormis, and his family wish her to remain the winter with them, but she is a devoted daughter and is not willing to leave her father longer than a fortnight more. You may know that we were glad to meet again."

"You love each other, then?"

"Oh, little cousin, when you see her you will understand how impossible it would be not to love her! If nothing prevents, we expect to be married before another autumn."

"I am glad, Cousin Paul, and hope you will be very happy."

"Thank you, cousin; I am sure you wish it. I cannot fail being happy with Lura De Cormis."

"What style of person is she, Cousin Paul?"

"She is faultlessly fair, has coal black hair and brilliant black eyes, lips like coral, perfect teeth, and her hands are small, white, and beautifully formed."

"She must be beautiful," commented Hilda. "I hope she will love me. Is it easy to make her acquaintance?"

"She is considered very reserved, but she is interested in you. I am sure you cannot help being congenial friends."

Paul's fiancee was out when the travelers arrived at the handsome home of Mr. Robert De Cormis.

Mrs. De Cormis received them cordially and conducted Hilda to the pretty apartment she was to occupy, then left her that she might make her toilet for dinner.

Hilda took girlish delight in arraying herself in one of the new gowns, which fitted her lithe figure perfectly and was charmingly becoming.

She heard the door-bell ring, and heard the sound of cheery voices and descended to the parlor to meet Miss Lura De Cormis. Paul met her at the door and led her to the alcove window where the young lady stood, so absorbed in reading a letter just received from her father that she did not hear Hilda's step upon the soft carpet.

The introduction was given and when Hilda looked upon the face of the future Mrs. Paul Warfield she saw a younger and fairer, but with those exceptions, a living image of Jerusha Flint.

CHAPTER IX-AT THE GYPSY ENCAMPMENT

It was evening of a cloudless day when Paul and Hilda reached the Warfield farmhouse, which was looking charmingly picturesque in the ruby-red glow of the sunset.

The flowers in the lawn were giving out their sweetness, and birds in the maples were singing their vesper songs as if in greeting to the travelers.

Mrs. Warfield's welcome to both was tenderly kind, and the marked resemblance she bore to Mrs. Ashley was a joy to Hilda.

Separated from those whose loving kindness had made life a holiday to her, she had again found a home and a mother.

"I will not weary you, my dear, by questioning now, but will give you the opportunity to refresh yourself after your journey," said Mrs.

Warfield, and, conducting Hilda to a pleasant room adjoining her own, she left her to herself and returned to the parlor to talk with Paul.

"Her beauty quite bewildered me, it was so unexpected," she said, laying her hand upon his shoulder as he sat by the window, newspaper in hand.

"Yes, and the Merrymans spoke of the sweetness of her disposition. She will be a charming companion for you, mother."

"I know I will love her as a daughter. How did you like the family who have so kindly cared for her?"

"I never met strangers whom I admire more. We have taken her from an excellent home, mother, and must try to make her happy here."

"We will. And now tell me of my future daughter-in-law," continued Mrs.

Warfield, with a smile. "I hope she is well and happy."

"Perfectly so," replied the young man, smiling in turn and reddening slightly. "She sent her love to her future mother-in-law."

"For which I am duly obliged. When does she expect to come home?"

"In a fortnight, and has promised to be my wife within the year. Mother dear, you will have more daughters than you can manage!"

"Yes, I can count upon three. Fred will be bringing me a daughter one of these days, I suppose."

"If he can keep in love with any one girl long enough. He is fickle, and the girls seem to know it."

"He is a jolly, generous, conscientious boy," commented his mother with a glow of pride. "I don't believe he would intentionally wound the feelings of anyone, and I hope the girls he flirts with understand that he means nothing serious."

A step was heard on the stairs, and in a moment Hilda appeared at the parlor door.

"I think I told you on our journey that Fred is reading law with an attorney in Springfield," remarked Paul, as he arose to give her a chair.

"Yes, and you also said that you expected him this evening."

"I did, and he has come," exclaimed Paul, glancing eagerly toward the door, for quick footsteps were coming toward it, and a buoyant voice had called, "Mother, where are you?"

"Here!" responded Mrs. Warfield, her eyes beaming with pleasure. "Come and welcome your new cousin!"

Fred came forward in his easy, graceful manner and was presented in due form.