The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-08-28
MISS ARNOLD.
Another Story Of Love that was True,
but Didn't Run Smooth.
BY THE AUTHOR OF 1.-TWO OLD MEMS
TALES" ETC.
CHAPTER TX (CoNrrNuEpl

The General did not want for observation.
He had estimated thegood which had arisen
from the admission of Lettice Arnold into
his family, and he felt well inclined to the
scheme of having companion Of his own.
He could even tolerate the idea of a species
of domestic chaplain; provided the person
age so designated would look to his home
farm and keen his accounts.
The proposal was made to Mr.. st. Ledger.
He hesitated. Edgar expected that he
would.
81 dot know" he said 81 feel as il !
were in some measure running the risk OF
degrading my holy Office by accepting
merely for my personal convenience a de-
pendent position, where certain COM
pliances as necessary condition, might be
expected, which are contrary to my view
of things"
'Whv SO? | assure you, upon my honor,
nothing of that sort is to be apprehended.
These are really very we'll meaning people,
and you may serve them more than you
seem aware The part of domestic chap
lain is not held beneath the members of
your church. l own this is not noble
family, and doubt whether you can legiti-
mately claim the title. Yet the Office is
the same"
"Yes-if may perform the duties of
that office. On that condition alone, will |
entertain the thought of it for moment.
And must add, that as soon as ever | am
in condition-if that time ever arrives
to resume my public duties, | am to be al
lowed to do So"
"Unquestionably."
"And, that whilst | reside under tt e
Generals roof, ] may carry out certain re-
forms, which I believe to be greatly
wanted"
mo doubt"
"And that | shall be enabled to assist
Mr.. Thomas in the care of this extremity
Of his large parish, which so deplorably re-
qures looking after"
The General grumbled little at some of
these conditions, but finally consented to
all.
He was getting an old man. Perhaps he
was not sorry-though he thought it due
to those ancient prejudices of his profess
sion, am happy to say now fast growing
obsolete, to appear so--perhaps he was not
really sorry, now the wheel was beginning
to pause at the cistern, and the darkness
of age was closing round him. to have some
one in his household to call attention to
things which he began to feel had been neg
lected too long.
Perhaps he was not sorry to allow family
prayer in mansion, where the voice Of
united family prayer had, till then, never
been heard TO anticipate little-I may
add, as certain, that he who began with
never attending at all, was known to drop
in once or twice; and ended by scolding
Lettice heartily in morning il there was
any danger Of her not having bound up his
arm in the time for him to be present.
His gray, venerable head, his broken but
still manly figure, his wrinkled face, his still
keen blue eye, might be seen at last amid
his household. The eye fixed in sort of
determined attention, the lips muttering
the prayer, sort Of child in religion still
yet far away in many things; but accepted,
we will hope, as child.
He could share too. as afterwards ap-
peared, in the interest which Mrs. Melwyn
and Lettice, after Mr.. St. Ledger's arrival,
ventured openly to take in the concerns OF
the poor; and even in the establishment OF
a school, against which. with an obstinate
prei,, dice against the education of the lower
classes. the General had long so decidedly
set his face
In short having accepted all the condi
tions upon which alone st. Ledger, even in
the extremity of his need. could be per
suaded to accept place in his family, the
old soldier ended by taking great comfort
great interest, great pleasure in all the i'm
provementS that were effected.