The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-10-04
THE RECTOR'S RESOURCE
from Bolgravia.]

KNIFE, cut inc pohuciVNS patcS VI 'ho \u@i'
terly Review, threw himself back in his well
padded clair and gazed rehectiyely into the
fire. His glass Of LATTE was warming in O
distant corner Of the fender. an obese and
elderly Dandy UinmOnt snOred comfortably
before the same and an air OF repOso per
vaded the whole room. IL was evident from
tho peaceful nature OF Peppers sleep that M
anticipated no parochial stroll tins afternoon,
yet his reverend pastor and master seemed IN
No. way eager u plunge into tho learned IN
terror of the magazine. Now and again he
thoughtfully stroked his sparse gray hair,
over!apped his clesn-shaven upper lip with
tho neither one and tapped his brow pen
sively with his pince-nez. Finally he took
up the Outer sheet Of the Times, balanced his
giasses on the extreme tip OF his nose ana
solemnly read aloud the following announce
ment;
the parish church. Snaleham. the Rev.
Peter Popple, VI. A., Fellow. of ~. John 8
College. Cambs.. rector OF Dulbrough. to La
yinia. widow of the late MAJOR Mullyns,
One-hundred and-twenty-ninth regiment"
He glanced shudderingly around ms snug,
boOk-lned room. seized his glass Of LATTE
and then. ~murmuring. Poor devil, a~stound-
ing-as founding " gulpod down tho wine
and opened the Quarterly. .
The marriage 81 his old and learned friend
Topple had indeed surprised and even shocked
him. For the Rev. Cuthbort's views on the
subject of marriage were very decided. IL
was generally understood for he did not actu-
ally PROFOUND bis sentiments. that no con
sidered marriage all very well for curateS and
other invertebrates. hut that matrimony was
absolutely distasteful TO him was certain. as
his views Of cellOacy most unQCostiOnably
proceeded from no ~fanciful High Church
notions Muddleham Magma WAS Evangelical
from end to end. Popple was "A mnn he had
greatly esteemed; henceforth Mr.. Dangerheld
felt that be and Popple would have no sym
pathies in common, and the thought caused
him much distress.
The Quarterly Review failed 10 cheer him.
He found his thoughts wandering from Glad
stone TO Snaleham and Dulbrough. TO Popple
and his fail. He positively blusbed when he
discovered himself dwelling on the posslbili-
ties of Popple becoming a family nan. Bah.
tie thought was too horriable. He started up
suddenly. to Peppers unmitigated astonish-
ment and disgust, flung aside the magazine
and prepared 10 go cut.
As he stood brushing his hat preparatory to
starting this afternoon, he was undecided
whether 10 do his cottage or his villa round.
At first he thought he would swOop down
with some requisite PASTORAL reprlmands
upon his humber parlshioners, but for these
u be duly effective it was necessary to be
stern. This afternoon, with Popple's fail
ever present III his mind. he simply felt de-
pressed and sad. and under these circum-
stances he decided that Twiddy-his curate-
should attend 10 the cOttagers. The villa
TOQnu SlOulU ne III, tO-tuy. nero he WOulu
be petted and soothed with well-brewed tea
and comforting tea-cake, and 50 made to for
get his erring friend temporarily. There
were the j arbys, for example, at the Lnurels.
= His hOusekeeper. Mrs. Ohipp. had informed
him of the serious indispc sition of Miss
Louisa. and as she and her sister were staunch
and liberal supporters of the church and local
charities. il behooyed him TO pay a sympa-
tlietic call. Toward the Iaurels he accord
ingly went. Every shrub IN the spotlessly
kept garden of hat NAL residence till it
evenly trimmed. the gravel was rolled till was
positively shone again, and the doorstep was
OF immaculate whiteness.
Miss 1 arby. senior. solemnly arose to greet
the rector rs he was announced. She was an
angular female OF sallOw complexion, display
ing great symmetry OF bone. AS she moved
there was q fetter-like jingle of jet bracelets,
and her knuckles md old-fashioned rings
clicked and ratified like q mechanical toy as
she rubbed her osseous hands together. The
somewhat embarrassing skittishness that the
rector had sometimes nervOusly remarked in
the younger Miss Larby's demeanor was
wholly absent from her sister. He therefore
felt more at ease in her presence and moro
emboldened TO inquire solicitously and ten.
derly after the invalid.
At the mention of her sisters name Miss
Jarby allowed her eyelids to suddenly fall. as
IF "a string had been pulled somewhere a. the
back OF her head.
Her condition is most serious" she replied
tragically.
Dear me" said Mr.. Dangcrfeld, opening
his eyes very wide. Dear me. | hope you
are unnecessarily alarming yourself. Seen
Chilvers?" Chilyers was the Muddleham-
Mama doctor.
Mr.. Chilvers fears her recovery is impos.
sible. There il no disease. but she seems TO
be gradually plning and a severe attack Of
bronchitis has struck a final blow"
"COuld you not take her for a change of
scene, You have not been away from Mud
dleham since'-
1--WE went to Dulbrough the first week of
last September" Miss Margaret responded
with melancholy prociseness. The mention
of Dulbrough revived thoughts of Popple
and a perceptible shade passed over the nev-
erend Cuthbert's face, while an involuntary
sigh escaped him.
Yes, | remember, I remember. he said
sadly and Miss Margaret noticed with appa-
rent satisfaction that he suddenly became ab-
stracted. She ratified her fingers and rings
more loudly still and rang for tea.
She had great faith in the Iarby brew. with
its concomitant cream and well-butterod muf-
fins a. a social agent. and she had often no.
ticed It's magical effect upon the rector. It
proved less inspiring than usual. however.
this afternoon but it led tho conversation
back tn nuibrough.
you have doubtless hearn of Mr.. Pop
pies marriage" Hc gulped out the last
word.
Miss Margaret yisibly frightened.
Il was 80 glad"
Glad" ga,ped the rector. Glad? Why
were you glad, Miss Iarby."
Mr.. Popple IS an attractive man in the
prime of lie. his was a lonely existence. and.
with 80 charming a ~rectory. il seemed, it |
may SAY so. almost selfish of him 10 live ia
single state"
The hey. Cuthbert gazed at her neryously.
That Is what they think Of me. perhaps lie
thought 10 himself. and the reflection filed
him with terror. He was thankful to change
the subject and visit the invalid. Now, his
nervous condition was so slow, and the chair
beside the invalid's bed so costly cushioned.
that be sank into it and allowed himself 20 DO
talked TO by the aides. Beyond the fact that
her voice was weak, and that there was a
powerful odor OF eau-de-cologne in the apart
Inent, he really noticed no signs of serious
indisposltion about Miss Louisa. For this he
was grateful. He disliked sickness, he was
not fluent IN the consolatory and amateur
metical language current with sick persons
and their rciat YES. SO he ou,.tayeI his
usual time for such calls. aud with marked
geniality begged that Miss Louisa would not
hesitate TO send for him if he could 10 OF any |
service.
A day or two later. in passing the Laurels.
the Rev. Cuthbert called to INQUIRE again |
after the younger Miss Larby. and received |
sui moro unsatisfactory accounts of her
health. He was not. therefore. surprised |
when an urgent message was delivered to him
on the following morning begging his imine-