Mexico weekly ledger., 1877-03-15
VANCE VARIAN.

His Stepping HON Inc Lraln at NEW
town was not ~premeditated. He was
bound for no place in particular, and
when the brakeman shouted "New-
town." he thought he would like to hear
the roar of old ocean, AS the salt sea
breezes came to his face, he suddenly
remembered that the Ogdens, old
friends, remote relatives, if he remem-
bered rightly, of his family. lived here.
The Ogden boys and girls that used to
visit at his fathers house were grown
men and women now. Should he visit
themP In ten years he had not trou-
bled a relative of his with his presence
he was not going to do it now, and
least of all these P~uritanical Ogdens.
: His old playmates, he supposed, grew
up as 'straight-laced rs their father, and
if they did, they would wish him well
at q distance.
al think I'll call upon them, just for
fun-just to see how Silas Ogden and
his family of saints will receive such a
sinner as l."
At 15 Vance Varian had run away
from a home of luxury and joined a
travelling show. He was 25 now, and
during the last ten years he had led a
gay, vagabond sort of life, caring for
no one but himself, living for nothing
but fun.
Never was the Prodigal Son of old
received with more warmth and kind
ness than was he by Silas Ogden, his
wife and daughter, his youngest-born,
Cecilia, the only child at home. John
and William were away preaching to
focks of their own, and Esther was
away with her husband, helping him to
perforG, his duty in the land of heath
ems.
"Why did I stop here? Why did /
come to this houseP Fate must surely
be at work." said Vance Varian to him.
self. Three days passed away, and still
he felt no inclination to leave, and pro-
coed on his way to no place in particu-
lar. He sat watching Cecilia from un-
der his eyelids. What a face she had.
Not handsCme-not even pretty, if ev-
cry feature was measured by the artistic
rule of beauty-but it was what can not
always be said of a pretty face, singu.
larly attractive.
Her father, they said, was never strict
enough with her, but he did a very
wise thing when he selected a steady
going man like young Graham for her
husband.
"Wm you come with us to church to-
morrow MIR. Graham is to preach in
papa's place, and I know that his ser.
mon will please you" She did not look
up at him, but kept on with her sewing
as she spoke.
Still studying her face, he said
"How do you know his sermon will
please meP"
The sapphire eyes were raised to his
face now with a look of surprise, and
over the pearly face came a faint tint o.
pink.
81 do not think you are so very hare
to please" she said, smiling, land
never knew any body yet that hi
sermon failed to please. There is
magnetism in his voice and manne
that makes you take every word he at
ters home to yourself. You know how
hayward l am; my conduct often hor
rifles my fathers people. But, oh,
feel so good when MIR. Graham talks t
me my wicked heart is filed with aw
and reverSnee, and I think l will neve
do any thing wrong again, M L don
Until the next time. 1t is so hard
you know, for ones heart to be Away
filled with awe, though it would be a
easy matter enough if Mr.. Graham wa
always near me; but he has other sin
pers to attend to, and-now, you ar
laughing at me-"
Vance Varian was laughing, but whel
The said:
\ sob, no; I'm not laughing at you,
Z he spoke truthfnlly.
He was not laughing at her, but h,
was laughing to hide the strange emo
ton which the words of the minister
daughter stirred within his bosom.
"Well," he said carelessly, "Mr
Graham may be all that you describ,
him, but his sermon will not please me
for all that. / was never PLEASED with
"a sermon in my life, neither was I evel
particularly ~displeased with one. 70,
see I am not q church goer. Never
went to church since / left home, un
less 1 happened to be caught in som'
quiet out-of-the-way place on a Sunday,
where there was ne other show open
Out of sheer desperation / would go tt
church and listen, not to the sermon
but to the music. Have you a choir il
your church,"
aYes," she answered, very quietly
the enthusiasm having all died out o
ACI SOtCC.
"Do you sing in itp"
She nodded her head.
"Then / shall go and listen to YOU
singing tomorrow. 4
IAnd noGtofthe sermoppr
"Not to the sermon, "and Vance
laughed again.
The needlework dropped from Cecil.
las fingers. She crossed her hands
upon her lap, and fixed her beautiful
yes on his face. Vance felt any thing
1t comfortable. There was something
1.-THE expression of her eyes he could
nd understand. He laughed, or made
tp1,nse Of laughing, and was about
4 1ake some light remark, when she
SaiAearnestly;
lam sosorry for you,' 2 and, picking
up hAA work, she began plying her nee