Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-10-23
SIR CECIL'S RIVAL.


Ing with the preferment that DefCted his noble
family connections. IL not his talents the parish
OF 81 Judes, Briarford, was left for some time
without vicar. The vacant living was finally
accepted by the Rev. Frederick Spenser who
came down at once to inspect his future sphere
OF LABOR, and who as quickly delivered himself
new incumbent had been four-and-twenty
hours In the parish, every soul knew that sert
Gus changes were impending.
The truth is, there Is so much 70 De done
that hardly know where TO begin" explaineo
MI Spenser with the most engaging canaor, aa'
propping his back against high painted pew
he glanced over the church from east 10 wet,
from roof TO pavement. La his QUICK, oecioed
manner.
Ii the newly appointed vicar did not know
where 10 begin. it was clear thdl ne utu Lo s
know where 10 cad. Bat at last day came
when the church had been half rebuilt and
wholly refurniShed, and he himself entered az
the tail OF some twenty or thirty little white
rObei boys. that the soul OF the Reverend Fred
erick Spenser knew peace. 1t was pleasing
spectacle. but that did not dispose or the awk-
ward problem OF the unsettled bill of all these
pretty things. Mr.. SpenseI addressed himself
TO the difficulty with his characteristic energy.
and with the aid OF his adherent5. who were
portion CT the debt. UndiSguised begging In
the form OF subscription list Ia the first place,
and in the second concert given by amateur
musicians. Jealous but incompetent, had eff
fectt this; and it was now proposed TO wipe OIL
the remaining incubus OF debt By the proceeds
OF a bazaar.
The weather favored the scheme. Lovelier
DAY ever dawned than that twentieth Of June
the appointed date. While Still early, all the
town or BTiarfOrd and half the county were
pouring In and out OF the mimic fair. Midway
through the afternoon fresh arrival In the hail
attracted some attention. This was Sir Cecil
ThOrIe. who upon attaining his majority some
six or seven years back, had come into ole O.
the finest estates In the county. Where fortune
has bestowed her smiles there the world Will
also lavish IT'S favor; so now. upon Sir c. GUS
approach. bright faces grew brighter. grim tips
relaxed and anxious bT0WS SmOothed. The
staII-hOders exerted themselves to good pur-
pose; for at first it seemed as though a VERT
able-yOoSe laying golden eggs had come 10 the
sacrifice. But there was a certain method 10
Sir Ceclls nberality. Sauntertng slowly up the
room, he paused at each stall in turn but haV-
ING spent a reasonable amount with such readl-
ne-s as to awaken great hopes In the breasts OF
fair SaleSWOulen. lie was not TO be Induced to
Law cut any further sums. His refusal was
laughing and pleasant: but he invariably passed
on TemCrSelCsSly TO the next emporium or cuSh-
ions and teakettle-h holders.
Only upon reaching the end or the room
which was occupied Oy TWO stalls, did Sir Cecil
depart from this judiciOuS course OF action. At
the first OF these tables he came to decided
stop, and lOunging across IL, spoke with famil-
lar ease and bTeviTy 10 the handsome girl with
bold eyes, and holder tongue, who presided
there.
How DO you do Adelaide
''Quite WELL thank you; but have no time TO-
day iOT frivolous conversation.
The young lady'S manner, however, balied
upon whom she would have swooped three min
uteS earlier, tn pass unScathed. she leaned over
the inprOvlSed counter, ready for any extent OF
chat They were cousins. SIR Cecil Thorpe and
Adelaide Dudley; and his sunny blue eyes and
pleasant smile had long ago won AdelaideS
heart. Unaware OF his spoil, Sir Cecil only
thought OF her as sharp sort OF girl for a fell
low 10 talk to- and was especially glad TO tind
her now In this desert. where were few Of his
kind.
Sir Cecil Thorpe glanced at the articles before
him, lifting enc or TWO, then ficking them con-
tenptuOusly aside.
who Is the young lady to the right?r he
asked at length, dropping his voice little.
