Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1891-10-21

this afternoon, but it led the conversation
back to Dulbrough.
"You have doubtless heard Of Mr.. Pop
ple's-marriage?" He gulped out the l,s
word.
Miss Margaret visibly frightened.
81 was 80 glad"
"Glad," gasped the rector. "Glad? Why
we're YOU glad. Miss Larby2"
"Mr. Popple is an attractive man in the
prime of life, his was lonely existence
and, with so charming rectory, it seemed
il may say so, almost selfish of him to live
in single state"
Tho Rev. Cuthbert gazed at her nervous
ly. "That is what they think of me, per-
hsps," he thought to himself. and the re-
Election filed him with terror. He was
thankful to change the subject and visit tne
invalid. Now, his nervous condition was
so slow, and the chair beside the invalid :
bed SO costly cushioned. that he sank into II
and allowed himself to be talked to by the
ladies. Beyond the fact that her voice was
weak, and that there was a powerful odor
of eau-de.cologne in the apartment, he real
ly noticed no signs of serious indisposition
about Miss Louisa. For this he was CRATE
full. He disliked sickness; he was not fluent
in the consolatory and amateur medica!
language current with sick persons and
their relatives. So he outstayed his ususi
time for such calls, and with marked genial
ity begged that Miss Louisa would not
hesitate to send for him if he could be 0l
any service.
A day or two later, in passing the Lau-
rels, the Rev. Cuthbert called to inquire
again after the younger Miss Larby, and
received still more unsatisfactory accounts
of her health. he was not, therefore, sur
prised when an urgent message was deliver
ed to him on the following morning begging
his immediate attendance on the invalid.
Meanwhile he had CLAIMED further partic-
ulars concerning Popple and his bride, the
widow of the late Major Mullyn, and more
than ever did he mourn for his fallen FREUD
and congratulate himself on his sombre and
immovable views upon celibacy.
Miss Larby greeted him tearfully. 'My
dear sister is much worse. feel that a
crisis is at hand. We shall not have her
long," she murmured, as she led the way
up stairs.
The rector muttered some conventional
incoherencies, and presently found himself
holding Miss Louisa's thin and resistless
hand 10 his. The conversation, principally
consolatory, was carried on between the
rector and the elder lady, but she present.
ly glided noiselessly out of the room, sand
the Rev. Cuthbert took the opportunity oi
asking the invalid if she had any wish to
communicate to him.
Suddenly Miss Louisa, to his unutterabie
dismay, buried her face in her hands and
burst into tears.
s'Calm yourself, pray, my dear lady," he
exclaimed. 81 beg you will not distress
yourself. Shall call your sister," he hastily
added, glanoing nervously at the door.
"No, no." she cried, II want to speak to
you alone. I want you to forgive me.
must confess my secret. I could not die
happy without telling you how foolish
have been. But 1t was not altogether my
fault" Here the rector discreetly gazsd
into the fire. II did struggle against my
feelings, but oh! do not be angry, will you9
but could not-l-I couldn't help loving
you-I"-
The rector leaped to his feet,
"Miss Larby," he stammered, "these are
but the fancies born of your weak state'-
ssNo, no." she answered. ''Indeed it is
too true. For months my secret has been
locked in my breast It has consumed my
strength, my life; and now, that am dy-
ing, felt you would take pity on me and
tell me that have not been very wicked to
bestow my heart unasked upon you. "We
needs must love the highest when we see
it," some one has said, and no one has ever
seemed SO good and great as you."
The rector WINGED at each tender word,
and beads of perspiration stood upon his
brow.
"You have done me great honor, butt
"You do not hate me, then?" she asked
wistfully.
'Of course not my dear lady, but 1 was
naturally unprepared. I fancy you are not
altogether certain as to your feelings, your
long illness''-
At this juncture Miss Larby returned
She had evidently heard the last sentence,
for with an agitated rattle she exclaimed.
'Then Louisa has told you ALL Oh! Mr..
Dangerfield, you will make the dear girl
happy" miss Louisa's forty-ninth birthday
had dawned long since), II know you will, :"
and she grasped both his hands firmly. He
turned hot and cold by turns, his tongue
became an absolute fixture, while the ter
rible avowal to which he had just listened
seemed to throb audibly in his brain. Only
one coherent thought occurred, and that
was that he must escape at once from the
miserable woman was in extremis he was
JUSTIFIED, he thought, in accomplishing his
escape at any cost. He heard q far off mur-
muir of voices, he was dimly conscious that
Miss Louisa kissed his hand. Then his
mind became blank. On his way out he
met Chilvers. mo hope, fear" whis-
dered the little doctor as they passed each
other,
"No hope" echoed the rector in sepul-
ohral tone. o
Then there was balm in Gilead after ALL
The following lay passed as series of
hideous dreams to the rector of Muddle-
ham Magma. He rose haggard and dspress-
ed after night of sleeplessness and despair.
Twiddy expressed concern as to his appear
ance, and Mrs. Chipp was evidently sus-
picious that there was something wrong.
He felt as if the horrible truth had already
leaked out. In bis imagination he heard
the gossips of Muddleham- Magma linking
his name with Louisa Larby's, and he posi-
lively hung his head as he passed along the
High street. Reluctantly he dragged his
weary feet to the Laurels. The blinds were
still undrawn. Half dazed, he entered, suf.
fered himself to be led into that awful room
again, and left feeling that he had sunk
even deeper into the terrible quicksands
closing around him. All day long he wan
dered in the country, and when night fell
he crept back to his rectory, faint and
weary, only to learn that Miss Louisa was
decidedly better.
Chilvers was awaiting his return, and
cheerfully con muuioated the news.
''She's mad; that woman's mad," ex-
claimed the rector desperately.
Chilvers laughed in an irritating, good
tempered, professional manner. "Mad, my
dear rector: not bit of it. Never met a
clearer headed woman in my life. Great
determination, too; but own she's puzzled
me little over this illness. Seems to have
been brought on by some worry
a'I tell you she's madV' again said the
rector. Bot Chilvers was not to be talked
down. That card had failed. Was there
no escape? She was better; she was sane;
she would expect him to marry her. He
remembered Popple, and in his agony he
groaned aloud. Then he decided on flight.
Just before that fatal visit to the Laurels
the Bishopric of Bamboozle had been Of
fered to him. He had, as a matter Of form,
begged time to consider the fiattering offer
Now he felt that Bambooz!e was bis only
refuge. He would at once write and ac-
cept. But stay! He would first make