St. Paul daily globe., 1888-05-13

property as was to be seen in the
county.
Something has gone very wrong,
indeed, Stuart" replied his father, Sir
Thomas. "Read that! There is a
pretty letter to receive from the rector
OF ones parish! 1t is monstrous! 1t is
deplorabler' and in his excitement the
baronet rose from his chair and began
TO pace up and down the lofty apart
ment.
Just at this moment the door opened
and Lady Craye came in with bunch
of Neapoliton violets in her hand. She
was followed by her pretty daughter
Emily, who was seventeen, and who
had just been presented.
Here, my dear!" began Lady Craye,
presenting her violets with a smile.
"Are they not sweet? Emily and | have
ransacked the greenhouses to find
bunch magnificent enough to offer you.
But" added she, stopping short, "what
can be the matter? And Stuart looks as
if he were going to faint! My dear boy,
sit downr' continued she, in some
alarm.
The young man obeyed, murmuring:
''I am so surprised - that is it,
mother!'
"Mere surprise would not make you
and your father look like this! Speak
and tell me at once what has happened!"
said she.
Il 2uppose you must hear it, though
really, my dear, don't know how to ac-
quaint you with such thing!" cried Sir
Thomas, wrathful and agitated. LAS for
In rI,1alr, Il
with astonishment and dismay."
well, do explain the matter, my
dear urged her ladyshlp, gently, and,
sitting down near him, prepared now to
hear some disagreeable communication.
at is enough to give you quite
shOckr recommended Sir Thomas.
"Well, 1 will tell you as briefly as pos
sible, for it is not pleasant theme over
which to linger. Rev. Septimus CrOfts.
the rector of this parish, "a widower with
grOwn-up daughters, as we all know,
writes to communicate to me his inten-
ton of making a second marriage-Of
bringing a young wife to the rectory,
who will naturally then be in position
of responsibility. And on whom do you
suppose his choice has fallen?" and the
baronet paused with bitter smile npOn
his lips.
''I cannot imagine! Any one in the
pariSh?" asked Lady Craye. now thor
Oughly reused to the keenest interest in
the question.
Certainly some one in the parish :"
replied her husband, his bitterness Of
tone still more accentuated.
Miss Fowler?" haZarded her lady
ship.
"Some one; far more Objectionable
than Miss Fowler" rejoined the baro-
net. "She would be misplaced enough
as the rector's wife; but the person lie
has selected will be not only misplaced
but ridiculous! And she will make
ridiculOuSi If he marries her l will
never put my foot inside his doors again
never! nor consent to my family doing
So eitherr'
But who is, she?'' asked Lady Craye.
"Our late nursery goVerness, Ella
Maynew
"Oh, papar' gasped Emily, the color
rushing over her face.
ELLA Mayne. Why, she is not more
han seventeen-just Emily's ageH'
cried Lady Craye.
Stuart remained perfectly silent and
mmOvable ;.:he looked as if turned to
stone. Apparently the young fellow
was gazing out over the trim pleasure
grounds, seen to much advantage from
the library Windows for the blossoms of
spring were about to open their wealth
of beauty after their long winter sleep,
but in reality he saw nothing of the
scene unfolded to his view, and he
stood there like a man III dream.
But he was conscious in dim way of
what was going on around him. He
heard his mother utter an indignant
sentence or two against the rector: he
was sensible that his sister Emily was
speaking in blame of Ella.
She ought not to dream of such
thing. 1t is her duty to refuse him."
cried Emily.
'She is hardly likely to do that"
calculated Sir Thomas, hOtly. mo; a
pcmileSs girl will not refuse hand
some provision, an assured position,
ease, consideration, comfort and luxury.
But | will see what impression can be
made upon the rector He may, from
shame, yield to my representations of
what he owes to his own position, to the
feelings of his parishioners, to the risk
of losing the influence he has hitherto
possessed in this place. presume my
opinion will have some weight with him
since he writes to acquaint me before
any one else as he words it, with his
resolve. If he can be won over to listen
to reason, the girl can be bribed to hold
her tongue. | would not mind giving
el00 TO avoid such catastrophe, much
as need money TO pay off that mort
gagew
Are you going now to the rectory?''
asked Lady Craye, as her husband rose
quickly from his chair.
"1es: at Once-befOre dinner. Such
matter cannot be deferred. Wish me
success, my dear. Of course | must 90
alone, otherwise | should ask you to ac-
company me-"
Il will walk with you to the garden
gate, however," said her ladyshiD.
rising.
They went out through the long
French window, across the lawn, where
the greenery of shrub and tree, together
with the sweetness of the evening air.
made the garden sort of paradise,
Emily Craye and her brother were left
alone.
"Come and have some tea, dear
Stuart" said the young lady. "You
stand there like a statue. and look so
i'll! You need not take it to heart if
Mr.. Crofts marries Miss Mayne, surely''
'Oh. Emilyr' rejoined he with sort
Of groan.
Stuart! What is the matter?'' said
the girl, springing up and running to
his side. Then, looking into his face,
she started back, struck with the con
yiction that something was very wrong
indeed with her much-ioved, petted,
handsome young brother.
''Emilyr' replied he, almost in whis-
per, and laying his hand upon her fin
gers, which now clasped his arm as she
gazed eagerly up at him.
Yes, dear Stuart" she answered
elinging TO him.
Would you--wOuld you be my friend
even if you thought L had done very
wrong? If startled you very much by
a-confession?"
p"Oh, yes-yes," she said, fervently.
"You are my only brother. But it is so
difficult for me to think you could do