Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1873-09-18
BOUGHT WITH A PRICE.
CHATTER I.

tinted carpet and curtains, on oldfash
toned handsome furniture, on the little
tea.table laid for one, with big bowl o.
flowers In the middle--rare delicate bios
SONS most Of them-and, pushed into 1
corner, a shabby little bunch Of monthly
roses. A pretty, bright, womanly room
books were scattered about and bits Of
ncedlework. A piano stood open opposite
the window, with canterbury overflow
ing with music by the side. A tiny black
dog, all ears and hair, lay on the rug, and
over all the freight flashed warmly.
miss Hugo Is not in, sir. It's past her
time though; would you like 10 wait
SIR" asked the servant.
ayes. | am leaving Waitham. Thank
YOU" Mr.. Briton answered, as the woman
showed him into the fire lit parlor.
She hustled away TO get candles. The
visitor. hardly answering Rollo's joyous
greeting, leant against the chimney piece,
pushing back his thick brown hair with
one hand. The fire blazed and cracked,
shining over the straight dark figure, the
grave. manly face, the steadiast eyes.
aTjck. tick, Tick went the clock, steadi-
". slowly, like the pulse of fate. The
candles were brought and put on the table,
one each side Of the big round bowl OF
flowers.
"Chime. chime rang the quarter from
the church tower across the road. Mr..
Briton started and went TO the window,
pushing back the thick crimson curtains.
Very still and quiet was it out doors. The
rowans over the garden gate hardly moved
one graceful branch in the night air, the
old church opposite, with its graveyard
round it, rose gray and beautiful in the
moonlight.
Over the moor beyond the white road
wound away to Waibam. Slowly along
this road came two dark figures lettering
In the autumn night. Mr.. Briton dropped
the curtain and came back TO the Preside.
"Tick, tick went the clock: it seemed
10 whisper 10 him, False, false, false" as
the garden gate swung back under the
dark boughs.
"Well, good-by; / shall see you tomor-
row. How long it will seem !"
"Nonsenser' answered Miss Hugo's
gay full voice. "Don't talk to me like
that Good.byr
She waved her hand playfulIy and went
swiftly up the little path. Her old ser
want met her ut the door.
"Mr Britton is in there, Miss Mildred"
The young lady raised her straight, dark
brows In calm surprise. She threw her
shawl and hat off hastily, smoothing
back her curly hair with both hands, and
went softly into the little parlor.
81 hope Rolio has entertained you,"
she said, with a bewitcbing SMILE 'this
is an unexpected pleasure, Mr.. Briton."
II am come to say 'good.by,' Miss
Hugo he answered, grayely
"What disagrceablc word. You really
wont return after the holidays, them ~
"That depends upon circumstances.
i have had an offer from Mrs. Harold.
She wishes me 10 travel with her son dur
ing the next twelve months"
"And them" she said, looking up at
him.
IL haven't decided. have my fellow
ship and think shall take orders"
"Poor fellow"
81 don't know why you should pity me.
As fellow Of my college, / shall get a
living some time, and | don't know a
happier life, if one ought TO take that as
a test"
81 hope you win be bishop, Mr..
Briton.n
ooh, don't, I wouldn't be for the
world" said the young man, hastily. 81
am not nj all ambitious"
Glow we should Guarrcl!" she an
swercd, smiling 81 would make you
ambitious, whether you liked it or not"
"Will you tryy" he returned, coming u
step nearer across the rug.
II am tired of teaching" was her an
swer. II won't have you for pupil"
81 would be very good" he said, in a
low voice.
"No, you wouldn't; you know you
wouldn't You are too fond of teaching
10 learn
Listen to me, please" he urged.
81 won't listen. know what you are
going To say, and it is better left unsad.
Will you have cup of teay / will call
auntic down TO propitiatc the proprie-
ties"
81 don't want any tea. am not going
10 be treated politely by you, Mildred"
IL am not going to treat you politely"
she said, as she came back to the rug,
laughing-"dont be frightened" She
stood opposite, still laughing, her beauti.
full face dimpling and sparkling.
Mildred" said Mr.. Briton, ~ will
speak,"
mo. you won't Go with Fred Harold
on to the Continent for twelve months, and
I'll stay here, trying TO make my pupils
understand what music means. When
you come back will listen TO you and
shall be able 10 answer"
"Now, Mildred"
'No. And you mustn't call me Mil
dred, sir. Do as / tell you, as an earnes,
of good behavior in future"
~ may never come back--I may die
abroad"
"Requiescat in pace. You can't make
me serious, Mr.. Briton. You will come
back welded to some alarming Italian
woman"
every likely" he said, bitterly.
'Ccrtainly 1t Is; or may marry some
red-haired German professor. ] won't
answer for myself"
"Or perhaps" Mr.. Briton did moi
finish his sentence. He bent down tC
pull Rollo's ears, and did not see the dull
flush that covered Mildred's face.
"Don't you think we have talked
enough ?" she said. II want my tea. and
/ am tired"
"Well will go; shan't sec you again
Mildred. Harold will join me In London
IL go with him."
"Good-by, then; shall miss your voice
in the choir, Mr.. Briton--I hope your
successor in the school will have a good
tenor" He held her hand as she spoke
Twelve months is long time," hi