Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1880-03-23
behind shawl and fringe of curl

/ Il
"No, she amt" retorted the girl.
Mr.. Caryl paused. He scarcely knew
what question to ask next.
| "Is Sarah at home ;" he demanded
after little.
"Miss Sarah."
"Well, | suppose it can hardly be
'Mr.' Sarah," said the young clergyman
half-smilingly. "Yes, Miss Sarah, oI
course
"She's at home," said the girl, ungra.
ciously, opening the door a little wider
"Came this afternoon. Settin' in the
parlor. Walk in"
And without further ceremony, Cary
found himself ushered into semi-dark
apartment, where tall, slender young
beauty Of eighteen summers or so sat be-
fore the fire, in plain black dress, with
the simplest of cuffs and collars, and a
single pale blue ribbon fastened into the
thick dark braids of her hair-a person
so entirely different from what he ex-
pected to see that he stopped short in
some perplexity.
"Is this-ahem, Sarah" he asked.
81 am Sarah Fielding" she responded
~ have called-to speak to you" said
he, with desperate rallying Of his ver-
bal forces. perhaps, Sarah, you may
not know who am"
"No. DON'T" said the girl in some
surprise.
81 am Mr.. Caryl. the pastor of the
parish"
~ am happy to make your acquaint-
ance," said the girl, putting out one slim
hand in the easiest possible manner.
The pastor hesitated. This was not
what he had looked for at all.
"Of course-of course said he. but
how docs it happen, Sarah, that you are
a, home again so soon:'
"Do you mean at Westbrook:"
"Where else should | mean:' retorted
Mr.. Caryl. crus,ily-for he felt that if he
once abandoned his tone of authority he
was lost. "Why didn', you stay where
you were:'
Sarah colored up to the roots of the
hair. He could perceive that even in the
uncertain rise and fall of the freight.
II do not like the position" said she
in low voice.
"But you ought to like il" said Mr.,
Caryl.
"You are not aware of all the circum-
stances" pleaded Sarah.
81 am quite aware" said Mr.. Caryl,
severely, "that vanity is the root OF all
your evils
VANITY"
The crimson was deeper than ever
now, on brow and temple, as she half
rose.
"Yes, vanity impressively reiterated
the clergyman. "Be silent, if you please,
young woman, and hear me out. You
have a certain amount of personal at
fractions, which appear to have turned
your head. Remember that beauty is
but skin deep. Call to mind frequently
the ancient adage that handsome is as
handsome does After all, you are
neither Mary Queen of Scots or Cleopa-
ira. Now take my advice. Sarah"
"But have not asked for it" she cried
out, in choked accents.
mo matter whether You have or not, y
said Mr.. Caryl, calmly. 1T is my busi-
ness to volunteer good counsel, and yours
to receive it. / repeat, Sarah, take my
advice. and go back to your place. Apol-
ogize humbly for your short -comings; tell
the woman of the house that you will
strive to amend your conduct for the flu
ture, and endeavor to deserve her approval.
Put away your silly ribbon bows and
brooches with a stern glance at poor
little agate breastpin that glistened at the
girls throat-"and leave the vain acces
sories of dress to your betters, always re-
membering that the ornament of meek
and quiet spirit"
But Just at this point the young clergy
mars Grafton was abruptly checked by
the entrance Of Mrs. Prune herself,
shawled and bonneted, and breathing
fast, from the haste she had made. In
one hand she held prodigious brown
cotton umbrella; with the other she
dragged forward the untidy damsel of the
shawl and curl. papers.
"Here she is Mr.. Caryl-here she is y
bawled Mrs. Prune. who did not possess
that most excellent thing in woman, "a
low and gentle voice" "a lazy, good
for-nothing. stuck-up, vain mink. as
needn't suppose as I'm going to do for her
no longer! You needn't hang back,
Sarah; it amt no good! Here she is,
Mr.. Caryl-here's Sarah"
The young pastor stared in amaze
ment.
sis that Sarahi" said he.
"That's Sarah" painted Mrs. Prune.
"And who's this" he demanded,
turning to the slim, dark-eyed girl, with
the blue ribbon and the agate brooch.
That's my niece, Sally Fielding, as
has been governess to family up in
Maine for three years." said Mrs. Prune.
"And she's down here on visit now
come this very afternoon. Hain't you
been introduced yeti Mr.. Caryl, my
niece, Sallie! Sallie. this ere's-"
But before she could finish the words
of her formal introduction the clergyman
had made nervous grasp at his hat.
"I-I have been the victim of mis-
understanding stammered he. "This
young person told me that she was Sarah. ="
$50 she is, said Mrs. Prune. "But