North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1866-12-19
gelert Story,
HE AND I.


And young girl, probably his cousin,
blushed as she replied, "sbe did not know.
/ forgot what else passed. They were
only fellow travellers in railway carriage.
My friend, Mrs. Murray, who was taking
me to her home. called my attention to
some place of interest we were passing, ,anG
the young man resumed his book.
But the question required to me and
as leaned back in my corner | tried to
answer 1T for myself, and to solve a little
mystery that puzzled me.
| Three times had met gentleman, a
handsome young man, tall. dark and list
| less. We had never spoken, but his no.
tice of me had attracted my attention. AT
ball he followed me about, changed color
when our eyes met, but did not seek an
PRODUCTION.
At a concert be had stared me almost out
of countenance, yet gravely almost respect
| fully.
At a picnic-the last time | had seen
him-he was happy, laughing and talking
| till he saw me, when his manner became
constrained, and in a few minutes he left
the party.
There was a strange fascination in his
| large dark eyes, and wondered if should
ever meet him again.
He must have had some reason for no.
ticing me so strangely, for | was no; pretty
No, no 1t could not be love at first sight,
| could itl
We arrived a: The Meadows late in the
her daughter, Lydia, lady some fifteen
years older than myself. She was the on
ly child at home. Mr.. John was married
and had the rectory. George, the eldest
son, was travelling abroad.
Mrs. Murray and my mother had been
school friends, but had been separated for
wears, and so were comparative strangers
! G:atil they met again in society, and Mrs,
Murray asked me to spend two or three
months with her il the country, 70 recruit
my strength after the fatigue Of Lon Ton
season.
The day after our arrival Lydia showed
me over the house an grounds. Harold,
Mr.. Johns eldest child, eight years cid
came with US.
The conservatory door was locked. Miss
Murray left us to fetch the key. Harold
remaining talking.
q shall have this horrid old place pull
ed down" he said, pulling at some
ivy that clustered round the turret. He
looked at me as though expecting an answer
then resumed: "pa says, if HE has it he
sha'nt stay at the church. He shall pnll
this down if HE don't, SHALL"
"But this is your uucle's place" said |.
"My uncle! lie won't live long. Ny ma
says Uncle George is bad man, a wicked
man. Don't you think lie is a wicked
man ?"
NO" said !, though know nothing of
him. Little boys" l beRan impress
ively; but his aunt returned, and the con-
versation ended.
"The place would be very differ ent if
poor George were here" said Lydia sadly.
"Doe< he never live here z" inquired.
NJ Murray lookyl a. H. keenly, Live
here! No, never lie STAYS for week or
two sometimes"
perhaps some day he will marry and
settle"
"Never!" said Lydia, STOPPING to pick
up flower. "Have you not heard about
him %
Heard what" said |.
al shall not be a raven, and tell you
You will learn soon enough"
Harold was standing IN the doorway
looking back at us. He had large brown
eyes, and something in them made me fam
cy had seen him before, though | knew |
had not.
SO there was a secret in the family, some
mystery about the eldest sou. Perhaps /
was wrong, but did wish to find it out.
had been at The Meadows nearly a
month before an opportunity occurred.-
Then | paid visit to the rectory, taking
my work, that | might spend the day there.
Mrs. Murray, fancied, got tired of hav-
ing to entertain me, and Lydia liked to
have some time to herself,
Mrs John and were friends, so could
speak freely to each other.
"Are you engaged" 2" said Mrs John.
"No.' said |, fancying she alluded to an
opal and diamond ring always wore.
"Some girls are, SO young. How old are
you;'
eighteen. Not 60 VERY young.
"No, not so very young" said Mrs.
John, meditat'vely. 4" was ouly seven-
teen when | was engaged"
"That was very young to marry"
40, was more than that when | mar
ried. Mamma could not bear The idea of a
second son, you know. 1t was NOT good
match then; but always said | wonld
marry for love. Now they ale pleased
enough; for poor George is really nobody
only be keeps John tof the place at pres,
ent. Eventually Harold must have the
estate. 1t is entailed."
"But there is an older brotherF said l
''To my husband? Yes; but since tha
affair of his he will never marry, and John
he comes next Sad affair that! l always
pity poor George"