.'she does not seem 10 be doing very brisk
trade
Poor Miss Spenser! no; suppose she knows
but few people, said Adelaide Dudley care
leSSly.
ION, that's Miss Spenser, Is it?n-"And a
deUced pretty girl she Isl he thought, but dill
not say. Il understood the Reverend Frederick
was expecting bis family to take up their abode
with him, and they have apparently arrived"
he added aloud after a minutes interval How
many more such household deittes has he?"
IBIS household deities, Cecil, as you term
then, are two 10 number; his sister and his
mother. SpenSer, senior, would seem TO have
departed this evil world" Miss Dudley ended
with fi!ppancy.
AT this Juncture strong party of customers
claimed Miss Dudley's attention and under
cover OF the distraction Sir Cecil Thorpe gltded
away 10 seek fresh fields and pastures new"
He had not, however, sauntered on half dozen
49, USioIc NC nedtu d uauly VOICE D0nlnQ
"Glad to see you here. Sir Cecil.,
Halo. Spenser, how do you do? Yes, here
am. doing my duty like man. am almost,
but not quite. cleaned out, and propose to
finish the process here, y reJoined Thorpe.
Nothing could have FALLEN out better.
my sister" said the Reverend Frederick.
Then turning to the young lady he added:
Ethel Sir Cecil Thorpe Is anxious TO get ria OF
some purdensome cash" Having performed
which ceremony Mr. Spenser went his way.
IN tlrn -oSr 11r
eyes were lifted shyly for a moment, and
faint sea- shell pink tinted the most innocent,
lovely face It had ever been Sir Cecn's lot to
behold, as Miss Spenser gravely Inclined her
lead. Then her slim hands sought for and
laid cut before Sir Cecil Thorpe smoking caps
anu such other articles as might be supposed 10
re 1selui 10 young man. Ia quiet, almost
. apoiogetlc manner and without one word OF
the nuent Recommendation that would have
fallen nom Miss Dudley's lips under the same
What am to buy? Please tell nnen
what do you wish for?" asked Miss Spenser
grace or her face.
There is such an embarrassment OF riches
mat shall leave myself 10 your hands: have
you any conScience:"
81 should have none today"
Have you made heaps on money?-
NO. am rather Unsuccessful It Ia nv
IaNIt dare say. Ny mOther--should have been
mere 10 help me, but she is laid up with bad
..Indeedr' said Sir Cecn upon the whole
rather glad OF the old lady'5 absence, and WISH
ing Miss Spenser would again raise her broad
white IDS that so jealousy curtained her
lovely eyes. -AO'
~ am stupid at this sort OF thing. Do you
think | shall sell half" asked Miss SpanSar
cycling her piles or wares with an air OF peusIye
Speculation.
II don't know; but the case looks pretty hone
less, GOES IL not? Never mind, IL Is oujet IN
chat; I've been knocked into almost little hrs
ID the crowd; / assure you that I've Sustained
severe injuries. May | come round Ghars tn
II 81? asked Thorpe eagerly, pointing 10 some
chairs behind Miss Sponsors stall
mo, certainly not, answered Ethel LAUGHING
Softly. -9
- IL Is very hard; I'm sure my exhaustion
must De written upon my cOuntenance."
His subterruge-it Subterfuge 1t were-Was
successful. Miss Sponsors glance was IN
St1nctlVely raised to his face, aud Thorpe took q
deep satisfying draught Of the beauty or her
eyes.
You don't look very bad" answered the
girl after surveying his handsome stalHart
looks. AT all events, you may not have one
OF these chairs: but there are some benches In
tie middle OF the room
:. Thanks; but prefer my physical suIerlngs
TO baDisbmenLr
Their aequaintanceship was progressing hope
fully. In the beginning Sir Cecil Thorpe kept
turning over few OF the articles On the table
as though laboriously striving 10 make up his
mind which he should appropriate to himself;
In reality intent upon watching for the vagrant
color that came and went In the girls clear
cheeks, and laying stratagems for the pretty
dimpleS that danced for a moment about her