Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1877-08-07

tCnOcS viii utt uuich IhuRuler, hlu tue|
sat awhile on the rustic bench beside tn,
syringa bushes, and Flora sang snatche:
from operas and spiritual hymns; an(
Bell marked that when she dropped
ont from catch or chorus. nobody seemed
To miss her. and presently she stole away
TO look after her housekeeping, cOngratu'
lating herself that everything promised
well Tor her scheme. Flora was perhaps
a trille giddy and girlish for a clergy.
mans wife, but she would oullive all oI
that; and what an excellent thing il
would be for Mr.. GaScoigne. whose
abilities would never have fair play il he
parried any poor girl about Haphaz ard
and lived from hand 10 mouth, so 10
peak, with none of the opportunities
which money could offer; aud as for
Flora, she might bless her stars il he pre-
lerred her. If he had no inconvenient
scruples about marrying rich woman.
The summer was fine at Haphszsrd,
and if MIR. Gsscoi2ne begged the ladies
to visit some poor or invalid parishioner
in his company. it usually ended by
Flora going with him alone, Bell having
found some urgent duty to detain her a,
home al the last minute; and Flora de-
velopod qli;o a talent tor cheering the
sick-room and dispensing luxulies to The
needy twas role OF which she reished
the novelty amazingly.
You arc plainly intended for q cler-
gyman's wife. blundered Mr.. Gascoigne,
in moment of grateful enthusiasm ;
and then he colored aud added hastily
"'rhe lame, halt, and blind are all sing
ing your praises
"Whal discord it must te :" returned
Fora. Il Think l should prefer a solo. "
The claims Of the parish, however,
were not so eXac,ing bat he could devote
some leisure to The poets, sitting in the
vine covered arbor, while Bell and Flora
worked and 'is.enod-oxcep, when Bell
remembered she had omitted to leave
orders !or tie grocer, u had neg elected
some important household affair, and ex-
eUsed herself for 'ong half hour, beg
ginS them to 10 on with the leading.
And when she returned sbe was always
pleased to fud that the book had been
closed for the nouce. Ii he had not been
reading. then OF course be had been do
iug hat he liked better. And he won d
say. "Wo have been waiting for you.
Miss Bell"-he had fallen into the habit
OF calling her Miss Bllln during these
familiar ScanceS
II shan't dare to run away if am 60
ing 10 spoil your pleasure SO, she replied.
You certainly DO spoil it when you
leave u.s." he would galGntly retort
Ii they went for an afternoons picnic
to the top of Chrome Cliff, with their
supper packed in q hamper. Bell fell to
sketchiug bend OF the river. with the
willows dipping above it. and the swsl-
lows skimming low, and Flora and Mr..
GaScoigne were naturally left 10 their
own devices. Ii they went ou. for an
evenings cntertaiument-which even
Haphaz ,rd Afforded ut lines when sum
mer guests were plenty-Bell remem-
berCd The latch-key as soon rs they we're
be- Ond the gate. or she had lel, a wiz
dow open where burglars aud showers
valid excuse for failing behind. Tor re-
fu>ing Nj GascoiSne's arm-ether both
hands were necessity TO keep her skirts
from the mud, or tho country sidew ak
was too narrow iOr three abreast. And
yet theIc WAS nothing obvious OF
awkward about Miss i ~ moni Is sch III
iug. Il Nil came about as natura ~ as il
fore ordained: and ii NJ. Gascoigne
was sometimes lt.tlo vexcd that he
could not De tru5teJ to iiud the iatch-key
~ fetch Toe umbrella, Fora would say,
It's Bells way, she was Just SO /. Mad
4m BuL.s-aiways ,r2gLf wait upon he'll
sell"
/, h4d never ueea G4,i', Ny however,
to iinScI ia the ves,iDI.e after church ;
bat no" ,Ao louad IL Convenient to ash
o.4 Mr.. Il IS abau; Ae. ;hcum .li>n and
j.! .rry 1!,eAs .rel; acr s;lu.seu lisaius
..t Iae L,braJgr. And uy Iht. time the
Reverend Clarence hAd pa. oil The gown
and m.de his way to The church door,
where Fiola welcomed him; and Bell
nodded and begged they would 20 on.
and let her overtake them; she must
speak to the sexton about his sick child,
OF see The treasurer of the mite society
only she never did oysrtake them. The
treasurer had proved garrulous, aud the
sexton had set his heart on showing her
tue head stone be had got up 10 his first
wife. Ii she found them sitli 9 alone 10
tLo em5rAsGrcs Of The open window.
sud ing the consultations. she moved
softly away. WAC could Ie.I?-it might
DO the decisive moment.
Ii SO happened that just at this time
Mrs Raymond lell i'll. Flora proposed
going home. but Bell stoutly vetoed the
proposition. at will be so lonesome Tor
Mr. Gascoigne," she said. "Aud Aunt
Mnly will DO up again soon. No; do