The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1886-02-11

James" asked she, in a peculiarly must
cal contFalto voice, did you deliver my
note to the Bishop?-You did And waited
for the answerl-What was the exact mes
sage given to youl"
"His Lordship sent his compliments, il
you please IN. and he would be happy TO be
at Miss Jollibert's by five minutes to eight
precisely"
''Hum," sighed Miss Jollibert.
just as Miss JOllibert sighed Hum, tall
man, some years turned forty, was stamp
ing his feet free from snow downstairs in
the hall. Seen by the Pickering lamp-light,
he looked a very pale and rather gaunt
student; but when he passed on up into the
brilliancy of the staircase, his clear-cut
features lost their gauntness; and one
noted the striking intellect of his large
white brow, and the limpid beauty of his
rather dreamy eyes. When the door opened,
he smiled straight over at the rose-colored
velvet figure, and advanced, holding out
his hand and saying very sweetly:
I'm sorry I'm late Miss Jollibert.n
She did not speak until she had poured
tea into the two teacups. and seated her
self with her own in the armchair which
she had before occupied.
Il dare say you were rather surprised
when you had my note this afternoon,
Bishop3"
He stirred his tea slowly. looking at her,
and smiling again.
81 was curious to know what could
be the important matter that was
troubling Miss Jollibert's mind, and I was
glad, very glad, to think perhaps / was 60
ing To be of some use to my old friend Miss
Jolibert."
She played with her diamond rings a lit
tie nervOusly and turning her head looked
into the fire.
AN old friend; yes, so you are. You
seem to have been an old friend all my
life. l can not remember the time when /
did not know you. know that other peo-
pie call me foolish and vain behind my
back, and somehow or other know that
you never do. Would you rather that l
told you now what is upon my mind-or
would yOu rather wait little !''
Stretching up, he settled the little tea-cup
carefully amongst the SevreS china on the
mantelpiece, and crossing his legs, folded
his white hands composedly on his apron.
81 should wish you to tell me all about it
at once, Marion. Why delay anything you
may have to sayl"
She hesitated an instant longer, the fire
light playing round her heavy eyelashes.
''The long and short of the thing is this"
she said; ''Or rather this is what might be
called the short of it and the long will come
after have made up my mind to go over
to Rome"
The Bishop uncrossed his legs with a sud-
den movement, and stared at Miss Jollibert.
After an instant'S pause, he raised himself
once more, and brought his tea-cup care
fully down from the mantelpiece again.
my dear" said he, "could l trouble You
for just teette more sugar; just the least
thing. Thank you, thank you. Ahr'
The Al was more in the way of a sigh
than an interjection: and with it he half
closed one eye, and infinitely inspected
with the other the morsel of currant bun
he was engaged in eating. There was some
thing in the action which appeared to
irritate Miss Jollibert slightly, for she
pushed her chair back from the fire, and
asked him very quickly: ''Did your LORI
ship not hear mer
He finished the currant bun, and folded
his hands composedly again.
$50" repeated he, you have quite made
up your mind to go over to RomeF
Quite" said Miss JOllibert; and after an
instant's pause, uubroken except for the
cracking of the flames, she added "Quite,"
again.
"Wby?" asked the Bishop, quickly.
''On account of my convictions" replied
Miss JOllibert, still more quickly.
"Ah!" sighed the Bishop once more His
LordShip passed his hand slowly all over
his heavy masses of fisxen hair. Miss
Jollibert fastened her large brown eyes
upon him rather mournfully, and after a
minute, began to talk.
''Of course it has taken me long time to
make up my mind; and, of course, / am
very sorry. ! have studied Butler, and
Jeremy Taylor, and Luther's treatises and
against my convictions as l never fought
against any thing before; and Y eft, in spite
of myself as it were, | have been converted.
OF course l am very sorry that it should be
so. In case like this, however, think
that one not, perhaps, entirely responsible
for ones own conversion"
The Bishop inspected tae side of his
handsome foot and settling himself vet
little more comfortably, nodded with much
benevolence. "Quite so, quite so; very
possibly not, my dear"
Miss Jollibert flushed slightly.
No" she resumed, with some warmth.
why of course you must know yourself
Bishop, that most ancient theologians and
all prophets, fOretold the foundation of one
permanent and Apostolic Church. don't
suppose that even the Bishop of Manchester
would care to assert that Church to be the
Church of England"
Henry Hammersley, Bishop of NAL
chester, took long sip of his tea and
turning his limpid blue eyes round upon
Miss Jollibert, smiled. my dear" said he,
gently, 81 always feel very diffident about
making any assertions"
''Well-but l don't" pursued she,
with a Slight tremor in her voice
just think what it is for me to be
convinced, firmly convinced, in my mind,
of there being no English Church, no En-
gllsh Rites, no English Orders to be relied
upon"
and snatchng another little bit of currant
bun from the plate 80 I'm not a Bishop!"
No" cried Miss Jollibert, half angrily
and half in laughter; Eat least, / don't
think so. am very sorry, but can't make
up my mind that you are. am very sorry
to say such things. Don't be angry with
me, Bishop"
He stretched his hand out for the little
poker, and gave sharp tap 10 bit of coal
which sent it rafting nOisily down upon
tue painted tiles. Il beg your pardon, my
dear" said he ruefullv Il ought never to
have meddled with the fire, YOU see-just as
you ought never to have meddled with the
theolOgians. Hand me the tongs, Marion"
She did as he asked her, rush of tears
coming into her dark eyes. 1T is of no use
to talk to me in that way; no use saying
anything. since have quite made ND nv
mind. And besides that she added, after
slight pause, with hereyes fixed anxiously
upon the back of the Bishops fair head,
Just then within dangerous proximity of
the CRATE: Il have quite made up my
mind that I'm going to dispose of my
house, and my horses, and my furniture
and everything; and Immediately after l
have collected the money, shall go into a
convent and take the veil"
He put the tongs carefully down on
the fender; and sticking two of
his long white fingers into Miss Jollibert's
sugarbasin, brought out a little pointed
lump, and balanced it dreamily in the air.
"Ah," sighed he again.
Miss Jollibert pushed her chair back
abruptly, and stood before him. 'Why do
you only answer al, like that! l asked
you here to help me, because you always
used to help me with things; and now YOU
only answer al" Then turning suddenly
away, she crossed both hands upon the
mantelpiece, and leaned her head down
upon them. 20, don't you see what it is!
Don't you understand. What is the use of
a carriage, and horses, and furniture, and
wealth like mine. What is the use of life!
l want to DO something. want to live"
The Bishop rose. He drew one of her
hands gently from her face, and closed his
own over it. Il understand he said