The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1875-01-20

buryY
81 shall stay week on the road with
my mother"
Maria lifted her eyes. "Your mother
l don't think l have heard you mention
her. Where does she liver
"On the coast of France. One of the
quiet seaport towns in direct steam com,
munication with England. She has lived
there since my father died. Being Ro'
man Catholic, and her income small, the
place suits her"
The words somewhat surprised Maria
"You are not a Roman Catholic" she
said, recalling the fact that be had at
tended church with them on Sundays.
mo, was reared in my fathers faith.
Had there been daughters, they would
have been brought up in my mothers"
your father was soldier, have
heard you say2"
"A soldier and a gentleman" somewhat
pointedly replied Mr.. Janson. "But a
poor one, and one of whom promotion
seemed shy. He had-n much as
gained his majority when he was killed.
why did you not 60 into the armyw
"My mother set her face against it;
scared no doubt by my fathers fate"
81 think would have been anything,
rather than a DOCTOR" remarked Maria,
pulling more vehemently at her ribbons.
"Would your l like it. chose it My
mother wished me to read for the bar, but
did not fall in with the idea. l have
neither talent nor liking that way"
81 would have chosen it," said Maria
"Look at the honors open to barris>
ter"
Some few in our profession attain to
honor also,' he said; ito honor and to
fame. l may: though 1 do not think I
am very ambitious. The chances are"
he added, laughing, "that l shall settle
down into a jogtrot country surgeon,
keeping my one-horse gig, and doctoring
the parish.
"There: it's united now!"
Miss Saxonbury had pulled the ribbons
Of her sleeve little too far: slight acct
dent, and one scarcely sufficient to &C.
count for her tone of vexation. She be-
gan to twist the ribbons impatlently round
her wrist
"Will you accept of my clumsy tying2"
She laughed, and held out her arm to
wards him. He was in the act of tying
the bow, his eyes fixed on her face at the
same time, as he whispered some gallant
nonsense connected with the occasion,
and Maria was listening with half-rais-
ed face and self-conscious flush, when
some one moved towards them from the
of the gallery.
1t was Mr. Yorke And he had time
TO take in full view of the signs and ap-
pearances before they saw him. The bent
head of the handsome man, and his whis-
pered words; the employment bringing
their heads into SO close contact; and
the crimson cheeks, the downcaet Iashes
of Maria. Something very like an i'll
word burst from his lips.
They looked around, and Maria, scar
let now, but not loosing self-possession,
advanced few steps to welcome him.
He came on, and the gentlemen stood
face 20 face.
Rivals from that moment: and they
both saw it. Never destined to be open
ones, perhaps, but rivals beyond dispute
in their secret hearts.
Mr.. Janson, Mr.. Yorke."
A gaze from the one to the other went
as Miss Saxonbury spoke. Mr.. Janson
saw a tall, powerful man, whose very
height and strength gave him beauty. "A
fine countenance, too: though, when an
gered, he had habit of showing too
much of his white teeth. Mr.. Yorke, on
his part, saw a frank, open, generous
looking man, whose personal attractions,
if brought into play, might render him
dangerous rival
How you have surprised me!P began
Maria "Have you seen papa?"
mot YET" he gravely answered. "White
thought Sir Arthur was in the picture
gallery, and i came on here. But do
not see him, Maria"
81 saw Sir Arthur walk across the
grounds in the rain an hour ago." inter-
posed Mr.. Janson in a clear, ringing tone.
"He has not come in, probably"
A naughty bow in return for the infor-
nation, and Mr.. Yorke fairly turned his
back upon the speaker. Mr.. Janson
walked away to the end window, with
the good-natured intention of looking out
for Sir Arthur.
"Who as that man, Maria?"
Il told you-Mr Ja9son," she answer
ed; resentment against his naughty air, his
of authority, seating itself
within her there and then, and peeping
out in her tone. "He is medical stu
dent, and friend of papa's. He was the
death-bed friend of poor Raby Raby,"
she added in her spirit of bravado. "He
has been here since Christmas, and papa
likes him very much. We all do.
Mr.. Yorke's lip curled. A medical
student! Taking the hand of Maria, he
placed it within his arm to lead her away.
':Let me conduct you to Lady Saxonbury,
Maria. l suppose she is visible"
What rebellion she might have offered
whether any or none, it is impossible to
know, for at that moment Sir Arthur en-
tered. The little girls, too, becoming
aware of Mr.. Yorke's presence for the first
time, came running from the upper end of
the gallery. Maria seized the opportuni>
ty TO escape.
Changes came to Saxonbury ere the
week was over. Mr. Janson took a cor
dial farewell of all, and departed, as he
had planned to do. Mr.. Yorke also de-
parted, but not until he had had serious
quarrel with Maria: Without their tacit
engagement having been mentioned them
or alluded to, it was understood between
that it was at an enc, that they had parted;
and though the name of Mr.. Janson was
not breathed, each knew that but for his
having come to Saxonbury that parting
had not taken place.