The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1886-02-13

hour OF eight; and minute AFTER, elgnt
tolled forth from a neighboring steeple
and was borne to Miss Jollibert's window
with gust of drifting snow. She shivered
at the sound of the snow, leaned forward
and poked the fire; then turned and settled
the various pieces of the little tea service
on the low table beside her. She went over
them all. A cream-pot, a slop-bowl a su-
gaI-basin and two tea-cups. She examined
the two tea-cups particularly; little price
less trinkets they were. She put them
down and examined her own beautiful
bands-they acre beautiful hands. Then
she removed the little toast-raclI on the ia
BILE down to the fire, after which she fell in
to profound reverie until a quarter past
eight, when she reused herself once more
and rang the bell.
An instant after servant, dressed in
black, appeared at the door.
James, asked she, in peculiarly must
cal contralto voice, Ibid you deliver my
note to the Bishop!-You did, And waited
for the answer!-What was the exact mes
sage given to your
"His Lordship sent his compliments, if
you please I'M, and he would be happy TO be
at Miss Jollibert's by five minutes to eight
precisely"
"Hu,n,n sighed Miss Jollibert.
Just as Miss Jollibert sighed HIM, tall
man, some years turned forty was stamp
ing his feet free from snow downstairs in
the hall. Seen by the Pickering lamp-light,
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 Pm late Miss Jollibert."
She did not speak until she had poured
q TVfn hA fpap sol f~1 boz,
self with her own in the arm chair which
she had before occupied.
II dare say you were rather surprised
when You had my note this afternoon,
Bishop"
he stirred his tea slowly, looking at her,
II was curious to know what could
be the important matter that was
troubling Miss Jollibert's mind, and | was
glad, very glad, to think perhaps was go
ing to be of some use to my old friend, Miss
Jollibert"
She played with her diamond rings lit
tie nervously and turning her head looked
into the fire
IAN old friend; yes, so you are You
seem to have been an old friend all my
life. | 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
told you now what is upon my mind-or
would you rather wait a little!"
Stretching up, he settled the little tea-cup
carefully amongst the Sevres china on the
mantel-piece, and crossing his legs folded
his white hands composedly on his apron.
II should wish you to tell me all about it
at once Marion. Why delay anything you
may have to saY?n
She hesitated an instant longer, the fire
light playing round her heavy eyelashes.
lsN.g Il l., I-C
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 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 mantel-piece again
my DEAR said he, could | trouble YOU
for just teette more sugar. just the ie-edst
thing. Thank you, thank you. All"
The Al was more in the way of a sigh
than an interjection; and with it he half
closed one eve, 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
irTitate Miss Jollibert slightly, for she
pushed her chair back from the fire, and
asked him very quickly: "Did your Lord
shin not hear me!"
He finished the currant bun, and folded
his hands composedly again
80" repeated he, you have quite made
up your mind to go over to Romeo"
quite" said Miss Jollibert and after an
instant's pause, unbroken except for the
cracking of the flames she added "QWite"
again
"Why@' asked the Bishop, quickly.
ION account of my convictions" replied
Miss Jollibert, still more quickly.
"Ahl !" sighed the Bishop once more. His
Lordship passed his hand slowly all over
his heavy masses of haxen hair Miss
Jollibert fastened her large brown ewes
upon him rather mOurnfully, and after a
minute, began TO talk.
"Of course it has taken me a long time to
make up my mind; and, of course, | am
very sorry | have studied Butler, and
Jeremy TAYLOR and Luthers treatises. and
Manning and Newman. | have fought
against my convictions as | never fought
against any thing before; and yet, in spite
of myself as it were, have been converted
Of course | am very sorry that it should be
so. In a case like this, however, | think
that one is not, perhaps entirely responsible
for ones own conversion
The Bishop inspected the side of his
handsome foot, and settling himself yet a
little more comfortably, nodded with much
benevolence. "Quite So quite so; very
possibly not, my dearn
Miss Jollibert flushed slightly.
mo- 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 Malchester
would care to assert that Church to be the
Church of England
Henry Hammersley, Bishop of Nal
chester, took a long sip of his tea, and
turning his limpid blue eyes round upon
Miss Jollibert, smiled. "My dear, " said he
gently, II always feel very diffident about
making any assertions
"Well-bnt don't" pursued she,
with a slight tremor in her voice
convinced, firmly convinced, in my mind
of there being no English Church, no En-
glish Rites, no English Orders to be relied
upon.n
"O-hl" said he, wheeling sharp round
and snatching another little bit of currant
bun from the plate $50 Pm not a Bishopli
"No," cried Miss Jollibert, half angrily
and half in laughter; ''at least, l 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 to a bit of coal
which sent it rafting noisily down upon
the painted tiles. II beg your pardon, my
dear said he ruefully. ~ 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. sit is of no use
to talk to me in that way; no use saving