Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1885-05-21
WHO WERE THEY2

WHO WERE THEY?
We had not long been settled at Hill
ton Vicarage when we became ac-
quainted with the Jervoises, who lived
in a small house close by the vicarage
gates. They had taken it on yearly
lease, some years before our arrival in
the parish, but had so thoroughly set
tied down into ii that | think the viii
lage would have been as much aston
ished by their fitting as if the church
steeple had suddenly started off for
constitutional. He was a slngularly
handsome, bien conserve man of forty,
or Whereabouts; she, slight, graceful
invalid of thirty, but of so fair and
delicate a complexion that her age
was not easily fixed. They lived very
quietly, though there seemed TO be no
lack Of money; certainly not, when it
was question of relieving any real
distress in the neighborhood.
When they first came there had
been, doubtless. plenty OF guesses as
to their origin, but by the time Frank
all curiosity respecting them had died
out. Though they had come as per-
feet strangers, with no introductions,
and had quietly and unobstrusively
parted all attempts to discover their
antecedents, their quiet, regular life,
and their particularly charming man
ners, had recommended them to every
one in the neighborhood; and it had
depended only on themselves to have
had the entree of every house for miles
around. Mr.. Jervoise made new ac-
quaintances in the hunting field, where
his skill and courage were alike re-
markable. After a time the wives of
these gentlemen called on Mrs. Jer-
voise, and returned singing her praises
as loudly as their husbands Landed
Mr.. Jervoise; but, somehow, the ac-
quaintance begun never got any fur
Their. Mrs. Jervoise was an invalid,
and declined every invitation on the
score of health; 30 that in course of
time her only lady associate had been
my predecessor, the late wears wife
"a dear, lovable old lady, whom no
one could resist, and who still con-
tinued to live in the village even after
her husbands death, and made point
of introducing me. Like everyone
else, / was charmed with Mrs. Jer-
vOise, and found, in spite of her reti-
cence, that my increasing acquaint-
ance only added to my liking. Ger
:ainly no wears wife ever had more
efficient sympathizer and helper in any
case of distress. Her kindness and
ingenuity were alike inexhaustible,
and, always ready to assist both with
hand and heart, purse and brain, she
was perfect godsend in our over
grown and very poor parish. Several
years passed, our life being a very fair
Midland county, nineteenth century
reproduction of "Sleepy HOLLOW" but
one day we were rudely startled from
our peaceful existence.
A case or two of fever had occurred
in one of the low-lying lanes running
down to the little river that flowed
through the center of our village, but
no one thought more of it than to
shrug their shoulders over "thoss
dreadful cottages, regular fever dens,
you know" and to inveigh against the
landlord, nonresident, for not keep
ing them in proper sanitary state. l
am wrong, though, in saving that no
one did more than this The Jervoises,
as usual on such occasions, came nobly
to the front, and Mr.. Jervoise might
often be seen coming out of one or
other of the wretched novels.
One day was going that way to in
quire after one of the sick when l met
him coming from the very cottage
purposcd entering.
'sAre you going in to see the Dawses,
Mrs. Wargravep Because, let me warn
you, it is case of scarlet fever, and a
bad case too"
looked, as felt aghast.
EYES," he went on, cit is pretty bad.
/ felt sure what 1t was when l first
went in; and DR.. Manly, for whom
sent, confirmed my opinion. There is
nothing you can do for them. Your
husband has been. so LAS the doctor;
and considering those young children
of yours, don't think you should ven
ture."
l confess the recollecs ion of my
nursery unnerved me, and / turned,
like coward. d.
"But youp" / asked, as he came back
with me.
ooh! mel'' he answered with hal
smile, Il am fever-proof, and Cecil IL
not nervous. Besides, i take pre-
cautions, and then-we have no chill
dren."
He hesitated as he added the las
reason, and IL flashed across me that
remembered an exquisite miniature
Of child, of which had just caugh
a glimpse once, in Mrs. Jervoise'
work basket, and to which, as she o.
once covered it, half unconsciously
with her work, l did not venture t.
allude.
From this day seemed constantly
to meet Mr.. Jervoise. He constituted
himself assistant to the doctor, curat,
to my husband and man-of-all-worl
generally to the parish. His hand
were soon full, for ere long there wa
hardly O house without at least on
invalid.
also was busy, though my mother
in-law swooped down on us at tn
first hint of an epidemic, and carriet
OF our three BARNS. The dear OLE
lady would fain have carried me Of
with them, but | rebelled Who, II
went, was to look after Frank, wh'