New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-03-13
CHAPTER III.-CoNTINUED.


,n.h. Ashieys had left the Rectory. Mr.. Cosmo
rnSlss for his part raised himself from the grass
Sase ia had LAIN so luxuIously putting his cigar.
He was more SoHs theS Charley Ashley was his
nS dnS INT tine affection had been chiefly on one
sids It had been, as the other very wen Knew a
nS nfhsr way to be known as tho friend OF aper-
sonaos so much more brilliant and popular than
SmseM Douglas had been accustomed to smile
ahen he was asked by his admirers what he could
s.s in the good fellow who was neither clever nor
cav nor rich, nor witty, and who had, indeed, no
particular accommodation except ms goodness, IL
peased him to attach to himself this use1ul, lath,
fuL humble friend, who was always ready 10 stanu
mn for him, and never likely to bring HIM INTO any
scrape or trouble. And he had always been ready,
he fSouQht to do anything for Charey-to coach
him for an examination, to write an essay Tor hln,
10 pull him through any oil the crises Oh ac0nege
career. But to 90 so far Gs to curb his own fancy
for girl who pleased him because Charley bad set
his affections in the same quarter was thlng en-
tirey beyond Cosmos perceptio1s OF the dutleS OF
friendship. And when he saw the dismal looks OF
bis friend-hiyheavy dropping back upon the SYM
pathy OF Willie his younger brother VINO had never
hitherto been his eondant ana tDe on5 a
ways jealous companion. ne was more uGKleu Inam
greved by it. The idea that he could ind serious
rival Ashley never entered nav MS the Sgbtes
regard to poor Charley while ne was py.
douglas had indeed 50 much fbo ba fs his s
own preference Of any thing OF person to be a
quite sufficient reason why Charley SHOULD give ~
up. he likes to give in to me- was what ne nSu
said ON MANY previous occasions; and he was unSoe
TO understand how any other affection could De more
deeply rooted in Ashey's bosom than that when
was directed to himself. Therefore NE only smlied
at what ne supposed momontary petulance. Good
simple soul perhaps Douglas respected ms IRENE
more that be was capable OF being 80 badly MT
Bat vet be could scarcely realize the possibility on
t. Charley 10 love had not presented itself 10 nun
credible idea 1t made MIN ia9er az a.
il any one could suppose 1t possible tnat IhaIieS
was man TO catch lady's eye ..,,o,, u,
Cosmos first visit had been at CHRISTMAS. when All
was new to him, and when the revelation OF the tive
girls at Mount SO full of life and movement alniu
the gentle stagnatiOn of the parish, had been tne
most delightful surprise to the resigned visitor VINO
had come as a matter of duty, determined to endure
anything and make himself agreeable 10 Cnarieys
friends You never told me what sort of neighbors
Won had' he had said almost with indignation;
'NeighbOrsI / told sou about the M0untiofds anu
the Woodlands, and Lord MeadOwiands, VINO u our
great gun said Charley TRANQUILITY: You speak as
# they were all the same-Mountfords, and WOOD
heads and Smiths and JOnes-whereas MISS mount
ford would be remarked IN any soeeIy, DD3bug i
had said. He remembered atterward that CnaTIey
had looked at HIM Tor a moment before ne repue,';
and had grown red; but all he had SAID was. !
