The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1889-01-31
MISS EwALD,s PROTEGE.

MISS EWALD'S PROTEGE'
"He is handsome, he speakes correct
Iy, and their is kind of superb mae
pendence about him that l admire: WI nat
a pity he is only farmer! Miss Ewaio
unused, looking over the fence at the
reapers in the wheatfield, and singing
out Brian Jeffrey's straight, well-knit
figure, in its cool, blue cotton overailS
and blouse.
How easily and lightly he swung the
scything cradle around the willow gram
failing before the glittering blade.
Miss Ewald had been at Grasslands
week. She was twenty-six and thorough
Iy disgusted with the world, or so she
imagined when she was elected TO speno
the summer in the country, instead OF
going with her friends on the usual
round of gaiety at the watering places
II am tired of folly and fashion, ol
society-of everything" she had said,
and packing her trunks went away To-
the loneliness, the cool, deep shades, and
the simple, primitive life Of GTasslands'
bew,ldering Farmer Jason and his come
ly wife with her beauty and grace ana
city toilets. and making acquaintance
with Brian Jeffrey the farmer snephew.
"He is probably as old as am, but
with a little worldly knowledge as l had
at 16 shifting her white linen parasol
little. her ewes still fixed on the blue-clad
figure in the field, -,
a brilliant idea had shaped itself 10
her mind during the week. She wou'o
help the Iyoung man to. a high place OF
life. point the way into the intellectual
world. 90,
"Wby not?" She had reasoned. Ol
course nv friends" with a slight curl oi
tn. lin, "would deride the plan, but see
no harm in it, He is here slut off from
the world and with no examples to stlm-
Mate ambition or make HIM desire
culture"
rhe morning that she stood by the
| fence looking into the wheat neIu, she
decided to speak to him about II, oner'
with tact and delicacy,to loan him DOCKS
| and papers, and her aid in turning his
thoughts to higher channels. That even
| .ng as she stood on the veranda gather-
| ing bunch of cream roses for the bosom
| If her lghl-blue gown, he came anu
| leaned against the column near her
| The fading daylight seemed to gather
about her golden head and lovely purely
colored face, and the young farmer
dark gray eyes were fixed steadily on
her. 1t was a good time and place to
unfold her purpose.
His face flushed, and he Ioked down
at his shapely sunbuI Mt hands, while she
gently explained that all her books and
magazines were at his service, and thal
.he would be pleased to haye him read
with her sometimes. He seemed t.
catch Instantly at her full meaning, and
the light in his gray eyes almost startieo
her.
"Would you indeed be so kin to al
ignorant poor wretch' ne muruureu'
Her face flushed.
at is no great act of kindness, Mr.
Jeffrey: understand the limitations o.
your surroundings, and ii you VIII ac
II do, most gladly, gratefullyv h
quickly interrupted. "ln a country
, neighborhood, where all, or nearly all
are on the same level, where an almanac
. and the Bible constitute library, ther
c is not much hope for literary advance
, ment."
D., 1t was a strange summert to Rosamon'
r Ewald, one utterly out of the line o
conventional experiences. =,
Never had a teacher so apt pupl
; and the lines OF study took much wide
: range than she had ever imagined.
. FavorIte authors were invested Wit
n new interest, and she found all her owl
mental faculties stimulated and qulcR
ened. She forgot that she had ever bee
weary Of life. :
1t was delightful to have such an IL
telligent sympathetic protege.
II never new before that simple &C
of kindness could give one so much ple'
sure, l feel like a different creatuT
n from the languid, ernuied woman wh
came up here"
One evening she was surprised and d.
2 lighted at the sound of fine tenor yoiC
!, singing "My Queen" wit h aneloquenC
ii of expression unexpected.
She stepped to the parlor door an
IL saw Brian Jeffrey sitting before th
:, small, almost tuneless old piano, pla
2 ng and singing,
Ie He stopped instantly at the sight
her. a,
II did not know you could sing M
, Jeffrey" advancing into the dimly ligh
ch "Only a little, Miss Ewald," he sa
y haistly, looking as guilty aslif he h'
been detected in crime. .
- You sing extremely well and wi
wonderful expression"
Her frank, warm praise overmaster
n the self-control he had been putin
upon himself for several days.
y He looked at her, passionate n
" leaping to his gray eyes
l II ought to sing that song well. Wi
10 you always in my thoughts" he sal
,s- IN low quick tone.
Her startled eyes met his; she turn
away, but he caught her hand.
II know what presumption, wh
H. madness II is, but l love you Miss
y Rosamond, my queenW
6. She flushed and played.
~. 1T may seem a poor return for
'er your goodness to give you my heart, |
SC. il is an honest heart, and"
All the naughty Ewald blood fam
up. She snatched her hand from
n grasp.
"Sir, you surley forgot your statl
You presume unpardonably upon
favor. Let me pass"
He grew white as death, bowed g
stepped aside, and she went prou
away to her room, only to throw hert
on the bed when she arrived there. s
bing like the weakest schoolgirl
Never in her life hid such contend
emotions possessed her, Hot wavel
crimson swept over her throat and (
as she recalled his words, the passion
his eyes.
But she had taught him Il lesion,
treated her with perfect courtesy,
there were no more delightful talks
readings. He held gravely aloof, 10
ing her only at their meals, and
found the time hanging heavily on
hands.
A feverish unrest took possession
and her, and as the time for her return
near the city dsew nearer she grew gTs