The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1883-10-11

ton, we can afford to treat their sneers
with contempt. Different people may
hold different opinions as to whether
life is pleasanter in large cities OF
small towns; but at any rate, one adj
vantage small place like Dalebury
offers is, that everybody knows every
thing about every one else You can
not hide farthing rushlight under 6
bushel. So if anybody has anything
to keep a secret, don't let him pitch
his tent in Dalebury.
With the universal knowledge OF
ones neighbor's affairs pervading the
Dalebury atmosphere, it is not strange
that the first person | chose to ask
hastened to give me all the informa-
ton respecting the Dorvaux that
Dalebury had as yet been able to ac-
quire. Mrs. Dorvaux was a widow
not rich, but, it was supposed. fairly
well off; she was great invalid, and
rarely or never went out. Appearing g
to dislike society, she received no one
and scarcely any one knew her. Those
with whom she had been brought in
contact stated she was a quiet, lady
like woman. who spoke very little. II
was not known from whence they had
come-probably France; but this was
only conjecture, and the absence OF
certainty rather distressed Dalebury
They kept only one servant. an old
woman, who had been with them
many years. Fleurette had made many
friends, and, it seemed, few, if any, en-
emies. She did not go out much, be-
ing devoted to her invalid mother:
but every one was glad of her compa-
ny when she chose to give it. Alto
gether, Dalebury had nothing to say
against the newcomers fact speak
ing volumes III tLcir favor.
After this, we were such near neigh
bors, | used frequently to encounter
Fleurette, and would often join her
and walk with her. Whether she
knew that Johns secret was mine, |
could not say. but she met my friend
ly advances halfway. The more |
saw Of her, the more I wondered how
] could have thought her so lively and
gay. Whatever she might seem to
others, there was, to me at least, a vein
of thoughtful sadness in the girls
character-at times / even fancied it
approached to dependency; and I
felt almost angry with her, knowing
that turn of her finger would bring
one of the best fellows in England to
her feet. We met old John once or
twice as we were walking together;
Fleurette cast down her long lashes
and simply bowed.
''Of course you know my brother
well?" l said.
Il have often met him." answered
Fleurette calmly.
"And you like him, hope?"
Il like DR.. Penn very much, she re-
piled, simply.
He is the best fellow and the best
brother in the world" / said; and
then l told Fleurette what we had
been to each other as boys; how John
had been as careful Of me as the moth
er who was dead might have been
how we loved each other now; and as
I spoke, | saw blush on her clear
brown cheek, and although she said
nothing, her eyes when they next met
mine were wistful and kind.
| shall soon make it all right, |
thought, as | noted her look, and re-
solved to argue the matter on the first
fitting occasion.
There is little rivera tributary
to a large one-running through
Dalebury. Being too shallow for
navigation, it is not Of much use ex-
cept as a water supply, and for an
Cling. Still, one who knows it can
get boat with light draught long
way up. One afternoon, thinking a
little exercise would do me good, |
procured such boat, and started to
row up as far as | could, and drift lei
surely back with the current. For
some distance on one side of the
stream are rich fertile meadows; and
the path along the bank, through
these meadows, is a favorite walk with
the Dalebury folk. As | padded my
boat up the stream, guiding its course
by the old landmarks, which came
fresh to my memory as though were
a boy yet, and startling the water
rats, descendants Of those among
whom John and | made such havoc
years ago, | saw in front Of me on the
river-bank the dainty little figure of
Fleurette. AS I looked at her over
my shoulder, [ could see she was
walking slowly, with her head bent
down, as one in thought Thinking
Of John and her own folly, perhaps, I
said. So preoccupied was she, that
the sound Of my oars did not attract
her attention until was close to her
Then, seeing who it was, she waited
while | rowed to the bank on which
she stood.
Good afternoon, Miss Dorvaux, :"
I said; IF you will step into my boat,
l will row you as far as the shadows
will let me, and then back home"
Fleurette hesitated. Thank yon,
Mr.. Penn; | think | prefer strolling
along the river bank. y
''In that case | shall tie my boat to
this willow stump, and, with your
permission, wilk with you. But you
had far better come with me; the boat
is quite safe, and | have not forgotten
my cunning"
II am not afraid Of that" said the
girl, stepping lightly into the stern Of
the boat; while | thought, here is the
chance to reason and expostulate, and
doubted little that my arguments
would let ME bring Fleurette back
ready to accept her fate. Well. pride
goeth before fall
Yet for q while / said nothing t.
my companion. [ did not even look
at her. Poor Fleurette! saw, as
soon as we met, that tears were Oil
those dark lashes. The smile on her
lip heliod them, but the tears were