The Portage County Democrat. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1863-06-10
CHAPTER -111,-rHE PARSONAGE.

LII WaS Il Calul, lTeSQ evening
when our chaise having left the station some
miles in the distance, stopped before the par
sonage of M. 1t was just beyond the
village, the lovliest had ever seen, and this
appeared its crowning spot. | pointed to the
simple, tasteful cottage, standing in a little
chacming garden, and playfully asked Emily
what she thought of the desolate, cemfortless
parsonage of M? She answered moth
ing, but turned her face round to the wooded
hill, crowded by the ruins of old Northum-
brain castle, and opened her lips to drink in a
deep draught of the pure breeze sweeping
down from among those noble trees, richwith
the fulness of their first glory. 1 saw tears
i'll her eyes, and did not need her words
!" Oh ! Ruth, how sweet, how pure tits here!'
to understand them. But my uncle was inn
patient to enter, so we Unattached the gate, and
walked down the gravel path, perfumed with
geranium, verbena, and sweetbriar, into the
house. A lnatronly woman with snowy
cap, who look ed something superior to a ser
want, received us, and saying that :. the min
ister'' was not yet come home welcomed us
in his place. There was a room oneach side
of the entrance, one a parlor, the other
study. Martha was sure we were tired, and
established us at once in the little parlor
where a bright fire was smiling upon us,
where everything was neat and comfortable,
and actually a sofa i'' as Emily cried, throw
ing herself wearily upon it. f' The minister
sent for that in Yesterday said Martha,
g may hap to make the young ladies more
easily like; be hadn't one before, not being
givento indulge himself much.''
Iglanced at Emilv's conscious look; +; it was
still on her face, as Horace came in. He well
coined us with warmth that surprised me,
and afterwards, when he was sitting down
among us, and pressing refreshments upon us
with northern hospitality. could scarcely be-
lieve him the same glum, gloomy being that
had frewned upon our mirth in London
He was certainly changed; the face was still
pale, and the tall figure too thin but no, II
could not be lancy there was asoftness in
the dark eyes, and readiness to smile about
the lips, unusual to us, at least; II hope
you are not very tired Miss Seville Martha
has a, famous restorative, which she often
presses upon me /; try the virtues of this ell
der-wine, if l may venture to offer snch an,
out of the world cordial to a London palate.'
Oh! let us forget London,'' said Emily,
with energy, as she put down the glass with
warm appreciation. Horace smiled. He had
really beautiful smile, it was such light
ing up of his calm features. a'a-f
l. AT tea, when we gathered cozily round the
fire, / could scarce realize our positions. My
uncle asked Horace questions about his peo-
pie, the society, the neighborhood, &C., which
he answered at first with something of his
old brevity, but by degrees he became more
diffuse whether owing to the warmth of that
! genial, fire or to any other influence, l cannot
say. 1t is trHe that Emily sat nearly oLpo-
site to him, half reclining upon the sofa, and
that thought her face, lately pale and deli
cate, had neverlooked sweeter, but of course
it was the heat that flushed her cheek and
made her eyelashes droop lower than usual.
She raised them however, when, later in the
evening, Martha came in, and placing a large
| Bible before Horace sat down with demure
hands folded upon her white apron. There
was deeper color on Horace Kirke's cheek,
but there was no faiter as he read aloud the
! lO4th Psalm There was something in that
magnificent poetry.,in the solemn majesty of
its commencement, in the detailed beauty of
its pastoral pictures, and in the sublime joy
of its devotion, which, aided by the clear i'm
pressipe tone of the reader, filled us with an
unusual emotion. Emily's eyes fixed upon
Horace, drank in every word, and when we
rose from our knees after his simple unosten-
tatious prayer, l saw they were wet with tears
f'sNow, my girl, get to bed. l. am sure you
need rest" said my Uncle. Horace, toe
urged her, and held out his hand. e This
fresh country air will insure your sleeping
well, l hope" he said. She was bending
down toward the fire, but turned suddenly
round to him, and took his hand warmly be-
! tween both hers. {" must ask you to for
! give ME, she said quickly. I can't 90 tc
sleep beneath your kind roof without confess
!, ing how like foolish wilful child I acted tC
| you in town but / did not know you For
, give me, Cousin Horace" He colored anc
Z smiled atthis name, given for the first time
d and retured the pressure of the little hands.
: .s." l think it must be mutual pardon,'' HI
f said gently. " believe neither of us wa
{; ourself was very ungracieus and morose.'
n Emily looked mp. "Yes. you are quit
| different here; are you changed, or is it tn
: sweet spell of home ?' go s.a.j
: 81 sofa bachelors desolate comfortless home
think you ?'' asked Horace little archly
e M Emily blushed. "Ah don't remind m
= of that mad trade" @
&. I'll will cenfess,' said Horace, "that tn
: house and its master were Somewhat change
s by the very influence of that ungracious time
: One is apt to get morose and msanthropics
n living alone out of the world here but Irwa
not so Lad as [ seemed. You yourself as
t, signed me my character on my first arrival,
d you recollect, and was provoked to act up t
4 it." E r s5-saa-az .e-l@g r-aH
e r" But why not have brought home befor
IS now the excellent young lady that Emily re
g commended ?,'z asked Uncle Thorpe who wa
If fond Of a joke, and thought we were gettin
too serious. y '.-....... -
!? y" Because I have not found her yet," sal
: Horace, with something of his old mood
ID ness
Emily took the candlestick from his ham
er and we walked up the shining oak-colore
e, stairs into a small room, where the moo
y streamed through the open latticed windo
es upon the pure white bed smelling of layende
ID We commenced the next morning del
ne cious country life. What lovely walks in II
i'd noble woods and quiet hamlets; what wi
it rambles tracking the course of the silv
40 Wansbeck, climbing the hill to the RUNE
40 castle wall. l have not time to tell. N
y. uncle did not care for. scenery; he thoug
at M e. a "wretchedly dull, dead-alive 50
IS of place" and only stayed on Emily's a
n count; fortunately however, Horace disco
as cred for him a trout-stream at some little di
be tance, and the pilgrimage there and bac
k with the arrangement of his rods in the inte
tn val, gave him sufficient employment. Il
race was seldom our companion ; he was t.
a; devoted to his studies and his visits 10 /
ID, far scattered poor from which be often I
turned half dead with fatigue, as Emily b
1T said. But it was astonishing how he reviv
III after sitting with US awhile in the lovely y