The herald and mail. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1873-188?, 1877-08-24

1 were HOI 80 02dCIlUR DuG ne 0SVOLe
some leisure to the poets, sitting in the
vine-covered arbor, while Bell and Flors
worked and listened-except when Bel
remembered she had omitted to leave or
ders for the grocer, or had neglected some
important household affair, and excused
herself for long halfhour, begging them
to go on with the reading. And when
she returned, she was always pleased to
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: We have
been waiting for you, Miss Bell "-he
had fallen into the habit of calling her
Miss Bell" during these familiar
seances.
"I sha'n't dare to run away if am
going to spoil your pleasure So" she re-
Piled.
{" You certainly do spoil it when you
leave u.s." he would gallantly retort.
If they went for an afternoons picnic
to the top of Chrome cliff, with their
supper packed in hamper, Bell fell to
sketching bend of the river, with the
! willows dipping above it and swallows
skimming low, and Flora and Mr.. Gas
coigne were naturally left to their own
devices. If they went out for an even
| ipg's entertainment-w which even Hap
| hazard afforded at times when summer
| guests were plenty Bell remembered
| the latch-key as soon as they were be-
| yond 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.. GascCigne's arm-either both hands
| were necessary to keep her skirts from
the mud, OF the country sidewalk was
| too narrow for three abreast. And yet
there was nothing obvious or awkward
in Miss Raymond's scheming. 1t all
came about as naturally as if foreor-
dained and if Mr.. Gsscoigne was some
| times little vexed that he could not be
trusted to find the latch key, close the
window or fetch the umbrella, Flora
would say; cts Bells way; she was
just so at Nine. Buhl's-always would
wait upon herself"
1t had never been Bells way, however,
to linger in the vestibule after church
but now she found it convenient to ask
old Mrs. Koss about her rheumatism, and
Mrs. Martha Meeks about her grand -on
fishing at the Labrador And by that
time the Reverend Clarence 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 and let her Overtake them; she must
speak to the sexton about his sick child,
or see the treasurer of the Mite So
cietv-only she never did overtake them.
The treasurer had proved garrulOus, and
the sexton had set his heart upon show
ing her the head stone he had got up to
his first wife. IF she found them sitting
alone in the embrasure of the open win
hn consolidation aha
moved softly away. Who could tell9-
it might be the decisive moment.
1t so happened that just at this time
Mrs. Raymond fell ill. Flora proposed
going home, but Bell stoutly vetoed the
proposition. g 1t will be so lonesome fer
Mr. Gascoigne," she said. "And Aunt
Milly will be up again soon. Ne; do
you stop and pour tea at table, and play
at housekeeping, and make 1t little like
home for the poor fellow"
"Seems to me you are very anxious
about his welfare said Flora, but stayed
as she was bidden, and poured his tea,
whiled away his leisure hours, beat him
at chess, visited his sick, listened to his
views, filed the place of the absent So
prano in his choir, and borrowed his cid
sermons for private reading, while Bell
spent her time administering hourly
doses, connecting gruels and dainties to
tempt the appetite, and waiting in a
darkened room by day, after broken
nights. Perhaps it was the effect of over
taxed nerves and depressed spirits, or
perhaps Miss Raymond had misunder-
stood her interest in Mr.. Gasccigne, but
as she left her patient doing one night,
and paused a moment, leaning out the
hall window to commune with the even
ing star and the last tender effulgence
of sunset, the sight of Flora and Mr.. Gas
goigne pelting each other with roses in the
garden below smote her with a sense
of something alien and cruel. Her alb
sence did not affect their enjoyment ;tIfey
had forgotten her in the delight of being
together and for the first time a selfish
sorrow stirred in her heart and filled her
eyes with sudden tears. "Did she grudge |
them their happiness ?' she asked her
self "Was not success enough for herr"
When Flora had gone to her room that |
night Bell knocked at the door and |
went in.
Haven't you anything to tell me ?" !
she asked. '' Has nothing happened ?"
What should happen, you dear old
sleepy owl, you? o yes; broke your
India china bowl. A sin confessed is half !
ae dressed. We meet, but we miss you
we linger to caress you---at least l do.
BY the way, | IN AFRAID the Reverend /
Clarence is getting horribly bored with
mel"
q What impossible nonsense, Floral"
Was love teaching Flora to prevaricate7
The following night, as Bell was going
softly down to the kitchen for mustard,
the door of Mr.. Gasgoigne's study opened,
and the draught blew out her candle as
he closed it and came forward.
You keep late vigils, Mr.. Gascoigne,"
she exclaimed. 1t has just struck
twelve"
"And of what do you suppose Flora
is fraid That you are getting bored
with her I"
smiling broadly. Cant you imagine
who never bores me?"
''Is it riddle p laughed Bell, with a
sob in her throat. "I suppose l might
guess with a great effort ofimagination -
Why did he torture her with his conf
lences?
:" should think You might, he pur-
sued, still smiling, but not so confidently.
During your absence at Mrs Raymond's
bedside have become confirmed IN a SEN
.iment whose existence l had only sus-
oected before. Is there any hope for me,
wonder? ?' !
"Any hope ?" she answered, confused ,
hope? l-how can tell?"
" Don't you know ?" asked he, mourn
'ully, his great dark eyes shining appeal
ngly in the dim light. Conldn't you
i've me a morsel of encouragement? |
" could-I will find out-if you wish.
would give it now-this minute-you
NOW would, don't you ?-if 1 dared
I were certain"
Did he doubt that Flora loved him t
Bless you !' he said, fervently. az am i
Wiling to wait it is SO much better than }
despair dealt at one blow" Then he
ighted her candle from his own, and
eft her with blank dismay pictured upon
Ter face. There was no question but her
had succeeded, and she ;
herself was in love with Clarence Gas ;
,oigne Another woman might have :
played false at this unexpected crisis, and .
Ieemed that all was fair in love, but Bell !
was of finer clay. q
"You dearold 60 between" cried Flora | >