The Washington critic. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1885-1888, 1885-05-11
CHAPTER II.
TIE sTEEp STOLEN.

"Buttercup," no doubt, was miracle of
girlish loneliness, afiectonate, clinging,
maidcnly, modest and innocent. But her
innocence was the result or accompaniment
of Ignorance, and though tender and true,
she had never been tried, she had never
been tempted by the sweet solicitings of any
pleasant sin. And so she possessed no real
character. The moral sense remained I'M
tested in her little sheltered life, and it
might and might not emerge favorably
from the first rude ordeal.
Her father, James Thurston, when he
had lived forty years of retired simplicity
in the country. with indifferent health, be-
lieving himself now to be no fool, and in-
tending to be his own physician had sud
denly broken all his early ties and mi
grated to London. His wife had been head
nurse in nobleman's family for long
time and was considerably older than her
husband. Ann, called so after Lady Ann
Nofward, ouCe Mrs. Illusions pet child,
finement and intellectual culture and
msthetic awakening, which Stella
Thurston, the mother, had ab-
soIbed aud assimilated during
her protracied service in Lord Silverdale's
family, had come out in beautiful blossom
(asi always does with such nurses off.
spring. in "Buttercups" face, and form and
manners. But both Stella and James Thurs
ton were deficient in moral ballast, the
mother especially, who had rather a ro-
mantle temperament. Was this weakness
Inherited by the daughter? Living quiet,
secluded life in the country for sixteen
years, shielded by fond parental care from
all that was coarse and evil, "Buttercup"
had grown up in utter naturalness, uncon.
sciOus OF the wick edness in the world
around. Devoted to her. aud knowing
what dangerous possession beauty was
her father and mother had wisely or un-
wisely kept all wild male creatures
except the old and harmless en-
tirely away from her. But, as the Thurstons
were in Knox Frasers parish they could
not escape his hyNna-like activity and
burning sscerdotal zeal The messy stone
OF rural retirement no longer over-shad-
owed aud concealed the precious flower,
and the stern, straightforward military
curate had an eye which nothing could
eludo, and will nothing daunted and the
Thnrstons who had been induced by Lady
Siiverdale with the prospect of employment
to transplant themselves, had NOT been
week in their new quarters when Knox
Fraser unearthed them. He fell desperately
in love with "Buttercup" at once, but
fought against his foolish passion for some
time, though he surrendered uncondition-
ally at last. AS Tor her, he was the worry
first gentleman, and indeed, the very
first proper manageable person that
she had seen, and really known. And
no wonder she felt exceedingly battered by
his attention aud homage, and in her agree
able Excitement imagined that she returned
his love. And few days after the visit of
the TWO friends the marriage took place. and
'Buttercup" lin all her baby innocence) be-
came Mrs. Knox Fraser.
And now,' said the curate, who had
secuted the idea Of honeymoon as bar.
bar0ns and idle fooling, unworthy of man
and ChriGtian, your education in grim
earnest must begin. You are to be a work.
ing mans wife, and you must be his fellow.
laDorer IN the vineyard OF the Church. Life
IS too serious for mere pleasure, and not
long enough for holidays. Do you agree ?"
"Oh, certainly" she replied putting her
arm coa1ingly round him. Whatever you
Wish, wish. II will be great fun
We'll, then he continued, gently but
firmly withdrawing the beautiful arm
which seemed at that moment an incOn-
giuous factor, suggestive Of impertinent
Nihlng with grave aud weighty matters,
I'VE Will commence AZ once. I propose at
the outset course Of Rarry's Annotated
Prayer book and Cassells Popular Edu-
Gator Your mind has to he moulded and
the husband IS the iittest person 20 do this,
In the afternoon You will accompany me ia
my visits, and being yourself one OF the
people, you possess an advantage that | do
not in being better able 10 understand their
feelings and interpret their needs. Ours is
to be tho minist0Ting lifo."
THAT is lovely, indeed observed "But.
teroup," abiding not TO tue cross she had
to bear, but to Tie glittering arms and gay