The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-02-15
CHAPTER VII.
HELEN's LOVER.

As the Rev. Peter Prescott walked home
across the misty hills, after spending this
evening at Brackenford, he was thinking
gently of his sisters.
"Ah, poor souls" he thought. ut would
never do to bring a stranger beside them.
No, no, must be content to remain what l
have always been-a lonely man."
The Rev. Peter sighed audibly as be came
to the conclusion. Never before had he
been tempted to char &c his state, for during
his poverty no woman had looked at him,
and since he had been rector of Mortonbury
his sisters had hitherto safely guarded him
from all matrimonial entanglements.
But struggle against the feeling as best
he could, he now constantly found himself
thinking Of Caroline Sinclair. He had met
her first at Brackenford, and since then he
had not unfrequently encountered her in
walks. and somehow or other he could not
help thinking that Miss Sinclair liked him.
That any woman should do so seemed won
derful at first to Peters simple and modest
heart. But still the idea required to him.
and the idea had become very sweet to the
poor rector. No woman had ever f1attered
him before, nor ever sought his society.
Few families lived in the neighborhood of
Mortonbury, and the few who did had only
young unmarried girls TO find husbands for.
and young girls do not often think of men
Of the rector's age.
But suddenly across his somber and con-
tented ways OF life there had flashed a
CLEAN OF youth and brightness that threat
ened to become highly dangerous to the rec
tors peace. A woman graceful, calculating
and attractive, had looked at the rectorv
house. and then at the rector, and had de-
clded that she was well-ftted to hold the
position of the rector's wife She had over
shot her mark little, Gas we have seen. and
had not gagged the Misses Prescott Alright.
when she tried to fatter them. But her
words were balm and sweetness to the Rev.
Peters ears.
But, but, must not think of her, he
SAD to himself, softly, as he reached the
Tectory house and opened the door with his
latch-key.
A grim figure arrayed in violet flannel
dressing gown met him in the hall.
Is that you, Peterm said Miss Dorothy
freScotts voice, for only her little red nose
was TO be seen peeping out of the wraps
and hannels in which her head was en-
veloped. II thought you were never CON-
aASs
Why did you sit up, my dearw answered
the kindly Peter.
WAS 1T likely l should go to bed when
you were out" replied Dorothy, in an in
do Ip N'
I am sure you do not" said Peter, in all
good faith.
And l think ~ continued Miss Dorothy,
considering the people Lady Ennismore
contrlves to get about her, Peter, that
ford"
- Contrives to get about her I" repeated the
nev, Peter. why, my dear, there is no one
SIIaiSl4g there but two young soldiers and
Miss Helen Drummond.n
And that very forward person, the gov
erhess, said Miss Dorothy, waspishly, and
tne little red nose gave e vicious jerk out of
uer strange headgear.
.r Miss Sinclair9" said the rector, gently.
thy -
Flattery does not go down my throat as
"a. easAy as 1t does yours, then," retorted Doro-
ny Why, Peter, mole could see
through herl She's vile, hattering hussy,
VI Ihe look out for husband, if ever there
Nay, nay, Dorothy, nay, said the gentle
aecVor, do not speak thus of one of your
60, S"A--OA SoulloWOulaD. GoH6 Is poor,
suppose; but other ladies have been poor be-
torenow."
hank your said Dorothy, with another
r.c@9s jerk. II may have been poor, / am
poGr Tor the matter of that, but no man,
,!sllg or dead either, can say of me that
sn!ea TO hatter him into making a fool OF
t UNSET, and should think dozens could of
Us us Hiss Sinclair, though she hasn't sue
0egqed with any of them yetr'
me rector put up his brown and bony
nand deprecatingly.
}, Hush. Dorothy" be said, and then he
lag, lace his ssister goodnight and went alone
,ueo MS study, aud having lit his pipe and
mixed mixed his modest glass of grog, sat there
quietly thinking.
Gould Dorothy's rough, hard words have
any truth in theml Dorothy was a shrewd
yoinan, though not gentle, nor plriful, the
PIueceor knew. But could 1t be-could it bel
nao this fair woman sought his society. and
9eAned 70 take pleasure in his words, merely
homel
Ill 50, thought the rector, pursusing his
equations, II pity her; for Il she Is not