The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-05-03

A. was s.rpr- . EOs. snd all chance OK Mrs.
Ioms appearance that day was erSied, but.
in the ardor of her work, Miss Priscilla had
momentarily forgotten the object Of her
visit to the rectory.
Three things in her last remarks had modi-
fed Miss Gaunt; first. she bad known Mr..
Hornby for forty years, and. therefore, was
not likely to prove fatal TO his peace Of
mind; second, she was about TO remove her
obnoxious presence from the rectery forth
with; third, the rector was really pheno-
menOn among masters.
Actuated by variety of motives Miss
Gaunt bestirred herself, and in ten minutes
a good fire was piled in the CRATE, and after
little sputtering aud putting consented TO
burn cheerfully Just as If to convince the
rector's guest that she knew what was what
and could have things right when she chose.
the attendent spread a spotleSs cloth for
tea, and brought forth honey and fresh
butter, reserved, no doubt, for her own
use In general way, and made the toast
delicateiy and erisply. and being then molli-
fed by her success grew amiable, and urged
Miss Priscilla not to think of venturing out
in such soaking weather, as Mr.. Hornby
was sure to be In presently.
Miss Priscilla went TO the window and
looked out obviously. The wide-open roses
were hanging their heads dejectedly, the
mignonette was stirring rebelliously in the
wind, and the vivid greenness of the spongy
turf showed how thoroughly it had been
soaked. Rain was falling still, but occa-
sional riffs in the clouds gave PROMISE Of i'm
provement by and by. She decided, there
fore. TO await it.
change had come 70 the whole world To
find himself cozily and comfortably and
cheerfully at tea by his own Preside, with
Miss Priscilla, rosy from her past exertions,
smiling opposite him, and expressing
kindly interest in all he had to tell, delighted
him somehow. He could not have accounted
for it, but he felt as if he would like to go 70
sleep then and there, TO the musical accom-
paniment of clinking silver and china Gnd
woman'S voice. Not that he ever INDUCED
in an afternoons nap, but he felt So soothsd
and rested, it seemed as if the next step
must be slumber. But Mr. Horribly was
polite if he was. anything. He shook
off Ore drowsy influence, discussed
Mrs. Tom and the best way to
reach her, feeling more than ever
how sad it was that Priscilla should fail into
her clutches, so that before his guest was
bonneted for her return home, the sun had
set and the crescent moon had asserted it
self boldly in the watery sky.
Il shall go down to the village with you,S
Mr.. Hornby said when she wished to say
good-bye; and in spite of her demurrings, be
got his thick boots and overcoat, and saHied
forth by her side
In the air there was the softness of recent
rain; the stocks and gilly flowers were pour
ing out incense 70 the moon, while an I'M
daunted nightingale sang Justify in neigh
boring tree.
In the faint light, Miss Priscilla looked as
pretty as she had done twenty years before,
and more than once Mr. Horribly caught
himself looking at her furtively, as hs had
done when she had been adainty girl and be
a great undeveloped school-boy.
And to think of her now as the governess
to Mrs. Toms children, snubbed and patron
lied by that pompous person, alternately.
and placed in that p sition by his interview
ton, tool He grew lite hot as he spoke Of
it. 1t would be bad enough to lose her out
of his life; to put her into Mrs. Toms
clutches was unbearable.
But what alternative have II" she asked
with little scorn of his pusillanimity.
"When one is in a strait, one must fit ones
self TO hard circumstances"
They were close to her door now, and he
put out his hand to detain her when she
would have raised the knocker.
"Would you not be happier at Fairview
with meas my wife!' he said, hest
tatinglvs
as it pityF she said with quiver in her
voice
"Pityi Who could connect the idea Of
pity with youl Why. l only feel as IL bed
nothing to offer you worthy of your accept
ance"
She did not speak, and he went on after q
pause;
al have looked upon you always as the one
woman in the world worth being faithful to,
whether your love rewarded the faithfulness
or not"
For a moment she had tremulous in
clination to laugh, but she suppressed it, as
she suppressed the apt and saucy answer
that rose to her lips. Life was sad enough
without the further complication Of need
less quarres
would you have told me this only for
my extremity she asked softly
Il do not think should have dared"
Then in that case. am glad gave my
money to Edward Glynn."
And all this time Mrs Toms telegram, in
its orange envelope, was calmly reposing
in Miss Priscila's parlor kilograms were
rare at Farview, the nearest Office being
three miles away, and Miss Priscilla's Jane
had never seen one before.
Jane concluded, from its envelope, also
FROM its un,tamped condition, that it was
far less important than letter, and never
thought that It might be wise to send it after
her mistress.
"Sorry l can not 90 to Fairview," so ran
Mrs Toms message. Circumstances have
arisen to detain me at home | consider
you engaged and shall expect you on the 1st"
Am grateful for your kindness, but was
previously engaged 70 remain at Fairyiew,"
Miss Priscilla telegraphed back, while bless
ing the lacOnic mode Of communication
which spared her feelings and her old maid
emily bushes.
Mrs. Tom never thought of the rector's
second marriage without wrath and scorn-
At his age, and with sweet gOichild like
George TO bestOw his affections On And 70