The Russellville Democrat., 1881-05-05

S9 hlte HS testciHnE, Dut II pays Detief--- that is, il get any suscribersn
 Well, 1 will make out list of the pest people for you to visit. Only you must not say that l sent you, as I flo not subscribe for the book myself"
 Melicent thanked him warmly, as she received the list; and Mir. Hunter then rose, saying: "Will you permit me to go with you? l wish to introduce you to one of my parishioners, 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. 1 shall be unwilling that you should go out alone, in any event, at this late hour"
 He thought sadly, as he spoke, that if his wife had been living he might have given Melicent a 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 Sl5. This really began to look like possible wealth, and she was quite elated with her sue cess.
 It had not been very pleasant for her in the past, poor child Her only home 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 go there, she had stolen away, and launched forth as q 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 ful face beneath it; and estimable Mrs Gale soon noticed. that his calls at her house were more frequent than they had beeu He introduced her, too, to several 1 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 it 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- 1 tional taste and for a moment he won dered who it could be; but when she | looked around and smiled he recognized | Melicent, and his involuntary comment was: How thoroughbred she looksw Later in the evening, she was asked to sing, and her singing drew tears to every eye. Mir. Hunter, as he leaned on the mantle piece, and looked down into her rapt, upturned face, thought of St. Cecilia
 It did not take many weeks to canvass the town, and the time came for Meli- 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
 ''I think the children need govern ness, Martha"
 'I think so, too," replied his sister. They are getting quite beyond me-" "Well, think l have made a choice" said her brother 'They are very fond of Miss Clay and l 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. Pve been watching them for this last halfhour. Come and sec"
 He led the way to the library window, under which on garden bench sat Mel icent, busily 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 a.d shuttlecock
 Miss Hunter regarded the picture grimly.
 "What, that little fy-away thing" she said
 Miss Clay" replied the minister, a | little stiffly, "is young lady of educa- ton and refinement, as you well know, and I have no hesitation in trusting Clara and Bessie with her, if she will consent to teach them.'
 | Miss Hunter wisely said no more; but she felt quite sure that Melicent 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 as kind as possible to the little govern ness; while the minister appeared to think that she was his pupil, and ire 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 TOT a WALK Wltn the CnllureD. Melicent had bit of fancy-work in her hand, and ehatted brightly as she went on with it. Never, he thought, had she looked more womanly. 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 fin thought. Then he looked across at her.
 "Melicent," he said, "you once asked me for my name, and refused it. Will you take it now-in different way?"e
 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, and re- covering from his own, Mir. Hunter con tinued:
 "You need not speak, dear. Only give me some sign if you gan, that you wlll
 Then, with sweet, bashful frankness, Melicent silently placed her hand in his. | They were married in the late spring, just when the lilacs were going out, and the earliest roses coming in. Married in tho old church whara avery week tha