The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1885-10-07
aAre you engaged to Norman Sci


as che replied:
Il should be if my father did not
bitterly oppose it; but Sir Gilbert, l
do not care to speak on this painful
subject, even to you, one of my old
est and best friends, for my love
fol- Mr.. Selby has caused me so
much unhappiness."
But why does your father object
to your marrying him ?" inquired
Sir Gilbert, trying to assume a calm
ness be was far from feeling.
Evelyn remained silent. .
Tell me your troubles now just as
you used to do when we were chill
dren together" continued Sir Gill
bert.
The warmth and feeling express
ed in his tone and the conviction
that genuine interest in her welfare
prompted his question, caused Ev-
elyn to throw off her usual reserve,
and she told him frankly that her
fathers only real objection to
Norman Selby was his compare
tive poverty. His parish was
small one, and it might be many
years before he would be able TO Of
fer her home such as she had been
accustomed TO. Her father was i'm
plicable in his resolution that she
should never marry man who
could not do this.
Sir Gilbert listened in silence. He
understood how the happiness of
two loving hearts was at stake. He
plainly saw the whole wealth of
tenderness of Evelyn's nature was
lavished on Norman, and he further
discovered that their attachment has
continued for three years hopelessly
yet no less faithfully.
Already his unselfish, generous
spirit prompted him to try and Sc
cure the happiness OF the girl he
loved, even though that were to give
her to his rival.
Arrived at Airmount, he left Eve
lyn and rode homeward. Conflict
ing thoughts filed his mind.
Strangely enough, he had in his gift
arich living, which he had intended
to offer to so old college chum of
his, a bachelor, but his conversation
with Evelyn had filled him with
new resolve. After a few hours de-
Liberation he had decided what TO
do. He sought Norman Selby and,
without alluding to Evelyn in the
slightest degree, offered him the va
cant living OF Westbrook, which Of
fer, it is needless to add, was joyful
ly and gratefully accepted.
Time sped on, mellowing life into
ripeness. Here in its course is shed
sorrow, there Joy. Succeeding
years bad filed the lives of Evelyn
and Norman Selby with more of the
sunshine of prosperity than is usual
| ly accorded to the most favored lot.
Norman's talents had been recogniz-
ed in his new sphere, and the gift of
Sir Gilbert turned out to be but the
stepping stone to fortune. 1t had
been succeeded by a still richer liv-
ing, presented by the hands of royal
ty itself, and Norman was now
well-known and popular preacher at
the English Court.
Evelyn had developed into the
highest type of perfect womanhood.
TO the grace and loveliness of
girlbood were added ready sympa-
thy and charm of manner which
found It's way to the hearts of both
young and old. A little naughty to
her equals, those beneath her in sta
ton found in her their kindest friend
and she was the first to withdraw
the cloud from the lives OF those on
whom the shadow of sin or sorrow
had fallen-hers the helping hand
ever stretched forth tc encourage.
And Sir Gilbert-what of him 2"
He had gone abroad soon after
Evelyn's marriage and proved one
of the most careless of correspond
ents-now hunting on the American
prairies now in the wilds of Aus
traIia; a rowing life constituted his
chiet pleasure and occupation. At
length. wearying of the excitement
of travel he turned his face home
ward. He yearned for the quiet of
an English home, for friendly faces
and familiar voices and, in con-
nection with these longings, thoughts
of Evelyn and Norman Selby ever
came back upon him. A strange
presentiment of an early death, too,
threw its shade over his heart Con-
sumption had been the bane of his
family, and he felt now that he also
numbered as one OF the victims.
So one evening as the setting sun
was gliding the handsome vicarage
with its floods of golden light, Sir
Gilbert stood before it, lost in admi-
ration of the freshness, quiet and
beauty of that home-a home in ev-
cry way worthy of its mistress. Re
inement and cultivated love Of the
beautiful were visible in the taste
ful landscape gardening all around
Words of warm welcome followed
his meeting with the happy husband
and wife. Both insisted on his
making the vicarage his home, that
they might nurse him back to health
again. So the invalid remained
there 10 be tended by loving hands.
Evelyn's children had been taught
to love him. and they We'd with
each other in their eagerness to show
their affection. But the old health
and the buoyant spirits had goLe,
never to return. Gradually he grew
weaker, and one autumn morning,
while the song of the reaper gather
ing in a plentiful harvest. fell upon
Sir Gilbert's ear. his end came, and |
he passed gently away to that home
where good and noble hearts find
their true resting-place.