The Osceola times., 1877-08-18

lltt. why taH Nou fach Noui tiuih
and make up your mind to spend the
summer with me in this green and quiet
corner of the earth? You shall diet upon
locusts and wild honey, if such be your
pleasure; you shall put in appearance at
parish picnics, or sit in the arbor and en-
broider while somebody reads Tennyson
aloud-in short, you shall do ss you
please, if you will come to your rural
friend BELL
Miss Raymond regarded it as wise
and iar.seeing policy that she had for
borne to mention the name of Rev.
Clarence Gascoigne, poor but promising
young clergyman recently settled over
The parish of Haphszard, whose welfare
she had chiefly in view in issuing this
invitation TO dear Flora" who was
nothing less than an heiress and beauty.
Miss Raymond herself, being neither,
naturally set greater value upon these
things than they deserved, and devoutly
believed that Flora would carry all before
her at her own sweet will. She re-
membered when they had been at Nine
Bulbs finishing school together before
adversity had visited the Ravmonds'
rool-that Flora had been the cynosure
of all the neighboring eyes at DR.. Creed's
theological seminary, that she had been
deluged with valentines, surfeited with
bonbons, and embalmed in sonnet and
song in the poets corner of the local
daily. But apparently these things had
not availed. Miss Flora had already sur
vived several seasons, and was yet Miss
Flora, and untrammeled. Whether she
had firted too hard, her heart had re-
mained untouched, or she had never
inspired her lovers with anything stronger
than a passing fancy, nobody but Flora
| knew. Miss Raymond's family consisted
merely of herself and widowed aunt
and as her income was small, she usually
fl led the roomy old homestead with
summer boarders. But since the new
rector of the parish had taken up his
abode under her rooitree, and aunt Milly
was in somewhat failing health, she had
decided no. 20 add to her cares, but to
her pleasures, in begging Flora to spend
the season at Haphazard. And Flora
wasnothing 10th. She stepped from the
numbering old stage late on one summer
afternoon, in the jauntiest of travelling
toilets, with the most killing of hat'
perched upon her shapely head-a very
bewitching picture of a girl of the period,
the soft, fluffy curls upon her white fore
head, the dark eyes shining with mis-
chiet, the wild rose blushing upon cheek
and chin, and ready smile about the
mobile lips. Bell felt suddenly old and
faded and dowdy beside her, and upbraid
ed herself smartly for the sensation. She
went up to her guests room with her,
threw open the blinds, pointed out the
views and helped her TO unpack.
II do hope you won't find it stupid
here, Flora" she said; "that time will
not hang heavy upon your hands. Soci-
ETY. here is rather chaotic, to be sure,
but"
81 suppose there isn't such an article
as gentlemen within ten miles," yawned
| Flora.
"Well, they are not as plenty as
could wish, for your sake, confess. We
all live in hopes that the master Of Pine
| Hill will return and endanger our mo
notony-you can see the towers of the
mansioa from this window, there, behind
that belt of pines; but he prefers the gay
world. And then there's our rector; he
is very good company.
"Oh, spare us | had theology enough
thank you, at Nine. Bulbs. If there''
anything | detest, it's a--Say, Bell
who is that spendid apparition coming il
at the rate?'
"ThatY laughed Bell =" that is thu
aforesaid rector"
"Is he coming to give you ghostly !
COUNSEL shall be getting a change o
heart, depend ont"
He's coming home to tea. H: board
here"
There is divinity" quoted Flora
Il thought, to be sure, it was no les
than the master Of Pine Hill coming t.
his estates Just in the nick of time. How
long has his reverence been here, may
ask ?"
"Onlv three months"
"Well, | wonder you haven't fallen il
love"
"I? Where would he the good?"
"Who ever stops to think OF that p
At least one must have little en-
couragement TO begin with
"And hasen't he given you particle
You Just hand him over to my tende
mercies.'
a. You sha'n't' is in the imperativ
mood, believe. Are you the guardian
of his young affections ?"
And then they descended to the tea
table. and Flora and Clarence Gascoign
shook hands and chatted familiarly wit
Flora after the first half minutc-absu
his cousins, the Gascoignes, of Newport
and dozen people. of whom Miss Ray
mond had never heard, and OF whou
never to have heard seemed suddenly (
prove her a person Of the least conse
quence. After tea the trio strolled i
the garden, Flora leading the converss
ton and waking the echoes with he
quick laughter; and they sat awhile O
the rustic bench beside the syring
bushes, and Flora sang snatches from tn
operas and spirital hymns; and Be
! Y,orb al that when sha ironne1 ont q