Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1882-09-07

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path ran, Communicating with the high
road on either side by stile. In going,
Sir stephen drew Berthas arm within
bis, and walked on with her, the others
II want to speak to you, little Ber-
tha,n he said. II want you to tell me,
frankly, and openly, what you are do
Bertha had no motive for conceal
ment, 80 she described to her kind old
friend their mode of life at home.
"Humphl'' said Sir Stephen. II don't
like It. There ought to be enough with
out your giving lessons, and with work
enough about the house, Ill warrant.
You're doing too much. i cannot allow
1t. ] cannot.let you lose your gay spir-
its and your bloom" "a
The tears sprung to Bertha's eyes at
the kindness Of the old mans tone. She
was easily moved by any manifestation
Of affection.
Indeed, Sir Stephen, :" she began, but
he interrupted her.
Nov listen to what say" he went
on. II may speak as one having au-
thority, being your godpapa, and your
Oldest friend. Lady Langley and I
have been talking things over. We
have no children of our own, and we
want you to come and be q daughter to
us. That is, If you think you could be
happy with two such old folk"
"Happyl Oh, yes, am sure / could
be happyl" Bertha replied. How good
YOU and Lady Langley are to think of
me in that way! Thank you thousand
times. but / could not leave mamma
and Lena"
II don't quite see the force of that
objection" (" said Sir Stephen. "But I'll
tell you what. | know you couldn't
give up your pupils at a moments no
tice--no shirking duty for you or me,
Bertha, ehp But Mrs. Dalton and you
girls must come down in the autumn
for q long visit, and then we'll talk it
over. Not another word now," he add
ed, as Bertha was about to speak; and
indeed there was no time for further
discussion, as they had already reached
the churchyard gate.
The road they had come out upon, af-
ter crossing the stile from the wood,
was little more than lane, bordered on
one side by the park fence, and on the
other by high hedge and a row of
elms. From amidst the foliage there
peeped here and there the chimneys of
q snug farmhouse, or the tiled roof Of
cottage. The lane had been made to
cut off the summit of hill, and the
church stood upon an eminence, reach
ed by weather-worn steps. An ancient
yew shaded the uncovered porch of
gray rubble, and from this elevation q
long stretch of corn, fallow, and pasture
fields spread itself out before the eye,
with intersecting hedgerows, diversity
being given by occasional cherry orch
ards, now bursting into bloom, and
plantations of young ash-trees, from
which, at stated times, the poles were
cut that supported the hops, now bare
ly showing their first green leaves.
This pleasant prospect was animated
by groups of country people, in their
Sunday best" troOping toward the
church. The Sabbath stiffness was
broken only by the subdued murmur Of
voices, the chimes that rang out from
the tower, and the cawing of the rocks
in the old churchyard elms.
Bertha sighed as she thought how
delightful it would be to live amid
scenes like this; but she checked the
longing. II must not wish for tit
would not be right, she said to herself.
As they entered the churchyard gate
gentleman, who had been speaking to
one Of the farmers. turned and shook
hands with Sir Stephen, and then lifted
his hat to Bertha. He was of rather
above the middle height, but had a
slight stoop, more, as it would appear,
from habit of thoughtfulness than
from any infirmity of age. His fea-
lures were almost feminine in their del
icacy, but were redeemed from effemi-
macy by the broad brow and well-de-
fined chin. His scanty hair was as
white as snow, but his moustache yet
retained a tinge of brown, while his
penetrating gray eyes had lost little Of
their youthful fire.
Sir Stephen and he walked up to the
porch side by side; Bertha fell back and
Joined Lady Langley, who just then
reached the gate.
THAT is Lord Alphington, said Lady
Langley. HE always walks through
the park to church. He is as simple in
his manners as any mere country squire
more so than most"
On their return Lord Alphington
walked through the wood with Sir
Stephen and Lady Langley; the girls
fingered at some distance behind, ac-
companied by young Holcroft.
4 The sun shOne brightly, lighting up
the brilliant green of the young shoots.
Here and there primroses and wood
anemones were beginning to peep
amidst the soft moss at the roots of the
trees.
''IIow lovely this wood will be q
month hence!" cried Bertha.
"Autumn's the time. said the mid
shipmar; there's no end of nuts. Come
here by-and-bye, and I'll get you q
young squirrel"
Lena sauntered on little in advance
her gaze directed toward the mansion
occasional glimpses Of which were
caught between the trees to the left,
where the wood was not very thick.
suddenly man sprung out of the
bushes in front of them. He stopped
in some hesitation when he found him.
self face to face with the young ladies
and their companions; but he raised his
hat, apologizing for having startled
them, and, crossing the path, plunged
again amongst the trees on the Other
side.
What a disagreable-lookin manl'
said Bertha. docs he belong to the
village, i wonder?" #
sHe's not a gentleman, Ishould think
from his appearance" observed Lena
..perhaps he's poacher.' SAa
"Ie doesn't look plucky enough fol
that remarked HOlcroft. "Oh, Miss
Dalton, / must tell you Of such a jolly
row we had with . gang of poacheri
last winter when l was here, after / re.
turned home In the Procris, y he added
addressing Bertha.
So they talked as they walked on
quite unconscious how great an influ.
ence the person they had just met was
tOexert over the destinies Of more thar