The St. Cloud journal. [volume] (St. Cloud, Minn.) 1866-1876, 1869-07-01

CHAPTER vi.
The story Of the caricature, con6ded
to Miss Churchill by Miss Hast,nas;
few like wild.6re over Mill*ood, and
occasioncd ,mahy jests at Pau1's expense.
Persons who Lad never heaf1 Of him
till then, watched with curiasity 1he
young foreman ss be walked 1lail q
and from his business, or took lis Seat,
as usual, in the rectoRs pew. $qms
thought his presumption fully nesaed
the punishment Miss Hildreth inaict.d;
others censured his want Of spirit in r.:
naming where he bad received marked
insult from bis employers sister, :.
Paul was Indifferent to them all as
he performed the weighty tasks Of each
succeeding day with his. accustomed
strength and earnestness, If he suha.
ed, it was concealed under a manly
dignity that efectually prevented either
jesting or oaicious sympathy on the
subject. One great passion, like a
whirlwind, swept away the bright air
castles built by love on the uncertain
foundation of a woman's smile, and
left the future blank and joyless before
him. But the record Of his conscience
was .clear,: and his mothers love still,re.
mained-to cheer and comfort her de.
cl'ning days, evey selfish feeling was
laid aside.
The only person really injured by
Millwood scandal was Mrs. Reichelm,
who had heard each version of the tale
from intermeddling neighbors. Her
watchful affection detected many signs
Of the truth in her sons manner,
guarded though it was She felt there
was new shadow where the old ones
had so lately drifted away.
She could not mention the subject to
Paul, but her heart ached for the
humiliation Of his wounded love and
pride. IF ever Mrs. Eeichelm in her
life felt resentment, it was now, for
Charlotte Hildretb, The Percivals
were unwearied in attention. While
Paul was engaged in business, Mr.. Per
cival drove Mrs. Reichelm into the
surrounding country, and Mrs. Percival
devoted portion of each day to her
but nothing brought back health OF
strength to her shattered frame. Char.
lotte Hildreth was unconscious If
the trouble her wayward conduct occa-
stoned.
1t was unusually gay at the home
stead. Two young gentlemen were os.
tensibly visiting Mr.. Hildreth, bu,
spent nearly all the time with the
young ladies. Rumor declared one
a candidate for Miss Hlldreth's 8 hand.
Paul: was, forgotten as MilIwood
watched the riding and. driving parties
sweep through the quiet village to join
the asscmblage waiting et Mrs. Charlie.
Hildreth's, whose house was filed with
company. Sometimes, when Paul vas
detained at the mill, he heard thei1
merry laughter late in the night, a!
they passed the Office where he was still
writing. Charlotte's laugh sounded
clearer and merrier than the rest to hu
jealous ear.
One sultry night Charlotte and hc1
two friends returned from long drive
and sat down on the balcony to plar
another ramble for the morrow. Sud
denly the mill bell rang out loue
alarm. Charlotte sprang up and looket
in all directions. Nothing was seen bu
tho smoke Of the distant mill rising
slowly into tho air.
II did not think we could hear tn
bell at this distance" remarked Mis-
Sprague "why does it ring at thi'
hour ?" ::..<
"lt is fire r replied Charlotte. 81
wonder where it is!
"'Do you attach much consequence t
a fire in this little town ?" asked Mis-
Hastings carclessly.
"There has not been one for years
but that caused great excitement il
Millwood. I was little girl, and re-
member how every one assisted in pas
sing buckets-even my father ani
Charles. They formed a line to tn
creek, and men, women and childret
worked till it was extinguished. Their
lit is r., and Charlotte pointed with he
finger to column Of fire fast gaining
in brillianoy till II outrivaled .i.s ,nea
neighbor, the mill. -: ys@ ."a.a
| Charlotte watched the light Wit
anxious interest. ut is the new tent