Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1890-03-07
MERLB'S CRUSADE.
BY ROSA NAUCHETTE CAREY.
Author of Barbara Heat!cote's TTtol,
~Queente's Whim, 1.-THE Search
for Basil Ly1ldhlrst. 5"

tinued, turning round rather sharply.
Have | tired her out, eh'"
"She looks little tired, certainly"
"Hir-rumph. thought so. Agatha, my
dear" as she re-eutered with the jelly, II
do not want all this waiting on now; it is
nv turn to wait on you. / must not wear
out such good wife, must |, Merles"
And though we both laughed at that, and
Aunt Agatha pretended that he was only
in fun, it was almost pathetic to see how
he watched her busy movements about
the room. and how he begged her again
and again to sit down, and not tire her
self; and yet she loved TO do it. l think
we both OF us knew that. / was not dis
posed to pity Aunt Agatha as | had done
In former years. Perhaps / had grown
older and more womanly in those eight
months of service, and less disposed to be
critical on quiet, matter-of-fact lives. On
the contrary, | began to understand in a
vague sort of way that Aunt Agatha was
garnering in much happiness in her use
full middle age, in her honest, sngle-eyed
service. Love had come to her in a sober
guise, and without pretension, but it was
the right sort of love after all, no doubt.
To youthful eyes, Uncle Keith was not
more of hero; but plain honest man,
even though he has a fewer inches than
his fellows, may have merit enough to fill
one woman's heart, and | ceased to Won
der at Aunt Agatha's infatuatiOn in be-
lieving herself happy woman.
We had not much talk apart that day.
Aun: Agatha could not leave Uncle Keith,
but | never felt him less in the way.
talked quite openly about things; he was
a. much interested as Aunt Agatha in
listening to my description of Marshlands
and Wheeler's Farm, and had not "a dis
senting word when praised Gay Cheriton
in my old enthusiastic way, and only 8
soft ''hir-rumph" interrupted my account
of Reggie's accident.
1t was Aunt Agatha who walked back
with me over the bridge in the soft Octo-
Der twilight. Tired as she was, she re-
fused to part with me until the last min
ute.
you must come again soon, Merle"
she said, as we parted: Ezra and | are not
young people now, and bright face does
us both good. and your face has grown 6
very bright one, Merle"
Was Aunt Agatha right, | wOndered'
Had really grown happier outwardly'
science and heart at rest cast its refiec
ton of brightness' | was certainly very
happy just then; my life was growing
wider, friends were coming round me, in
terests were thickening, there was mean
ing and purpose in each opening day.
no longer thought so much Of myself and
my own feelings; the activities of life, the
needs and joys of others, seemed to press
and crush out all morbid ideas. / had SC
many to love, and so many who seemed tc
need me and care for me.
went more than once to Putney dur
ing the next two or three weeks. My mis-.
tress was far too sympathizing and unset
fish to keep me from my own people when
they needed me; on the contrary, she was
always full of contrivances that l should
be spared.
November passed very pleasantly. Mrs
Morton was recovering strength slowly
but surely; she was no longer Il prisoner
to her dressing room, but could spend the
greater part of the day in the drawing
room or in her husbands library.
But she still continued her invalid hab
its, and saw few people. | still sat with
her in the afternoon, and either Joyce OIL
Reggie played about the room. When
Mr. Norton was absent came down tc
her in the evening, and read or talked tC
her priced these hours, for in them
learned to know my sweet mistress more
intimately and to love her more dearly.
At the beginning of December Gay came
to MS | was looking forward to her visit
with some eagerness, though | knew my
evenings would then be spent in the nurs
cry, as Mrs Morton would only need hel
sis er's society; but, to my great surprise
/ was summoned to the drawing-roOm
on the evening of her arrival. She haC
Just come i'll time to dress for dinner, aud
we had not yet seen her. | could scarcely
credit TraverS' message when she deliver
ed it
"Will you please go down TO the ntJle
drawing room Miss FentonS Miss Gay
wants to see you, and my mistress does
not care to be left alone"
She started up and came to meet me
with outstretched hands. She looked pref.
tier than ever, and her eyes were shining
with happiness.
81 am SO glad to see YOU, Merle | want
ed to come up to the nursery, but this
spoiled wOman-how You have ali spoiled
herl-refused to be left. She said Hannah
would be there, and that we could not
talk comfortably"
Eyes, but there was another reasOn,''
returned my mistress, smiling; and Gay
blushed and cast down her eyes.
II wanted to tell you the news myself
because | knew you would be interested
Sit down, Merle, in your usual place, and
guess what has happened"
did not need To guess: the first look al
uNrfg In ~
had glanced at certain finger. Opal,
tell their own tales.
Guess" continued my mistress, mis-
chievously. "Who was the guest who
came Cftenest TO MarshlandsY'
There were two who came most fire.
quently," | returned, looking steadily in
to Gays hlushing face, MIR. Hawtry and
Mr.. Rossiter. But | do not need to bt
told it is Mr. Rossiter" And Cav jump
ed up and kissed me in her impulsive
way.
could see that she was pleased l hat
guessed it.
81 told you it would he no news to her
vi" she said breathlessly. do you re-
member our talk in the orchard, Merle
when | told You was afraid of poverty?'
YES; but | knew you magnitied you
fears, Miss Gay" But she shook her heaC
at that
Il hate it Just as much as ever. / tell
Walter am the worst possible person fol
poor mans wife, and If you ask Violet
she will agree with me, but l am obliged
to have him, poverty and all; he would
not take No for an answer"
81 think Walter was very sensible" re-
Turned her sister IL should have despised
him for giving you up"
HE would never have done that" re-
piled Gay. with decision, until l had
married somebody else; and there was nc
chance of that. You are grave, Merle, dc
you mean to forbid the bans2 Why dc
you not congratulate mes
81 do congratulate you with all my heart
Will that content your"
ITO be sure; but what then, Merles"
81 ought not TO say, perhaps. if you
have made up your mind. like Mr.. Ros
sitter He is young. but he seems very
good. But do you remember what | sale
to you that evening, Miss Gay, when w,
were watching the moon rise over Squire
Hawtry's corn-fields your environ
ment just suited your l can't realize
Marshlauds without YOU"
saw the sisters exchange meaning
look, and then Gay said, in low voice
''What should you say, Merle, if l am not
TO leave Msrshlauds-if my father refuses
to part with me'"
~ do not think that wOuld answer
Mrs, Markham would be mistress, and
you have told me so often that she doe
not like Mr.. Rossiter."
There are to be changes at Msrshlauds