The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1883-11-29
lFrom The Argosy.1
CHERRY ROPER'S PENANCE.
III.

Of course | did not like to visit
Mead Cottage again in a hurry, as if
| were anxious to hear what had hap
pened in my absence; but had not
very long to wait. Mrs. Roper was
one of those unfortunate persons
whose mind and body act and react
upon each other so closely, that it is
always open to kind friends to call
their mental sufferings indigestion,
and their bodily ailments NERVES.
She was at church on Sunday, but on
Monday she was prostrate, and was
very unwell for two or three days.
Cherry ostentatiously blamed the
damp, and [ privately blamed Cherry.
She would not send for me while her
mother was actually i'll, and there
certainly was no occasion, as she WAS
herself the cleverest and tenderest of
nurses; but on Thursday had a note
from her, asking me to spend the
whole of the next day with them, and
mentioning that l would have to go
round by the road, as the little foot
bridge was now quite under water.
"One more such victory, and you
are undone, my poor FRIEND" | re-
marked that Friday afternoon, after |
had enjoyed Mrs. Roper's narrative of
her encounter with Mr.. Goldthorpe.
1T has taken too much out OF you"
"What does that matter?" she said.
st has given Cherry time to think
again; aud she only needs time for
thought. Ny child could not do such
IA thing deliberately. This little ill
ness Of mine has been fortunate
thing. 1t has given US both occupa-
ton, and allowed us to hold our
tongues. We should have vexed each
other if we had been shut up together
these wet days, and allowed to talk"
We were sitting in the drawing
room, Mrs. Roper reclining, invalid
fashion, in an easy-chair well lined
with pillows, and wrapped in large
white shawl. Suddenly loud knock
came to the door. She started, and
flushed painfully.
1T is that man again" she said.
oh! l did not think it would have
been so soon"
"Let me tell him that you are too
unwell to see him." | said, making a
move towards the door; but she stop
ped me.
He does not want to see me; it is
Cherry; and | promised that he should
see her, if she chose. He must come
in."
As we were speaking, the door was
opened. 1t was Mr.. Goldthorpe who
had knocked, and he did ask only for
Cherry; but it never occurred to
stupid little Jane to do anything but
show him into the drawing-room,
while she went Ill great excitement to
tell her. Of course he fell into a
confusion of apologies and explana-
tions when he saw the state of affairs,
but he did not offer the best of all
possible apologies by taking himself
away. On the contrary, he discoursed
about his journey to Paris until Cher
nv appeared. She looked flushed and
serious, and greeted him quietly.
After about ten minutes OF compa-
ny talk, she said,-
You will excuse, me, | am sure,
Mr.. Goldthorpe; but now that mann
ma is so unwell, she is my first object
and when you arrived, | was doing
little cooking for her which [ cannot
leave to the servant. l must go back
and see to it."
Certainly" answered Mr.. Gold
thorpe; don't mind me, l beg. l
shall feel gratifed by your not stand
ing upon ceremony with me, and |
am sure Mrs. Roper must feel an ap-
petite for food cooked by your hands"
Then l will say goodbye" said
Cherry, holding out her hand.
But aren't you coming back? l
don't mind waiting. [ only came
from Paris this morning, and | have
come down here at once to see you"
His voice grew quite piteous.
"Oh, yes, | am coming back, said
Cherry, glancing at her mother rather
uncertainty. But you see we are
little put out just at present"
Mrs. Rop-r's hospitable instincts
now came uppermost.
Suppose, dear, you combine that