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

ton that fell from his lips.
She is rare Jewell" said Paul to
himself, "but, fear, beyond my reach ;"
and forthwith, after the fashion of other
men and lovers, began to torment him.
self.
But Millicent, though naturally lit
tie reserved, was very gracious to him.
Little Stella, his brothers only child,
was an innocent and unconscious
stimulant to his passion.
Isn't Miss Millicent beautiful, Uncle
Paul ?'' she often said. "Oh, 1 do love
her so dearly She's nicer than all the
young ladies L know. Don't you think
so ?" And then she would repeat some
little pleasantly, some trifling word she
had caught as it fell from the ruby lips
of Miss Dunallan and child as she was,
would wonder at the flush in her uncle's
face, or the warmth with which he kissed
her.
The months passed on, and Paul fan
cied that Millicent was not adverse to re-
ceiving his little attentions. They talked
together in the sweet twilight hours, and
she sang for him, while the moments,
golden-footed, fed, till he was fain to
tear himself away where sterner duties
called. They often left the house to-
gether on the Sabbath, and the young
maidens of st. Mary's looked coidly
upon her, or lent their ears with forced
attention when she sang for it was evil
dent to the lookers-on that the rector
was very deeply in love, and that a
stranger, scarcely more than a school
girl, had carried off the prize.
By-and-by it was rumored that the
two were engaged. The rector had never
seemed so handsome, so radiant, so per
fectly happy in all his life before. Strive
against it as he would, when he preached,
Millicent's were the eyes for which he
looked, hers was the praise he longed
for.
"God forbid that my love became idol
atry," he sometimes said to himself, as
he caught sight of the fair, bowed head,
on his entrance to the chancel, and then
straightway forgot everything but his
love.
What more could he desire? Millicent
was beautiful, accomplished, well edu-
Gated, and devout. He would not allow
himself to fear that she was proud and
worldly as his mother had said her face
was as that of some sweet saint.
But the time of trial was at hand
Paul Regley was now to show the
strength of his character, the power of
his manhood, and the stability of his
principles.
How is it, Paul, about the down
town parish of Ascension ?'' his brother
asked him one morning, as they sat at
breakfast. His mother looked quickly
up.
81 think shall decide to take it,
Paul answered, briefly. They are in
great need, and like the field. 1t will
give me plenty to do, and at present
am like a gentleman in retirement
very pleasant for a time, but irksome
and Improbable to one of my tempera-
ment."
Millicent's eyes met his; there was a
new expression in their violet depths
q look that puzzled him till she explain
ed it.
That was q week after.
care you really going to that poor,
old fashioned church down town Pr she
asked, when they were alone by them
selves, little Stella's presence excepted.
The child sat at the piano, playing her
lesson over, and the sweet chords made
q pleasant accompaniment to their mur-
INJURED speech.
Yes, 1 am really going. I decided
some days ago, and have so signifed
to my bishop. 1t is splendid field for
labor"
"But look at what you leave" said
Millicent, in a low, melodious voice; 81
should think such a parish as this much
more suitable for your gifts and graces,"
she added, in that sweet caressing tone
which made her every word musical.
1t seems SO to my friends, perhaps;
but 1 feel drawn towardi old Ascension,
and from the start l have coveted harder
work. The schools, the poor and the
charities there will be more congenial
to me than the pomp and fashion of st.
Mary's. There's no denying, Millicent,
that st. Mary's is somewhat given to
pomps and vanities.''
Millicent looked troubled. She was
not prepared for any sacrifce-hardly
knew the meaning of the word, in fact
dearly as she loved Paul; and she did
love him, though as yet heart had only
spoken to heart in mute but eloquent
language. And presently they talked
of other things, and Paul sent along the
passionate tide of his love the words
that had been SO long burning within
him.
But if 1 am to be your wife dear
Paul" said Millicent, after rapturous
hour had flown, "you must give up AS
cension and stay with st. Mary's."
Give up Ascension, my IoveI have
accepted, and am already looked upon
as the rector there. You surely could
not ask me to go back on my word? 1t
is as sacred as my plighted troth to
YOU"
"But for nay sake, Paul. 1 don't want
to go to that parish" she pleaded, her
beautiful eyes bewildering him. "Here
am at home, and SO happyl have
made my friends here; 1 am getting
more and more attached to the dear old
church. 1t was there 1 first heard you
preach, Paul; for my sake don't leave
it."
"Dearest, it pains me to hear you talk
so,' said Paul, his heart and his courage
sinking. "You surely would not charm
me even from Wat 1 hold to be my
bounden duty. If it is only the forming
of new ties you dread, that will be soon
accomplished. Hand in hand we will
go together, and in our grand work for
get our own petty, personal feelings.
You will soon like it. Ascension is not
quite as beautiful in its adornments as
st. Mary's; but, for all that, it is noble
old church, and more suited to my
taste.
Millicent looked panied. Little Stella
had quietly glided from the room long
ago. The rays of the moon, glorious in
its fullneSS, stole in at the easement and