dd1 H. know abrSSUSb Douglass mind as he stood
looking after the two brothers. watching the mourn
fulness of their march with an lrrepressDe sense OF
the udicrous To that victim OF tate ieanlng Oh
his brothers arm, dropping now and tneh a nslan
choly word or deep-heaged sign, ana walking
gloomiy, as after funeral 10 the afternoon game
was a sight at which the most sympathetic locker
on might have been excused for smiling dl1n
know that you thought much about glflsI was
there ever a more stupid remark And how was
TO know he thought much about girls douglas
asked himself with a laugh. His conscience was
easily satisfied on this point. And he had come
down at the beginning of the long vacation TO see
little more of the Ashlevs neigbbOrs lie cOuld nov
but feel that it be relief TO them also 10 see
cOnversible being. an alive and awake human cIea-
ture amid those scenes OF rural lie. MI. Ill
But now how far things had gone! DOugias had
been month at the He sGg ane eI snswep
road aud away under the shadow OF the PARK tfees'
the idea came TO him, with curious sense OF Of
nansiye and enlarged being, that the masses OF ION
a0essweepinV away toward the west. amid when
the two solemn wayfareTs soon disappeaIeu' "ouu
one day. in all probability, be ms own no w Ito
nv not that; that's the entailed part. be SAID 70
himself; then laughed again, this time partly III
gentle self-rideHIe partly 10 pleasure, ana turned
his face the other way, toward Lower Llltord-iOr
he had made himself master Of the whole partlcu-
lars Facing this way. and with the laugh sun on
his lips he suddenly found himself III the presence
of the Rector, who had come out by lls own STUDY
window at the sight of the solitary inquire on the
lawn Douglas felt himself taken IN the acIIthOugh
Of what it would have been hard 10 say ne he Cry
red ia spite of himself under the gaze Ot the hectors
Have the boys left you alonei can't think
how they oeuld be 80 rude Mr.. Ashley ssld.
Not rude at ali. sir. II Is VINO am rude was
lazy and promised to follow them when nad nh-
ised my-nove! Happily be recoll sd 10 flme
going now lie added daresay snail eaten them
up before they get TO the house!
was afraid they were leaving you TO take care
Of yourself-ttat is not our OldfaSbODed way SAID
the Clergyman. i wish you pleasant walk. IL is
fine afternoon but you will hnd the road dusty.
advise You, TO go over the meadows ana fo"no Inc
That Is lust how intended to co.
'Very sensible. The boys always take the high
road. The other takes you round by the Beeches,
much the prettiest way; but II Is longer founo ana
that IL why they never use it. A pleasant Walk 10
you,i Mr.. Ashley said, waving his hand as lie went
DonUlas laughed to himself as he took the path
through the meadows which Mir. Ashley mad Ind.
Cena-- HoI at N
much in what was going on, and the simplicity with
which he had suggested the way whlch the lovers
had chosen and Tn,e chi ieG 70 bs but kpe@
Douglas said to himself, Transferring 10 the 0io
Clergyman the thoughts that filled the mnd OF MS
SON by very natural frightening OF ms own lul-
portance And yet to tell the truth had Mr: AShiey
known, il would have been great Ieliet 10 hs
mind releasing Charley nom great uaTee t1 anu
this however, might have eSsened tne extreme say
isfacton with which Douglas set out iOr the n9et
lug He went slowly on across 1ne gee and
up the leafy woodland road that led TO the Becomes
his heart pleasantly agtated, his nind 1uil ol de
hghtful antcipatODs. AnDe herself was sweet 70
him. and his conquest Of her fattered him ID every
particular. Happiness, Importance, wealtb, an es-
iablished place in the world were all coming 10
him. linked hand in hand with the loves ana Joys
which surrounded the girls own image. ne na 0 1o
fear OF tue conse quences emorseiess latheIS WIZ
cleared ont Of the world He expected nothing from
happiness
CHAPTER W.--UNDER THE BEECHEs.
Inc beeches were beautiful clump OF trees on
knon ~ Lne middle Of the park They were re-
noWneo through the county. and one of the Rlores
OF Mount. When the family was absent-which did
not happen often-pienic parties were made up to
visit them There was nothing like them in all the
country round. The soil was rich and heavy round
them with the shedding Of their own leaves, and
when the sun got IN through their big branches and
touched that brown carpet IL shown like specks of
gold. Some OF the branches like trees in them
selves, and the great gray trunks like towers One
OF them had been called, from time inmeinorial the
lovers tree. II was scrawIed over with inItiaIs,