The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1879-12-25


Then she was gone down the hill
side at a run; and Dick stood by him
self in a state Of some bewilderment
and even distress. There were ele-
ments of laughter in the business; but
the black dress, and the face that be-
longed to it, and the hand that he had
held in his, inclined him to serious
view. What was he, under the cir
cumstances, called upon to do? Per-
haps to avoid the girl? Well, he
would gthink about that. Perhaps to
break the truth to her? Why, ten to
one, such was her infatuation, he
would fail Perhaps to keep up the
illusion, to color the raw facts; to help
her to false ideas, while yet not plain
ly stating falsehoods? Well, he would
see about that; he would also see about
avoiding the girl. He saw about this
last so well, that the next afternoon
beheld him on his way to visit her.
In the mean time the girl had gone
straight home, light as bird, tremu-
lous with joy, to the little cottage
where she lived alone with maiden
aunt; and to that lady, grim, sixty
years old Scotch woman, with a nod
ding head, communicated news of her
encounter and invitation.
"a friend of his?" cried the aunt.
"What like is he? What did We say
was his name?"
She was dead silen5, and stared at
the old woman darkling. Then very
slowly, Il said lie was my fathers
friend; | have invited him to my
house, and come he SHALL she said;
and with that she walked off to her
room, where she sat staring at the
wall all the evening. Miss M'Glash-
an, for that was the aunt's name, read
a large Bible in the kitchen with some
Of the joys of martyrdom.
It was perhaps half past three when
Dick presented himself, rather scrupu-
lously dressed, before the cottage door;
he knocked, and voice bade him en-
ter. The kitchen, which opened di-
rectly off the garden, was somewhat
darkened by foliage; but he could see
her as she approached from the far
end to meet him. This second sight
Of her surprised him. Her strong,
black brown spoke of temper easily
aroused and hard to quiet; her mouth
was small, nervous, and weak; there
was something dangerous and sulky
underlying, in her nature, much that
was honest, compassionate, and even
noble.
MY fathers name," she said, has
made you very welcome"
And she gave him her hand, with
sort of curtsy. It was pretty
greeting, althoug gh somewhat man
nered; and Dick felt himself among
the gods. She led him through the
kitchen to parlor, and presented him
to Miss M'G1ashan
ESTHER" said the aunt, ''see and
make Mr. Naseby his tea
| And as soon as the girl was gone
upon this hospitable intent, the old
woman crossed the room and came
quite near to Dick as if in menace.
'Ye know that man." she asked in
IN imperious whisper.
"Mr. Van Tromp?' said Dick.
Yes, know him"
"Well, and what brings We here?"
she said. II couldn't save the moth
er-her that's dead-but the bairn!"
She had a note in her voice that filled
poor Dick with CONSERVATION. Man"
she went on, what is it now? Is it
money!"
My dear lady," said Dick, Il think
you misinterpret my position. I am
young Mr.. Naseby Of Naseby House.
Ny acquaintance with Mr.. Van Tromp
is really very slender; | am only
afraid that Miss Van Tromp has ex-
aggerated our intimacy in her own
imagination. | know positively moth
ing of his private affairs, and do not
care to know. [ met him casually in
Paris-that is all"
Miss M'Glashan drew long breath.
In Paris?' she said. "Well, and
what do you think Of him ?-what do
ye think of him?' she repeated, with
a different scansion, as Richard, who
had not much taste for such a ques-
ton, kept her waiting for an answer.
Il found him very agreeable COM
panion," he said
"Ay," said she, ''did ye! And how
does he win his bread?"
Il fancy" he gasped, ''that Mr..
Van Tromp has many generous
friends"
"I'll warrant!r' she sneered; and be-
fore Dick could find more to say, she
was gone from the room.
Esther returned with the tea-things,
and sat down.
Now" she said costly, tell me all
about my father" :"
'He''-stammered Dick, ''he is
very agreeable companion"
Il shall begin to think it is more
than you are, Mr.. Naseby," she said,
with a laugh. Il am his daughter,
you forget. Begin at the beginning,
and tell me all you have seen Of him,
all he said and all you answered You
must have met somewhere; begin with
that"
So with that he began: how he had
found the Admiral painting IN cafe;
how his art so possessed him that he
could not wait till he got home to
well. to dash off his idea; how (this in
reply to 81 question: his idea consisted
of cock growing and two hens eating
corn: how he was fond Of cocks and
hens; how this did not lead him to
neglect more ambitious forms Of art;
how he had picture in his studio of
Greek subject which was said to be
remarkable from several points of
view; how no one had seen it nor
knew the precise site of the studio in
which it was being vigorously though
secretly confected; how lin answer to
suggestion) the shyness was COM
mon to the Admiral, Michelangelo,
and others; how they Dick and Van
Tromp) had struck up an acquaint-
ance at once, and dined together that