The Dickinson press., 1893-05-27
CHAPTER I.

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CHAPTER I.
The sky was vault of flecklcss blue,
the sun II great cleaning sapphire, the
air bracing as pure wine. and the rare
autumnal day was drawing to Il close.
Hopcdale was a peaceful hamlet. but
beyond it's kind in certainty one pro-
sressivc point-it had Il young ladies'
seminary of unusual excellence. and Il
young man of more than usual acumtn
was enjoying the beautiful day and
akillE in the distant tllrrrtS and peaks
If the institute of learning in question
1t that eventful hour, for him, when
our story opens.
He had the look OF an artist, and the
equipment of an artist surrounded MIN.
He had chosen the slope of a wooded
grove for his camp-stool, and had set
his easel facing the village The fam
ing leaves of II broad-spreading trce
sheltered him Air, earth and sky We're
in harmony With the artistic impulse,
but just now he seemed in thoughtful
rather than an active mood.
His brush had fallen to his side, and
catches of color. 1t seemed as II he
had come out to paint nature and had
ueen shtmed from feeble effort by the
glorious brush of nature itself. The
sun, which dashed the white villas With
pale gold, made the sumacs IL great
ansanguined blur of crimson, and,
minsling with the vari-colored tree
tops, produced those exquisite shades
and alterations of color and beautiful
effects which no pen has ever yet de-
srribed, no brush ever yet delincated.
Il wish She would come" lie mur-
INJURED. II wonder if she will Gomez"
His words We're n sigh of longing and
anxiety. and lie continued to gaze ut the
distant turlets rs if 'shc" was fairy,
with power to fly straight through the
air To his side.
There was n rustling among the dry
twigs back of him. but he did not heed
It. Then there was Il Quiver Of branches
overhead. and down came hundred
tuttering leaves.
Caught i'll Il shower, Mr.. Dreamer!"
laughed Il bright. bell-like voice. "Is
this the way you work at the great
picture that is TO charm the world!"
Edna"
Over went stool and easel as the
young man sprang to his feet, us il
from an electric shock. Red as the red,
red leaves strcwn about him flushed
the handsome face, and brighter than
the crystal rays of sunshine glowed
Ills proud-looking eyes down into re-
sponsive ones brighter yet, while he
"lasped the hands, both hands, that
had shaken the bough overhead, send
ing earthward the fluttering messen-
gers of mischief.
Il so wanted to see you!" he breathed,
thrilling ut the trustful glance Of those
pure eyes.
And l so wanted to see you, but
RaynOnd.'
He was a privileged character, this
athletic, handsome-faced young fellow,
all soul, all art, all love, for they were
ntiianced, yet her tones were tender
reproacl, a mock serious mandate, as
his eager lips came a trifle dangerously
near sweeping her velvety cheek. She
had managed to shrink back and dis
engage her hand, and with the tip Of
one pearly pink finger she pointed back
the way she had come.
There was roguish twinkle in her
eye, as Raymond Marshall stole a quick
glance in the direction indicated. He
frowned and groaned, dolefully but
submissively.
His visitor had not come unattended.
Back in the grove, q girl Of her own
age was toying with the rattling tops
Of the blanchcd golden rod.
Was it necessary" he began, and
then lie uttered, quite testify: always
that girl!'
Raymond! how dare you?" came
the spirited Interpolation, and Miss
Edna Deane showed the fire of her
quick nature in a sudden, indignant
flash of those captivating eyes. "Bea.
trice Mercer is my friend"
II wish she wasn't. OF all your as.
sociates distrust her the most" ven.
tured Raymond Marshall.
You ought to be ashamed! com.
mented Miss Tyrant, severely, land
you ought to feel grateful to her, in
stead Of otherwise"
"Grateful?'
"Yes; that is if you really care about
seeing me. You know the rules of the
seminary. No young lady may leave
its sacred precincts unless accompanied
by one of the teachers. Poor Beatrice
has to teach for her tuition, and they
invest her with the dignity and judg
ment Of a duenna. So, when l toll
Miss Chandler, the principal, that l hat
the headache, that l thought 1 spiet
you SO lonesome and industrious owe
here, and felt that the encouragement
Of my criticism ON your beautiful pict
IRE might hurry up its completion, sh
reluctantly admitted that such pro
ceeding would be quite proper if Bea
trice accompanied me-"
! Raymond Marshall WINGED at tn
thrust ut his Incidence. He brightene
up, however, US he said:
Never mind All that will soon enc
and soon we shall have no friend, chaI
eron or duenna to mar the complete
D ness Of happiness. Eth, my little love?
Edna's head had dropped on he
breast, and she shook her head slowly
IF only-if only Miss Chandler woul
speak,
"Yes," interrupted Raymond, excited
ly: IF she would only speak. Just loo
at it, Here we are, two loving, hal
monious souls. l think the world c
you. and you take pity on me, and hop
to make me famous some day by ma
rying me and securing the right I
order me to work. My family are d,
lighted with you. Even prim Mis-
Chandled acknowledged it would b
cruel to nart u.s. but-that dreadf,
mystery! She cannot consent becaus
she is a relative. She cannot secure
relatives consent. because she doe
not know any such. Was there eve
such a stickler for propriety-was ther
ever such maddenins muddle?"
Ednas hand rested consolingly o
her lovers arm. as his face clouded.
"Oh! it is not quite desperate" sh
spoke cheerily. Let us go over th
real facts Of the case, Raymond, an
be patient. Here l am. 81 nobody,
girl from nowhere. seem to hav
been placed at the seminary here @