Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-11-14


fastening with them round the corner of
Horn Lane, she came upon Miss Triple, escorted
by the rector, with whom she was gaily con-
versing
"My dear Miss Gayfer!" said Miss ripple, ad
vancing with her everlasting wintry smile
what Is the matter, Miss Gayfer?" asked Mr..
Jordan. ''Can help your"
just then small boy came running by, and
thinking he might be useful to run brands,
Aunt Agatha imponnded him by clutching the
collar OF his Jacket, a piece of his ear, and a
handful OF his hair, holding him in firm grasp
while she explained to the rector briefly what
had happened. ="
You may as well come" she added, Though
- ! don't know you can do anything. Better
And without further parley she hurried on
MISS ripple, who chung to the rector's arm.
and with soft invncibility declined either to
hurry her steps or to be left to herself. so in
peded his motion that Aunt Agatha. with her
followers, was out of sight in no time. When
at last ne came up half dragging the shrinking
and reluctant Miss ffpple, whose strong objec-
ton to imperilling either her person or her
millinery quite overrnastered her curiosity she
the dusty confusion with anything but compli-
mentary exhOrtatiOns to her recruits, who were
pushing irresolute at the entrance.
Don't you go in, Miss Agatha-now don't
you" shouting one Of the men. ''That amt
safe, really"
You cowardly loons," said my aunt, 'would
you let the woman die without help?"
Don't go, Frank" said Miss Triple. ''You
near It IS not safe, and you'll get your coat all
Mr.. Jordan firmly, but not urgently, removed
her grasp.
Where there is danger and distress, there is
the parsons place." said lie, and in another
moment he had followed Aunt Agatha. the men
1iinidiy initiating his example, and leaving Miss
Triple alone with little Job Chalk, of whom she
did not cOndescend to take any notice
The rickety building was a mere heap of
ruins. Some village wiseacre had superimposed
on lath and plaster basement a brick upper
story. This angle of the building had fallen in.
and in its fall had dragged with it older Dor
tons of the house, SO that now timbers were
sloping in all directions. and what had not ac-
tuaily fallen seemed lettering to it's fall. Amid
this dangerous debris Aunt Agatha was making
her way. when some Of the bodest of those who
were following her started back with shout of
alarm. thin blue smoke. followed by hungry.
vclous-lookingt tongues of flame. was apparent.
and even Mr.. Jordan and Aunt Agatha who
were now side by side. paused for an instant on
seeing these evidences of peril: The hesitation.
winch was but mOmentary. did not survive the
stlfied sound OF moaning that broke upon the
ear.
But Aunt Agatha was no longer allowed to
take the command. The soft cooling voice to
which she had at times listened with something
AKIN TO contempt could assume the tone Of COM
mand. and, strong as she was. and 'masterful'
as all the village folks said, Aunt Agatha was
woman IN her heart, leaning with gladness and
submission on stronger will than her own.
You will wait here " said Mr. Jordan ..for a
few moments. will call you if YOU can be of
help'; and then, with keen rapid glance sweep
ing those who were present, he singled out
robust young man. and in a voice that might
nave led soldiers on to battle, said: Howard
You come with me-"
The young fellow obeyed as matter of
course. and then ensued a short pause of pain
ful suspense. Presently Howard reapneared
with a flushed and frightened expression, but
evidently putting strong restraint upon him.
self.
''Stallybrass and Ward, you be to come with
me. Miss Agatha. YOU be TO wait"
But Bob Towards voice had not the magic Of
Mr. ) ordan's. and she would wait no longer
Pushing her way through the ruins and the
smoke with those that had been summoned into
what had been Miss Paynes little parior. she
pressed her lips tightly together. and the color
fed her face as she saw the nOtionless form of
her Old enemy stretched on couch there. and
standing by the side of it the rector, blood
streaming from wound on his head, his coat
torn, and one arm hanging listless by his side.
Some falling bricks and timber had struck him
and rad disabled the arm. and lest his appear
ance should excite alarm he had sent Bob How
ard with the message for help and strict in
been told.
In few seconds Miss PAYNE, more frightened
than hurt, was moved beyond the reach of peril:
and was conveyed to Aunt Agatha's cottage.
accompanied by the wounded rector Aunt
Agatha's foresight had already summoned good
Dr. Holmes to the place. and hurrying as fast
as his lame foot would permit, he reached the
cottage almost at the same time as the cayal-
cade. Miss Triple, indignant that her cousin
should have deserted her for that woman"
mad not awaited the issue of the investiga-
tons.
Or. Holmes pronounced Miss Payne to have
sustained very severe shock from fright: but
to be free from bodily damage. The rector's
arm was broken, but the wound on the head
was only skin deep, and not much more serious
than the torn coat.
From that time, Ior many months, Aunt
Agatha's house became Miss Paynes home, and
her hostess tended her with all the sOlictude Of
a daughter. A great poet has told us that 1.-The
learned eye is still the loving one" and it so
happened that in this unwearied tendance and
mlnistration Aunt Agatha discovered not few
unsupported virtues in the fact, wheezy. puffy
old soul, and something like genuine attach
ment sprung up between them.
very constant attendant was the Rev.
Frank Jordan. Even when his arm was still
very painful. and he might well have been ex-
cused had he abstained from visiting parish
Onerwho was in no imminent danger his solicit
tude about Miss Payne was remarkable In
spite OF the severity OF winter SHOWS and frosts
his arm secured by splints and bandages he
with Miss Payne, and for whole hours talking
with Aunt Agatha probably about the pa
TENTS symptoms.
But the SHOWS melted on the high hills. and
The brooks, swollen with their muddy tribute
chattered nOisily down the Slopes and snow
drops and crOcuses dafiOdils and yiolets
bloomed again, and in due course the breath OF
the blush roses in the garden was waited into
the cottage.
And then people in the village said. and
laughed at each other as they said it. that Miss |
Triple was going to give up Barham House |
and to leave Hderstock. She had indiscreetlv |
spoken to some bosom friends of her approach |
ing marriage with the rector. and before the |
had opened out their ragged |
beauties to the next autumn sun it became |
known that Mr.. JOrdons consent had |
never been asked for this arrangement, and that |
the parsOn had, with good success asked that |
remarkably disagreeable woman to be his |
bride.
Miss Triple reflected, however, with some |
that the living was very poor !
one. and that Miss Gayfer's fortune, for all her |
ridiculous pride, was barely enough for her to |
i've on in decency. But even in this she fell !
ntO her besetting sin of premature talk: for |
when poor old Miss Payne died year or SO |
alter, it was found that she had left the whole |
If her not incOnsiderable fortune to Frank Jor- |