The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1884-02-08

tightly by the hand a gentleman. As
he catches glimpse of me. he half
stops and attempts to draw away from
the children, while look that Is partly
surprise and partly uncomfortable mer-
riment flashes into his eyes. He is one
of those faultless looking people. who
immed; ately set you to wondering If
your dress and hair are irreproachable
and your general appearance present
able Instinetively I put up my hand
to nv hair, though l know it Is tumb-
ling about my ears, and look longingly
toward my hat few feet away.
"Well." says Vic. pulling her charge
toward me, ..you don't seem q bit glad
to see him. Barbie. and we've brought
him all this way, too.
THAT is fact, Miss Cameron, you
do not appear glad to see me, though
your cousin Frank promised me you
would be-" And the gentleman takes
band from Bobbett and holds it to-
ward me.
my cousin Frank? Are you Mr..
Ashburton?' I falter, mechanically,
placing my own, stained with grass, in
the firm white hand he extends.
cat your service" he answers. 81
hope you do not disapprove of me.
Really I have no cause to complain of
my welcome at your home, because
these young people," looking benignlv
upon Vic and Bobbett. have been I'M
exceptionally kind and hospitable.
7 ant hospital at our house.
Father fits lots of fellows for the minis
try, and you said you'd stay"
says Bobbett, looking a tri-
he belligerent as he sees my
eyes beginning to flash, and detects,
with keen childish instinct. the twinkle
of merriment in Mr.. Ashburton's laugh
ing brown ones.
..And 1 am perfectly prepared: my
young friend. to be fitted for the minis
try or anything else, if the rest of the
family sanction your kind and cordial
invitation"
You'll have to marry Barbie, any,
way" says Vic. looking like small
termagant for the minute as she sees
Bobbett is getting excited.
Children say, sternly, gathering
myself together with an effort. take
these books up to the house, and find
mother"
They know enough to mind when l
speak decidedly; as their little figures
disappear in the direction of the bars, /
feel the color fading out of my cheeks.
| know l am growing white and cold.
and turn toward Mr.. Ashburton, of
IL oh
possible coming l have often thought
with an iciness of demeanor calculated
to freeze 8 sunbeam. He looks at me
with kindly expression on his hand
some face, but to my suspicious eyes
the lurking fun and merriment at my
discontinue prevail, and am confident
hate him. / do not say anything. So
he begins:
Il am persuaded, Miss Cameron, in
fact have felt sure of it for two years,
that we are destined to be the very best
Of friends. Your cousin Frank prom
ised l should not come here as stran-
ger"
As unlike myself as possible l answer
stiffiy: Il do not make friends easily, "
which is as false statement as it is
impolite, but then l instantly recall all
the glowing accounts this same Cousin
Frank has given me of the manifold
projections of his friend. Mr.. Ashbur-
ton. simultaneously | remember that
those dreadful children have set ME,
Barbara Cameron. before him in the
light of forlorn spinster, for whom
they must canvass the country to find
some one willing to offer himself a. a
matrimonial sacrifice in my behalf! The
thought STILES all the coru al words of
welcome that would at any other time
have been ready on nv lips. and with
only bare civilisy l ask him TO return to
the house. and, inwardly chatting. but
outwardly calm, | walk back through
the lane by the side of this faultiess gen
tleman, the restful peace, which my
silent orchard meditations had been
bringing, all put to flight and my or ev-
ances only increased by this new attic
ton. l look askance at Mr.. Ashburton.
considering him as one more thorn in
my rose-garden of life, and grimly
/ promise myself that he shall not find
he parsonage so pleasant as to cause
nm TO pro.ong his visit. # the elder
laughter of the house has any intlu-
ence.
1t takes only few DAYS to convince
me that apparently that same influence
| is the one thing no longer possess in
| the family. Above the dull gray of the
commonplace horizon which generally
encircles the parsonage at Clifton, a
new star has risen whose brightness
penetrates even farther, and Eliminates
the prosy old village itself. The old
farmers call him likely young fellow,
and nod their heads kindly when he
goes bv. Over numerous strong cups
of tea old Mrs. Barton and her friends
pronounce upon his virtues; the youths
and maidens adore him, and his praises
sound from every lip. At the parsonage
his reign is soon established beyond a
doubt; MANY long summer morning
the minister sits on the cool west porch
and gathers inspiration for the next
| Sundays effort from his new guest.
Travelled, cultured, well-read, he proves
q most agreeable companion for the
brain-starved and weary old parson.
Mother learns to watch for his footstep
on the walk, and her ewes brighten at
| his thoughtful care for her. A softly
cushioned phaeton which he decides he
must have for his own use, since long
days in tropic India have made him in
dolent, is always at her disposal; the
latest books and papers, rare treats to
her, are laid by her welffilleu mendng
basket, and bring that breath from the
outer world which freshens and clarifies
the hazy atmosphere that surrounds her
in the sleepy old village. Vic and Bob
/. beet desert me utterly, and, allured by
long rambles, by drives behind that
wonderful horse, the possession of which