Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-11-29

around her gay and bright. Lady Upton had
complmented her on her bonnet, the agreeable
her, and not sombre thought touched the
heart Of Miss Vane. The quick movement OF
the horses excited her; her eyes sparkled with
happiness. They were driving along a lane, a
narrow lane, where the horses were forced to
siacken their pace to pass foot-paSsenger. He
Vane, looking that way, saw that the pedestrian
was her friend, the mason, with basket Of tools
In one hand and stone bottle in the other.
She was utterly confused, and turned her eyes
away as the carriage passed him. Shame filed
her heart the very next moment and she said
quickly:
.'Oh, Lady Upton, will you allow the carriage
to be stopped? l wish to get out; we have just
'My dear, we passed no one but workman
in white blouse"
THAT he is, my friend"
"Oh, you know, we really cannot spare you
on his account" said the agreeable Sir Some
THAT is as Miss vane pleases," said Lady Tip
ton. coldly.
81 do wish it." Miss vane cried energetlcally,
'Be good enough to tell the driver at once"
said Lady Upton to the agreeable Sir Somebody,
in tone of undisguised disgust.
sit Is not far to Upton woods will follow
quite soon, and shall be able to explain my
reason"
Lady Upton bowed very coldly, and pres
emily Miss Vane found herself in the road alone.
There was not sign of the mason. Probably
he had trudged on and was half a mile distant
by this time.
GREETED the course she had taken. Her second
mistake was only less pardonable than the first.
She tried to run and catch a glimpse of the felt
hat, she reached the stile In the hedge where he
had stood, and still saw nothing Of him. Her
boots were not made for running purposes, they
hurt her feet terribly, and this pain and her dis
of the stile, and putting her hands upon the top
bar and her face In them she burst into tears.
No one was likely to hear her; and she INDUCED
"What is the matter, my child?" said soft,
soothing voice at her ear.
She looked up hastily; on the grass before her
were felt hat, basket OF tools stone bottle
and pipe; over her bent the beautiful, tender
face of the mason.
"What is the natter"
ell was ashamed to acknowledge you, sit
ting there with my proud friends until we had
passed you, and then was ashamed Of myself,
and so would get out to tell you of my fault,
and say how-how-how do you do; but didn't
want to go to the picnic, indeed did not"
. Any one must have smiled who had heart
less sympathetic than the mason's; to him
fh hed msG aa the sgge nsd s h most
hand, he took it, and held it very gently in his
own.
at is good to go to picnics with friends Of our
own social standing" he said, still holding her
hand; sit is good to enjoy all that life offers US.
that we may accept without injury to Others.
And l have no claim upon your recognition
occasion. And perhaps it will be better for both
of us If we forget all about our f1ve-m minutes
chat, for am only mason, and people might
me if l took advantage OF a mere accident to
claim acquaintance with yonng lady of your
position. I'll be bound Mr.. ChipstOne would turn
cheese, hey?"
al VIII never forget the cathedral Every
word you said has been the text for sermon
81 don't like sermons" said the mason, wish
ing to break up conversation leading he feared
81 do; and you think me weak and silly, and
and child. But am trying hard to think,
and be true to myself; to be a woman and good,
She looked full into his face, with such
yearning in her eyes, that he, in wondering d.
miration, could only look upon her in silence
AS he looked, smile began to dawn about her
with alteration. He looked away from her, with
an effort, and laid her hand down, asking:
'.Are you going after your party?"
MOh, no, cannot. VIII you take me to the
vfllage?n
.Yes;.the nearer way is across these fields. Do
you mind my smoking?'
She shook her head. He helped her over the
stile, and taking up his possessions was careful
to distribute them upon both hands, and so they
walked along, these homogeneous two.
The mason made observations upon the sur
rounding landscape, and smoked the whole way.
The lady spoke little; but serene enjoyment Of
the present moment was in her heart, and she
forgot all her troubles even to the boots that
pinched her feet.
When they came to the end of the lane that
Adults upon the village green, he stopped, and
In M light gf tone said Now must run away to
Goodbye" she said, looking in his face to
read if his lghtness OF heart were real.
"Good afternoon"
You said goodbye last time"
~Then goodbye now"
She fingered.
81 wish you would try to think Of me as a
woman"
1--WE are to try and forget"
nesg"
sIn art" he replied, looking with compass
sion upon the panied, sweet face. Then they
parted.
She saw him once at distance, leaving the
cathedral with the congregation, and again
within the building one Sunday, seated In dis
tant seat. but in such position as to command
view OF her profile. She was sure he was
sketching her, but her religious sentiment was
not greatly shocked. She worked hard, but did
not find forgetfulneSs in art; rather, each new
endeavor seemed to bring him closer to heart.
She did not, she could not, conceal from herself
that her feeling for him was love- That love
was the keener because of its hopelessness. He
was no simple artisan in feeling Or education
she knew and that was sufficient, he being
poor, to keep them assunder. He could not
offer her home, and would not accept one
from her-even if he loved her. She was grown
wise enough to know that a marriage OF that
kind was not possible. Nearly year had gone
before she knew more OF him. and then through
Mrs: Champs kindly offices.
1--WE got pleasant surprise for you, Miss
sane sad the good woman, entering the young
lady's studio one morning. Mrs. Champ was
dressed in her Sunday clothes, and was radiant
with excitement
What is it," asked Miss Vane, carelessly.
"Well, Miss, that's my secret and you shall
lind out by your own eyes, If you'll come along
of me-"
You are very mysterious, and my curiosity is
reused to its utmost intensity, l assure you; but
really cannot leave my work just now"
Mrs. Champs cOuntenance was overcast at
once, and she said remonstratiyely:
Don't say that, Miss Vane. The chance
won't occur again, and am certain you will be
delighted beyond all expectation If you come
with me- l won't take you half an hour, and
shall be that disappointed If you don't take ad-
vantage of the opportunity as can't tell you.
Now do Gomez
Miss vane looked at the verger's wife In
amused perplexity.
will It give you pleasure if accept your in
vitation?"
"Indeed it will, Miss, and me not more AN
you.n
.'Then will leave my work for one hour-but
mind, not more.
Then Miss yane put on her walking dress, and
tried to console herself for her loss of time by
the thought that She was pleasing the old wo-
man.
In the quietest part of the old town Mrs Champ
led the yOunp 1a0y a small c0ttaO,a vhare