Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-12-25

oWSato Seboiiys ~ho iVVheu Wy ~ us"s
with earnest eyes TO see II no we're
growing moro like his old self, bat
sudden glow Of color ovsrsprsId her
face as she met tho astonished gaze Of
the two ladies who little while before
so thoroughly discussed her present
and her past.
Mrs. Horniblow bowed Instantly to
Mr.. Brooke, as il she could not be
quite sure of bis identity in such
place and with such a companion, and
he returned her salutation in like
manner, while to Mrs. Fortescue's
clearly attempted one-sided greeting to
himself, while she ignored the young
schoolmistress altogether, be paid no
attention. The lady repeated her one
sided salute, and Mr.. Brooke repeated
his significant ignoring Of any attempt
on her part to gree! him as apart from
the girl who stood at his side.
But Mary could not so repress her in
dignation, and as the two ladies dissp-
peared round the corner she exclaimed,
with flushed cheeks:
"Now, Mr.. Brooke, you see for
yourself that it is no imagination on
my part. The rector's wife does not
consider herself bound by common po-
likeness to salute me--and-and--"
Comfort yourself with the thought
that in such matters you are the better
instructed" replied Mr.. Brooke, who
had been gazing vacantly down the road,
end now turned abruptly, looked at
Mary earnestly, and she thought in
quiripgly, then again down the road,
twisted his pleasant mouth all awry,
and finally, loosing Bayard, leaped into
his saddle, waved his hand, lifted his
hat, and was gone.
Mary was amazed az this abrupt de-
parture. Never before had her old
friend left her in such fashion, and for
a moment youthful and wounded vanity
had the uppermost place in her mind.
"Does be mean to slight me too?"
she asked herself with an indignant
curl Of her lip, and looked after him
with tears in her eyes. If he forsook
them-if he neglected them, they
should be lonely indeed.
But the color rushed to her face, and
her heart beat fast as her eye followed
Mr.. Brooke'a horse walking leisurely
along the grass by the roadside.
Always careful Of the beast he rode,
he seemed now to be doubly so, assidu-
ously choosing out the softest and
greenest track for Bayard's iron shoes.
Nor did he abate an iOta Of his care for
his horse, patting his shiny neck,
strokiDg the glossy skin that Mary had
so fondled a minute before, when
rather languid voice hailed him in
drawing accents from the back Of a
thin.limbed nag, more suited to lady
than the atletic-lOOking young parson
who bestrode it, still a few PAGES dis
ant.
Charming day this, Squire"
Not look did the Squire Of A9h'egh
grsut in answer to this remark, whish
5as repeated little more vigorously.
" Charming day, say, Squire"
Mr.. Brooke rode on steadily until no
vas abreast of the young man, never
raising his eyes till they were almost
,ide BY side, then with q glance Of the
most perfect indifference he looked
Hugo Forttscue over, calmly turned bis
| caze before him again, and rode slO Wy
on at the same pace.
The cut direct, BY JOye " muttered
the clergyman, slashing at his guiltless
steed who, having second previously
been ordered TO halt, was now perempt-
Only hidden to $50 on, you brute"
| Not another word did the young man
utter till he asked old Margaret at the
scbool cottage if her mistress was at
home.
"'Deed yes, sir, for she never stirs
out" replied she, "but the mistress
sees no strangers, SIR"
An; to be sure--yes but ! iancied
( might venture to call, as | saw the
'Squire's horse here just now" SAID Mr..
Fortescue.
80 you did, sir, but Mr.. BroOke's a
friend Of the family"
Margaret put on her most dignified
air 10 accompany this little rebuff, and
succeeded in Oyerawing the young
clergyman, whom in her heart she was
accusing as base delinquent in regard
to her young mistress.
"Will you kindly take my card in to
Miss Bsrtlemy, and say that IL beg
she will grant me few words with
herr"
Margaret received the card not very
grsciously, and departed.
/ "The young mistress is obliged, bat
she sees no strangers" she returned to
say.
" Beg her to grant me one moment, y
be entreated /; and as he spoke Mary
came from the little sitting-room, stood
IN Margaret's quickly vacated position,
and said quietly, with only very
slight additional color:
II cannot ask you to como IN Mr..
Fortescue my mother is an invalid, we
have only one sitting-rOom, and we do
not receive visitors"
Nevertheless, Miss Bsrtlemy, |
have Just passed Mr. Brooke, who has
been calling here"
Mr.. Brooke is our one exception.
returned Mary, reddeniDg, though She
Kept her voice steady; " he is a yerg
old friend"
"Then you DO not consider me a
friend?" said the young curate in a cha
grinned voice. "YOu hayepnt the past
behind you-you discard-yOu dismiss
me?"
81 think. Mr.. Fortescue," Mary an
swe1ed, with a stiff smile on her lip,
that with all due regard to facts, you
may be said to have dismissed your
self"
"Oh. Miss Bartlemy," Mr.. Fortes-
cue said in q low, impassioned, whis-
perirg voice, for he was not sure that
/ Mrs. Bartlemy was too complete a
wreck to be able to overhear their con-
yersation, and he suspected that old
Margaret might not be devoid of the
failing usually laid upon her sex; " oh
Miss Bartlemy, cannot you, who know
me so we'll, who know my dependence
upon my mother-my hOnored, but Pc
culiar mother-you do, you must know
how prejudiced she is in some things
how especially prejudiced in favor OF a
! - arr;a 90 fnr har only son. Surely.