Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1873-05-15

comfort. But these visitors did not seem
to need any comfort, and were not talked
about. Cornelia had expressed her con.
ylctlon that Arabella would be glad to see
Philip Dean, and that she herself would
be glad to see Mr. Brinsley; and, as this
was politely and truthfully true, she added
nothing more
"Io-morrow' had become today. Mr..
John Brinsley-a TALL fine looking man
mad come IN the morning with his two
children He had been Hospitality re
ceived, and had partaken of most dismal
dinner
The pastor and his wife had done their
best to keep up the conversation; Cornelia
had entertained the children; and Mr..
Brlnsley had even attempted one Joke,
which fell so flat upon the ear, that all
shuddered who heard. But how could
any man be jocular with spice, when
Arabella sat there in the hardest of shells ,
Not rude, not disdainful but eveless,
sm'lelesS, all but lifeless: even a hard-tried
minister could find no encouragement
After dinner they adjourned to the par
Tor. Arabella was hemming crash
towels. If she could have found anything
more ugly to hem, she would have
hemmed 1t with pleasure. But the re
sources OF the parish were limited.
Under these circumstances, COrnelia
found the children Il little burdensome.
" ] will let you play with Miranda" she
said sweetly. 1--WE have so little need of
her in summer, that | fear she is not
dressed for company; but you can do
what you like with her" Poor Miranda
Then Cornclia went into the next
room, opened the closetdoor, took out
tha Itotin and 1nI
to resuscitate Miranda. A short silence
then a cry of distress, 40 Arabellaw
Arabclla came out of her shell, and
rushed to her sisters assistance. Cor
nelia, pale and speechlcss, pointed to the
box with trembling hand.
The box was empty; Miranda had dis
appeared
The family and guests came to view
the spot; and each one gave his opinion.
No" said Arabella, lit is useless to
look for her in the house. [ know what
has become of her. Polly has eloped with
her"
One of the sweet uses of adversely is
that it softens our hearts. Arabella's
heart or at least, her dcmeanor was
softcned by the loss of Miranda. Mr..
Brinslcy's profession made it perfectly
proper and seemly for him to sympathizc
with sOrrOw, and endeavOr to speak words
of consolation; and he did do so TO the
best of his ability: indeed, he almost
seemed to rejoice in Arabella's affliction.
She gricved for Polly, not for herself, be
it understood; and on this neutral ground
she was willing to meet Mr., Brinsley, and
10 accept his sympathy.
1t was decided that it would be best to
interfere with Providence, and search for
Polly again. She deserved to be found.
Everybody had agreed to that proposition,
and unanimity had brought peace, when a
knock was heard at the tront-dO0r.
The pastor went to open it, and returned
soon, looking little mysterious. Cor
nelia,' he said, some one wants to see you
in the study"
CorneIia turned pink, then white: she
stood near the window for a minute or
two, then she went to the study.
She remained there a long while, so it
at the end Of that long while She opened
the parlor door Just a little, and said, Ar
abelIa will you please come here for a
mOmcnt?N
Arabella was graciously pleased to
come. She entered the study like an an
cicnt ghost, and said like a grandmother
:, We are very glad to see you, Philip
The words, my boy" trcmblcd visibly
upon her lips; but She RETAINED from
speaking them. Philip Dean was only
one year older than Cornclia, therefore
two years younger than ArabeIla; and, on
account of these two years, She chose to
regard him as an infant, and calmly asked
him juvenile questions.
This made Philip very uncomfortable =;
and he found quite as little comfort in re-
neWing his acquaintance with the rest of
the family. They were all glad to see
him." but they looked as if they wished
he was not there to be seer-all but one,
and that one was sufficient.
The next day Philip returned, and heard
all about Miranda. The news Of her dis
appearance had spread far and near; and
there was mourning and wailing in MANY
a household.
I'VE must find her" said Cornelia with
unwOnted decision. I'VE must offer a re
ward for her"
Yes" said Arabclla, "whoever finds
her shall keep her | want Polly.'
People do not always get what they
want in this world. Some people at the
parsonage got the opposite of what they
sister, and went about the house like a
VA n tIputt, tlShlii9 ItlSCli OH llIdHiitl VI
sad questions: Hal the end come? Could
it be that their happy life together was to
seem only as a moonlight night, when
compared to the sunshine Of Philips pres
ence?
Cornclia did not dare to bask in the
sunshine openly. She, too, had her fears
and her questionings, and followed her
sister everywhere. And, as Arabella did
not often cOndescend to cheer the Rev.
Mr.. Brinsley by her presence, the gentle
men were left to themselves, and free to
court each other if they liked. But they
did not like: it was not what they
wanted.
Mr. Brinsley communed with the pas
tor, and Philip communed with Nature
in the daytime. In they evenings, they all
sat together on the porch, or in the par
lor, which, it is to be feared, was not what
erybody wanted.
AT three O'Clock on the afternoon Of the
fourth day, Philip came to the parsonage
with a joyful cOuntenance. "Can you
walk as far as the north woods9" he ask.
ed because, if you can, | want to show
you something worth seeing. But you
must not ask me what it isl
Miss Arabella and COrnelia were sure
that they could; and Mr.. Brinsley ex,
pressed the same assurance.
so they started together; and the ladies
managed SO well, that they kept together
and bore it with great cheerfulness
Whether if was the heat of the sun or the