The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1883-05-09

matter TO place John and .tleurette
on a proper footing.
Dalebury is a very little town. Its
enemies even call it a village but
as we boast of a Mayor and corpo-
ration, we can afford to treat their
sneers with contempt. Different
people may hold different opinions
as to whether life is pleasant in large
cities or small towns but at any
rate, one advantage small place
like Dalebury offers is, that every
body knows everything about every
one else. You cannot hide farthing
rushlight under a bushel. So il
anybody has anything to keep. Sc
cret, don't let him pitch his tent in
Dalebury.
With the universal knowledge OF
ones neighbors' affairs pervading the
Dalebury atmosphere, it is not
strange that the first person | chose
to ask hastened to give me all the
information respecting the Dorvahx
that Dalebury had as yet been able
to acquire.
Mrs. Dorvaux was a widow; not
rich, but 1T was supposed, fairly well
off she was great invalid, and
rarely or ever went out. Appearing
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.
1t was not known from whence
they had come-probably France (;
but this was only conjecture, and
the absence of certainty rather dis
tressed 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, enemies. She did not go out
much, being devoted to her invalid
mother ; but every one was glad of
her company when she chose to give
it. Altogether, Dalebury had moth
ing to say against the new comers-
a fact speaking volumes in their fa-
yOr,
After this, as we were such near
neighbors, l used frequently to en-
counter 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 friendly advances half way. The
more | saw of her the more | won
'dered how / could have thought her
so lively and gay. Whatever she
might seem to others, there was, to
me at least, vein of thoughtful
sadness in the girls charac:er-at
times / even fancied it approached
to despondt ncy-and / 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 SIM
ply bowed.
'Of course you know my brother
well p said.
4 have often met him. answered
Fleurette, calmly.
And you like him, hope?'
4 like DR.. Penn very much,' she
replied, simply.
He is the best fellow end the best
brother in the world | said; and
then | told Fleurette what we had
been to each other as boys how he
had been as careful of me as the
mother who was dead might have
been-how we loved each other now
and as l spoke l saw blush on
her clear brown cheek, and although
she said nothing, her ewes 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 ang-
ling. Still, one who knows it can
get boat with light draught a
long way up.
One afternoon, thinking a little
exercise would do me good, | pro-
cured such a boat, and started to
row up as far as | could. and drift
leisurely 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
of 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 vet, and startling the
water rats, descendants of those
among whom John and i made such
havoc years ago, saw tin front OF
me on the river bank the dainty lit
tie figure of Fleurette As / 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, | said. So preoccupied
was she, that the sound of my oars
did not attract her attention until l
was close to her. Then, seeing who
it was, she waited while 1 rowed to
the bank On which she stood.
Good afternoon, Miss Dorvaux,'
l said; If you will step into my boat
1 will row you as far as the shadows
will let me, and then back home
Fleurette hesitated. Thank you,
Mr.. Penn, / think l prefer strolling
along the river bank
In that case | shall tie my boat to
this willow stump, and, with your
permission, walk with you. But you
had far better come with me; the
boat is quite safe, and l have not
forgotten my cunning.
L 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 expos
tulate, and doubted little that my
arguments would let me bring Fleu-