The Carved Cupboard

ppla

bles wrou

s hard.'-J

Agatha Dane, the eldest, sat back in her chair with a little wrinkle of perplexity upon her usually placid brow. Rather plump and short of stature, with no pret

some girl, with dark eyes that flashed and sparkled with animation as she spoke, and ther

face that was Gwendoline's characteristic; and perhaps the varying expressions passing over it, and so transparent to those who knew her, formed her chief charm. There was a wistfulness

the youngest and prettiest of the four, and had only just returned from Germany that

year when I was home that he was a regular screw, and that he only came on a visit to save his housekeeping bills. Now I come back and find dear Aunt Mildr

ietly, 'for she has left us a legacy each, whic

us Dane Hall? She a

will has been added sin

he time he entered the house. He got a trained nurse; said Agatha was worn out, and must rest; and told Nannie she was too old and too near-sighted to be left alone with her mistress. The poor old soul has been weeping her eyes out since! Then he took advantage of Aunt Mildr

e we goi

u see, we can be independent of each other if we choose, for we are all of age, and h

se, did she? Then why can

this is ruinous for people of small means! I feel anxious for us to have a home together somewhere, even if we have to

; single women, shall we say? It doesn't s

is wise, she will marry soon. I'm sure two years' engagemen

cheeks flus

vey party. We could not settle till after that. He

country plan, G

A suburban life would be intolerable, and we have

ve a lit

e been in Germany ever since I left school, studying music. And now

ed Agatha sympathetically. 'We could easily arrang

I suppose we shall not be banished from London fo

ve yet, but we have been looking through some house

wen laughing. 'If I were by myself, I would like nothing better t

re, with a little

up and down in her excitement; 'how dare Cousin James behave s

a jealous feeling of us all our lives. Now fortune has favoured him, and he is gloryin

give me a

t so quickly, and Elfie stopped her hurried walk, a

of age. He seated himself with the greatest equanimity in the midst of the gr

ose you are arranging future plans. Of course, you cannot well remain here. Would you

all that for us, thank you

ust come back from Germany, have you? It seems to ha

e blunt reply; 'it is not

charge of four orphan children, my mother said to her, "Oh, well, Mildred, if you are good enough to educate them, they will naturally do something later to relieve you of the burden of maintaining them." And my wife and I have been so surprised at your all continuing to look upon her house a

speech, which Gwen broke at last,

at least afford to be generous towards us. You have one mercy to be thankful fo

her with a rather ungentle hand. Mr. Dane smiled, pas

be hastened now, will it not

when it is settled,

Nannie,' said Elfie impetuously; 'I hav

and with a little sigh Agatha settled her

e disappointed in not being the sole heiresses of our aunt, but you ought not to have expected it for a moment. She had for a long time regretted making that rash will, which was drawn up whe

ot made up

s such a mistake for a young fellow to think he will make his fortune in the C

u. There is no chance of his coming

e property at Hampstead, and could let you have a small villa there at a very reasonable rent.

ha could not

, but we have decided t

osition, run the risk of being robbed. If you do go to the country, be sure and get a house near others. Well, I must be going. Say good-bye to the others for me. I shall

directly the door closed upon him,

oon cup of tea. She had been with them all since they were quite tiny children; had brought them over from India after their parents' de

she was to go into an alms-house when the house was sold, and Miss Dane had left her a small legacy, so that her future was provided for. Agatha's face as she opened the door was a troubled on

, Agatha; h

ay upstairs I have been saying to myself, "Fret not thyself, because of h

st be something indeed! Here is a seat. Nannie h