The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-08-29

trouble they fed as by instinct to m,
 friend MT. Campbell-it vas very strange
 but people frequently did that even ou
 of other parishes-and for the rest, Mis-
 Polly Southam made them her specia
 and religious business, and dare say die just as well or better than any clergyman
 One of the cottages was the most forlorr
 looking place ever did behold. It haC
 been leper house m far-back days, anc
 stood quite by itself in shelving garden
 where nothing ever would grow. It va.
 lop- sided, and had one gable end rearing
 crookedly into the sky, was painted a
 dull yellow, and had tWo dark windows
 and one Scotch fir standing in front oi
 them. The cottage had horrid sort oi
 fascination for me, with its old carved in. scnption and uncanny, ashamed aspect
 And how anybody could bring them selves to live there passed my compre. henslon. However, an old woman and her daughter did; cranky creatures who suited the house, and there my good Miss
 Polly went more frequently perhaps than anywhere else She used to read the
 Bible to the old rheumatic mother, and explain it in her simple way, much shocked sometimes, though very patient, with the dogmatism and objections of her listener. There, don't read abou, any one but Peter today, miss !" she would grumble, as Miss Polly opened her little Bible. "It may be wrong O me dessay 1t is, but there, I don't like David So don't read no Psalms. He were such a sinner, missl It's like this-God for gave him, we knows, but seems to me cantl"
 But so was Peter sinful man." said Miss Polly, much perplexed and con- fused at being forbidden her favorite Psalms; "quite as bad a David in his way, consider"
 He were sinful Yes E meditatively. !" But David were as bad as he could be. I'll tell you who l do like besides Peter, and that's Saull He were so tall and handsome, head and shoulders above every one else. And my Clara, there She don't like Paul /! She give reason for it, too. What do you think it were , bending over the table and looking Miss Polly in the face, enjoying her embarrass- ment poor dear.
 Because she says he boas,ed so She says she thinks perhaps he didn't mean toI But she can't bring herself to like him for that"
 Miss Polly would come out of the cot tage quite tired and mysti6ed with trying to argue satisfactorily; and don't be- lieve she ever got Widow Vane to appre- ciate David, and gave it up at last in de- spair.
 We'll, it happened one fine Monday morning. as l was walking beside the rushing Savant Git was early March, so the river was fulD, and Dot, our little Pomeranian, bustling along in front, l saw Miss Polly hurying out of the old leper cottage, and crossed over the road to remind her of the drawing room meet ing for the Jews that afternoon.
 Now mind you come, whoever else doesn't, Miss Polly. How about leaving the house [" l inquired archly.
 " On, my dear, that will be all right Mat will be in to-day. We can easily manage that. Susan and HaIty are so looking forward to coming. And, Jamie, love, what did you say the missionarys name was? ?"
 There was a sort of tremulousness about Miss Polly this morning; rather unusual with her at any time, and 1 mo- ticed that she was paler than ordinary (generally she had such beautiful roses, used to tell her that was perfectly en- vious), and l concluded that the home quartet Of course had been worrying and nagging, perhaps worse than ever.
 Oh," l answered careIessly, "a MT Blenkinsop from London, believe. Not a real downright missionary, you know, only association secretary, or something like that. MT. Ralph Blenkinsop is his name, l remember. The meeting begins at o'clock, and there will be tea alter ward, you know, as usual, in the dining room, Miss Polly; and if you'll stay for 1t, I'll introduce you to the deputatiou if you like"
 Then to my iatense astonishment her bright eyes suddenly filled with tears. My dear" she said quietly, Che used to be-a friend of mine-in old days long ago-when was young"
 The words came dropping out slowly, hesitatingly, as Miss Polly looked ap- pealingly at me, half apologizing, as it | were, for her avowal.
 Goodness gracious He must have been-if such a marvel could have ex. lsted in the Southam annals-Miss Polly's | lover The bare thought took my breath away. She had never worn a miniature like the Miss Newlands, and only fancy her curls and dear prim old | ways with lover! We had turned | mechanically, and were going Stafford ward once more, Dot running briskly on before, kicking the March dust up in our faces.
 "We have not met for more than twen- y years" she went on in low voice ' twenty years this very day, Jamie. Isn't t stranger And 1 should like to see him T mean to speak to him againr'
 And you will have no chance of that unless you stay to tea,"I cried triumph antly. "Oh, dear Miss Polly, do break through your absurd rule just fer this ,ncel You must know Mr. Blenkin- sop has to go away directly after tea, and le only comes just in time for the meet. ng. What does it matter if your sisters 10 mind, or Mrs. Warden? l should