Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-08-30

stI assure you have received very neat
specimens of button-holing, said the in
spector. "The department cannot fail to be
pleased with them. I can show you them
after dinner, If you like.
"I should very much like to see them,"
said Miss Jordan dryly.
Alter dinner, accordingly, the specimens
were produced. and very neatly executed
they were.
81 don't believe our girls ever did that
work." said Miss Jordan solemnly, as she
bent over the button-holes.
"But l saw themr' calculated Mr..
Wensbv.
'iSaw the stuff in their hands, dare say, T"
returned the lady. "What do gentlemen
know about things of that sort?" she added
contcmptuously.
81 have always to report as to the quality of
the needlework," /" said the inspector stif1y,
and with slight blush. "But if you assure
me, from your own knowledge of the chill
dren, that they could not have done this
work themselves, it will be my duty to insti-
tute further inquiry"
81 am certain OF it." said Miss Jordan.
That evening Mr.. Wensby compared notes
with his host; and the rector confessed that
he was urprised-secretly, he was startled
to find what large number of ATTEND
irregular Of the village children.
"We have board meeting tomorrow,
said Mr.. Dowthwaite
"Then ask Miss Grsyling to attend il, I"
said Mr.. Wensby, "and ask her whether
the children actually did the needlework
themselves. 1t she says they did, 1 will
fix day. can come over in about three
weeks-to see them do some more specimens;
and Miss Jordan can be present If there is
a marked discrepancy between the two sets
of work-why, OF course, must report ac-
cordlngly; and you can consider the matter
till the next board meeting,''
All this made the rector feel very uncom-
Portable. But there was no help for it; and
next day he sent verbal message to the
schoolmistress, requesting her to step over
to the rectory, where the school board was
then sitting.
miss Grayling," said the rector, not
without embarrassment, 81 believe that
her Msjesty's Inspector will be able to re-
port very iavorably of the condition of the
school," Miss Grsyling bowed politely.
''There is one point, however, on which I
shall like to ask you one or two questions.
These pieces of sewing, now and he pro-
duced them from drawer as he spoke
seem to me very neat, very creditable; but
names are attached to them did them them
selves. unaided?"
"Quite sure" said Miss Grayling tran
GULLY.
And the attendances-they seem much
larger than they used to be. Are you sure
you have kept the register accurately"
Perfectly sure" said Miss Grayling,
looking the clergyman full in the face.
One or two members of the board
moved uneasily in their seats, and Mr..
Sowerbutts seemed to be on the point of pro-
testing audibly against these aspersions on
Miss Grayliug's good faith. The rector felt
very uncomfortable.
VERY good. Miss Grayling," he said; "I
am glad TO hear you say SO. And l think
we needn't detain you any longer"
The schoolmistress slowly rose, bowed in
her dignified manner and withdrew.
Before long it got abroad in Little Pud-
dington that Miss Grayling was in disgrace,
or at least in condition of suspended favor
Various reasons we're given for this, the
most popular theory being that the new mis-
tress had been caught stealing the school
pence. The matter was discussed in the ale
houses, at the doors of the cottages, in the
church yard after service. Through it all
Miss Grayling went on her way, serene as
usual, preserving exactly the same manner
to every one as if the voice of scandal had
never mentioned her name.
A little before o'clock one evening the
Rev. Augustine Cope knocked at the door
of the pretty cottage in which Miss Gray
ling lived. For some months-ever since
he had first seen her, in fact-the suscepti-
BILE curate had been under the spell of the
young lady's sweet brown eyes. He had
struggled with himself long and manfully.
He was not in position to marry; and Miss
Grayling was not suitable match for him.
He knew ali that very well. He did not
like to think of what his aunts, Miss Cope
and Miss Georgisna Cope, would say on
being presented with q village school
mistress for q niece But then, he had not
looked on the face of any other woman who
could be called lady-save Miss Jordan's
for nearly eight months. He was in love;
be could not help it; and now this unpleas-
ant matter added at once to his love and to
bis embarrassment. Even now he did not
know his own mind. His ostensible object
was to exchange one of the harmless novels,
with which he now kept Miss Crawling we'll
supplied, for another of the same type.
"Miss Crawling" began the curate, as he
seated himself in the little parlor, "this can
not be true"
w nat is not true, Mr.. Cope!
"These shameful accusations, these asper-
"Ofcourse not; and did not think that
you, Mr.. Cope, would pay any attention to
them, said the schoolmistress, with quiet
dignity.
''Oh, mol not for worldsP' exclaimed the
curate; believe in you as / would in
saint Dear Miss Grayling-Laura-Il
may call you Laura?-I find it difficult to
say how feel for you-and how much 1
long to shield you from the calumnes and
troubles of the world in the shelter of an
honest mans love-"
As he spoke the curate took Miss Gray
ling's white and well formed fingers between |
his own.
81 offer you my heart and all have" he |
continued, his eyes searching her down-cast |
face. "Alas, that is SO ittie know we'll |
we cannot marry on my present stipend; but |
1 have youth and strength on my side. |
Sooner or later I must get living; and
Laural say that you love |
meP'
''Mr Cope, 1 feel honored and fattered |
more than L can say; and my heart tells me
it is not Indifferent to you; but
She paused, and the tones of the church |
clock striking fell on her ear.
'Mr. Cope!" she exclaimed, withdrawing |
her fingers as she spoke, you are more than |
generous; but cannot trust myself to give |
you an answer now. must not be rash, or |
unjust to you. Leave me now-leave me,
1 beg you. will write to you tomorrow"
Somewhat surprised at this sudden dis |
missal, the sgitated curste took his hat ana
stick and departed.
Next day he received daintily scented |
note from Miss Grayling. in which she said |
that, much as she houored him and highly
as she valued his friendship, she could see
that it was not for his interest to marry a 1
dowerless girl, and she. therefore. declined |
his proposal Her decision, she added, was
quite ''irevocable." There was but one ''r''