The Osceola times., 1881-05-28

L
Melieent thanked him warmly, as she
received the list; and Mr.. Hunter then
rose, saying: "Will you permit me to 20
with youP wish to introduce YOU to
one of my parishioners, a widow lady
with one little boy; she occasionally
takes boarder of my recommending
and it will be cheaper and better for you
than the hotel. shall be unwilling
that you should go out alone, in any
event, at this late hour"
He thought sadly, as he spoke, that il
his wife had been living he might have
given Melicent home during her stay
in town.
Mrs. Gale was propitious, and agreed
to let the young stranger occupy bright
cosy little room, at very moderate price
This important point settled, Melicent
started energetically on her professional
tour to such good purpose that before
night the next day there were ten sub
scribers on the first leaf of her pros.
pectus, and she had made SIS. This
really began to look like possible wealth,
and she was quite elated with her sue
cess.
II had not been very pleasant for her
was with a step-uncle, who cared very
little for her, but would not allow her
to do. any thing toward earning her own
living while under his roof; the dream
of her life had been TO hunt up some
relations in England; and TO get money
enough to 90 there, she had stolen
away, and launched forth us book
agent. She hoped to be able, in the
course OF year or SO TO accomplish her
object.
The minister often thought of the lit
tie hat with blue ribbons, and the youth
tnl face beneath il; and estimable Mrs.
Gale soon noticed that his calls at her
house were more frequent than they had
been. He introduced her, too, TO several
families, belonging to his parish, and
some took quite an interest in her, invit-
ing her to their houses when they had
company. On one of these occasions il
was that the minister, for the first time
heard her sing. When he came in he
saw young lady in an evening dress,
quite simple one, but showing excep-
tional taste; and for moment he Won
dered who il could be; but when she
looked around and smiled he recognized
Melicent and his involuntary comment
was: How thoroughbred she looks~
Later in the evening, she was asked to
sing and her singing drew tears TO everv
eye. Mr.. Hunter, as he leaned on the
mantle-piece, and looked down into her
rapt upturned face, thought of St
Cecilia.
1t did not take many weeks to canvass
the town, and the time came for Nell.
cent TO seek fresh fields and pastures
new" But the minister, meantime, had
become more and more interested in her.
One day he said TO his sister:
81 think the children need q govern
ness, Martha"
81 think SO, too" replied his sister.
They are getting quite beyond me"
"Well, think | have made choice"
said her brother. They are very fond
of Miss Clay, and ! hope she will find
this pleasant home. She has come to
see them this morning, and Is now in
the garden with them making dolls.
I've been watching them for this last
half-hour. Come and see."
lie led the way to the library window,
under which on a garden bench sat Mel
icent, buslly engaged in her occupation.
One little one was looking admiringly
on, but the other one was already tired
of dressing her doll, and was begging for
a game of battledore AID shuttlecock
Miss Hunter regarded the picture
grimly.
"What, that little tly-away thing" she
said.
Miss Clay" replied the minister,
little stilily, SIS Young lady of eduCa-
ton and refinement, as you well know,
and | have no hesitation in trusting
Clara and Bessie with her, ii she will
consent to teach them.'
Miss Hunter wisely said no more; but
she felt quite sure that Meiicent would
consent; and she proved to be right.
Perhaps Melicent had given up her in
tended tour of Europe-at any rate she
gladly accepted the liberal offer made
her
She and her pupils soon loved each
other dearly; and "aunt Gertrude" was
us kind as possible to the little govern
ness; while the minister appeared to
think that she was his pupil, and fire.
quently carried her off to the study for
reading and discussion.
One day, after the five o'clock tea was
finished, he fingered on. His sister had
gone out for walk with the children.
Melcent had bit of fancy-work in her
hand, and chatted brightly as she went
on with it. Never, he thought, had she
looked more womanlv. Her pretty occu-
patton, the simple dress she wore, her
whole air and manner, gave an home
like atmosphere to the room, such as it
had lacked for long years. For awhile,
he sat silent, as if in thought. Then he
looked across ut her.
"Melicent," he said, you once asked
me for my name, and | efused it. Will
you take it now-in different way?"
She glanced up shyly, and half fright
ened, looking, once more the little book
agent. Her work nearly fell from her
fingers. A roseate glow spread over face
and neck. After one quick glance, her
eyes fell and she seemed as tongue tied as
on the memorable evening when they
had first met
Plying her embarrassment, ana re-
covering from his own, Mr.. Hunter con-
tinued:
"You need not speak, dear. Only give
me some sign, if you can, that you will
Try TO love me-"
Then, with sweet, bashiul frankness,
Melicent silently placed her hand in his.
They were married in the late spring,
Just when the lilacs We're going ont, and
the earliest roses coming in. Married in
the old church, where, every week, the
preached the Glad tidings of
great ioy.h The only bridesmaids were
Mr. Hunters two little girls, who could
scarcely restrain from dancing and sing
ing, 50 happy were they to have her for
'their new mamma" as they said.
When Melicent returned from her
and appeared on the Sun