The midland journal., 1885-08-07
BIacht0rd B Bequest,
HUGH CONWAY.
AUTHOR OF "cALLED BACK" "nARK
DAYS." ETC.
CHAPTER /.

Of houses which frOnted the sea, but
The sullen roar of each wave as it broke,
and the sharp crash of the shingle as it
followed the retreating flood, were au-
dible at much greater distance off than
Marine Parade. The wind blew in fierce
gusts. sending the rain against the win
dow panes like whip with thousand
lashes falling at the same moment. NoOne,
except, perhaps, passionate poet with
raging heart, and constitution good
enough to defy cold and wet would, of
his own free will be out of doors on
such night. as this.
The Rev. Cuthbert Wrey, curate in
charge of ST. Nicholas, that little gall
vanized iron offshoot of St. MarYs, Ov-
Nersea was not poet; therefore, he felt
heartily glad when he arrived at the
door of his lodgings in Marine Parade,
without having been fattened by the
force of the gale against the low walls
and ratings which inclose those wind
swept little gardens facing the sea. He
was afraid to unbutton his macintosh
to get at his latch -key-let the wind
have one lair chance, and he expected
to find the garment stripped from his
shoulders ana blown into ribbons so he
knocked, rather i1npatiently, at the door.
"An awful night Mrs, Roberts y he
said to his landl dy, when, by dint of
united efforts, they had closed the door
and barred out the uproarious wind.
Yes, sir; an awful night, replied
Mrs. Roberts, taking the dripping mac
kintosh and broad brimmed hat. SO
81 that / thought it better TO read q ser
mon at home, instead OF coming to hear
you this evening""
SO1iitn rirht Did Won moro cOO6
dare say, answered the cufate pleasant
ly, and as one whose belief IN the efficacy
OF sermons was not unussallabie, I'm
sure wouldn't have gone to church to-
night, if could have helped it. +"
Mrs. Roberts looked grave at hearing
such sentiments proceed from the 9th.
!" Your tea is quite ready, SIR she
said. Would you please take off your
wet boots before you COUP: They mark
the stair covering So and washing is so
expensive.
The Rev. Cuthbert complied. He
went up stairs in hls stockings ; and
having changed sundry dripping arti-
cles OF ATTIRE, dew his chair to the table
and commenced his tea OF supperor what
ever the meal might be called.
Curates are no. well-paid race, and
the stipend allotted to the curate of st.
Nicholas, III return for the assistance he
gave. the rector of that dreary little water
ng-place, Oversee, was hardly enough
10 provide delicate fare, such as induces
people to inger over their tables. He
ate his cold meat with healthy appetite,
drained out the last drop from the tea
pot, filled his pipe and rang for the tea
things to be cleared.
s'You may leave the kettle, Mrs.
Roberts," he said. Il think, after my
wetting, I may indulge in glass Of hot
whisky and water.
"Quite right, sir" said the landlady
''Ah, it's on a night like this one pit1es
the teetotalers. "
''All extreme people must be pitied
Mrs. Roberts, . said the curate, smiling.
but bring another glass with mine,
and will give you some
Although the lady murmured some
thing about only taking spirits twice %
year, a second glass madeitsappearance
and she lett the room with the materials
for comfortable nightcap i'll her hand.
Cuthbert Wrey pushed back the taLle,
wheeled his chair Ill front OF the fire. put
his feet on the fender, and clasping his
nands behind his head, sat watching the
smoke curling from his pipe He felt
that if any man had right to enjoy
curate OF ST. Nicholas. He had con-
Quoted two services, and attended the
afternoon classes. He had visited his
SICK, and. as far as he knew, done all
that duty demanded of him. Now let
him take his ease for an hour or two.
He saw nothing to interfere with it, un-
less the wind should blow the windows
in.
Cuthbert Wrey was man of about
twenty eight tall, muscular, and good
looking His features although strong
ly marked, were not irregular; indeed,
very little more would have made him
a remarkably handsome man. Perhaps
he looked at the worst, as we see him
now with his face in repose. It's ex
bore at times kind of dissatisfied look
Ia look which, it seemed, might soon
grow habitual. His brows had trick
OF frowning until they almost met, and
at the same time the corners of his
mouth fell in slightly scornful man.
ner-whether in scorn at the world in
general, or himself in particular, it is
doubtful if he could have determined.
Any way, his face was not exactly the
face of a happy, successful, or contented
man. Yet, when he spoke-even when
another s affairs occupied his mind, and
he was not thinking OF Cuthbert Wrey-
this expression completely vanished.
His words were kind, and the smile
which accompanied them always frank
and pleasing as the words themselves
Altogether, he was great favorite with
both the rich and poor OF Oversee.
He did not look very clerical as he
= sat in the shabby armchair His LONG