American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1869-10-16

stood, with one hand holding his hat
and the other in his pocket. Then
his es es fell upon the full, white,
finely rounded arm next upon the
sweet, sad, oval face.
You seem to be stranger here T.
he said,
Il am; l walked over from Shade
stone."
" W;3led 7 Not in dayF"
No-Ior in ten of them, sir. ]
worked a little here, and be- ged a
little there, aud starved between the
times" replied the woman, adding to
the voice that was so sweet and low
a little hvsterical laugh that made
him Nhudder.
Where are you going 2" he asked.
Where, do not know, sir. Any
where. l wouldn't be made to do it,
SO | ran away. No-I would have
died first"
Sue said that with vehemence
it was not clear what she meant, but
she seemed So much a lady, and
Paul was invariably so polite that he
refrained from asking an explanation.
What kind of employment do
you seek 2" was his next question.
"Some for willing hands and heart
to do, sir. Teachingawould suit me
best, but it is not for me to state my
preference"
During all this time she had not
raised her eyes to his face. Was it
from humility or shame? He was
not one easily deceived, only he
wanted fair scrutiny of her face
and eyes.
Il am the curate of Bladesburg,"
he said. My name is Paul Ventnor.
This is the lodge at Foley Hall. If
you will enter it with me, l will get
you temporary home at least.
Come"
She rose to her feet; then elevat-
ing her head, she fixed her eyes up
on him. They were such trusting
brown eyes, that they set his nerves
a tingling. AS they heheld his own
they deepened in intensity, and more
and more of the childish sweetness
came into her face. The eurate felt
that he could trust her, but he also
felt somewhat embarrassed, which
made him feel vexed with himself.
"Iou have not yet told me your
name,'' lie said.
"NO, l have not" she replied, the
color in her cheeks deepening. Then
with the least perceptible hesitancy
she said, g My name is Grace lem
pletOn."
Paul Ventnor thought it was q
very pretty name, but did not say so.
He seized the knocker at the door
and gave it a vigorous peal. a ser
want answered it and the two soon
stood in the presence OF the lady OF
Foley Hall. She esteemed the
young curate very highly, and placed
proper appreciation on lis charac
ter and talents. a word from him
in behalf of Grace would have been
sufficient, had she not possessed any
personal or mental charms even.
The result Of the interview was
that she was at once acceped at Fo
ley Hall, not as a menial. but as &
companion to my lady, who was 3
widow and an invalid. Grace was
refined and scholarly, and her natu
raj vivacity soon returning. no ont
could be more companionable to one
who was disposed to be taeiturn ant
gloomy.
Six months passed away, and dur
ing that time Paul Ventnor visited
Foley Hall oftener than there Wa;
absolute necessity for, and was no
long unconscious of the motive tina
took him thithel. Day by day Grac'
grew more lovely in his eyes ant
more dear to his heart. She attend
ed his ministry with rare crnstancy
and his sermons were dull and sound
less to himself when she was not il
her pew with her great brown eye
fixed upon his face. He was despeI
ately in loxe with her, but he mad
no declaration. The living at Blades
burg was only five hundred pound
per annum, and he could not thinl
of marrying upon that.
At the end of six months a serV
ant in livery arrived at Foley Hall.
81 have d letter for Lady Temple
ton,' he said.
=" For whom 2" responded my Ia
dy, with stare.
For he Earl's daughter, for th
lady of Templeton Place.
The madam took the letter, wit
the great red seal, in a daZed sort {
way, then rang the bell for Grace.
: A letter for you," She said.
Gracr's face grew red and whit
by turns as her eyes fell upon I'll
direction upon the letter. ST.
- glance, at the servant, who bowe
with scTVile reverence.
"This is from my father, the Earl
she said. ''Does he know that | al
here, Mr.. Williams o.
"Hr does not, my lady. You
brother Edgar has kept his Seer,
WELL"
She then opened the letter, an
,e read as follows:
i TENPLEToN PLACE, Nov. %, 1919.
# My Dear Grace have reiente,
il You are an angel, while | am
choleric old fool. You We're right !
n. your estimation Of Cl@;haTm. l!
" was mere adventurer, and is no
- in jail on a half dozen counts.
was never 80 infatuated before. fO
7 shall marry whomsoever it ma
please you to marry. / beg yol
d forgiveness, and beg YOU to retnr
~ Edgar consented to forward this, ;
IS | am ignorant of your whereaaout
"a Tonr doting, irAsciblr father
! MARCUS TENPLETON.
It. p. S.-Claxton, the rector, is dea
le ~ bright light d fused the face
Grace. She took the blank lie
a from the letter, and taking out h
in lead pencil, wrote as follows:
id My Dea, Father Il hold no b
Ok terness. The death of Rev. NJ
OF ClaXton leaves the rectorship
ShadeStown vacant. | will retu
" on condition that you give me &
m living at Shadestown to whoever
ly may name.
III Your daughter,