The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1869-01-07

which was OF books, aud all the literary
and scientific subjects Of the dsy,--far
above the usual Sedgdbrook level, was
delightful TO Elsie; who, thoagh not
clever herself, was very appreciatve,
and oftbe sweet teaehable nature which
mankind most values in Z wife or sis
ter To Philip Denbigh her very pres
ence brought an indescribable charm
and delight. She suited him exactly
to use the commonplace phrase in
/ grander language, she satisfied every
craving ofhis nature. Her sweet beau
/ ty, her gentle yielding temper, her soft
rcpose, so unlike his own vehement
concentrated nature, were all delight
/ ful to him.
/ The old uncle who had left him bis
practice, together with house, a gard
en-, and a field, all known by the name
of The Abbot's Portion, had also given
him an education rather beyond the re-
quirements of village surgeon. His
/ skiIful treatment of difficult surgical
case had since brought hin under the
notice OF some high medical authorities
/ in Londcn and Paris; be had been re-
peatedly urged not to waste his talents
in that remote country region, but to
avail himself Of more than one opening
g. which had come in his way. Hitherto
he bad inyar ably refused; some
thought from feeling Of loyalty to-
wards old Sedgbrook, where a Den
binph had been the village doctor ever
since the year one; others thought (and
with more reason) because he could not
endure to leave the place where Elsie
Clavering was bearing herlong trial.
When he wished her good night Oh
this evening, he said, Il shall have
more spirit now, Elsie, and more am
bition. Shall you break your heart if |
carry you away from old Sedgbrook
some dayf'
"No, / shall carry my home with me. !"
she answered, looking up in his face
with her pretty smile.
81 should like to give yoo SUMMER
home than dingy old Abbots Portion -
he said II should like my Elsie to
take her place some day among the la
dies of the land"
With fond good night he left her,
and was soon in the churchyard, which
led on the other side, through turn
: stile and narrow lane, into the main
street of the village.
Following this for some way, be
then turned up another narrow lane,
, and in few minutes found himself at
the little white gate which led, through
: a narrow strip OF garden, to his house.
t 1t was a quaint building OF dull red
+ colsr with heavy old-tashioned win
, dows in settings Of gray stone 1t had
t once been attached to religious house,
as farm or guest house, and hence Its
peculiar name. The little entrance
hall and dingy square parlor looked
J towards the road; an ugly little excre'
scence of modern growth had .sepa'
= rate entrance to itself, aud was the sur
+ gerry. Two large low sitting rooms q
the back looked, across small garden
e to the Geld which completed the do
7 main. That field was dreaded by th
e youth of Sedgbrook, for in one corne
r was black-looking pool OF water
which, tradition said, was OF unlath4m
d able depth; it was surrounded on thre,
sides by high banks, and overhung b,
n an elm-tree, on which, according to thu
y same tradition, the last abbot had beer
. hanged, his body being afterwards flung
# into the pool, which had borne hi
d name from that time. Of course hi
. ghost "walked," and no threatC o
- promises would have induced Sedg
Il brook lad to venture near the haunteC
It spot after dark. TO this superstition
o MIR. Denbigh was indebted for a ges
o deal of tranquility, as the place, beinl
l famous one for blackberries in autami
q and for skating in winter, and at al
times delightfully."- perilous to life an
d limb, might otherwise have been NOR
'r popular with the village youth tha
Ie would have been at all agreeable to th
d inhabitants Of Abbots Portion.
lie As Mr. Denbigh let himself in, b
sr was met by comely looking elderI
Ie servant with candle in her hand
is broad faced, rough, kindly West-cour
e try woman, ,.onee bis nurse, whom h
p had summoned two years before, o
his uncle's death, to act as housekeepe
III for him, while her husband accomp;
v MED her as groom, gardener and fax
ut totum.
Is, "What, Isott, not gone yetf' sal
Oh her master, IN the quick short mann'
IN which was babitual to him. ~ thougl
| told you never TO wait for me"
IN Il be Just sgoin' siri my maste
d. be've bin to bed most two hours agone
To- was the answer, in a brisk, gooa-teu
of pered voice aud a broad Slowshire di
gs leot.
/" "Has he Then advise you to fc
OF low your masters example as quick
be az you can"
81 She fingered a minute, looking vii
g fully at his face. Then, she caught b
sh eve, broke into a broad smile.
Ike "Bain't l to know nothing, sir :" 81
be said "there were body here to-nig
as says the volks be talking"
90 swell, the folks are right for ont
ow | am goingto be married, lsott.
on- Isotts sly smile became more
still, and demurely she replied
of 81 ceuld "a telld ys that six mont
pit agope,"