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

NGAg lUlA VI lJCl . o'nbOls
AS he approached the cottage, his at
tention was attracted by the figure of a
gentleman walking before him-he was
the stranger who had spoken to the
porters at Sutton Station, He was
several yards in advance of John Har-
vey not walking in the desultOry pur-
poseless name of a stranger, but like
M who, having an object to accom-
plish, was already in view of the goal
for its attainment.
"a fine fellowl'' was Johns ~solloquy.
81 wonder who he is, and where he is
going?''
Almost in answer to the query the
stranger pushed open the gate of the
Home Cottage, and, entering, closed it
behind him.
In a few seconds more John Harvey
gained the gate, and, pausing, outside,
looked Once again on the dear family
scene. But Clara's couch was no longer
there. Only the small rustic table and
wide g~arden-seat were there; and on a
low chair beside the table, her face
buried on her crossed arms, was Bel
UrmsOn. The stranger had walked
silently and ~unnoticed across the green
sward, and, standing within a few yards
of her, vas attentiyely regarding her.
"Bell" he called softly, so softly that
John Harvey but family caught the
sound.
The girl raised her head and looked
at him, and then, grasping the back OF
her chair, slowly rOse to her feet.
"Charlie!" she gasped. SIS it your
eyes. Bel; don't you know me?'--
and he held out his arms to her.
With a little cry of joy she ran to him
and he folded her in his arms and kiss
ed her. She did not shrink from his
caresses; on the contrary she put her
arms around his neck and kissed him.
"Oh, Charlie, she cried, why didn't
you come ~sooner2o
81 couldn't darling; l landed in Eng
lapd only last evening""
"Have you heard, =" she commenced,
and then, bursting INTO tears, laid her
head on his shoulder-her sorrow was
still so fresh, she could not speak of it,
even to him.
Yes" he answered, and his arms
frightened round her almost convulsiye-
ly. 81 have heard of it at the station.
Don't cry so, Bel"-and again he stoop.
ed and kissed her. 81 have come back
dearest, to take care of YOU"
Gently and tenderly he led her to the
garden-seat; and, seated there, their
voices became an indistinct murmur to
John Harvey, and he heard no more.
81 know him now" he muttered be-
tween his clenched teeth-''Lieutenant
Heywood-the old Iover-curse himl''
With the im~precation still on his lips
he turned away-turned his back on
the scenes of his happieSt hours, on the
garden that had been indeed a very par
adise to him. Skirting the common for
a short distance, he struck into = small
wood, and, choosing a spot where the
brushWood and bracken seemed highest
and thickest, he threw himself upon
the ground; there, sheltered from hui
man observation and in unbrOken soil
tude, John Harvey struggled through
the great tempest'of his soul. Nights
shadows clustered round him, the even
ing stars glittered down on him; but
not till he had fought his battle and
come forth conquerer did lie rise from
the ground.
Ten O'Clock was striking when John
Harvey returned to 1.-The Griffin, and
half an hour later he had left Sutton
for ever.
81 would rather you did nol mention
my return here, " he said to the land
lady of the Inn at parting; but if that
cannot be accomplished, you may say !
came back for-my luggage"
EaTwo days after his departure Bel
Urmson held in her hands a letter from
him, a letter bidding her farewell, and
telling her that, though he could not but
gratefully appreciate her endeavor TO
love HIM, yet. knowing as he did know
that she had eve forgotten her first
love, he had decided to adopt the only
course left open to him and go away.
With a pale face and trembling fling
ers Bel read the letter; then she folded
it up and locked it away in her desk.
4 = =
AT ten minutes to 9 O'Clock on the
morning of the Both of June, five years
after Mrs. Lester's death, the bell over
the porch of the village. school at Chip
pendale rang out the summons. Boys
and girls rushed together, pushing,
laughing, shouting, and striking out at
each other as one or the other gained a
momentary advantage in the race to be
first in school. Caps and sunbonnets
were hung with marvellous rapidity
and youthful recklessness on rows of
pegs in the whitewashed wall; then III
single file the children poured into the
schoolro0m, and, standing in a SEMI
circle before the mistress desk, tender
ed her their morning s~alutation.
GOOD morning, chlldren!'
"The voice was full and pleasant,
and the smile broadened into a grin on
the little faces as the speaker left her
desk and came towards them. She had
a word and a smile for each, for ii Was
the opening day of school after the mid
summer holidays, and rules were relax
ed and a little license permitted by even
so strict a disciplinarian as Bel Urn
son.
She was standing up, the children
gathered round her preparatory to their
dismissal at noon, when the door open
ed, and the Vicar of Chippendale en-
tered, followed by a gentleman.
Good marnmg, Miss Urmson," he
said shaking hands with her and nod
ding to the children. II am glad you
have not dismissed your scholars, as |
wished my friend to see them. | can
not myself stay to give him any infor-
nation about them; but, if you will
kindly furnish him with any particulars
he may desire, | shall feel obliged. Mr.,
Haryey-Miss Urmson."
startling and unexpected as the
meeting was, Bel did not lose her self
possession; the coolest. stiffest inellna-
ton of her head acknowledged the in
PRODUCTION; then she turned aside and
remained silent. But presently she saw
by the children's movements that the
Vicar was leaving; she heard his re-
treating footsteps, and, after a pause,
she raised her head and said
Children, You may CO."
Quietly and decorously they trooped
out of the room; but not until their
footsteps had died away did she turn to
John Harvey.
"Why have you come heres" she
asked.
tsFor the simule reason which the