Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1882-12-14
THE CURATE'S COAT.

THE CURATE'S COAT.
When the Reverend Arthur Leslie
entered on the curacy of BransIey,
that prettiest of villages was much
exercised in its mind as to which ex-
IRENE his "views" might tend.
And it found that Mr.. Leslie had
no views at all beyond those of doing
his appointed work in a most simple.
earnest and quiet fashion. as Of a man
who could never work hard enough.
Socially, the curate was not, at
first generally popular. He had a
manner almost shy and repellant,
and seemed to have little to say.
The great man of Bransley was
the squire-Mr. Meldon, Of the
Grange. His estate was a moderate
one Of size. but rich in soil and SPLEEN
did timber.
Miss Meldon was handsome girl,
with violet eyes. luxuriant golden
hair, a sunny temper and charming
laugh, and passionate fondness for
outdoor exercises.
She certainly had a dislike for
those Of her own sex that cluster
round curates, and she was too candid
to pretend an interest in many schemes
propounded under their auspices.
Once or twice she had met Arthur
Leslie at her fathers table, and the
superb young beauty had dismissed
him from her mind after noting that
he seemed shy, awkward man. plain
Of features, but with strangely OPP
pressive dark eyes. He, on his part,
had taken little notice of the girl,
except once to glance somewhat
critically at her as he heard her
propounding some of her eccentric
thoories to Gerald Marley, her cousin
and fiancee, a handsome, insouciant
and slightly supercilious man, who
held slnecure government post.
Flora was very fond of her cousin
ne had many graceful and manly ac-
compliments, and a good deal of
fascination in his manners; and he,
on his part loved his pretty cousin
next to himself. Their engagement
met with universal family approval.
The curate, glancing on the pair
on the occasion mentioned, was struck
by the thought that, endowed as
both were with natures gifts, the
woman was infinitely the nobler of
the two, with all her imperfections.
Though" he murmured to him
self, walking homeward. "she is by
no means what a helpmate should
oe, as far as | can Judge. but what
have ! to do with such speculations ?"
ne continued halfsadly.
Yet, nevertheless, it was no less
sad than true, that the Rev.
Arthus Leslie began to find the vision
Of that beautiful mobile face contin-
ually coming before his mind at odd
seasons.
He was shocked when this fact was
forced upon his mind.
I'm love" he groaned at night.
when sitting mp in the small hours
in his humbl lodgings at Mrs
Tibb's, who adored him for his
manifold kindness, he wrestled with
his aching heart. an love, and with
another mans betrothed And as If
that were not bad enough, with a
brilliant beauty who is a gilded
princess in her own sphere, and has
no notion, I suppose, that the ugly,
shabby curate could venture to think
twice about her. Oh, shame. shame !
Well, it must be hidden and fought
down forever. Ny work that ought
to I'll nv soul and heart" and his
stern face was set into marble calm.
so never one Of those round him
guessing his secret. Leslie went about
his duty tenderly and assidiously as
Of yore, unconscious as ever of his
self-abnegation and true humanity.
No difference was seen in his manner
save that, on one pretext or another.
he refused all invitations to the
squire's, much to the latter's discon-
tent.
Flora hardly noticed his absence.
If there was any man whom she really
admired it was her handsome travel
ed accomplished cousin. Content in
his society, che bestowed no thought
on anyone else.
1t CHANGED one day that the pair
cantering up q green lane-Fiora
flushed and radiant. Gerald bronzed
and bearded, matching his bay hunter
in thoroughbred aspect-met the
curate walking in the midst of a
throng Of happy boys. with whom he
had been playing cricket. His eyes
darkaned with irrepressible pain, and
a shadow crept over his face a. he
raised his hat. Flora Meldon saw
the look, momentary as it was, and
pitied the eurate as having some
secret sorrow; but.:not being conscious
of her own charms a. some Of her COM
peers. who hated her 'sfast WAYS as
they called her love for horses and
dogs. she did not attribute the look