The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1894-02-22

tine DONS UlSDuIcutu Oh a. up
dtion, with instructions to be home in time
for three O clock dinner, as their coach leit
at four and Juliet, locked in her room
could read and Ie-read her mysterious com
munication in peace. This was its purport.
A feeling of morbid reserve had always
hitherto checked the expression ofthe writer
sentiments. Now, embold,ned by the priv
leg of the day, he ventured to do in earn
est what so many were doing in jest-to offer
the devotion of lifetime to one who he had
secretly adored from the happy moment he
first beheld her. Still he hated to d. clare
himself openly. He was sure that Juliet had
never suspected his attachment, and even
now he felt that he could not survive the
discovery that her affections were already
engaged; yet if she was still free and at
liberty to try his fate, would she grant him n
meeting that day at two o'clock in the
Church path?-a private walk from Mr..
Hayes ground to the churchynrd. The let
ter concluded, yours very devotedly' Sig
nature there was none
To he lovcd-admiredl What n glimpse
of marvellous happincssl No wonder Juliet
head swan with half painful excitement
ana she went about the house like one walk
ing in dream. AS to keeping the appoint
ment, that could not be thought OF; and yet
when two o'clock was very near, she hes =
tated. Did she really hold her destiny in
her hand to make or mar? Should she go?
Whom should che consult? Her fate, speak
H.. tln e bn hon ,,.afI
answered both her questions at once.
"Please, ma'am, Mr., Nasmythe's in the
drawing-room, and missis says please will
you see him; she's busy"
The Reverend Bertram Nasmythe was,
without exception, the most popular man in
the parish whore he had spent the greater
part of his forty years of existence. The
youngest son Of county magnate, he had
been destined for the family living from his
cradle, and had stepped into it at the earli-
est possible opportunity He was High
church and Tory, n scholar and gentleman,
hunted, shot and farmed, and did every thing
well; preached sermons that were none the
less admired that they were sometimes a lit
tie over the heads of his rural congregation,
was n confirmed old bachelor, and deservedly
the object Of Mrs. Hayes intense dislike as
the only one of her acquaintences who never
entered into her feelings. He was however,
an old and valued friend OF Mr.. Hayes, and
Juliet had singled him out, when she was a
very little girl, as the one person who always
took her part. She had had to thank him
many times since for kindly advice ard inter
ference but he was by far too awful a per
sonage in her eyes to be confded in on an
occasion like the present. Still the rector
had known her too well and too long not to
perceive that there was something amiss be-
yond the ordinary perpexties
HAS anything happened, my dear? Have
| come at an awkward moment?'' he asked
in his kind, slow, fatherly manner, with a
glance at the letter which Juliet still held in
her hand
She hesitated, looked up, looked down
then, by a sudden inspiration, placed her
valentine in the rector's hand and sat down
breathless at her own audacity. Mr.. Mas
myth carried it off to a distant window
and read it with comical look. Then turn
ing to address Juliet he caught a glimpse Of
her face, checked himself and read the letter
again-attentively this time, and with rather
stern expression on his handsome features
Then he spoke quietly and gravely
Have you any idea ms to whom thi,
comes from, Miss Haye2"
"Oh, dear, mol | couldn't guess"
Had you any idea OF acceding to you
anonymous lovers modest request for al
interview"
N-o-at least didn't know what to do.
"Then let me advise you. You don't wan
to mention this to your parents, | suppose?'
An emphatic shake of the head.
"Will you allow me, as your oldest friend
to keep this appointment for you, and Civ,
the gentleman what answer think fit? Ca,
you trust me?"
'Oh, thank you, thank you, sirl
The rect threw open the window, and OF
he strobe across the lawn. He stopped be
hind cump OF egergrecns and deliberatel,
red the letter the third time now with u darl
frown and an ominous grip of the ridin,
whip he carried
The idea of her b. ing taken in by thi
high flown rubbish Where have heard i
all before? couldn't have believed i'll Am
she thinks every word % it is truth Are a
girls in such hurry for "A lover, | wonder
Well don't wonder; she has no enviab'
lie between maIlam and her wi inns an
those young repi oba rs. She's thrown ava
on them, good, lovable, pretty girl tina
might make any mans home happy. VIII
can have dared to insult her SOP
Here Mr.. Nasmythes sentiments bcam
rather forciblc, and in mighty wrath II
STROBE on toward the Church Path. I'll
clock struck ] as he entered it. As thei
was no sign OF anyone approa, hing, i
walked to the farther end and turned.
rustic i'll the shrubs by the fence caught h
ear. plunge into a variegated laurel.
seuffie, and small boy was hauled out an
thrown like kitten across the hallway; al
other scuffle, and the redoudtabe Tom wa
ANONYMOUSLY dragged forth to the light
day; while pair of legs disappeared quick
through a gap in the ferce
so it's you, you scoundrel, who II 4,
dared TO play low practical Joke on Il
best, the kindest sister in the world" and II
iiding-whip descended with vigor "fhat
what you were buying the Complete Lett,
Writer for yesterdoy-eh2"
ut wasn't me, sir; it was Charleyl'' blu
bered the victim.
Then here's his share as well as your owl
Tor he couldn't have done it il YOU hadu
I l..