The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-02-07


which was very becoming.
"Who that saw Mr.. Waluder now, withou!
knowing who he was, would believe that this
light, elegant, aud fashionable costume. CON,
cealed a clergyman ?" said Hilda, with an arch
smile, as she extended her hand in welcome.
will hope" said he, seriously, "that the
coat is the least clerical part about me- / ans
clergyman at heart but, as to my dress,
generally take a pleasure, when not engaged ir
official duties, in clothing myself like other peo:
pie; and presume that Miss Hilda has OBJ
served, long ago, that | am quite as much tenn.
poral as spiritual?" >
" You are quite right" said Hilda. "And
now pray tell me how you came to return so
soon z"
Well, then, because of the extreme hest
and perhaps, also, for another cause-I tool the
night to my aid, and thus accomplished the four
days journey in twice four and-twenty ho'srs !:
and so it was natural enough, being somewhat
sleepy, that | could not see the land, and so
fell into the water
"Oh, very natural indeed" said Hilda; "but
why did you not take rest after your journey,'
instead of going to catch fish ?"
"Oh, was at home by noon, and tried to
rest for few hours. But / had scarcely closed
my eyes in sleep, when l dreamed that Miss
Hilda commanded me to get up, and put my
ent and glad to escape from sleep, sprang up,
under the inspiration of this pleasing dream,
and fastened away to try my luck, which, as
far as catching fish goes, has turned out full as
good as | dreamed"
Yes; l see Mr.. Wallinder is always fortu-
nate in hunting and fishing" replied Hilda,
quietly, "and never returns without abundant
booty"
"And yet that does not satisfy me-" he con-
tinued; ~ would, with all my heart, that for
tune would favor ME in other matters as velsas
hunting and fishing. Does Miss Hilda believe,
for instance, that the caprcious goddess would
desert me in love?' and he looked boldly IN
der her straw hat, into her laughing blue eyes.
"That is more than l know, and really a
great deal more than l can answer" said she,
gaily; but / have heard say that one cannot
be fortunate in everything; and if you are in
two cases, may, perhaps, hardly be so in the
third"
sob, how naughty Miss Hilda isl reioined,
Wallinder, with his color rising, as he bent
down, and, drawing her hand from her work,
placed it upon his beating heart. ooh, sell
me, | implore you, shall its beating be always
unreturned?" he asked in a voice which went
to her soul.
The voice within said, loudly, No." but bSr
lips remained pertnaciously closed.
6 Miss Hilda is too severe" continued WI
Under, his glance darkening, while he still he'd
her hand, which she struggled family to relesae
from his.
GOOD heavens" cried Hilda, anxiously;
" does not Mr.. Wallinder see the old grazier Of
Bro sailing through the gate there? Do let i1y
hand free; | am not severe; but | cannot give
you an answer now"
And in a moment Walinder was himself
again; but the beaming, joyous glance, which
Hilda's last words had caused to flash from his
eyes, grew dim again at the unwelcome sight
of the old grazier who always had so much to
talk to the 'Spector about.
"The Lieutenant is out in the field, father
Lars" said Wallinder, with significant gesture
towards the gate.
eyes, but he will soon come in again" in
ptUu uldo, eoo him and mamha yv1uer,
in the ploughed feld.' And she opened the
door for the wealthy grazier, who seldom came
with empty hands, but always brought some
thing for the young lady, who appeared as much
an angel in his eyes as in Wallinder's.
"Well, Miss Hilda, now what do you think
of the colors brought from town." asked old
Lars, as he comfortably drew his chair to the
door.
"They are very NICE" Hilda assured him;
~ shall soon have quite finished my painting"
And then he had to 60 in and admire all her
artistic efforts which he could not do sufficient
ly, they were so beautiful.
"You are so clever in everything, you will
be just the one for minister's wife in the coun-
try would say Provosts lady. / have seen
stranger things than that
Somewhat embarrassed, Hilda tried to change
the flow of father Lsrss eloquence upon some
other subject, when his eye again turned upon
the basket he had put down on his entrance
"Ah, see there, now! My old woman pus
up something there for Miss Hilda; don't you
take it i'll, it's only for your pleasure, and sbs
makes you heartily welcome to it, because Miss
is so friendly, like, and never thinks herself
too high to have a chat with the old wives IN
the churchyard O Sundays"
Hilda took the basket, and thanked him in
simple and unaffected terms for its various coz.
tents and then, having placed Jug of beer TO-
him, she invited old Lars, as the greatest pos
sible mark Of respect, to take a seat in the
porch and smoke pipe.
If old Lars was most highly satisfied WITH
the honor which was done him, Wallinder, OF,
his part, was no less gratifed to see Hilda's
manner of behaving to the common people.
eyes," said he to himself, the old man il
perfectly right; she will make a most capital
country clergyman's wife; but he is not right,
the cid rogue, to come here and disturb me.
| It's great nuisance"
Lieutenant Borgenskold and his wife now
returned from their walk. Mamma was terri
bly, exhausted, and vowed that the old man
would not get her as far away from home again.
"Hilda, my love, you have some raspberry
vinegar and water, am sure. All, look there,
nowl Welcome, Mr.. Wallinder Good evening,
father Lars! Dear Hilda, dear child, do make
haste II am dying of thirst |" And the worthy
dame sank, breathless and exhausted, into an
arm chair, which Wallinder placed for her.
Gaily and pleasantly passed the evening; they
were all happy together, and felt it in their
hearts, and none more so than Wsllinder and
Hida When the old grazier had finished his
business with the Lieutenant, and took his leave,
the latter accompanied him little on his way
home. 1t was the hour when mamma had to
inspect the dairy, and 80 the young people
were left alone.
"Miss Hilda is very Industrious" said Wal
Under, drawing his chair nearer 1T is a regu-
lar trial to see any one so busy, when ones self
is idle.'
thing?" replied Hilda, quietly "there is
large basket of spinach, which mamma left !;
suppose you pick it over"
AZ am afraid you would not thank me for
it, for should not do it right this evening"
"Why not?" asked Hilda.
Because 1 shall not be calm and quiet
again, until Miss Hilda has replied to the ques.
ton | asked her more than two hours ago."
81 did answer it," said Hilda, quite artlessly;
~ said, plainly enough, that did not know,
but that had heard say va smile completed
the sentence.
"Does Miss Hilda take pleasure in torturing
me, or why this testing tone? Now, when nv
heart is so full, so earnest oh, let me at least
read in your eyes whether they speak the same