The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1886-04-09
THE LADIES' TREE.


Manor, as he wished to have him look
after the young plantations which were
being formed.
The first news that greeted us was that
Mr., Hemphill, who had always been kind
TO us, was as good as engaged to be mar
1ied to Miss Anderson, whose parents
lived near Bournemouth. She was a
very lovely girl; and every one was
pleased to think that Mr. Hemphill and
she had made it up together, after all.
There was little story connected with
this young lady. She was something of
an heiress, it was known, and many peo-
pie had made offers for her to her
parents. Capt. Martyr Henry, who had
been at the Manor, and who was again
expected this same summer. had, l knew,
been one of her admirers. But although
everything seemed satisfactory, the inn
pending rumored engagement was ended.
Capt. Henry went abroad in hurry, and
people said very unkind things concern
ing him. But Miss Anderson was evil
IDENTIFY fond of him.
However, after awhile she appeared as
pretty and cheerful as ever Mr.. Hemp
hill on his part seemed quite happy.
Miss Anderson rode to the hounds to the
very middle of April, and he wanted 10
marry her in June. Everything was pre-
pairing. She was certainly a fine girl.
Such eyes.-bold black ones. Such
lovely hair, and figure which was, in
her riding-habit, perfection. Her man
ner was quiet and shy at first, but they
told me she improved" wonderfully
after awhile and there was no daring or
almost reckless thing she would not do
if she was defied to it, That is not my
idea of improvement, but being only
dressmaker, hardly know.
However, she came and stayed with
the Cardewes; and Mr.. Hemphill rode
over day after day. One day it was
very thundery and stormy, and just as
the rain was beginning into our little
house the young pair came for shelter.
When the thunder stopped rolling they
went into the porch; and the day being
hot and sultry, though only May, the
house-door was open. | was washing
things, and could hear their voices, and
sometimes even what they said, without
minding.
The tones in which Miss Gladys con-
tradicted poor Mr.. Hemphill, and the
mild, submissive way in which he put up
with it all, astonished me. That any
man would behave as he did couldn't
have believed! I'd like to see Charley
put up with such "tantrums" as Miss
Anderson's! Now, said to myself, see
the reason of Capt. Henry's and Mr..
Elliotts sudden "crying Off" They could
not put up with her temper, of course;
and I wonder Mr.. Hemphill did. He
seemed afraid to contradict her.
The shower passed. The sandy soil
licked up the drops. and everything re-
manned as parched and dry as possible.
| A single match dropped in the under
wood woul d have set the whole planta-
ton and all the gorse in a blaze. The
keepers were particularly desired to be
on the watch for smokers, who might in
moment by accident or for fun" set
fire to the whole of the furze, and burn US
up too.
Mr.. Hemphill and Miss Anderson were
| discussing this when DIR. Joliffe rode
| past, and stopped suddenly. He was
| special friend of the Andersons, and
| often visited them, dined, and even slept
there at times. Mr.. Hemphill greeted
him at once, but Miss Gladys looked sui
len when he came up.
Il wish | had seen that fire." Miss
| Anderson was saying; IL would give any
thing to see a good fire. Some day we
will have another"
Have another!" cried Mr. Hemphill;
"you can't mean that, Gladys!"
Have you seen Capt. Martyr Henry,
| H. II,,r,hil1yv i,n,,iraI ha
mo, has he returned!"
Miss Anderson's face was pale as
| death.
rs there anything the matter, Gladys?"
asked Mr. Hemphill.
| Nothing" she said. "Dr. Joliffe, will
| you come back to the Manor with us?'
and they rode away.
When Charley came in he was in a
terrible hurry.
Lets have tea, Lucy" he said almost
before he was well in the house. II
must go out at once and keep an eye
round the plantations. There has been
some "tippers" across to-day, and | doubt
| they'll have left something after them,
and the place is all as dry as finder. A
| A spark would burn us in our beds"
Just then q messenger rode up from
Mrs. Cardewe for Charley and myself to
| go to the Manor. She wanted to see me
| about some dressmaking. Mrs. Cardewe
made me stay and take tea with Mrs.
| Jones, the housekeeper, and she sent two
| of the boys to find Charley, and tell him
| to come back to the Manor when his
work was over, and fetch me and baby.
Then Mrs. Jones and seated ourselves for
nice long chat, not that | care much for
| gossip, as "a rule, but when with friends
| little exchange of sentiments is pleas
| ant.
| We hadn't talked very long when Bill
| Swain came in all excited.
| "Oh, mum!-awful, mum! Mr.. Farmer
he has sent me for help. The gorie is a-fre
and the plantations in danger. It's bad,
| that it is"
l jumped up and called the girl Emily,
Here, Emily; hold baby till l come
back. The gorse is a-ire, and Mr..
Farmer is there. Quick"
| put on my things; and by the time
was ready the men and helpers were hur-
| rying away to the place where the fire
was. The smoke was already curling
over the tree-tops; and as we knew the
whole place was as dry as tinder, the fire
would spread rapidly.
As came out saw Miss Anderson and
Mr.. Hemphill, He was trying to dis.
suade her.
"Gladys, my dearest"
"Mr, Hemphill, please do not interfere.
You have no right toprevent me. will
40 to this fire. particularly want TO ses
it. You need not come unless you
please"
He looked at her almost with tears in
his eyes But he was patient with her
and said:
"Very WE'LL dear, as you like"
She drew herself up haughtily, could
have boxed her ears had she been my
girl. He was too gentle with her, Some
women don't value man unless he lis
pretty hard with them, and poor Mr..
Hemphill wasn't hard enough for Miss
Gladys.
She set off by herself, and he followed
her; the doctor and all the stable-men
had already gone. Bill Swain came with
} me. Round in the farm-yard the men
were calling ont for help; and the coun-
try was up,
All the men turned out-servants,