The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1883-06-27

7
he was too happy himself.
! A turn of the road showed him the
house where Eunice Bell lived "a large, old
fashioned house, digniied but hOmehke.
4 From the lawn rose a stately cedar.
/ Beside the dark cedar was a great tulip
! tree covered with pale blossoms. The
voices of children at play reached him
4 from behind the old red wall Of the gar
den With them came-Ahl what was
! that? Her voice. James Grafton felt
| his pulse quicken as he hastened his
steps toward the house. In fancy he
saw her out there under the tree the
guardian of the little group of children.
Propitious moment! Now if he could
but seize it! And eagerly, as if for the
first time in his life, he hurried on to
meet his fate-his fate at that very mo-
ment was rushing how surely, how swift
ly, to meet him!
While James Grafton had been coming
through the lane, the object of his
thoughts and'afections, Eunice Bell, had
been sitting, just as he had imagined
and as he had often seen her, within the
shadow of the great trees. She was
dressed for dinner, in half-toilet of
some soft dove-colored, Summer like
fabric. She was ten years younger than
James Grafton, although for the last two
years she had considered herself distinct
ly an old maid. Her hair was soft and
fair; her figure tall and slight-a little
too slight perhaps. Her face was very
placid. At the moment James Grafton
had turned into the lane it was grave as
well as placid. Presently twas it be-
cause she knew by the striking of the
church clock he must be coming nearer?)
thought made her smile. She was
thinking Of James Grafton then; telling
herself she liked him, feeling that, some
how or another, the idea of being
always an old maid was impercep-
tibly melting. 1T is only friend
ship just touched with sentiment, or
does he really care for mel" The ques-
ton pleased her, but she knew the an
swer perfectly well; she knew he cared
for her. Then she sighed; her lips half
curled with scorn, but not sc0rn for him
No one Except his sisters-in-law) could
regard James Grafton with anything but
profound respect. Rest, truthfulness
and love! All! / have sometimes
thought them idle words; but to see the
smile Of this good man is to know
She never finished the sentence.
"Auntie auntie see, there's Mr.. Graf
ton, little voice cried gleefully; and
Eunice Bell, raising heT eyes, which had
been fixed on the grass at her feet, saw
James Grafton crossing the lawn and
the childrenall scampered toward him as
fast as their chubby legs could carry
them Eunice rose and followed them,
laughing gently at the earnestness with
which the little things rihed his pockets
of those sweets which many-nephewed-
and-nieced man is never without if he
knows his duty and does it.
So they, Eunice and James CATER all
40 is not SO very great an age)-they
were both laughing when they met. 1t
was pleasant, very pleasant-in fact,
quite delightful; but, somehow, before
that gentle domestic laughter sentiment
fled abashed. They were out in the gar
den one quarter Of an hour-one bright,
delicious, happy quarter of an hour.
They sat side by side under the trees
while the evening sunbeams played upon
the softly-huttering leaves. The child
rem prattled about their knees. Their
glances met with kind, familiar smiles.
Eunice felt a contehted restfulness in
his presence, and he was conscious that
it was so. 1t was to him most golden,
blissful quarter of an hour. But Of
course ne could not say what he wished
before the children, and there was all
the beautiful long evening before them.
and no need to hurry. Presently, after
sunset, he and she would stroll out there,
and then he felt certain now, absolutely
sure, that she would answer YES. AS
absolutely sure as / am at this minute
that had he asked her to be his wife dur.
ing that happy quarter of an hour she
would have accepted him with the
frankest smile of perfect trust. The
gong sounded for dinner. They saunt-
cred up to the house side by side, the
children still playing about their
path.
4 Il always feel whenever come here
that you have all attained the ideal state
OF domestic peace and happiness" said
& James Grafton, thoughtfully. "After
the stormy scenes one is sometimes
called upon to Witness" Che thought of
yesterday and the sisters-in-law), "the
sweet, calm atmosphere pervadine
the entire home life here is most sooth.
ing" sa
1--WE get on very well together" said
Eunice, in her soft, placid voice.
4 Your sister and her husband are. ]
think, the most admirable young couple
ever met! They never wrangle. By
the way, ], haven't asked how they were.
How are theyf
oh, as fourishing as usual" return.
ed Eunice II wonder thew haven't
been in the garden. They generally like
to be out here during the children's half
hour before dinner.
So saying they entered the house to-
gether-that house the bachelor had
now for some time held so sacred. Thew