The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1886-07-31

ness in his tone, for, really, think 1 |
should like few weeks Of home life.
believe am tired of trains and ships, of
hotels and restaurants. sometimes
think am tired of being bachelor
"With only a harum scarum young
lad like me to look after you'll Well,
Ralph, / hate to give you up, for you've
been father and mother, brother and sis
ter, lover and friend to me-but >
A gentle knock at the door interrupted
him. Opening it he saw a neat maid
standing there. Tea is served, sirs; but
can put it back if you are not ready"
Gall ready" said Harry, gaily, and the
two went down TO their parlor and Toasted
fret their eyes and then their palates, for
the table was " thing of beauty" in all
its arrangements, and the food perfect.
"Dare you count the mullins you have
eaten?" said Harry after while. "I'm
sure 1 dare not say how many have dis
appeared from my plate. And what but
ter, what cream, what honey
"And such tea," said the elder man. 81
can not remember when 1 have drank
the like. Harry, we will stay all sum-
mer."
They were not epicures; they did not
live to eat; but they we're gentlemen and
liked to be we'll served. Food to them
was not only prose, but poetry.
will you take stroll, Ralph? The
evening is very fine."
mo, Harry, 1 feel little tired even
yet. will go out though and rest I'M
der that grand old oak; see there are
nice easy chairs there. But don't you
stay to wait on me, laddie. Start away
and begin your explorations. It is about
time you pulled somebody's child out of
brook, or dragged some fair maiden
from the clasp of the fire fiend."
Hold on, Ralph, don't make fellow
feel foolish. I've never done half as many
good deeds as you had at twenty-five.
Take care of yourself. old fellow-Mis-
tress Grace
"Begone; nor put such thoughts into
the head of one sworn to single life"
"But you said you we're tired
"Begone, L say" and the younger
brother scampered off in boy-fashior,
while the elder walked out on the lawn
and took seat under the old oak.
Here Mistress Grace soon joined him,
coming in her quiet, ladylike way to ask
him if their rooms were agreeable and
the tea served to suit them, and if there
was anything more she could do for
them. There was something wonderfully
restful about Grace. Mabel used to say,
if she had been ever so much bothered
with her troublesome lovers, she forgot it
all when she put her head in her sisters
lap. Mrs. Ley ton, the rector's lady, said
there was nothing SO sure to cure fit of
nervousness as the presence of Grace.
If she had been worried ever so much
with her maids, or her schools, or the
the peculiarities of the rector's curates,
and Grace came in, the clouds all drifted
off and the sunshine came back.
Ralph felt this, even in the few remarks
she made to him as hostess, and in his
quiet but courtly way, he managed to
enlarge the talk, till she could do no less
than take the other easy chair and con-
tinue the conversation, he questioning
her of the neighborhood and she answer
ing, and now and then relating briefly
one of its legends or telling humorous
anecdote of its old-time people.
Harry stood for few moments ON the
lawn irresolute; then spying the garden
door ajar he ventured in among the
fruits, flowers and vegetables. A young
girl stood at the farther end, among the
currant bushes, picking the ruby globes.
Harry never to his dying day forgot that
picture. 1t hung ever on memory's walls,
the very fairest there.
He advanced slowly toward her, toying
with the flowers that bordered the path
way. When within speaking distance he
lifted his hat gracefully and said court
eously, yet with a merry accent, May
introduce myself and beg pardon for the
intrusion?"
1t is no intrusion" she said, archly'
" and you may introduce yourself"
"Harry Selwyn, of Selwyn Manor,
brother to Ralph of the same name and
abode; though neither of us abide there
much nowadays, being smitten with a
mania for seeing the world. Tam speak
ing to and he bowed and seemed to
wait for her reply.
Mabel Ainsworth, of Ainsworth Farm,
sister to Grace of the same name and
abode, and where we do abide and prob
ably shall abide, our father being smit-
ten with mania for staying at home"
Their eyes met ip merriment, and then,
both being young and happy, they fell
naturally into talk, the young girl still
gathering the stems of red ripe currants,
and he helping her. And so they talked |
and laughed and worked till the three |
pals were full. She had explained to
him that they were for jelly and that she
was going to make it the next day, when,
said she, 81 shall look like blood
stained murderer"
They did not go in at once, but linger-
ed out there among the sweet scented |
blossoms, and he pulled roses and fast
ened spray in Mabels garden hat
which she held in one hand instead of |
wearing on her head and she returned |
the compliment by giving him tiny