The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1890-08-14


was not new, but the hope that softened
it was. Hitherto, it had been linked
with her mothers image, only. She
| wanted her now, as much. and more
than ever before, but that she might
sympathize with what she began to COM
prehend tremblingly Her mother
would enter into her trembling and her
Joy. Especially ii she had seen what
IIetty never could describe "a look
the memory Of which renewed the
shy. delicious shame expressed in tho
blush March had pitied. while rejoicing
in the sight Of it.
Such a boundless. beautiful world
| opened to her while she stood there,
looking down the blossoming vistas OF
] the orchard solitary, yet comforted.
She would give rein to Imagination for
that little while. 1t could harm no one.
| even il it were all chimera that would
/ not outlast blossom time. And must it
be Mnp What had glorificd other DESC
late Momen's lives might bless hers.
| Spring comes to every year. however
long and cruel may have been the win
ter. Recalling March's prophecy Of
i
visions OF his visits, Of the pleasant
familiar talks that would make them
better acquainted: of the books they
would read and discuss: of the pictures
he would paint, with her looking on.
Il am not beautiful or accomplished"
she said. humbly. But | would mako
myself more worthy of him. l am
young and apt. | would make no mis-
takes that could mortify him. lie should
never be ashamed Of me and. oh.'
She stretched her arms involuntarily, as
II to draw the unseen nearer to her
heart-..how faithfully l would serve
him. forever and forever
The fight OF fancy had indeed been
| fast and far!
The tinkle Of the dlnner-bell in Mary
AIMS vigorous hand, ended the fond
foolishness abruptly. 1t was the care
ful housewife who asked herself. with
guilty start: What has become of
Homer and the parsleyo'
Her first step in returning was upon
something hard. She picked it up.
Homer met his young mistress at the
back door. His weak. fErtivc eyes were
uneasy before she accosted him. At her
| incisiye tone the red rims closed entirely
over them, his hands, grimy with
cropping in gravel and turf. fumbled
with one another and his loose jaw
| dangled.
Homer, you said this afternoon that
| you had been out to do an crrand. Do
not leave the place again without letting
me know where you are going, and for
what"
Now" he began, wrctchcdly, "you
| wasn't at home, n, ! thought"
Il forbid you to think. will do the
! thinking for this family. You knew
| where to find me. II you had not. you
| ought to have waited until ! got back.
l mean what say!''
| lie shifted miserably from one foot to
the other. and, as she passed him, cleared
| his dry throat.
Now. 'sposc Mrs. Wayt was to send
me out in a hurry?"
Tell her that you have my orders
Now"
She looked over her shoulder at him.
impatient ana contemptuous. Ilc had
never seen her SO angry with him be-
fore. lie plucked at the battered brim
of an old military cap clutchcd in one
hand. lie had found ir in the garnet.
and believed that it became him rarely.
Il was bout to say as he'd los what
| he'd"
Il found it. Not another word. There
is no excuse for you!'
CHAPTER v
/ Mr.. Wayt awaited himself Of an early
! opportunity to make known lis inten-
| ton to take no vacation that
| year. He doubted the expcdi-
ency of midsummer absences on the
part of suburban pastors While many
residents of Fairhill went abroad and
to fashionable resorts in America in
july and August, respectable minority
was content to remain at home, and
some Of the vacated cottages and villas
were taken by city people. to whom the
breezy heights and shaded lawns were a
blessed relief from miles of scorching
stone and brick. lie ''forcsaw both for
eign and domestic missionary work in
his own parish, he said to his session
in explaining his plans for the summer
campaign.
The resolution was polite and
strengthened his hold upon his new
charge. Not to be outdone in generosi-
ty the people redoubled their affection
ate attentions to their spiritual leader.
Fruits, flowers and all manner of table
daintics poured into the parsonage: car
riages came daily to offer airings to
Mrs. Wayt and the children, and on the
Fourth Of July pretty phaeton and
gentle horse were sent as "a gift to the
mistress Of the manse,' from dozen
prominent parishioners.
Verify, my cup runneth over"
A real tear dropped upon Mr.. Wayt's
shirt front as he uttered it falteringly
on the afternoon of the holiday. Yet
he had been repeating the words at
seasonable intervals, and more or less
moistily, since the hour Of the prcscnta-
ton.
The Gilchrists were upon the eastern
veranda, the empowering vines Of
which were beginning to rustic in the
sea breeze. All had arisen at the pas
tors appearance, and March set y
chair for him.
Il have thought, sometimes, that !
had some command of language" he
continued, unctuously. To-day have
no words save those laid to my use by
the book Of books. My cup runneth
over 1t is not one of my foiblcs to
expatiate upon the better days that are
no more The trick is common and
cheap. But to you, my best friends, l
may venture to contide that my dear
wife and ! were brought up in what |
have since been disposed to characterize
as mistaken luxury Since the unset
fish saint joined her blameless lot with
mine she has never had carriage of her
own until to-day. | can receive fasors
done to myself with manly show OF
gratitude. Appreciation of my wife
makes baby OF me-"
TO De CONTINUED.