National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1884-09-20

cooled his rage with ducking"
Patience looked up into the manly face |
of her companion. now darkened with q
frown, and felt little gush of pride that
he should flush up so holly on her &C
count. 80,
The two had been friends from child
hood. Mark had been q sort of protege
of the Rev. Mr.. Ware, who sympathizing
with the boys youthful longing to obtain
an education. had given him personal
instruction in those higher branches
that were no taught at the village
school. In the minister's library Mark
and Patience had pursued their studios
together, and often the silken curls of the
girl had brushed the lads face rs they
bent over the same book, sending thrift
through his frame. As they grew older,
the familiarities of youth insensibly gave
way to tho gentle courtesios which mark
the intercourse of the true gentleman
with the true lady, but their natural
fondness for each other remained un-
abated. If Mark ever thought of having
wife, tho face that he pictured to him
self as the queen of his home was the
face of Patience Ware. She was to him
the pattern ana ideal of womanhood, and
vet she had always seemed in some way
beyond his reach. Tho very favors that
he had received at tho hands OF her father,
the uniform kindness and cordially with
which he had always been received in tho
family, seemed only to form barrier pre-
Guiding any serious thought upon his
part of making Patience his wife. lie
was chivalrous in his notions of honor,
and shrank from taking what appeared in
his eyes an unfair advantage of the in
timacy which existed between them.
As for Patience devoted to her parents,
in these later years filing largely tho
place of her mother in looking after those
| interests of the parish which naturally
fall to the minister's wife, happy in her
round of duties and in the friendship Of
Mark Sherwood, she had passed her time
as though the present were but NINA
ture of the future. Of course, sooner or
later, the frame of mind into which she
had settled, was destined to disturbance,
And the shock came when Cyrus Dudley
made her a proposal Of marriage. Cyrus
had been headstrong boy, who had occa-
stoned his good father and mother much
trouble by his unrestrained willfulness.
Always disliking the quiet life which the
people of Northbrook led, he had left his
home for the city at an immature age,
where, plunging with his accustomed
reck lessness into every kind OF dissipa'
ton, he had soon reached the end of his
rope, after which he drifted back to the
shelter of the paternal roof. His expert
ence avail ed nothing, however, to make
him ono whit more tractable or contented
than before. But ono day meeting
Patience Ware for the first time since hi
return from the city, no had been capti
waited by her modest beauty and entanglet
as deeply in love as it was possible for on'
of his selfish temperament to DO. VI
sudden his conduct exhibited wondrou
Improvement and he became quit
exemplary. He paid court to Patienc
with assiduity, and before she had ever
dreamed of his purpose, poured out tn
story of his love in passionate torrent.
Amazed and almost stupefed, she ye
found words to refuse his overtures. Sh
had felt an interest in the young man
deeming his efforts at reform genuine
and had in the generosity of her hear
admitted him to her friendship. l
seemed to her now as though her conf
dence had been betrayed, for in the vir-
gin purity of her innocent heart she wa
utterly incapable Of comprehending tn
fiery passion that consumed him. Cyru
went away detected after hearing her re
fusal, but ere long returned to the charg
with greater vehemence than before
This time Patience explained to hin
frankly that her interest in him had bee
prompted solely by feelings of benevo
lence, and that she had no affection 70
him stronger than that of friendship. Ill
{ begged and pleaded with her zealously
promising great things in the way {
reformation, and when at length he d.
parted he went with the expressed dc
It termination of leaving the country fol
! ever.
a Tho gentleness, yet innate dignity
which always characterized tho bearin
of Mark Sherwood was doubly agreeabl
, to Patience now, by contrast with III
, tempestuous nature of Cyrus Dudley, an
a she valued his friendship and companion
a ship higher than ever before. Mark
i visit to the parsonage had been le
a frequent for a year or two than formerl.
+ He was now the master of the villag
/ school, and his duties, public and privat
q were augmenting constantly. But u
I quiet Sunday afternoons which he cor
d trived to spend often at the minister
q house were regarded by him as u
r richest cand pleasantest portions OF h
4 daily life. Thus matters stood ct Il
\. date of the commencement of our stor
, Some weeks had elapsed since Cyrl
n Dudley parted from Patience, and as 81
a had seen or heard nothing of him, 81
D believed he had carried his intent
a leaving Northbrook into execution wht
k she was accosted by him in tho road
d the manner related.
h The drive by the riverside was We
v pleasant one, and Marks horse jogg
N leisurely along, as though he were qul
Il aware that such pace was agreeable
M the occupants of the carriage behind hi
A. 1t seemed perfectly natural for Patien
n TO mako confdant of Mark in this mi
1t ter, and the thought that she relied up
q. him in some sort for advice. and protecti'
ar called forth his most chivalrous emotion
hi 1t is very sweet to feel sense of propr
I'd torship in young and charming woma
OF and Mark. in the wealth of love he be
m tho miniaer's daughter, was quite sat
,v fed and exceedingly happy at being al
I" to stand to her in the place of broth,
" He had no hope that she would ever
he gard him in any other light than tn
,v and 80 did not allow him self to cheri
no any thoughts inconsistent with the CHI
er acter he had assumed.
GU Before the parsonage was reach
ou Patience had entirely recovered from
ut effects of the fright to which she had be
RS subjected, and when she gave her hand
GO. Mark at parting it was accompanied b,
ul smile which expressed her gratitude
him more fully than words could ht
he done. AS the young schoolmaster dr'
he away homeward there was gladness
ed his heart. A sense of uneasiness
TX, pressed him somewhat, however, when
Ter thought of Cyrus Dudley. That he WI
ia thoroughly bad man Mark knew, "
$50 would stop at nothing to attain his on
'er or to obtain revenge for real or fame
gu slight or injury. 1t did not seem
n though any mortal could harbor evil
nd signs against one so pure and good
til Patience Ware, yet the threat which
ch man had breathed at parting from
had an ugly look about it. Mark
he solved to keep him in sight as much
ice possible, task not without its diiht
nut ties, as his daily employment gave !
nat little leisure for engaging in detect
els work. But young blood is hopeful,
Mt Mark WAS OOgsesseu of a CHEEKY ht