The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1878-08-14

"Oh, the sweet, sweet things!" she
cried it an ecstasy. II am so fond Of
theml Poor Philip! poor " Her voice
sank to q murmur. How could think
otherwise than that note and flowers
came from her handsome cousin, as she
placed the lilies in a basin Of water,
where, with their lustrous leaves and
long, coiling stems, they formed beauti.
ful picture9
Philip came after dinner on the follow
ing day. A bright, we'll dressed, elegant
and jubilant young gentleman the
change was great from Philip in a
slouched hat to Philip in all the glory of
a fashionable suit. His ease of manner,
grace, beauty of form, and merry laugh,
made him almost irresistible I sat in
the little alcove leading from the general
sitting-room, busy with some old lace l
had been mending for Miss Laura, and
could see them both by inclining my head
little. They were a glorious pair, but
it seemed to me that Philip hai no right
there-he was taking Mr.. Walderon's
place, and a sudden jealously sprang up
in my heart, which changed almost to
terror when the door opened and the rec
tor OF st. Paul's stood on the threshold.
That same light that had come into her
face when she received the lilies flashed
over it again, for in the in terim I caught
one glance of her as she rose to meet Mr..
Walderon. fancied there was, also, a
timid, beseeching look in her soft eyes as
she came forward, with outstretched hand,
to meet him. But the rector advanced
slowly, and greeted Philip, to whom he
was presented, courteously but coldly,
while Miss Laura divided her attentions
between the two, and Philip addressed
her with more than cousinly freedom
AS for myself, tried to think of mani
fold excuses for my mistress. Z would
not allow that the sweet girl at whose
shrine worshiped was a coquette; and
still---at least so it seemed to me, who
sat there under protest.. her manner
grew colder and yet more distant toward
the rector. He seemed to notice the
gradual alteration, for an hour had scarce
~ elapsed before he took his leave
$50 that is Mr.. Walderon, the famous
cctor Of Old St. Paul's?" I heard Philip
ray when, he had gone.
. eyes; how do you like him9' Miss
Laura asked with something like eager
ness
4,"He must look imposing in his dra-
peries," Philip replied. "Well, there's
no accounting for tastes"
/ The speech seemed to sting her, for she
replied, in al altered voice:
"''Thats what I thought yesterday
"Oh, come, now, Laura he said, .'don't
be hard on me. If you could have seen
Celeste in her tropic home, in her fleecy
white muslins. her cheeks tinted with
the rich glow of health, you'd alter your
opinion. She is not looking at all like
herself; in fact, this base climate is kill
ing her. Besides, her face depends upon
expression for its beauty. Such horrible
chills would make the best complexion
sallow." iss
was all ears. Celeste? who was c.
leste? Should l listen unwittingly to
some secret? Was I forgotten in nv
corner? Had I better goa felt reluc.
tant to face them, having heard so much
"0h, I didn't mean to depreciate her
Philip" Z
"Only to punish me for not appreciat-
ing your rector-was that it," interrupt
ed Philip, with laugh. s.But what
does q man want of beauty?" and I could
see his conscious face, and read the
vanity even in his voice.
"Surely-but Celeste is pretty, o.
course, and I hope she will be we'll soon
poor little homesick stranger I'm going
to send her some lilies that somebody SEN
me yesterday-part Of them, I mean sh.
came from land of lilies. Just where
did you find her, Philip2"
"On the Island OF Barbados, in one O
the contest nests you can imagine. Poo
child don't doubt she longs for he
native Willis the orange trees, the shade
full bamboos, and her hammock. 1 wa
| a barbarian to covet herr
II must see her often," said Laura. !"
will go as often as I car.''
"Thank you; you are 50 kind ant
thoughtful. I knew you would like thu
poor little wife. Sometimes I reproacl
myself sadly for bringing her here, bu
what could do-starve?" And we cam,
pretty near IT.
20 Philipr' said hiss Laura. with
| shuddering voice, $50 poor as that?''
held my breath. Philip was mar
ried, then. 1t was his wife Miss Laur
| had been to see that morning. No nee,
to fear for the rector's happiness now
my suspense and suspicion had been boil
foolish and groundless.
"Poor. indeedr' he repeated, most say
agely. DO you know if it had not beef
for that fifty dollars you lent me. sh,
would have suffered for the aecessaries o
life? Anel when went to my uncle, ant
told him I had lost my money comm,
over, and almost my life, he made ne al
allowance of ten dollars week. VIDA
would he say if he knew had married
woman not worth one penny9 It would
be total ruin to me if he knew Of Il: bn
l am sure, dear cousin, that you viii
never, by look or word, to YOUR deares
friend whisper the intelligence. I would
have kept it a secret, even from YOU.
indeed I w0uld-but that l feared thu
poor little creature would die if she die
not see some friend. Above all, dom
whisper it to the priest he whispered
"1'm afraid of him. and I fancied he
drew nearer her.
You need not be; he is the soul ii
honor" and there was q slight shade 81