Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-09-27


way, serene as usual, preserving exactly
the same manner TO every one as If thu
voice of scandal had never mentioned he
name.
A little before o'clock one evening tht
Rev. Augustine Cope knocked at the dool
of the pretty cottage in which Miss Gray
ling lived. For some months-ever since
he had first seen her, in faet-the suscept
ible curate had been under the spell of tn,
young lady's sweet brown eyes. He haC
struggled with himself long and manfully
He was not in position to marry; anc
Miss Crawling was not suitable match
for him. He knew all that very we'll. He
did not like to think of what his aunts
Miss Cope and Miss Georgina Cope, would
say on being presented with a village
schoolmistress for niece. But then, he
had not looked on the face of any other
woman who could be called a lady-save
Miss Jordan's-for nearly eight months
He was in love; he could not help it; and
now this unpleasant matter added at once
to his love and to his 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 well supplied, for an
other of the same type.
"Miss Grayling." began the curate, as
he seated himself in the little parlor, ''this
cannot be true"
''What is not true, Mr.. Cope?"
"These shameful accusations, these as
PERSONS"
"Cf course not, and l did not think that
you, Mr.. Cope, would pay any attention to
them" said the school-mistress, with quiet
dignity.
"Oh, no not for worlds p exclaimed the
curate; 81 believe in you as | would a
saint Dear Miss Grayling-Laura-I
may call you Laura ?-I find it difficult to
say how | feel for you-and how much |
long to shield you from the ealumnies 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 be-
tween his own.
II offer you my heart and all l have"
he continued, his eyes searching her down
cast face. "Aias that is so little! / know
well we cannot marry on my present sti-
pend, but l have youth and strength on
my side. Sooner or later l must get a
living, and then-and then. Oh, Laura !!
say that you love meW
"Mr Cope, feel honored and fattered
more than | 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.. Copper she exclaimed, withdraw
L.
more than generous, but l cannot trust
myself to give you an answer now. / must
not be rash, or unjust to you. Leave me
now-leave me, | beg you. / will write 10
you tomorrow"
Somewhat surprised at this sudden dis
missal, the agitated curate took his hat
and stick and departed.
Next day he received daintily-scented
note from Miss Crawling, in which she
said that, much as she honored him and
highly as she valued his friendship, she
could see that it was not for his interest to
marry dowerless girl, and she therefore
declined his proposal. Her decision, she
added, was quite "irevocable." There was
but one "r" in ''irrevocable," and some
how this circumstance did something to-
ward mitigating the grief with which Mr..
Cope received his letter of dismissal.
The testing examination, which was to
confirm or overthrow Miss Cravings rep
utation, was fixed for Friday afternoon.
The School Board meeting happened to
fall on the following day, Saturday.
At 8 o'clock on Friday Mr.. Wensby ar
rived, and Mr.. Dowthwaite and Miss Jor-
dan went with him to the school-house.
The children were all there, with clean
pinafores and shining faces, but Miss Gray
ling was absent. Miss Jordan's face wore
informed the rector that Miss Crawling
had not been at home for three days.
Miss Jordan soon set the children to
work and in five minutes the Inspector
was convinced by the clearest evidence
that not one of the school girls could make
even decent buttonhole, much less one
like those contained in the specimens.
"You had better get rid Of your superior
young person as soon as you can" he said
to Mr.. Dowthwaite as they went back to
the rectory.
Next morning, however, when the
School Board met they found letter
awaiting them from Miss Grayling in
which she said that in consequence of the
undeserved aspersions which had been
thrown upon her management of the
school she felt that the course most con-
sistent with her dignity was to resign the
post which she had had the honor of
holding.
The rector was indignant, and moved
that Miss Cravings resignation be not
accepted, but that in consequence of the
revelations that had been made she be
summarily dismissed. Mr.. Sowerbutts
was not present, but the other members of
the Board, who had but a very limited
idea of the Nervousness of Miss Cravings
offense, murmured at the severity of the
sentence, and at last the rector was per-
suaded to let the resignation be accepted.
The following day was Sunday 1t was
the curate's turn to preach, the rector's to
read prayers. The choir and school chill
dren were in their places, and Miss Jor-
dan scanned the congregation with an
approving glance from the rectory pew.
HDearly beloved brethren, the Scripture
moveth u.s. began the rector.
At that moment an unwonted rustic was
heard at the door, subdued murmur ran
through the assembled worshipers, and
the rector, lifting his eyes, beheld the ex-
sehoolmistress moving up the aisle on the
arm of Mr. Sowerbutts There could be
no doubt of what had happened. The
curate received shock such as he had
never before experienced. Miss Jordan
forgot herself in her amazement, and stared
at the bride as if she had been ghost
Mr.. Sowerbutts tramped stolidly on till he
reached his own pew, and then, having
duly installed his wife therein, began 70
say the responses in louder tone than
usual.
The bride, in dainty Partisan bonnet
looked very pretty. Her triumph was
complete. Miss Sowerbutts retired to a
cottage which she owned in the outskirts
of Groby, and the schoolmistress reigned
over the Mount Farm and its owner with
gentle but firm sway.
When Mr.. Wensby came to Little Pud-
r Il