Middletown transcript., 1870-08-13

|
farm, came East, and was now clerk in
mercantile establishment. Brother Johr
was a partner in the house, and 1 think
this clerk was dearer to him than any o.
his upper ten friends. And it was through
this that Ben West got into our set. He
never sought it, never was presuming OF
familiar in any way. But there was not
man of my acquaintance that carried his
head any higher than Ben West. And
somehow he commanded respect with all
his wild ways and careless witticisms.
Nevertheless, I shivered little when
he was introduced to Edith ST. Ledger
But he carried himself like an emperor,
and Edith was as coldly gracious as to
Leandcr Covil, the millionaire.
" Perhaps she doesn't know who he is"
L thought, and dreaded the time when she
should. Not that she would be at all un-
civil, or by word Or deed express her dis
pleasure; but | felt that John and would
lose favor in her eyes and she was such
an aristocratic friend to claim. l was on
ly silly city girl, you know.
We CHANGED to stand by the hall door
that evening, when Mr.. St. Ledger and
lady, and brother John, came from the
garden.
"Who is this Mr.. West, John? He
is the only gentleman of the party 1 have
never seen"
1t was the even voice of Mr.. St. Led
ger 1 watched Edths face as the an
swer came" One of my clerks the best
Enllou chat I,.l r.
cold and reserved as ever.
GA clerk All. he must be quite re-
markable to deserve such praise from you,
Mr.. Defoe." And knew his old heart
was shut forever to Ben West by his
freezing tone.
" This is the gentleman who has pur-
sued so many different vocations, and is
altogether so peculiar, is it not, whom I
heard your brother speak of last winter 7"
It was Edith St. Ledger who spoke,
and L saw now that she knew Ben's his
tory.
Yes" l said, "and I ought to apollo
gize for his presence. He is not of our
set; but John calls him his best friend,
and was determined to bring him. l was
much opposed to it,
g 1t is damp here in the air; let us 90
in" and Edith. closed the door and turned
toward the parlor.
So the conversation ended, and I was
no nearer her feelings upon the subject
than before
The next morning we entered upon the
pleasures we had planned. There was an
exploring expedition to the woods in
search of suitable spot for prospective
picnic.
Miss St. Ledger was unusually brilliant
that day, and Lcander Covil fingered at
her side, spellbound. Everybody knew the
bachelor millionaire was j." head and ears"
in love with Miss St. Ledger. And every
body knew that Miss st. Ledger was as
cold to him as she was to his predecessors
Coquetry was not her line. Her lovers
need never be in doubt concerning her
feelings, for that cold look in the clear
eyes, and the proud turn of the head,
meant "no" as surely as the spoken word
did. And yet they never acould believe
it until it came from her lips.
She was icily cold to Leander Covil that
day. l walked just behind them, and
saw it all. Every attempt at compli-
ment was met with that proud curve of
the neck and head And | said to my
self" His fate is sealed and why can't
he see it,"
We had prepared ourselves with small
baskets containing dinner, to be eaten in
the woods. Our respective escorts car
ried them, but Miss St. Ledger held her
own.
81 beg of you let me carry" pleaded
Mr.. Covil for the third time
"Let us all rest under this trce," was
Miss St. Ledger's only response. And
there was a general halt along the line,
and rest for few moments.
"Come, laggards," cried Ben West,
starting up, 81 am in haste to reach the
wood. Let US go on and get dinner"
Everybody laughed, as they always did
when Ben West spoke. He said so many
funny things that people were always pre-
pared for them, and laughed whatever the
words proved to be.
3" MIR. West" called the voice of Edith
St. Ledger, and all the conversation was
hushed to listen.
Mr.. West turned courteously. "Well,
Miss St. Ledger 2"
Will you be so kind as to carry my
basket-it is getting tiresome 2"
With the greatest pleasure" and Ben
West resumed his place with basket in
hand.
No wonder there was a moments 81
lence, and Lcander CoviIs lip curled.
For he never knew the proud Edith to
ask favor of any man before.
We reached the wood, and our escorts
resigned the baskets for us to prepare
lunch, while they cleared away the un-
derbrush.
"Ah" sighed Ben, as he seated HIM
self in the circle around the dainty feast,
sit was the thought Of this moment that
strengthened me through our weary pill
grimage. This was the beacon light lur-
ing me on-this the staff on which | !
leaned.
A general laugh went around, but Mr..