Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1873-05-08


parish, and that he hoped to see them
How it could have taken eight pages to
make such short announcement may ap-
pear little singular; but some people
have way of putting things SO as to
make the most of them.
Cornelia did not criticise Philips style;
she simply added: you will be glad to
see him again, won't you, Arabella?"
And Arabella said "Yes, very glad" in
a way that made the least of it,
Then the sisters said nothing more about
it; and for two days slight shadow
seemed to have crept between them.
On the third day the shadow deepened.
The pastor had visited some friends in
the South Parish. He had heard all the
news, and was repeating them to his as
sembled family, when he suddenly said: :
"Oh. by the way, must not forget, Mr.
John Brinsley was there with his two
children. | believe they intend to give
him a call at South Parish but he seems
undecided, and l asked him to come here
till he had made up his mind. did not
know he had lost his wife She died two
years ago, he told me. l believe he used
to be friend ofyours, girls. He will be
here tomorrow"
II shall be very glad to see him." said
So1iltiia, tlitA Si1C StOlC SidICt di al
bella; but nothing could be seen of that
lady except the outside shell She was
mending stockings, and did not neglect
her duty by a single word or look
Usually, when visitors were expected,
1.-The girls" talked about them, and dis
cussed some little arrangement for their
comfort. But these visitors did not seem
to need any comfort, and were not talked
about. Cornelia had expressed her con
viction 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.
Tomorrow" had become to-day. Mr..
John Brinsley--a tall, fine looking man
had 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.
Brinsley 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 eyeless,
smileless, all but lifeless even a hard tried
minister could find no encouragement.
After dinner they adjourned to the par
lor. Arabella was hemming crash
towels. If she could have found anything
more ugly to hem, she would have
hemmed it with pleasure. But the re-
sources of the parish were limited
Under these circumstances, Cornelia
found the children little burdensome.
" | will let you play with Miranda" she
said sweetly. 1--WE have so little need of
her in summer, that l fear she is not
dressed for company; but you can do
what you like with her" Poor Miranda
Then Cornelia went into the next
room, opened the closetdoor, took out
the meditation box, and proceeded
to resuscitate Miranda. A short silence
then a cry of distress, 80 Arabellaw
Arabella came out of her shell, and
rushed to her sisters assistance. Cor
nela, pale and speechless, 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, ait 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 demeanor was
softened by the loss Of Miranda. Mr..
Brinslev's profession made it perfectly
proper and seemly for him to sympathize
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 Arabellrs atfiiction.
She grieved for Polly, not for herself, be
it understood; and on this neutral ground
she was willing to meet Mr.. Brlnsley, and
to 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 front-door.
The pastor went to open it, and returned
soon. looking a little mysterious. Cor
nelia." he said, ''some one wants to see you
in the study"
Cornelia turned pink, then white: she
stood near the window for a minute or
two, then she went to the study
She remained there long while, SO it
appeared to one person in the parlor; and
at the end of that long while she opened
the parlor door just little, and said, Ar
abella, will you please come here for a
moment?'
Arabella was graciously pleased to
come. She entered the study like an an
cient ghost and said like grandmother,
:" We are very glad to see you, Philip"
The words, my boy" trembled visibly
upon her lips; but she refrained from
speaking them Philip Dean was only
one wear older than Cornelia, therefore
two years younger than Arabella; 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 seen-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.
1--WE must find her" said Cornelia with
nnwonted decision. eve must offer re-
ward for her"
Yes said Arabella, 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
troballa worry nearly uhhpd her