The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1877-06-09
Selett StOrg,
LITTLE CHING 70.


Just as the shadows began to grow long
beside Laughing Brook, two people stepped
aside from the road and sat down upon the
green bank, apart from each other, as two
people might who have quarreled, as in.
deed they had.
One was pretty dark girl with great
dark eyes, a wealth Of ebon hair, and the
saucest red mouth in the world.
The other, tall, fair young man, wear.
ing a single breasted black coat, and with
young clergyman written all over him in
an unmistakable manner. He was the
Rev, Reuben Eden, and the girl at his
side was Ada Romer, to whom he was en-.
gagged. lie seated himself siifily, and with
as much dignity as one can assume upon
the grass,
She founced herself down with pout,
aud pulling off her hat, began to pluck at
The sticks in a nervous sort of way.
If you are going to tyrannize over me
already, | give you fair warning that
will not bear it, she said I've done as
j pleased, aud always shall.
when | asked you to be my wife"
began Reuben Eden.
"You were glad enough to get me, in
ierrupted Ada
"Let me finish If you please" said the
young clergyman. "When asked you to
BE- my wife, thought you quite under
ttood that the husband is the head of the
house. How will it be with US when you
cannot be taught that it must be so We
are not married yet, but you should yield
10 my wishes. 1t is your duty. l disap-
prove of dancing highly disapprove Of
that dissipated and worldly young man
with whom you have been flirting. You
have, of course, not forgotten that you will
eape day promise to obey me. How can
you do that when you refuse to regard
nv wishes nowH'
"If your wishes are absurd-if your
uommands should be ridiculous-I shall
nlways refuse regard and obedience" said
lhe girl
"Then | shall be master of my own
house, our home shall be very uncomfor.
teble one, said the young man.
$50 decidedly uncomfortable that l be.
lieve it best that everything should be at
an end between us, said the girl, flushing
hptly.
'That at least is sensible remark"
aid the clergyman.
Then she, growing white as death, took
hDm her finger tiny diamond engage
'nent ring and held it towards him; and
be, whittier than she, took il from her and
4pietly tossed it into Laughing Brook.
The hands Of a thousand little water-sprites
zeemed to catch it us the tiny rapids swept
9away over the glistening rock beneath.
Vser each brown head it sparkled and
hashed, and then it was gone. Then
dignifed young clergyman slowly walked
oqe way, and very pretty young lady,
Nith her round hat very much over her
ayes, took the other, without the ceremony
pf leave-taking
But Y, the rage and pain in her heart,
and U, the rage aud pain in his.
she loved him dearly, though she was
~ innocent little tiirt, and liked dancing
100 much, and he loved her as men can
paly love once, though he was conceted
nn' lntolerant, as a very young clergyman
piten is.
The girl has done no harm. If she had
sne was frank enough TO have owned it
end begged forgiveness.
And though tinge Of jealousy had
used her lover TO make mountains Of
Nole hills, his rule would have been gentle
NAen the little soul who had begun to dread
Fas his own.
Put there beside Laughing Brook their
Hffs diyerged. They saw each other no
mafe for many days to come. The village
k'Fip knew to woman that the affair
4Hf off
bnt though months went by, there were
ofymptoms that "the minister" was look
~ Elsewhere for wife, nor did Ada be-
s'pR any peculiar favor on any of the vii
|a<e beaux.
year passed--two. The clergyman
s.''I lived alone in bis parsonage, and Ada
h9ner kept house for her grandfather
2 PC old mansion at the end of the viii
Now and then she would 90 down
pe margin Of Laughing Brook, and sit
ching the water that had swept away
aff Ping with very grave face
pnt he took long detours to avoid the
2t aud when the wind, setting that way,
s'Qpght the voice Of Laughing Brook to
'1f parsonage study, he would rise and
the windows, and shut II out. He had
Ap4f this the very day when walking
saaaenly in the middle Of the night, ne
ss aware Of strange Pickering vermil-
aQa glow across his ceiling and jumping
e7t q his bed, saw from his window that
ala komer mansion on the hill beyond was
, Sr great sheet Of fame, and only he
I'D to be aware Of the fact.
the village slumberod, and about
'n pouse itself no figure moved. They
se'H being burnt in their beds or smoth-
They2 Nay She, his Ada, as
slled her at the moment uttering her
f3'af Tor the first time in two years.
tRstily clothing himself, he rushed out
~ house and over the hill, crying
'se as be ran. Windows opened at
qFy' He heard voices uttering screams
Nnazement, The alarm was given.
n We It now Of nny avai2 He stood
ee'ere tho house, and saw every window
hut but one on the second floor.
H'= fhe fames had not reached. Under
= Af*pt pear tree stood a ladder It was
5at9 heavy one. At ordinary times his
unused TO everything heavier than
could not have stirred Il. Now he
D #AHa no difficulty in carrying it to the