Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-10-30
Gales aud Skttthfs.
THE GROsT IN THE ChANCEL.

V''VoA A4S AAAA OAAANV80s a..f.t teu
There was storm raging without.
Within the rectory blazing coal fire, and
the students lamp, sending under its illu-i
minated shade soft. clear radience, made
the pleasant parlor very attractivein in they
eyes of Miss Delaney and her mother. dis
tant relatives, on visit to the Prestons.
Miss Delaney was an only child, 4nd
had attained the somewhat mature ags of
without receiving An offer 4
that she cared to accept. AT sixteen, ro-
nance had been her impelling motive ID >
all her anticipations Of matrinony.a AZ
twenty, ambition had ruled but now -
twenty-four she was quite ready To- marry
Reginald Preston, if he would only ask
her. She was really lovely girl, Z
blonde, in appearance not more than
eighteen, gentle and winning in hsr mani
ner, and cultivating all the graces that
ever exercised influence over the, heart Of
obdurate man. She looked very spritGelle, !
her golden hair clinging to the blue velvet
back of the easy chair against which She
leaned her head. the wilderness of her
round full throat heightened BY the band
of narrow black velvet, in which blazed
single small diamond Mrs Delaney, the
elder, dressed in black velvet snd:a very
imposing cap. sat on the lounge at the,
back of the room talking TO the Rev. Beg
inald Preston. She, was q very snowy
woman, large Of stature. and . good na-f
tured. easy going person whose only aim
at present was to see her daughter settled,
for life. Reginalds mother, busy at some
trihe of work near the shaded light, chat
ted with her younger guest, now and then
looking over to where her son sat with .
proud, loving glance. Reginald was the
idol of her heart; his counterpart, she
fondly believed, did not exist. 49,
II am quite curious about this young
lady," said Miss Delaney, lifting her head
and sitting upright; .'is she beanAiful ~
"Oh, not at all beautiful7at least, she
was not three years ago, and don 7 think
she could have altered mich, as she was
then seventeen The train must be- behind
time-she surely ought tonbe here.qql
sent the carriage at seven. and it u DOW
half-past eight. Reginald was anxious 70
60 for her, but you know he was called
away" 2'1 ''.N'" 1'''slsa'lnoa
.She is an old acquaintance of his. /
suppose" said Miss Delaney, busy over
her bracelet. Ia. 4.5 sta.t,ff,fa .,di .c3
"Oh, no, dear; Reginald never saw
her; does not know her at all. But her
father was one OF the Professors Of his
College, and he thought there was no ene
like him. When he learned that the Pro-
fessor's wife was once an intimate friend
of mine, he was delighted. Poor little
Nanny! Her father is dead, and her
mother is an invalid Her mother wrote
me about fdding a boarding7place for
Nanny, who, you know, is to take the
Kirkwood School for the next term, and /
sent for her to come Immediately here. W.
ut was very kind of you, Fm snrs,''
said Miss Delaney, languidly; "but what
an odd. ugly name for nowadays" Mrs.
Preston smiled.
at is unusual" she said. "and old
fashioned, but It is very sweet to me. for
the only sister ever had bore that name.
But bark |! there is the sound Of carriage
wheels"
Both Reginald and Mrs. Delaney looked
up as she spoke, The rector, with . slight
bow, rose and moved towards his mother.
Miss Delaney was well posed, but Regi-
nald did not appear to notice her and she
looked in his face under shelter Of the
shaded light, with steady half passion
ate glance. p.a val 1o isss adl sngoa
"oh, U woe Y me i /! love hipT-i T-ii taai
Ou Woc, IL uC lotco not uuc
she thought. He followed his mother into
the hall, and presently coming hack. seat-
ed himself at the piano. and played very
softly one OF Mozart's sOnatas. 1t was
not long before Mrs. Preston returned, her
face quite radiant She was rubbing her
hands softly, a habit she had when pleased.
"Well my dear, she's all right; andyou
willllike her--I know you will. Too tired
TO come down tonight, so | advised her
not to. She has changed a little IN these
two years. Reginald, does she look like
her father P' ASSOC aa 8eoa-l1sl Q sa
Very much." he said. briefly, Without
looking up. and went on with his playing.
"How that boy loves music !" and Mrs.
Preston resumed her work. "Y es. Nancy
has changed" she said softly. with one or
two little mods, and smiling "has most
attractive countenance. I'm sure Regi-
nald thought SO by the way he looked. :"
Miss Delaney drew in her lips, sad 70
strange expression passed over her lace.
From that moment she was prepared TO
receive the new guest with hatred In her
heart and smiles upon her lips. Reginald
had loved the father, perhaps that woolo
lead him TO feel more than ordinary In
terest in the daughter, she thought. and 20
far all her graces had seemed to be thrown
away. Not but that he admired her, she
knew that-but everybody admired her
she wanted something moIe from Regi-
nald Preston, the man who for more than
five years had been surrounded BY attract
i've women. .tt,.s.
"Ihave given Nancy the room next to
yours" purred on Mrs. Preston. lingering
| in the innocence OF her heart upon me
new arrival, but don t think you Wi! dls-
turb each other" she smilingly added.
NANNY is the quietest little creature-l
suppose the death OF her father must have
been "a terrible blow to her, poor young
thing From what ! have heard. she idol
ized him and the Professor must have
been such very good man, wasn't he,
Reginald9" "s7 2 ed ih# 4a~dA
YES the Professor was one of the best
men ever knew" said Reginald. who
had lett the piano, and stood BY the table
near lis mother. Mrs. Delaney was
watching him with glance intent, and also
in her heart admiring her daughters beatty,
heightened just now by the soft lustre Of