Stevens County tribune., 1880-02-19

am sorry that ever laughed or teased
him, dear Ethel; he saved my husbands
life Do Gomez
That is all. And what strange sup
plement to my meditations of the past
hour. How the old familiar names recall
the old days. am at Barfeld again,
young and happy as of oldl Constance's
invitation is tempting one. should
like to see her again in her new home;
and Mr.. Bargilig smile as i remember
the valentines, and I think--yes, /
think on the whole 1 should like to see
him again too! 1t is decided | will go
and sit down and write to that effect.
Three days later, at five o'clock ON a
cold winters evening, am driven up the
avenue at Braintree, trying hard through
the dusk and the drifting sleet to catch
a glimpse of my friends new home. A
double row of stately lime trees on each
side of the drive is all that can see, and
as we draw nearer, perceive fine old
Elizabethan house nearly covered with
ivy and creepers. 1t has been the home
of the Braintrees for many generations,
and had just descended to Charley from
an uncle.
A bright light streamed forth when the
door was opened, and Constance stood IN
the hall with open arms ready to receive
me. In q second was in a cosy little
room, with bright fire, where lay her
husband, looking not much older, but
pale and delicate from his recent illness.
Constance led me to my room, and on
leaving me SAID:
awe have Just few friends coming
tonight, dear; you won't mind9 I'll
send you my mald :" and without waiting
for an answer she was gone.
i did ''mind," but there was no help
for it. Constance was always fond OF
society. 1 dressed myself as well rs my
limited wardrobe would allow, and she
presently returned and escorted me to the
drawing room where about fourteen per
sons were assembled; but among them
all not one face was familiar to me save
that ofmy host.
I IqUietly ensconced myself in a win
dow recess, where was partially hidden
by a curtain. My eye wandered for a
moment rather anixously over the group
in faint hope that l might discover
Mr.. Bargili, but in vain.
Dinner was announced The party
paired off. AS sat wondering who my
partner was to be, Constance touched
the arm of a Unlocking man who sal
with his back to me, engaged in earnest
conversation. He rose at once, and she
led him up to me.
can old friend, Ethel. Mr.. Bargill
you remember Miss Vane
Was it posslbleg Was the fine looking
man before me the "sly curate'' of form
er days? No Eeed to ask lfhe remembered
me. He gave start and colored visiblJ
when she uttered my name, and | theI
saw plainly the resemblance which haC
failed to detect at first. He recognized
me at once too. l saw that, and it wa
no small pleasure to think that time'
ravages had not altered me in ms eyes
at least beyond recognition.
l went into the dining-room on hi
arm, and after the first few sentences ou
conversation never tagged. l thel
discovered how in mind as well as il
body he had developed and improved
or rather, having gained in assurance ant
manliness, those qualities yhice imag
ined he had always possessed were sui
tered to come to the surface, while tina
stiffness of manner which he had callet
J conceit, and which l now felt sure hat
proceeded from shyness, had vanished
altogether.
: When / returned to the drawing-roon
) I no longer felt myself alone in the com
pany. talked indiferently to my mex
neighbor, hardly conscious OF who 0
what she might be, my eye meanwhil
watching the door with anxiety, unit
at last the hum of voices outside toll
, that the gentlemen were coming.
There was a vacant seat beside mt
:. Would he take it2 Yes, he was evident
ly coming towards me. My heart throb
bed loudly when down upon the chair
!; had guarded sat fat old country squi1
S who had began to make himself agrees
F.; BILE to my next neighbor. felt mort
: fed and disappointed, and soon afte1
! wards took an opportunity of retiring t
r my old seat in the window.
= had not sat there many minutes whe
! the curtain was drawn aside, and M
d Bargill, placing chair for himself in m
Y recess, sat down beside me.
( SMr. Barglll," cried out Constance
little girl, running up to US, 'tjust look {
my valentine! Isn'tit beauty I hay
s such lot, but this is the prettiest of thel
d all, and I can not find out who sent
Dc you know? 1 believe it was you. No
I wasn't it? Tell the truth"
a "No, Carrie, 1t was not me"
n II believe it was, though she persis
y ed. "I'm sure it was!'
l. "No, Carrie, indeed he answere
l. while grave smile hovered round b
IS mouth. I never sent but one valentil
d in all my life, and that"
Ie "Well, and that?"
v '.That one was never answered.
l. He looked at me, though he was spea
ing to her, and instantly remembert
my two valentines Of long ago, that o.
1T in particular which was never accounts
n for, and which / had troubled myself
ct little about. In my own mind / h;
N never doubted that it had been sent L
by my mischievous young friends.
Ut remember now how strongly tn
le had denied it; aud, as l thought of
re contents, reflected, what if it really hi
k, come from him?-had lain all these yea
tO uulCeu6u d1u uuuOIlCcus duO AOW
I'd My cheeks burned crimson as turn
lg my head away, and my confusion mt
have been evident to him.
III Katie had flown away to exhibit
ye treasures in another part of the room.
l. heard low voice close beside me:
D. "Miss Vane-Ethel, will you ansN
it now?"
he 1 did snswer it and in way that
Ist have never since regretted.
1l When my friend Constance came
81 visit me in my bedroom that night, h
;n [ q sacrat To nnnfida to her and urao Kiss