The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1863-10-21

what the old school did not find fault with,
the new one was ready to censure. Why
couldn't he take wife from his own parish
What were "out-of-town" girls brought here
to take the affections of the minister by force,
when here were Susan Somers and Belinda
fhayer and Anna Mulford, and dozen more,
that would have made better wives for him 7
Bat MIR. Gray had no intention of marrying
the pretty Ella Morse, his sisters intimate
friend. She was engaged to saiIor-a bluff,
but honests good natured sailor, who would
have brought home gold and diamouds for hei
daily food, if she could have possibly eaten
them. They were be married when he came
again; and this was her farewell visit to Wal
ford and then Horace Gray was to marry them,
and his sister was to be bridesnaid-and then
the brave sailor and his new wife were to sail
for India
No. this was not Horace Gray's love- Miss
Finikin began seriously to believe that sh.
herselfwas the object Of the minister's attach.
ment. In one of her almost daily visits to the
minister's house, as she went back and forth
on her dress making business, he had asked
her about the state of the Sabbath school Ii
brary. and had urged her to take charge of it
as librarian. On another occasion, when she
had happened in, as she was going to her
work, and his carriage stood at the door, it be
gan to rain, and he had politely taken her up
" puiS- hiSSius ds she nau no umBa61I6.
The sensitive heart of the spinster was com
pletely subdued by these attentions, and her
active imagination began to familiarize itself
with the idea of becoming the minister wife,
SO completely, that it would have been harsh
for any one to attempt disabusing her of her
delusion. She was completely infatuated
Mr., Gray had asked leave of absence for
two successive Sabbaths, and Miss Finikin's
susceptible heart was beating with the hope
that she was to be the companion ee his Jour
ney. But alas, the house was shut up in
mot mysterious manner only an hour before
she had made her morning call in which she
had vainiy looked for the demonstrations of
approaching travel. and as vainly' asked when
they were going, and still more vainly tried
to beg the third place in their carriage
The house was shut up, and the minister
an his sister gone. They went on Monday
and could be absent nearly three weeks, by
only returning on Saturday before the third
Sabbath and yet for this long absence Mr.
Gray bad not accounted to a single person in
his parishl Floating murmurs of disapproba-
tion were followed by louder and more open
demonstrations of anger from the older mem.
bers of his society, and as to Miss Finikn, she
took to her bed. We EEo alone are in the
secret, must whisper whittier he went.
To hurry through the marriage ceremony
that united Captain ingalls, and Ella Morse
together, to leave his sister to make the bridal
tour with them, and to make brief call on
his father and mother, was but the work of a
single day, with the impatient minister. The
glowing sunset of the next day found him
Walking slowly and wearily up vine covered
walk that led to rich and luxurious residence
,n the banks of beautiful river.
So calm and peaceful lay the river, that
every object on its banks and the gorgeous
Nv Itsal WAS "a.
face. T. was like an enchanted stream and
hat nothing might be wanting to complete
he spell, there too was the water nymph-the
half concealed by the beau
iful willows that hung lovingly over its brim.
A basket of fresh water lilies, and her bare,
tripping feet, told what her occupation had
'een. She locked at the wet feet, shining
ike ivory, and blushed deeply A hasty wave |
It the hand ard a murmpred excuse was all
hat she deigned to the weary footed man, who |
lad come far, and travelled long to see this
'ery water nymPh.
She return ed in a few moments and invited |
Tim into the house Her manner seemed cold |
nd stately, and the minister was evidently
lurt, If not offended by it. He 70 llowed her |
nto room that was hung with crimson. The |
itting sun was shedding it last rays upon the |
Eindows, and heightened effect of their deep !
ed drapery. It rested on the pale cheek of |
sabe Maine, and impaired such a flush as |
he red camela rose sometimes does to an |
labaster vase over which it hxngs.
She did not relax at all from her proud |
ook :; and to do the minister justice, he did |
ot look very humble or supplcating either
was evident that some element had been at
'qrk, dividing two souls, which i. would seem
tight come safely and easily together, and
'hich cf their OWL accord would never have
arted Iss bel accorded him. the same cour-
esy that she would have given to any stranger,
nd no more; b1t. she was obviously i'll at
ase; and had to hide her emotion under pre-
snce of arranging the Lilies in dishes of Bo-
emaia glass, making them borrow tint from
heir red hue. 1t was like rosy wine in crys-
II goblets, in its effect, this mingling of red
nd white Horace Gray perceived it, and
poke of its wondrous effect upon the mind,
1is rich blending of flowers artistically.
rom this, their conversation broadered into
wider sphere. embracing almost every com
luation of colors in art or in nature from
ie arcbing of the rainbow, down to the tiny
INK shell on the seashore, from tie highest
alntlng to the blending of the simplest flow
rs.
And the lovers-for they had been, nav,
ere still lovers-con versed calmly and cooily
/ all these things, and left untouched, the
reat sentiment which was filing, absorbing,
'erWhslmlng both their hearts, under this ,
oud of estrangement. Once only they came
ear IsabePs hand trembled until she came
,ar dropping the beautiful red dish in which {,
e vas arranging the lilies and Horacs, as
J saved it from falling, touched her hand s
hat pressure brought back old memories to
ch, but neither spoke; and Horace resumed
s distant seat. - i,
"You will stay with rs tonight, Mr.. Gray,
course, said Isabel "it is too far to the I
lie House for you to return"
"That depends" said Mr.. Gray. AT must a
ow firat whether my visit is welcome fl
t, the longest walk or darkest night would h
course be better alternative."'
i'You will not pain me, Mr. Gray, I sin
,ely hope, by making any allusion to the 4
1t in any way. Invite you to stay, in all 8.
lrtesy, and trust you will accept my hospi- v
ity in the same light. am expecting papa 4
m journey, but he will not be here until .
M IN L. L e. 4 | Z