The Labor enquirer., 1883-02-17
unsuspicious man walked blindly into
the snare that these two artful girls had
prepared for him.


prepared for him.
A bright color glowed in Miss Reybold's
cheek, and an enthusiastic young may
declared that "she was vision of
beauty" as the party advanced to the
rector's pew; but "a mischievous light
sparkled in the downcast eyes, as she
found herself the object of curious, in
quiring stares, that speedily assumed an
alarming character. She knew that she
was pretty, although by no means un-
pleasantly conscious of it; and this
enabled her to bear with equanimity the
wrapt gaze of a young man in the adjoin-
ing pew. She rather wished that he
had not gazed at her quite so frequently,
however; for, in one glance directed that
way, she saw enough to impel her to
look again-but that was impossible
when she was certain of meeting his
eyes, He was her first beau ideal out
wardly, at least tall, fair, and aristocratic
looking-and Miss Emma was by no
means as attentive to the service as she
should have been.
Mr.. Wylie was comparatively a
stranger in the parish, having been there
but six months; and all his doings
therefore, were still subject Of interest.
People were unanim GUS in their praises
Of the bride; and not few young men
sighed that SO fair a vision should be
appropriated. Some admired the sweet
face of the quiet looking little
cousin; but it was generally agreed that
she was very pale star beside the moon
like bride.
AS they returned to the rectory, Mr..
Wyle, who had seemed to be looking for
some one, observed: Il am quite disap-
pointed that Frank Beechcroft did not
come Gpto us after service, as supposed
he would have done. I wished praticu-
larly to introduce him to you, Jessie, for
he is my pet parishioner, and has been
of great assistance to me. He is very
gentlemanly, intelligent fellow, too.
What is the matter, Emma?"
The damsel had heaved a deep sigh.
II don't know" she replied, unless am
in love. Who is that nice looking gen
tleman who sat on my right, and was SO
very devout and attentive?"
"The very friend Of whom l was
speakingw exclaimed Mr. Wylie, with
his face in a glow Of enthusiasm. Il
look upon Frank Beechcroft as a model
man; he is superintendent of the
Sunday school; is devoted to the poor
and sick in All unostenatious way; and
yet he is the very incarnation of fun and
frolic wherever circumstances will
warrant an outburst. We must have
him at the rectory, Jessie, and let Emma
give him some of her delicious music"
Allen Wylie was only a college boy;
rather at loss what to do with himself,
or his brothers fair guest and far more
disposed to devote himself to Jessie
than to the bright and formidable Emma
The latter declared that he was too
hopelessly "vealY'" for her to have any
patience with him-and they seemed to
enter into a tactic agreement to let each
other alone
The bride was not left long without
callers each one of whom was apparently
more astonished than the last to find
that the bride was not the bride at all,
but only heI cousin. This ordeal was
bad enough, to be sure; but Jessie felt
intensely grateful that she had been
spared that first Sunday appearance, for,
by next Sunday, all wonder would have
died out. The feminine portion Of the
community were now fully acquainted
with the identity of Mrs. Wylie, as were
also certain young gentleman, who could
scarcely conceal their JOY at the discovery
that the fascinating Emma was not for
hidden fruit.
But Frank Beechcroft had no sisters
to enlighten him, for his home was in
distant city; and on the very day after
the arrival Of the party at the rectory,
he most unaccountably took himself off
there on a visit of a weeks du alton.
The young clergyman was considerably
puzzled and disappointed; he had quite
looked forward to displaying his prize to
Frank, and he was the very one of all
others who seemed to avoid them.
But the rectory became so transformed
by the two bright presences that seemed
to fill every nook and corner of it, that
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