The Van Buren press., 1877-10-30
MISCELLANY.
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Iaura's Doctor.
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| was thoroughly enjoying myself OF
one of natures best early summer morn.
ings; the trees were just in their early
green; the meadows were golden witt
buttercups, the bitches hidden by tn,
moisture loving wild flowers. An ole
friend had told mo of this place, with it.
pretty village, its rustic rcctory, and qlo
rious trout-strcam; telling me, too, how
the gentle, kind old rector would, if ask
ed, give me leave to make casts from hi
meadow across to the high bank unde
which the fat, specified trout lay waiting
for the pretty dancing May flies, which
fitted up aud down i'll wondrous flight
and floating slowly down to the glsten
ing water, Continuing along the foot
path to where | had been told it turned
into the copsc, on passing thre ugh whicl
should find myself opposite the recto
ry-garden, where ! was going to ask
leave to fish, | stopped short, for had
suddenly come in view of Il stile, by the
which stood sweet-looking English
maiden, simply dressed in holland color
ed grass cloth, with plain straw hat GOV
ering the dark hair gathered in a cluster
behind. She was very pale, pallor in
creased by the black velvet tie fastened
beneath the plain collar round her neck,
and, as first saw her, she stood with the
fingels of her right hand lightly resting
on the little stilo, while her left was held
up as if to command silence. 1t was ev
ident that she had heard my approaching
footsteps, for suddenly her face became
animated, she clasped her hands together,
joyous smile overspread her face, and
she came bounding towards me.
At last? at last!' she cried wildly
and then, when within a few yards, she
stopped short, the bright look of anima-
ton fading away as if the sunshine had
passed from her young life, and crossing
her hands wcarily upon her breast, she
stood for few moments gazing at me
as involuntarily raised my soft tweed
hat.
No, no, no!' she said softly, with a
sigh and looking at me again wistfully,
she turned away, crept through the open
ing beside the stile, and was gone.
Poor girl!' said "there's sad
story attached to ber life, I'm sure
| walked on to the stilc, crossed the
wood, leaped another stile, and stood in
pretty lane, close to a charmingly-kep
garden, running down from the road TO
beautiful rustic looking house and not
many yards from me gray headed old
gentleman, in black, with a velvet cap on
his head. WAS busy, trowcl in hand, plant.
| ing scarlet orraninms in ono Of tL---lo 4.
| that dotted the velvet lawn. He looked
up and started slightly, as he saw me,
then bowing, he came down to the rough
trellis fence that divided his garden from
the lane.
"a nice morning" he said pleasantly,
as ! raised my hat. Fishing, pre-
sumei"
"Ycs, SIR said, 81 was going to
try"
"And you were going to ask my
leave I" he said, smiling.
81 intended to call, after had been in
to the village | said, taken somewhat
aback.
Did you leave town, this morning ~
said the old gentleman.
Ycs,' l replied, "by the first train,
and walked across from Hautey"
" Then you must be quite ready for
breakfast" he said, referring to his watch,
+" it will be ready now
ooh, thank you, no." | stammcred,
for this hospitality to a perfect stranger,
was staggering. " | am going down to
the inn, and then, if you will kindly per
me to whip the stream, l shall be very
glad"
"Oh, certainly, certainly he said
Z" l am an old fisherman, myself, and |
believe we of the craft are somewhat
Frcemasons in our way. The May flies
are well on, and you will have good
sport toward cvenng-not before"
Removed towards the rustic gate as
he spoke, and held it open.
but really | stammcred
"My dear sir !" said the old gentleman,
81 lead such quiet life here that a visi-
tor from the great city is most welcome.
You will favor me by coming in and par
taking of onr humble fare, and, besides,
you will get scarcely anything at the lit
tie public-house, below "
This to me seemed quite idyllic, but |
felt bound to refuse, till a glance at my
host decided me, and almost before ]
had recovered from my astonishment,
was iu a cozy little room, looking out
upon rustic veranda, clustered with ro-
scs just budding, and being introduced
to" my wife," pleasant, comely old la
DIV, with hair like frosted silver
The breakfast table was spread; there
was the snowy cloth, the glstening cot
fee. pot; and at the other end a bright
cover that was sure would reveal ham
and eggs. there was the golden butter,
the delicious-looking crusty loaf, and a
neat-handed maiden without any fuss,
placed an extra knife, fork, plate and
chair for me
"Tell Miss Laura breakfast is ready"
said the old rector. - She is in the gar
den" Then turning to me" A word
to put you at your ease," he said, sadly
My dat ghter suffers from a terrible
mental afilicton Don't speak to her
She would not answer youi she rarely,
even, speaks to US
was quite prepared to see the lady ]
had encountered in the wood glide into
the room and take her place opposite,
and this she did without noticing me;
and though | had been ravenously hun
grv. lust before, somehow her presence
so affected me that | made but a poor
breakfast. As we finished the poor girl