The Warner weekly sun. (Warner, Brown Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1885, 1884-02-22
Story OF A COAT.
How d 'squire's Daughter Won a Young
Curate,

tend.
And it found Mr.. Leslie had no views at
Ill beyond those Of doing his appointed
work in q most simple, earnest and quleI
fashion,. as of q man who could never WORK
bard enough.
Socially, the curate was not at first gem
orally popular. He Ead a Hlmos'
shy and repellant, and seemed to have IT.
lie TO say.
! The great man of Bransley was the
'squire--Mr. Meldon, of the Grange. His
estate was a moderate one of size, but rlch
in soil and splendid timber.
Miss Meldon was a handsome girl, with
violet eyes, luxuriant golden hair, a sunny
temper and charming laugh and a passion
ate fondness for outdoor exercises.
She certainly had a dislike for those OF
her sex who cluster around curates, and
she was too candid to pretend a interest
in many schemes ~propOunded under their
auspices. Once or twice she had met Ar
thur Leslie at her fathers table, and the su-
perb young beauty had dismissed him from
her mind after noting that he seemed q shy,
awkward man. plain of features, but with
strangely expressive dark eyes. He, on
his part, had taken htlle notice or the girl,
except once TO glance somewhat critically
at her as he heard her p~Iopounding some
Of her e~ccenlric theories 10 Gerald Marley,
her cousin and fiancee-a handsome and
slightly supercIllOus man, who held O sinG-
cure government post.
Flora was very fond of her cousin; he
lad many graceful and manly accomplish
ments and a good deal of fascination In his
tanner; he, on his part, loved his pretty
cousin next to himself. Their engage
nent met with the universal family APP
prevail.
The curate, glancing at the pair on the
occasion mentioned, was struck by the
thought that, endowed, as both were with
natures gifts, the woman was infinitely the
Of the two. with all her imperfec-
tions.
Though" he murmured to himself,
walking homeward, she is ty no means
what a helpmeet should be, as far as l can
Judge, bat what have ! to do with such
5peculatons?' he continued, half sadly.
Yet, nevertheless, it was no less sad than
true, that the Rev. Arthur Leslie began to
find the vision of that beautiful mobile face
continually coming before his mind OF odd
seasons.
He was shockei when this fact was
forced upon his mind.
In loyev he groaned at night when sitting
mp in the small hours in his humble lodg-
at Mrs. Tibb's the widow who adored
him for his manifold kindness, he wrestled
with his aching heart.
ain love, and with another mans be-
And. as if that were not bad
enough, with a brilliant beauty who is a
gilded princess in her w sphere, and has
40 notion | suppose that the ugly, shabby
,urate would venture to think twice
about her. Oh, shame, shame? forever.
Ny work! that ought to fill my soul and
leart;" and his stern face was set in o mar
bic calm.
So, not one of those around him guessing
ais secret, l. size gent about hi~ duty ten
ierly and a~ssiduously as uf yore, uncon-
as ever of his self abnegation and
true humanity. No difference was seen in
his manner save that on one pretext and an
other he refused all invitations to the
much to the latter's discomfort.
Flora hardly noticed his absence. If
here was any man whom she really adj
nired it was her handsome, accomplished
Content in his society, she be-
no thought on any one else.
1t CHANGED day that the pair, entering
up a green lane--Flora flushed and radiant,
bropzed and bearded, matching his
94y hunter in thorough bred aspect-met
he cunte walking in tue midst of a throng
il happy boys, With whom he had been
cricket. His eyes darkened With
paln, anu a suaauw swept over
his face as ne raised his hat.
Flora Melton saw the look, m~omentarily
IS it was and pitied the curate as having
secret sorrow; but not beng SO con
'cious of her own charms as SOM of her
,ompeers, who hated her fast ways" as they
her love for norses and dogs, she did
lot attribute the look to the right cause;
mt it haunted her memory.
Mrs. Tlbbs shared with the curate's fru-
gal supp r. She cast a sympathetic glance
Il the weary face. as he ST. cd at the win
lew looking into the summer twilight.
twilight.
Mr.. Dalton, sir, called fnd told me TO
'emind you Of the meeting tomorrow night.
Leslie rcmeml cred. Yes, il was q party
meeting, early held st which he hal to
and Was well attended.
s'pose, sir, Mrs. Tibb's continued,
nesitatinglv, and looking at the rusty olu
coat, which was the curate's everyday
wear, I'D better send your best coat down
W &nA0nVA III LIZ AI0A0 Atlk w AEBuAA t4O
ripped where You caught it getting
h~oneysuckles for May-wilful little
My coat sleeve" said Leslie, coming
with . start out Of his sad reyerio. 3Yes,
Mrs. Tibb. You can take away
the tray; Ina not hungry, as I'm rather
tired.
Dear heart, siri but You don't eat
enough; and no wonder if your tired. see
ing all you do, : murmured the sympathiz-
ing Mrs. Tibb, as she reluctantly removed
the tray.
II don't do half enough. " said the curate,
when alone. IF I did more, perhaps /
should eradicate this W cked folly. / Won
dar. " he added abruptly, IF he really knows
the splendid qualities hidden in her being.
But mea maxima, culpa," and he ~resolutely
turned to his examination papers, wri ing