Urbana union. [volume] (Urbana, Ohio) 1862-1872, 1870-12-14

ed out from among the bushes. 'WheI
/ Pm grown up she said, raising he
voice, and may do Just as I please, no
/ body shall prevent me from coming
down to the feTTy?'
Her words made me happy for day
and weeks and months. went Ovel
them and over them. After that, she
and Mr.. Beresford left for foreign parts
and the Hall was shut up. 1t was year
| before they returned. I was told would
not recognize Miss. Eleanor, she haC
grown into such a beautiful young lady
It set me puzzling what the difference
could be that would prevent me know
ing her.
On3One hot afternoon, when the file;
were dreadful, down came Master Hugh
and signed to me to take him over. He
looked paler than usual, and leaned bis
elbow on his knee, and his head on his
hand, and kept his eyes fixed on the
ground. Suddenly he caught sight oi
the rose in the bottOm-hOle, and, seiz.
ing it, hetore it to pieces, and threw il
it into the water. When we reached
the other side, he sprang out of the boat
without q Good morning, John Par
sons so I saw there was something
wrong. As I watched him through the
trees, was startled by Miss Eleanor's
voice.
Take me across, quick, John Parsons
quick p
There she stood, but not the same Miss
Eleanor, some one quite different When
looked into her eyes could not under
stand them. She had got beyond my
reach. I could scarcely get her to keep
still moment in the boat.
DO you see him, John Parsons? she
asked eagerly. is it long since he pass
ed p
Not ten minutes, miss said I.
Fitted her out, and she ran as fast as
she could along the path, catching her
dress in the bushes. I think I heard
her call, as I sat in my boat.
God help you, Miss Eleanor said I,
for I can't and thought it would be
no impertinence to ask Him to inter-
fere. 1t was not twenty minutes before
she returned, looking pale and sad
When she reached the waters edge she
sank down in the long grass, and, in
spite of the difference of station; burst
out with
%, John Parsons I've sent him away
and I shall never, never, never see him
again =,
I was all in trembIe.
tAnd why, Miss EleanOr@ l asked.
Don't ask me Why said she quickly.
Il daren't ask myself why, It's just
that which makes it unendurable.'
She was silent, and I was silent also,
watching her crouehed on the ground.
It was dreadful to see her unhappy
Her free was pitifully white when she
raised it.
please, John Parson, she said slow
ly, take me back
So lifted her carefully, as I used to
do, into the boat; folded her white dress
round her, as l used to do, not to dirty
it, and placed my coat on the seat. All
the time was wishing I could not on
ly take her back to the Hall, but back
through the years to the happy days
that were gone. As helped her out of
the boat. do you think, miss you're
able to get home alone?
IF 1 can't, answered she, wearily, i
must learn; for I'll always be alone now,
John Parsons
The same evening Mrs. Parker came
down all in a furry.
it's the last time I'll do it. she said,
for it's as much az my place is worth;
but Miss Eleanor begged and prayed so
hard, that really couldn't refuse her.
Do you see this. John Parsons :? And
she handed me a note. If you want
Miss Eleanor to have a wink Of sleep to-
night, go quickly TO Barton Common
and give it Master Hugh. He'll be at
the Eagle or Golden Heart He leaves
tomorrow morning so it must be deliv-
cred tonight. How soon can you start?
Whistied before I answered her.
You see that man behind the palings,
ma'amP said I. That's Jim. When he
comes within earshOt Pm off,
you needn't bring the answer to the
Hail. continued Mrs. Parker, with a
wink. 'rll tell Miss Eleanor it's all
right
[ started, leaving Jim in the boat, and
in half an hour reached Barton Com
mon. The Golden Heart was an old
place, surrounded by green.
Mr.. Hugh Charters 1 was told, first
floor, turn to the left, No. 49,
When 1 knocked at the door, 1 scarce
ly recognized his voice. He was lean
ing against the mantelpiece, with his
back to me, and he did not turn round.
1 waited quietly. Presently he seemed
feel that there was some one beside him
self in the room.
Why, John Parsons ? exclaimed he,
what do you want with me?'
came forward, and handed him the
note.
From the Hall, sir, said 1.
He stepped to the window with it, for
the room was very dark, and held it
close up to his eyes. Suddenly his face
changed, and turning quickly, he threw
the letter at my feet unopened.
Take it back!' he said angrily. 4 will
not receive it,
lT 80 TO-, osto,isbod 70 do or,,tbinr,
but stare. Master Hugh was generally
so gentle.
DO you hear me?' he thundered
1 stopped to pick it up.
And Miss Eleanor faltered 1, if she
ask
He crossed the room, and stood erect
before me. The lamp in the passage
lighted his face, and his eyes flashed.
Tell her. he said slowly, that re-
ceive no such notes.
So saying, he thrust me out Of the
room, and slammed the door behind me.
I went down the stairs; along the COM
mon, through the wood, all in maze.
When I reached the ferry peered into
the dark trees to see if Miss Eleanor was
there. For the first time in my life
wished I might not catch glimpse OF
her dress; for the first time heartily
hoped she would not come. The letter
lay in my pocket like dead weight.
All the next day I was in fear of her,
but she never appeared. Sunday. Mon
day; Tuesday passed, and l did not see
her. AT length heard she was i'll, and
had not left her bed since Saturday; that
Mr.. Beresford was in a great way, and
had sent to Hartley for doctor. The
same evening [ was startled by q mes
sage that 1 was wanted at the Hall, and
must go up Immediately. 1t was the
first time in my life I had ever been
wanted there.
Invent at once, without even chang
ing my coat. At the foot Of the stairs
Mr.. Beresford met me. He looked quite
kindly at me.
Take off your boots, John Parsons
he said, 'and go very quietly up to Miss
room. She wants to speak
to you.'
I did not at first know who he meant
by Miss Beresford. My gray, worsted
looked very shabby as my feet
sank in the soft carpeted steps. On the
first landing there was u room full of
flowers. All round [ saw pillars and
pictures and glass, so unlike my ferry.
reminded me of the awful
of station. Mrs. Parker was
quite right when she said I was not fit
company for Miss Eleanor-Miss Beres-
ford. 1 mean. But when I went into
her room I forgot everything, looking
at her face; She put out her hand to
me at once.
20 John Parsonsv she said, Pm so
glad it's you! Tve been longing to see
you. Did you give him the letter@
Yes, miss / answered; and could not
help being afraid lest it should straight !