Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1883-09-14
OUR NEW MANAGER.
prom Chambers Journall
CHAPTER l.

CHAPTER !.
A short half-hour's walk from Sands
mouth large seaport on the South
crn English cOast-lies the secluded
village of Bithiield. IL is but a small
place, and may fairly be described as
secluded; for although so near large
town, yet, lying on n cross-rOad be-
tween two other rOads-which them
selves were never of great importance.
and arr now shorn even Of that by the
railways Bithheld seems to have grown
lonslicr and quicter than ever.
A little outside Of the village. and be-
tween II and the town. stood Fernlow
Cottage. the residence of Mrs. Vallens.
This Mt least was the title by which she
was known 20 the few persOns-her
tradesmen chiefly-who had occasion to
speak Of her; but il was given principal
w ON account Of her mature age, for she
was past middle life. and n sort of
compliment, rather than rs implying
the existence, past or present. of n Mr..
Nallens. She lived n retired, solitary
life, and was so reserved in her manner
as % rcpel the few residents Of Bithfield
who had sought her acquaintance. So
reserved was she, that no foot save that
of her own servants crossed her thresh-
old month after month; but at the
opening Of our story an incident Oc-
Cured which changed this monotony in
some degree.
When Mrs. Nallens walked out she
usually selected the least-frequented
paths, and with her deep double vail
screening her face her features were al
most invisible To the few persons whom
she encountered. One afternoon she
was following a by-path which led across
some fields To farmhouse and cot
tages, when she came suddenly upon n
spectacle which startled her At the
foot Of n large tree knclt girl of some
eighteen or nineteen years. supporting
n boy, n mere child. clad in the COM
monest rustic garb Of the neighborhood
He was evidently insensible; and rs the
dress Of the girl was stained with blood.
and the face of the boy was also marked.
IL was clear that he had received some
Injury.
The girl was holding n small scent
bottle To his nOstrils, and on hearing a
step looked up. "Oh, am soglad some
Que has comc!' she exclaimed. 81 saw
this poor little fellow fall from this tree;
and when | came up his forehead was
covered with blood. and he was quite
senseless What can we do?'
The mysterious lady of Fernlow Cot
tage Immediately dropped on one knee
by the side Of the nurse and her patient:
then, with deXterOus and gentle touch.
examined into the injuries the boy had
sustained. "lle is not very seriously
hurt, | think she said; ''and if YOU
will hold him until bring some water
there Is a spring just here-hc will re-
cover. You are not afraid?'
Mo- said the girl. cit is very
dreadful TO look ut all this blood, and 10
see him looking like death; but 1 will
hold him.
Without another word. the elder lady
disappeared. but returned almost inn
mediately with her bonnet filled with
water greatly to the Younger lady's
horror; for she, after the manner of
her sex, had noted the costly materials
OF which the article was composed. The
water was sprinklcd over the bows
lace. lie almost Immediately sighed
and opened his eyes. The elder lady
drew out her handkerchief. with which
she bathed his brow and washed away
the clothed blood, then bound il careful
" round IN ugly cut which this process
had rendered plainly visible.
by this time the lal could speak:
then with an effort h. stood upright.
and was able To- explain that he lived
IN one Of the cottages by the farm
house; that he had been bird-nesting.
The rest the ladies knew more about
than himself. by their assistance the
lad was enabled To- walk slowly toward
the farmhouse, until the party met a
laborcr who knew him and kindly took
him in charge.
Relieved Of this care. the Younger
nurse had an opportunity To contem.
plate and bcwail the really unsightly
blotches on her light-colored dress, the
bcholding Of which. or the reaction
natural after her excitement, affected
her To tears. which had in them 4
strong suspicion of Mysteries.
Come To my house. my dear child, "
sald Mrs. Nallens, speaking with 9
s0itness and tenderness for which few
ct her ncighbors would have given hel
credit. 1T Is close by; and, rs must
send servant into the town To ask DIR
Wright To come out Co the farm and Sc,
the boy, she shall call upon YOU
friends and bring another dress for YOU
or can lend you one, whichever yoJ
please"
But your bonnet Is spoiled" sale
the girl, through her tears; land sucl
beautiful bonnet. tool" Then remem
hcring that n question had been askes
or implied, continued II should fec
glad n you could send word; and vet !
would brighten my mother so much
No. | had better 20 home. I live ii
Bithfeld. in the Lower Down Road m,
name IL Darnctt-Marian BARNETT
and"
II know you. Miss Darnett,n inter
ruptcd her companion. with n quie
mile, "although YOU, perhaps, do NO
know me; and as we are now close Z,
my house. we had better go in and de
eide upon our plans"
Ibis was the beginning of an in
timacy between the recluse proprie
tress Of Fernlow Cottage and Mis-
Marian barnett. two beings rs op
posite In their appearance and. on
would have supposed. in their tastes
as could easily be found. For Marial
was rather shy and timid, vet franl
and careful withaL She had heard
too, by local gossip, of Mrs. vallens
and held her in the same dislike, al
most dread, rs did most of her neigh
oors. She found, however. that Will,
Mrs. Nallens still held the same repel
lent 'front.' to all others. she was so kinS
and gentle TO her. and welcomed he
so cheerfully 10 her home-thougl
never could she be induced to return
the Visit-that Marian felt sure sh,
mad been secretly pining for com
partnership, and was thankful for IN,
chance which threw them together.
SOLITARY and secluded as had been he
residence at Fernlow Cottage, Mrs. Val
iens must have exercised the proverb
ial quickness Of n woman's observation
Tor Marian soon found-greatly 70 he
confusion ut frst-that this ladv wa
fnily acquainted with her intimao,