Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-10-31
Gales aud Skstfhts.
THE Gsosr IN THE CHASCEL.
lcoNrrvuEp FROM YEsrrRDAr.I


Besides. little Nanny was'not an Episco-
palian; was ignorant of all the forms of
the church; indeed, had imbibed . preju-
dice against them Before the rector. Miss
Delaney was eloquent when expetiating on
the recent Easter services; while Nanny
listened, delighted, yet wondering IN her
heart, as they talked of crosses, and affairs.
and lecturn, and chancel, if they were not
half papists. s{ ..t1eI - ylo.ns raej
"What pity our little friend is not
church woman ~ said Miss Delaney one
morning, as she found Reginald alone in
the sitting-room. .I,m afraid she has
sort of holy horror of US by the, way she
talks; but then you can hardly expect one
who was not brought up in the church to
feel as we do" ~ i" ~ ,'lai'ae'A
II was not brought up in the church,
said Reginald quietly. agasiD sad
True, had forgotten" was the an
swer, her cheeks flushing. -,
"You were, Miss Delaney, andthere you
have the advantage of me, he continued,
in the same quiet tone. II am - one
born out of due time; but for all that. the
church and all her Institutions are mex
pressibly dear to me-" sa''l S's9io'
"You make me feel asfif l had been
very impolite, Mr.. Preston.' she said
strangely agitated. 81, r..s.t ..,t.sad
Don't for the world imagine it, ex-
claimed Reginald, coming out Of his half
reverie; and pray-I ask as favor-don't
call me Mr.. Preston, even if we are for
tieth cousins. as you say, ryfa4 sdT
1t seemed to her that his voice had
grown suddenly very tender. She lifted
her eyes and met his frank smile with
perplexed wondering look and sigh. He
drew nearer to her. How beautiful she
was fairer by daylight even than by gas
light. He held out his hand: ' e..'s'
"ShalI it be Reginald ?" he asked. -
At that moment Nanny came in. isal
Il hate that girl =. said Miss Delaney to
herself, yet she smiled sweetly, while the
rector, at sight of her, turned and went
towards the fire. Nanny's heart gave a
quick throb as she felt that she had intrad-
ed upon what might have been love-
scene. 1t was very evident now that they
| were engaged And what If they were
II was nothing to her. Miss Delaney as
sisted in the search, for Nanny had come to
look for a book. Ii she could only help
her out of the room. But the rector came
| forward.
"Your father is very fond of music. Miss
Nanny he said; II think he spoke of
you as fair musician. You have not
played for us since You have been here.
Shall | open the pianOP"
"Oh, / couldn't play before you" said
1 Nanny shrinkingly, and then repented that
she had excused herself, for she fancied
Miss Delaney looked at him with a smile.
The rector had his hand on the cover Of
the instrument. He opened it slowly.
Il can play little, he said, when the
spirit is upon me but / fancied you had
been trained from your infancy, from
what your father said"
Il have always played" replies Nancy.
her dignity returning, and without another
word she went round and took her seat at
the piano. Miss Delaney listened breath
lessly. She longed to turn over the pages
of book, to leave the room, to seem In
different-she could do neither. She saw
the flush of pleasure and surprise mounting
to Reginald's forehead as he watched the
slender fingers move over the keys, elicit
ing all the power and sweetness Of the su-
perb instrument. ' ere
"You surprise me-yOu ast0nish me-
you charm me - he said rapidly. II
would give much for a gift like yours. If
you play the organ and suppose you
do-there is delightful little instrument
| in the vestry over the vestibule of my
church. 1t certainly has the most won
derful tone of any organ of the kind ever
heard and it can be managed by one per-
SON. There is stop in it that Is perfectly
wonderful-as wonderful to me as the
delicacy of your touch. But must co."
he added. looking at his watch. my
time is all taken up for to-day and this
evening. assure you. Miss Nancy. shall
call upon you often for music" He shook
i a. ,.,,t han nd orrt
"Are you really thinking. Of keeping
school when you can play like that :"
asked Miss Delaney, controlling her voice.
''Why don't you teach musicp" aoE
81 have no piano here" said Nancy;
land besides, find people prefer a man
as teacher. My health is too delicate 10
allow me 10 go from house to house. !" 2A
"You ought to find husband" said
Miss Delaney, rather coarsely. se4.l
IL am not looking for one" replied Nam
| cy, surprise in her face. and with spirit
ed manner.
"Oh, no, of course not: but you are
very pretty, and very accOmplished.-and
and it seems a pity that you should be
thrown upon the world think l should
die" she added, slowly.
Nancy's head fell lower, till it rested on
the piano. Great tears were swelling to
her eyes and rolling over her cheeks.
Never had she so felt her helplessness.
her!poverty, her loneliness: She seemed
to stand by the grave other idolized ather,
seemed again to hear the clods falling up
on his coffin, felt the wrench at her heart
strings as she turned away from conse-
Grated ground to move henceforth among
strangers, to listen to heartless words such
as had offended her ears this morning. Miss
Delaney was little touched at sight of
her grief. e...s .L.,-.a
"What are you cryingP" she said. Did
say any thing to hurt youP am very
sorry" aaA sgA
Never mind me, Miss Delaney :" said
little Nancy, in low, unsteady voice, ~
she lifted her wet eyes, but still avoided
looking towards her "you are very beau
tiful, very happy and very good--l don't
envy you at all--but oh. sometimes think
my lot is very hard. You know it is new
to me-this working life. My father al
ways shielded me-" Her lips trembled
l