The true northerner., 1886-09-30
PHILIP ANNERSLEY'S PRIDE.
BY l.. ROCHON.
CHAPTER l.
THE SCHOOLAuSTRESS


Brightly The sun shone, sweetly the birds
carolled that balmy May afternoon, and
there was nothing fairer in nature than the
face of Maude Hammer, the youAg school
mistress, as, her duties over, she fingered
on her way homeward, to enjoy the beauti-
ful day-now plucking a violet from its
mossy bed, listening to the merry tinkle OF
the little brook, then softly humming to
herself snatches of an old song.
girls face still; for Maudes seventeen
years, although they had given her knowl-
edge enough to teach the little school of
Acton, had not fully nodded her form,
filled out the outlines, or given womanly
character to the sweet young face. Her
chestnut hair, with here and there a golden
lgleam in it (reminding one of Titian's
iwomen), clustered in thick short rings over
1.-THE well-shaped head, half revealing, half
concealing, the little ears. The eyes were
clear, blue, and frank as a child s--a faint
rose-tint ON her cheek, dainty hand and
foot-she was a sight to gladden. the eye.
So thought Philip Annersley, as he rode
slowly by, fatigued by his long ride, and
reins h.nging carelessly on his horses
neck; and Maude, lifting her eyes with a
look of curiosity, encountered those of the
handsome stranger.
Raising his hat, he inquired, courteously.
'"Can you direct me to the house of the late
Mr.. Morant?"
Easily" she replied. "It is the large
house upon the hill. You catch glimpse
of it through the trees"
Thanking her, he passed on; and Maude
'blushed as she recalled the evident admira-
ton expressed in the dark eyes.
Philip Annersley was the only son of a
rich widow. His father died when he was
but an infant, leaving him and a sister, a
few years his senior, to the guardianship of
Mrs. Annersley. Imperious to others, yet
always indulgent to Philip, she had graf
flied his slightest wish, yet never allowed
him, for an instant, to forget that the old
!Annersley pride and blood must not be
,shamed by word or deed of his. And, as
the result of her judicious training, more
than any one in the world, Philip loved
and reverenced bis mother
With much that was noble in his nature
that had never been called forth, naughty
TO strangers, gentle as woman to those he
loved, it was not strange that women fiat
tered him, or that his talents and social
position made him favorite with his own
sex.
Tired of home scenes, he had wandered
an foreign lands, and seen ell that the con-
tinent holds wonderful. Pleasure held al
ways foaming cup for him to drink yet he
had returned to his mother heart whole
and fancy Free"
The death of an uncle had left him heir
to his estates; and it was to examine his
new possession that he now visited Acton.
He found all as it had been during his
uncle's life; even the old servants seemed
not day older than when he had spent the
vacations of his boyhood with his fathers
only brother.
After his solitary dinner, as he reclined
at ease upon the luxurious sofa, the house
keeper entered TO ask which room should
be prepared for him. The desired infor-
nation being given, as she was leaving the
room
"By the way, Mrs. Lyle, who are my
nearest neiehbors?" lie asked, apparently
intent upon watching the blue smoke of his
cigar curl lazily upward.
"The Monsons, sir, live in the white
house yonder, during the summer; Squire
Bruce i'll the brick one close by"
"Are these the only families of note in
the neighborhood?" he next asked, in the
same careless tone.
There are none others you would care
20 associate with" returned the house
keeper.
"How know you that?" said Philip
Annersley, and a smile played over his
handsome face.
Il knew your mother; and l we'll remem-
Der how particular she was not to mix in
society beneath her"
"Then you imagine, as a matter of
course" replied the young man, chat
must share in her prejudices."
81 have been led TO believe so, returned
the housekeeper, evidently not at her ease
at the turn the conversation had taken.
"Hum!" and Philip Annersley unused
with himself for few moments. Present
iy he asked, "Who lives in ihe brown cot
fage, at the foot of the hill?"
"Farmer Grant, sir, she answered.
81 inquired the way there this afternoon
my memory not serving me correctly. A
young lady informed me. Mr.. Grant.
daughter?"
"Law, no! that must have been Miss
Hammer. the schoolmistress. John Gram
has no girls"
"Ah 1 shall want breakfast at seven
Mrs. Lyle, as l can remain here but few
days"
Bat pair of blue eyes peeped out from
The smoke cloud over his head, and in his
dreams that night they looked at him will
m childish wistful look