The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1879-04-09
CHE Story.
CHRISTIANS LOVE;
OR
The PEARL OF BANNER-CROSS
CHAPTER VII.

snatches up his hat. Across the hall, along
the graveled path, through the gate out on
to the dusty high road. through the clover
meadows, on he goes, hastily, eagerly, until
he stands in sight OF the gate Of Banner
Cross Park.
He can not breathe in the quiet calm Of
the parsonage, he can not rest or sleep I'M
til he has ascertained beyond doubt or ques-
ton whether the report that has reached
him is true.
A man and woman stand just within the
porch of the pretty lodge. The man holds
in his arms a fat, fair, rosy baby, clad in a
little white night-dress. The cleaning is
coming on apace, but baby will take no
harm, although so thinly arrayed, for the
air is dry and warm.
The twilight shadows are gathering, but
the light is bright enough to enable Chris
tan to discern the happy eyes of the mother
MS she watches the father playing with his
little child, as she listens to the cooling,
growing sounds that reward each fond ca
ress.
1t is sweet rest after the burden and heat
of the day.
The remembrance of the thoughts which
have cheered and gladdened his heart the
week through comes to him witha rush of
bitter feeling. What if they should all
prove so barren, so vain, SO delusive, so idle
as he fears2 He checks his hasty steps,
and stops to speak to the young couple be-
fore passing through into the park.
Baby grows a fine, stout little fellow,
Mrs. Allen" he says, gently. "Yoa will
soon have him running about by your side"
lie does get on that's certain" the
proud happy mother responds; and he's
wonderfully forward on his feet"
That's WE'LL" Christian remarks, with
kind, cordial sympathy; II hope he will
grow up to be comfort to you"
Thank you, sir" both parents exclaim
simultaneously.
II am late visitor" Christian says, still
maintaining the same kindliness of man
ner and voice, but have rather urgent
business with Mr.. FIRTH"
Husband and wife look at each other in
muN surprise for moment, and then the
man speaks to Christian.
Didn't you know, sir, that they went
away yesterday morning.
al have heard it," Christian replies, grow
ing white in his mental pain, but still speak
ing out clearly and frankly, "but / hoped
there was some mistake. Mr.. Firth made
an appointment with me which was desir-
GUS should be kept"
They're gone, sir, sure enough. Master
must have made up his mind in great
hurry like for they took scarce nothing with
them. Wilson, the valet, and Miss Pearls
maid have followed with the luggage this
Afternoon, and fine scuffle they've had to
get through with the packing.
They set sail tomorrow morning for
some foreign place with precious queer
name, I'm told; and Thurston, the coach
man, did say that he'd hoard the master in.
tends staying abroad for q good while, a
year or more"
It is all too true, then. the story told him
by Judith. With difficulty Christian COM
mands himself sufficiently to reply to the
man in his usual manner, ever kind and
courteous to his humber Pensioners, and
then he turns away hastily, and his voice
is husky and q little unsteady az he bids the
happy young couple good night.
The stars are beginning to peep out one
by one; pale. fair moon sails into the
calm, unbroksn blue Of the darkening skies;
and the faint, sparkling light Of the one and
the pure, silvery, shimmering radiance Of
the other shine down upon strong man in
mental pain amounting almost TO agony.
Christian Graham will never forget his
homsward walk on that night. All his
bright hopes and gladstone fancies vanished
and fed away for ever all bis fair, noble
castles lying in ruins around him. crumbliug
and falling into premature decay. destroyed
by one fell, cruel, sudden blow.
Life can never again press to his lips q
draught more bitter; never again can come
to him an hour more fraught with anguish
Of soul. And mingling with the pain comes
q strong stingiug sense Of humiliation.
Surely never has man, trusting to the honor
Of another, been more befooIed and duped |
l might have known that he would not