Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1889-12-19

lie do take on sadly TO be sure, but he
was so fond of the poor old missus! In
deed, who wasn't?"-and Mary put
her apron TO her eyes and sobbed.
"Ah, there's one though that don't
grieve much"
"Who, MaryP" Tessa asked absent
ly.
"Why, Mrs, Calender, OF course,
miss! She'd barely got homo from the
funeral afore she was in the poor mis-
sus's room, ferreting about her draw
ers! And you know that white lace
scarf which missus said you was TO
have for remembrance OF her? Well,
saw Mrs. Calender with my own
eyes take it out OF the drawer and car
ry it off TO her room; and it's my
opinion, miss, and cooks too, that she
means to keep it,"
Never mind, Mary; 1 can remem-
Der Mrs. Bevan without the scarf.
Now you may take these things away;
and, Mary"-Tessa hesitated-"my
headache is so bad that | will stay
here and be quiet; and as l shall not
want anything else, you need not dis
turb me again tonight"
Every well, miss. You will be
sure to ring if you want anything?"
Quite sure; but | shall not want
anything. Tell Mrs. Calender so,
please, if she makes any inquiries
about me-"
"Oh, she won't trouble herself,
mss-no fear!n
Mary gave IA sniff, took up her tray,
and left the room. Tessa locked the
door after her, took out her bag, and
looked at her watch. The train by
which she intended to travel left PEN
nington at six; it would take her near
ly an hour TO walk to the station, and,
as it was then nearly five, she had no
time TO lose. She slipped on a long
ulster and n close hat, and, taking her
bag in her hand, crept noiselessly
downstairs, and unnoticed left the
house.
There was great CONSERVATION in
the household the next morning when
Tessa's flight was discovered. Mrs.
Calender came flying into the library,
where Austen was writing letters,
full of alarm and wondering conjec-
lures.
She was much astonished at the
way in which her brother received the
intelligence - utterly thunderstruck
when he told her calmly, but with a
gray haggard look on his face, that he
was not surpris ed-that he had fanci-
ed that Tessa intended TO leave them,
only-and his face changed a little
he had not expected she would go so
soon or so suddenly. Their engage
ment had been broken off two days
before; some facts very discreditable
to Tessa had come TO his knowledge,
and made this course absolutely nee
essary.
He refused, however, much 10 Mrs.
Callenders disappointment, to say
what these falts were, and something
in his face and manner forbade even
that strong minded lady to persist in
her inquiries.
"She left this for you, Austen"
placing the envelope which contained
the ring on the table.
Austen took and opened it slowly
took the ring in his hand. He looked
at it for moment in silence, then,
with sneering laugh, threw it into
the drawer of his desk. Tessa fight
had thoroughly convince him that his
suspicious were correct. Well, she
might GO. She had preferred shame
to honor-vice so virtue, and he would
not lift a finger to drag her back.
"Austen have you heard that Noel
| Cleveland has come back TO Priory?"
Three months had passed since that
July evening when Tessa had left her
home, and it was now nearly the end
were cold and frosty, and here and
there the trees were beginning to show
! the vivid tints of autumn. Austen,
who was sitting by the fire with book
in his hand, started and frowned an
grily at the words.
mo, | did not know il. When?"
he said CURLY.
months ago, you know, and he is COM
ing back to live altogether at the
Priory, he tells me-"
"Is he married again?"
"Good gracious, Austen"-and Mrs.
Calender assumed her most severe
expression-"and his wife just dead!
OF course, he will marry again, by
and by" She paused for a moment.
and then went on meditatively, IL
used to think he admired Tessa very
much once, and certainly the eager
way in which he asked after her
to-day confirms that idea"
"After her?" and Austen looked up
suddenly.
"Yes, and seemed so astonished
when l told him she was not with us
so astonished indeed that he forgot
his good manners" Mrs. Calender
went on severely.
"What did you tell himP"
Austen's voice sounded very hoarse
and strange, Mrs. Calender thought.
She looked at him rather sharply.
What could tell him, except that
she had left us quite suddenly, and