The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1877-08-09

Il
den, Flora leading the conversation.
and waking the echoes with her quick
laughter; and they sat awhile on the
rustic bench beside the syringa bushes,
and Flora sang snatches from the
operas and spiritual hymns; and Bell
marked that when she dropped out Of
catch or chorus, nobody seemed to miss
her, and presently che stole away to
look after her housekeeping, congratu-
lating herself that everything promis-
ed well for her scheme. Flora was
perhaps trifie giddy and glrlish for q
clergyman's wife, but she would out
live,au that; and what an excellent
thing II would be for Mr.. Gascoigne,
whose abilities would never have fair
play II he married any Door GIRL about
Haphazard, and lived non hand to
mouth, 20 to speak with none of the
| opportunities which money could
olfer; and as for Flora, che mislSt bless
Fer stars II he preferred her, II he had
no venient scruples about marry
ing rich woman. 'sssf a-lA1 a&srFF
The summer weather was fine at
Haphazard, and IL Mr.. Gascoigne
begged the ladies to visit some poor or
invalid parhhoner In his company, 1t
usually ended by Flora going with him
alone, Bell having found some urgent
duty TO detain her at homo ut the last
minute : and Flora developed quite q
talent for cheering the sick-room and
dispensing luxuries to the needy 1t
was rode 0f which she relished the
"You were plainly Intended for
clergyman's wife, blundered Mr..
GascOigne, in moment of grateful en-
thusiasmy and then he c0lored, and
added. hastily, "The lame, halt and
blind are all singing your praises"
"What a discord IL must be ~ re-
turned Flora. ~ think should pre-
| fer solo," n
The claims Of the parish, however,
were not 30 exacting but he Gould de-
vote some leisure to the p0ets, sitting
In the uncovered arbOr, while Bell
and Flora worked and listened--ex-
cept when Bell remembered she had
| omitted to leave orders for the grocer,
or had neglected some important
household affair, and excused herself
for long half hour, begging them to
go on with the reading. And when
she returned, she was always pleased
10 find that the book had been closed
for the nOnce. If he had not been
reading, then OF course he had been
doing what he liked better. And he
would say, I'VE have been waiting
for you. Miss Bell "-he had fallen into
the habit of calling her Miss Bell {"
during these familiar sednces.
81 shan't dare to run away, If am
going to spoil your pleasure So" she
"You certainly do spoil it when you
leave U.S." he would CALAMITY retOrt.
If they went for an afternoons pic
mic to the top of Chrome Cliff, with
their supper packed In hamper, Bell
fell to sketchfng bend of the river,
with the willows dipping above It and
swallows skimming low, and Flora
and Mr.. GascOigne were naturally left
to their own devices. If they went
which even Haphazard afforded at
times when summer guests were plen-
| ty-Bell remembered the latch-key as
soon as they were. beyond the gate, or
she had left window open where
| burglars and showers might enter, or
she never failed of some valid excuse
for falling behind, for refusing Mr..
| GascOigne's arm-either both hands
were necessary to keep her skirts from
the mud, or the country sidewalk was
too narrow for three abreast. And
yet there was nothing obvious or awk-
ward in Miss Raymond's scheming.
1t all came about as naturally as II
foreordained; and If Mr.. Gascoigne
was sometimes q little vexed that he
could not be trusted to find the latch
key, close the window, or fetch the
umbrella, Flora would say, "It's Bells
way; che was Just SO at Madame Bulbs
always would wait upon herself"
| !. 1t had never been Bells way how
ever, to linger in the vestibule after
church; but now. she found 1t con-
venient to ask old Mrs. Ross abouther
rheumatism, and Martha Meeks about
| her grandson fishing at the Labrador.
| And by that time the Reverend Clar-
ence had put off the gown and made
his way to the church. door, where
Flora welcomed him; and Bell nodded
and begged they would walk on. end
let her Overtake them; she must speak
| to the sexton about his sick child, or
the treasurer of the Mite SOciety-only
she never did overtake them. The
treasurer had proved garulOus, and
showing her the maidstone he had
got UP 10 his first wife. If she found
them sitting alone in the embrasure of
| the open window, studying the con-
stellations, she moved softly away.
Who could tell Pit might be the de-
cisive moment.
1t 30 happened that just at this time
Mrs. Raymond fell ill. Flora proposed
going home, but Bell stoutly vetoed
the proposition. 1T will be so lone
some for Mr.. Gascoigne," she said.
No; do you stay, and pour the tea at
| table, aud play at housekeeping, and
! make 1t little like home for the poor
| fellow.n n y. 81 ssi.n5 s.a 80
"Seems to me you are very anxious
| about his welfare" said Flora, but
staid as she was hidden, poured his tea,
whiled away his leisure hours, beat
| him at chess. visited his sick, listened
| to his views, filed the place of the abb
sent soprano in his choir, and bOr-
rowed his old sermons for private
reading, while Bell spent her time ad-
ministering hourly doses, concocting
gruels and dainties to tempt the appe-
lite, and waiting In darkened room
by day, afterlbroxen nights. Perhaps
| It was the effect of overtaxed nerves
and depressed spirits, or perhaps Mis-
Raymond had misunderstood her in
terest In Mr.. Gascoigne, but as sue
had left her patient doing one night,
and paused moment, leaning out the
hall window to commune with the
evening star and the last tender efful-
gence Of sunset, the sight Of Flora and
Mr.. Gascoigne pelting each other with
roses In the garden below smote her
with O sense Of something cruel. Her
absence did not affect their enjoyment;
1 they had forgotten her in the delight
! of being together; and for the first time
| q selfish sorrow stirred In her heart
ibid she grudRe them their happi.
ness? u she asked herself. WAS not
j suqeeS enough for her9" eEfhF
\ When FI0raI hSd goAe to her room
that night, Bell knocked ut the door
and went in.
Haven't you any thing to tell me ~
she asked. ''Has nothing happened?''
sleepy owl, You? 0h yes; 1 broke
| vOur india china howl A ain con.