Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1890-02-10
The House OntheMaTSh;;
THE MYSTERY OF THE ALDERS.
BIZ EIoRENcE WARDEN.

BIZ Y1.oRENcE WARDEN.
got to church in very good time,
and, being given a seat in the chancel.
could watch the country people as
they filed in; and just before service
began, Mr.. Laurence Reade, having
exchanged his light suit for church
going attire, strobe up the middle aisle
and banged the door of his pew upon
himself. And, remembering how cool
armchair appeared, thought it did
ond time.
The sky had grown very dark by the
time service was over, and the occa-
sional rolling of distant thunder threat
ened storm. 1t was nearly half an
hours walk to the Aldcrs; my way lay
where there was little or no shelter,
and my umbrella was a small one.
However, there was nothing to be done
but to start. 1 had left all chance of
shelter behind me, when the rain came
pouring down. l stopped, gathered up
my skirt round me, gave a glance
round to see that no one was ia sight.
and then ran for my life. Before had
gone many yards, l heard some one
running after me, and then Mr.. Reade 8
voice calling: Miss Christer' l ran
on without needing him, ashamed OF
my plight; but he would not take tho
rebuff, and in a few more steps he had
caught me up, and taking away my
small umbrella, was holding his large
one over me. He opened gate to the
right that led into field.
'.But this is the wrong way. l have
to turn to the left, know said
"There is q shed for carts here where
we shall get SHELTER" said he.
And in a few minutes we reached it,
and | found myself under a low roof.
watching the downpour outside. A
few days before l might have found
something to enjoy in this curious en-
counter with my friend of the dog-carti
but the rudeness and suspicion of his
sisters had made me shy ". '':'l -
l merely sat tArrc and ioDA >;rai |
in front of me, while H., infected Oy
my reserve, leaned against the side OF
the shed and looked at me.
Il wish it would leave off," I re
marked, stupidity, at length
.Are you in such hurry to get back
to the Alders? 1t is no dryer than i
is here
But at least one can. change ones
boots"
Have you got your feet wet? You
will be laid up with rheumatic fever, or
something of the kind" said he, anx.
iously.
ooh, no, no." said I. at isn't that
But Mr. Rayner will be anxious"
''Mr. Rayner; and Mrs. Rayner,
won't she be anxious, toop'
"Oh, Mrs. Rayner is never anything
At least-I mean," said l, "she is Sc
reserved that
THAT you like Mr.. Rayner bestp"
"Oh, yes!'
He drew himself up rather coldly.
$50 do most ladies, believe
Zone can't help liking person who
talks and laughs, and is bright and
kind, bctterthan one who never speaks
| and glidcs about like a ghost, anc
looks coldly at you if you speak t.
her"
"Perhaps she means to be kind
said he, gently.
"Then she ought to make her mean
ing palmer. She can't think it is kline
to fix her eyes upon me as if l were
something not human, if l laugh; t.
give me her hand so coldly and unre
| sponsively that it seems like a deat
hand in mine, and at other times t.
take no more notice of me than if
were not there. Besides. she knows
that it is the first time have ever lief
home, and she must see sometimes tina
l am not happy
Then | remembered that I had M
| right to make this confession TO com
parative stranger, and added, quickly
~ ought not to talk as if l were ill
treated. l am not at all. If she woul'
only not be quite so cold!'
Perhaps her own troubles are yer.
heavy and hard to bear"
"Oh, no, they are not!' I replied
confidently. "At least, she has kim
husband and pretty home, and every
thing she can wish for. And think
is very selfish of her to give herself VI
to brooding over the memory OF he
dead child, instead of trying to pleas
her living husband
"Her dead child!''
Eyes. She had boy who died som
wears ago, and she has never got owe
it. That is why she is so reserved
"Oh! How long ago did this DO
dieP" asked he. in curiously increc
ulous tone.
about five years ago, think Nj
Rayner said.'
''Oh, then it was Mr.. Rayner VIII
told you?"
"Yes.'
..And Mrs. Rayner has never got owe
it?'
mo. 1t seems difficult to believ'
doesn't it, that brilliant woman VIII
wrote books and was much admire
should fade like that into kind {
shadowp''
"Oh, she wrote books! Did she te
you SO herself?"
"No-Mr. Rayner."
"Oh! Did Mr.. Rayner tell you an
moreP"
The irony in his tone was now so III
mistakable that hesitated and locke
up at him inquiringly.
II am sure he must have told yo
that he is very ill-used man and
very long-suffering husband, and aske
J. u IL