Eaton weekly Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1866-1875, 1872-05-30
POMPS AND VANITIES.

The rector of ST. Mary's threw him
self on the sofa in a most disconsolate
mood. He was young and handsome
and unmarried, and Millicent Dunallan
had given him back his troth only the
night before.
Oh, how his heart ached-that heart
that had so long been Indifferent to
the blandishments of the many eligible
young ladies OF his congregation |
With what. balmy indifference he had
heretofore accepted slipper patterns, all
the way from worsted to satin and vel
vet, elaborately braided or embroidered
in the richest and soitest colorsl With
what careless, gentle smiles he had re-
ceived book-marks a yard long, in
which romantic misses had worked so
many hopes and fears And as to
dressing-gowns, he had wardrobe
full of them, of all shapes and colors.
There was gray for meditation, blue for
hope, and crimson for comfort. Smok-
ing caps also abounded in all variety of
styles, from the Persian to the Japanese,
although the rector never smoked.
And SO he had passed through several
Christmas seasons unscathed, till Mill
cent came.
Millicent, stately and beautiful, with
" sweetest lips that were ever kissed"
and eyes that made one think of heaven,
with great coils of golden hair wreathed
about her head, with smile that en-
chanted all who were thrown under its
spell-yes, at last look had conquered
the man who at twenty-eight could say,
have never yet seen the woman ]
should wish to marry"
The rector lived in his brothers house,
and that brother, wealthy merchant,
was Millicent Dunallan's guardian. She
was an orphan, and had come there at
his desire, and that was how the rector
met her, and his cool blood was stirred,
to his own great establishment.
"Do you call her handsome" 2" his
mother had asked, indifferently, when,
after late dinner, he lounged into her
room.
Handsomer' he answered with a
short laugh. "No."
"They say she's good church
woman," Mrs. Regley went on, rocking
in her cozy chair before her bright little
worldly. No parents for years, you see,
and she rich girl. Her dresses are very
costly, though very charming too. Pm
rather surprised, my dear, that you don't
call her handsome"
Handsome She is gloriously-al-
most divinely--beautiful," muttered
Paul Reeley to himself, as he sought his
own room. 81 never saw a woman to
compare with her-never."
"Have you heard Miss Dunallan
sing?" asked his brother, as Paul was
standing in the hall, preparatory to
leaving for his church study. It was a
choir night, and he always made it a
point to be present at rehearsals.
"No," he replied, pulling at his
gloves. 81 don't think she has sung
since she has been here-at least didn' t
know he added, with some confusion.
ooh yes, two or three times, but you
were away. You remember the night
you were at Bentley's wedding? We
had treat. don't know what to COM
pare her voice to its melody is perfect.
She will probably run into the choir
meeting with Stella. That young lady
fancies she can go wherever Uncle Paul
does. Maybe Millicent will sing"
Paul was in tremor at this. 1t was
more than likely, as his brothers wife
was one of the choir.
Pshaw what nonsenseP he mutter-
ed to himself, when he found he had
been holding the prayer book upside
down for the last five minutes, as, seated
in his study, he listened for the pleasant
voices that took the lead in merry chat as
we'll singing.
ThereI Miss Craymer has opened
the organ. | hope they will get on with
the new leader. Hark that s not Jenny's
voice - and he held his breath as he lis
tened, and his heart beat faster. 1t was
Millicent DunallanS clear, bird like
soprano, ringing, fldte.l like, through al
the arches of st. Mary's, echoing along
the empty chancel till it seemed like the
voice of some angel, SO clear, SO trium
phant, and soulful. How could Paul for
bear to thank herl He made his way
into the dimIy lighted church, whose