The Penn's Grove record., 1885-06-13

through the penny post. I really could
not do It'll
, He laughed, then turned and looked
at her. She vas standing beside him
her arms resting lightly on the gate, a
smile on her lips, her eyes watching a
flock of sheep that were being driven
across the common. She was indispu-
tably very handsome, tins girl whom he
had won, with a patrician air about her
that made him feel proud Of her; but
she certainly lacked the warm impul-
| siveness of her sister. Even his love-
like Partially did not blind him to the
fact that she was not demOnstratiye.
"Bel," he said, putting his arm round
her and drawing her to him, 81 hate
girls who throw themselves into their
lovers arms-l hate girls with hair of
so artful and intelligent an order that
at certain critical moments it will break
through all its legitimate fastenIngs
and roll in 'billOwy waves over the
arms or shoulders of the Romeo of the
hour;' but"-looking fondly down on
her-'I think If you were to kiss me, !
should forgive any rOughness in your
locks which the unwonted action might
OCCASION"
The color rushed in a crimson flood
over Bel Urmson's face as for a few
moments she stood silent and motion
less before him; then, with child-like
simplicity, she put her hands upon his
shoulders and kissed him.
That night the end that Clara Lester
had Jonged for, because Of the reunion
it would bring TO her, arrived, and the
first ray of sunshine which penetrated
her chamber window rested on her
cold calm face and death-closed eye
lids.
Bel Urmson, standing beside the bed
gazed in stony dismay on the sweet pla-
cid face, then turned in wild bewilder-
ment to Margaret and asked
"hVhat does it mean7 She can't be
-dead?"
In a confused half-unconscious state
Bel lived through the days which pre-
ceded the funeral, her only companion
being the Rector's wife and Margaret.
"Why do you not send for Mr.. Har-
vey?" that lady asked the old woman
on the day of Clara's death.
~ do not know where TO find him
ma'am," Margaret answered. 81 have
been to inquire about him at The Grit
fin where, you know, ma'am, he has
been staying this summer; but he did
not leave his address-only told them
that he should be back on Thursday
week; and Miss Bel says that she doesn't
know where he is and that she doesn't
want him."
Poor thingl 1t is very sad; but the
Rector will make further inquiries, and
perhaps he will be able to communicate
with Mr.. Harvey-for he ought to be
here" the lady said.
But the RectOr's inquiries were not
more successful than Margaret's had
been; and finally only the old doctor
and a few frienls IN the village follow
ed Clara Lester to her resting-place in
Sutton Churchyard. a
y
81 will never listen TO any of Bells
mad projects again. was John Har-
vey's mental resolution as he stepped
out upon the platform of Sutton Station
81 HAYS been only a fortnight away,
and 1t seems an age since l babe her
good. bye at the gate"
A smile played on his lips at the
Renaissance as he handed his ticket to
a porter and passed out of the station.
The man looked after him In surprise,
He is a cool customer, be observ-
ed to a companion beside him, ''coming
back grinning like that, and Miss
Urmson IN such trouble and SO III, poor
young ladyl"
"Ah, but he doesn't know what hap
penedl"
"How do you know that?"
"By my own sense. Wasn't the
Rector and that old woman running the
village over trying to find him to attend
the funeral? Did they find him? No.
Did he attend the funeral? No. But
a few days after he comes back as
blIthe as a young lark. Can't you put
two and two together and find the an
swerpn
81 don't see the force of your argu-
ment," the other was commencing,
when his eloquence was arrested by a
touch on his arm.
The interruption came from a gentle
man, a stranger to the two. porters; he
was a mar above the average height,
with a weary carewo look in his eyes
and the bronze of a foreign climate on
his face. He had followed John Har-
yey out Of the station; but, attracted
by the conversation of the two men,
had first paused, and then returned to
them.
81 could not help hearing your re-
marks" he SAID half alphabetically.
"Is the lady you referred to Miss urn
son of Home C~ottage2"
Eyes, sir, the same"
"And what has ~happenedp"
"She has just lost her sister, sir
Mrs Lester-died only a fortnight ago."
The stranger absently repeated "On-
ly a fortnight agol" and then suddenly
reeIed against the white palings of the
station.
The men went to his assistance, sup
porting him on either side.
sit is hard lines, - he mQrnured-
Every hard lines" After awhile he re-
covered himself. "Ihank you; | am
better now" he said with a faint smile
81 had a sunstroke last year, and have
been subjected to these ATTACKS
since; the surprise of sudden news or
the hearing of any calamity, a mere
trifie will bring one on. Did / say
anything just now2"
"Only that it was hard lines for Miss
Urmson, sir; and SC | am sure it is"
"Yes, poor grill Do you think
h~esitating a little-''she is well enough
to see an old friend2"
"She has only seen the Rector as yet,
sir, 5ut you might try
81 think | will. Much obliged for
your assistance"
The porters touched their caps with
a Thank you, sir" as he walked away
and then the elder n remarked
II don't know him; but he is a gen.
tleman by his speech"
All, and he has been on foreign
service somewheTep'
''What foreign serviceP" the other
contemptuously demanded. "a man
can't hold his chin up and carry his
eyes straight but what he must be in
the army with you."
"WelE. you need not be so hard on a