The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1882-02-08

pretty Now, Angelina was splendid and
queenly SO this mild praise she could not
have objected to, only l said it very often
preached on the next Sunday. 1t was settled
that>I should spend the summer there.
wrote this to Angelina
"Since you cannot be with me it does not
matter where | am-this stupid place as well
as any other. Address in care of Deacon
Stevenson. l shall remain with him while
preach here"
1t was pleasant summer, despite the dull
ness of the place. How good the quaint old
deacon was when one really knew him How
motherly was Mrs. Stevenson As for Mary,
she grew sweeter every day often wonder
ed what Angelina would have said could she
have seen me helping her pick blackberries,
to find the runaway cow, to carry home the
grocery, and returning with freight Of gro
ceries-Angellna, who knew nothing of do
nestle details, and whose monogramed and
periumed letters were often brought over
from the office in company with the paraffine
can. wrote my sermons at one end OF the
round table, while Mary sat at the other
sewing. Between us was lamp with green
paper shade. Now and then big bug would
fly into the window and go hummng about
our heads, or a moth would try to SINCE its
wings over the chimney and I would drive it
out. The old people would go to bed after
WHILE and then Mary and l would find our
selves hungry, and she would go into the
kitchen to find something good.' l always
held the light for her. And when something
good was found we ate it on the porch, sitting
side by side on the step like two children.
She was so like a child, that little Mary,
that it seemed no harm to ask her to kiss me
goodnight, or to hold her hand in mine, as it
rested ON my arm, in our long walks home
from church on Sunday evening.
The summer passed /; October came. An
gena returned to the city and wrote me. 1t
was while we were eating peaches and cream
on the back porch that evening that said to
Mary ~ will tell you secret If you will
keep it for while, Mary"
" Oh, OF course will, Mr.. Mactaggert. .
+" | am going to be married this autumn,
Mary, l said. "Those pretty letters you
always thought came from my sister are from
the lady who is to marry me. She is very
beautiful, very rich, very Stylish but very
kind. You must come and see us, Mary,
When we are married. shall tell Angelina
how good you have been to me--what sweet
little sister | have found out here in the Vale
of Gruix. Why, Mary"
For as l spoke felt the little hand held
grow cold and heavy in mine. saw her siuh
backward. The big china bowl OF peaches
and cream slipped with crash to the ground
and shattered to pieces.
| caught the poor child in my arms In
moment she came to herself and said she had
overtired herself, she thought. They had
been baking all day, and it was warm. And
now she babe me good night. But did not
see her next day, nor the next. She kept her
room, and was not we'll enough to bid me
goodbye.
Poor little Mary felt very miserable.
However, Angelina met me at Glasgow. She
was more beautiful than ever-more elegant
in contrast to my simple country friend-and
very soon laughed at myself for the thought
that had been in my heart. OF course, said
it was the baking that had overcome Mary
it was not my news. had only been to her
as friend-as brother. l had not made
love to her above all, l had not flirted with
her. But thought of Mary great DEAL
and missed her every hour exactly-oh, yes
exactly as | might sister.
I wrote to Mrs. Stevenson, and her answer
was very brief.
II haven't much time to write, she said
in her postscript. Mary Is sick, and being
driven am anxious"
This letter was in my pocket on that day
when Angelina and ! went together to the
bazaar for the benefit of the Church Of st. Mat
thew.
After we had roamed about the bazaar and
bought all sorts of knick- knacks, | escorted
Angelina to a seat, and there sat down to wait
while one of the ladies, ON this occasion
only was doing good, onerous, hard work,
brought us tray Of refreshments.
AS we sat there slipping our coffee, two
women sat down at the next table with their
backs to us.
{" am very tired are you not, Mrs. Rus
sell?n And the other answered
eyes, am tired. don't think that it is
worth the while to come all the way from Vale
of Cruix to Glasgow sight seeing
This was the voice of Stevenson's nearest
neighbour and liked her and respected her,
yet did not feel quite sure how Angelina
would like an introduction, and SO RETAINED
from looking round and making myselfknown.
81 think we'd better have tea, said the
voice. cts more refreshing than coffee.
Oh, how is Mary to-day? Think Of my never
asking before +"
" Mary spoorly, said Mrs. Russell. ooh,
Mrs. Cullen, what pity it is that flirting
young minister came to Vale of Cruix
don't know what Mrs. Stevenson was about to
let him do as he did. She did, poor child.
She just loved him dearly. And the day be-
fore be went away he told her he was engaged
to some girl in Glasgow. I'm afraid it's
broken her heart. She told me all about it.
: Oh, Aunty RUSSELL she said, Il know
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