The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1884-09-06
WAS IL FLIRTING?

| was engaged to Angelina Melville.
and l thought myself the luckiest man
living. Angelina was so handsome
that no stranger ever saw her without
expressing admiration, and did not
weary with the face after years of
familiarity with it. She was well bred.
accomplished and a great heiress. |
had reason to believe that she was very
fond of me. No man could be more
content than | was, as l leaned back in
the tlrst-class carriage, which took me
from Glasgow into the country to the
Vale of Cruix, where [ was to preach a
few SaDbaths. The pulpit was vacant.
and | was going to try my wings. With
my pecun.ary prospects [ scarcely
thought L should care to accept call
to the Vale of Cruix, but 1 had no OBJ
lection to filling its pulpit for few weeks
especially as Angelina had gone to the
west coast, and Glasgow was warm and
stuffy and stupid.
Casual remembrances of elegant par
sonages built in Queen Anne's STYLE. of
study where the footballs were soft
ened by Persian rugs, and the doors
draped in portieres of velyets; chairs
and desk, carved richly as some old
confessional, fitted through my mind.
And | thought also of table spread
with silver and lare china, with lady
at its head who resembled a qeeen.
And | breathed a luxuriant sigh as [
awakened from my day dream to the
knowledge that the words Yale of
Cruix" were being shouted on the
NlDtfA ll,,+4 l..
to a standstill.
| seized my travelling bag from the
rack overhead and hurried out of the
carriage. The porters had just pulled
four or five trunks on the platform.
Two old wagons stood in the road. one
driven by an old woman, in sun bonnet,
the other by red haired boy with bare
feet, and a queer knock-kneed horse,
attached to queerer old gig, was
standing at little distance. A young
man IN light summer suit and a city
family bent on rural happiness were
my companions on the platform. The
former put his trunks in the first wagon,
kissed the old woman in the sun bonnet,
took the reins and drove away. He
was evidently the son of the family.
come home to spend his vacation The
rest OF the trunks and the city family
mother, father. little boy, nurse-maid
and baby-were put in the wagon and
driven off by the boy.
When the train moved away I was
left alone on the platform-alone but
for the stationmaster, who sat upon a
bench smoking clay pipe. In mo-
ment more the official, without looking
at me, made the remark: Deacon
Stevenson has come for the new minis
ter. He's over in the hotel, and will be
back in minute"
Thank you" said I.
The stationmaster took no notice OF
me, but having climbed up on a stool
and made some changes in time regis
ter on the wall of the station, locked
the door, put the key in his pocket
and sauntered away down the railroad.
took his place upon the bench and
waited. In few minutes prim little
OLD gentleman appeared upon the top
OF the hull, carrying in one hand a tin
can, IN the other tin pail, and under
either arm brown paper parcel. |
knew at a glance that it was Stevenson.
Are you Mr.. Mactaggart." he in
CURED mildly, as he approached. L
want to know. hadn't any expectation
OF beng kept so long; but. you see, it
saves the women i1lks trouble to fetch
thlngS when | drive to town. Step in,
won't you? IL i..st hang this paraffine
lie on behind Some dislike the smell
maybe you do. The sugar loaf. tea
anu coffee can 90 under the seat as
well as not. How's your health, sir.
ana now do you like the Vale of
Cruix ?"
l answered that my health was good.
ana that had not, as yet, seen much
OF tue Vale of Cruix.
No, you haven't" said the old gen
tleman. I'VE will drive through it
And he shook the reins and the old
horse began to stumble along. And ON
we drove past certain rows of brick
houses very much like each other. and
with the same flowers in their front
ardens, until, having passed the
church, we came to one happiIv SET
about by old oak trees, before the gate
OF which We drew up.
A girl stood at the gate-a fair girl
IN blue muslin dress and white apron
Take the sugar, Mary, before it gets
upset, SAID the deacon. This is Mr..
Mactaggert, that's going to preach for
us. Mr.. Mactaggert, this is my daugh
ter Mary"
We both bowed, and she vanished
with the parcels.
What lovely creature!' said I to
myself. Nothing like Angelina. but
SO pretty And I found myself think-
ing OF her as ! washed and brushedmy