The Indianapolis journal., 1885-10-18


ran the general opinion. That she showed few
positive qualities was true The colors and tones
which changing events paint on the faces of
active womankind were looked for in vain upon
hers But still waters may run deep, and no
crisis had come in the years of her early maiden
hood to demonstrate what lay hidden within her,
ike metal in mine.
She was the daughter of small farmer IN st.
Marys, one of the Scilly isles. who had spent a
large sum. as it was there understood, on her
education, by sending her to the mainland for
Swo years. At nineteen she was entered at the
Training Collge for Elementary Teachers, and
mt twenty -one nominated to school in the coun-
try, near Exeter, whittier she proceeded after
the Christmas examination and holidays
The months passed by from winter to spring
and summer and Baptista applied herself to her
new duties as best she could, till uneventful
year had elapsed. Then air of abstraction
pervaded her bearing as she walked to and fro
twice day, and she showed the traits of per-
son who had something on her mind. A widow.
by name Mrs WAGE, in whose house Baptista
Trewthen had been provided with sitting room
and bedroom till the school-house should be
DuIt nOtlceQ LnlS CudUSo III LICK yOuthiui tOh
ants manner and at last ventured to press her
with few questions
'It has nothing to do with the place nor with
you" said Miss Trewthen.
'Then it is the salaryl"
mo, nor the salary"
'Then it is something you have heard from
home my dear"
Baptista was silent for few moments. ut is
Mr. Heddegan," she murmured Him they
ased to call David Heddegan before he got his
money"
call Davidl"
IAN old bachelor at Hugh Town, ST. Mary's,
with no relations whatever, who lives about
stones throw from fathers. When l was
child he used to take his knee and say
he'd marry me some day. NowI am a woman
the jest has turned earnest, and he is anxious to
do it, And father and mother say 1 can't do
better than have him."
'He's we'll off 81
"Yes-he's the richest man we know-as a
friend and neighbor."
"How much older did you say he was than
yourself7"
NluH say twenty years. dI ledSt
''And an unpleasant man in the bargain, per-
haps2"
'No-hes not unp leasant"
''Well. child all I can say is that I'd resist any
such engagement if it's not palatable to ye
You are comfortable here, in my little house, 1
hope All the parish like We; and I've never
been so cheerful. since my poor husband left me
10 wear his wings as I've been with ye as my
lodger"
The schoolmistress assured her landlady that
she could return the sentiment But here
comes my perplexity." she said. II don't like
keeping school. All, you are surprised-you
didn't suspect it2 That's because I've concealed
my feeling WE'LL I simply hate school, don't
care for children-they are unpleasant trouble
some little things, whom nothing would delight
80 much as to hear that you had fallen down
dead. Yet would even put up with them if it
was not for the inspector. For three months be-
fore his visit didn't sleep soundly. And the
committee of council are always changing the
code, SO that you don't know what to teach and
what to leave untaught. I think father and
mother are right. They say shall never excel
= schoolmstress if dislike the work so, and
buabs ISIClOECi OuSub LO R0b S6bLIeQ Dy marrV-
ing Mr.. Heddegan. Between us two, I like him
better than school; but don't like him quite so
much as to wish to marry him."
These conversations, once began, were con-
tinued from day to day; till at length the young
girls elderly friend and landlady threw in her
opinion on the side of Miss Trewthen's parents.
All things considered, she declared, the uncer-
tainty of the school, the labor, Baptista's nat
ural dislike for teaching, it would be as well to
take what fate offered, and make the best of mat
ters by wedding her fathers old neighbor and
prosperous friend
The Easter holidays came round. and Baptista
went to spend them as usual in her native isle,
going by train as far as she could, and crossing
by packet from Penzance. When she returned
in the middle of April, her face wore a more
settled aspect.
"Wellp said the expectant Mrs Wace
II have agreed to have him as my husband"
said Baptista, in an off hand way. Heaven
knows if it will be for the best or not But /
have agreed to it, and so the matter is settled
Mrs. WAGE commended her, but Baptista did
nct care to dwell on the subject SO that allusiou
TO it was very infrequent between them. Never
theleSs, among other things, sne repeated 10 the
widow, from time to time, in monosyllabic re-
marks, that the wedding was really impending
that it arranged for the summer, and that
she had given notice of leaving the school at the
August holidays. Later on she announced more
specifically that her marriage WAS to take place
Immediately after her return home at the begin
ming of the month aforesaid.
She now corresponded regularly with Mr..
Heddegan. Her letters from him were seen,
at least on the outside, and in part within,
by Mrs WAGE. Had she read more of their in
teriors than the occasional sentences shown her
by Baptisra, she would have perceived that the
scratchy, rusty handwriting OF Miss Trewthen's
betrothed conveyed little more matter than de-
tails of theirfuture housekeeping and his prepar-
atoms for the same with innumeraole MY