The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1894-09-13

looking somewhat dlSheveled, ap-
peared.
''Sure, sir, they're gone-went on
the morning train" she said, in answer
to my inquiries.
Gone! was aghast. tried to look
unconcerned as I asked when they
would be back.
They're not coming back, sir. I'm
left to pack up the things; they've
given up the cottage"
] was stunned, but took a card and
pencil from my pocket in business
like way.
II have some books belonging to
your mistress which l would like to
return"
81 was to give no one the address,"
snapped the girl, as though her patti
ence was exhausted.
For q moment I regretted my cloth.
Had been as other men would have
put my hand in my pocket and ten
dollar bill would have unsealed that
woman's lips; but l could not so dis
grace myself as clergyman.
left the cottage. No one seemed
to know anything of Miss Atherton.
She had come to "Toama" invited by
the rich man who owned the noun
tain. l went to him, and although he
politely offered to return her the
books, he seemed unwilling to give me
any information. He was hale,
bluff, old gentleman, and as I am
naturally reserved, I could scarcely
take him into my confidence and tell
him that my interest in Miss Ather-
ton was more than that Of mere ac-
quaintance. noticed, too, that his
eyes twinkled with suppressed merri-
ment in way far from healing to my
feelings, and I left "Taoma" at the
end of my vacation, wounded, sore,
and bafaed.
returned to my parish, and as time
wore on and my parishioners returned
from their summer homes hoped that
Florence's image would fade away.
That. however, was not the case; her
face haunted me, the remembrance Of
her companionship was always coming
into my mind. do not know what l
should have done at this time without
Miss Wagner. How she guessed my
secret cannot say; but although she
never obtruded her sympathy, she
seemed always full of interest and
hope for me. She seemed to share my
great enthusiasm for Florence, and to
admire her in the frankest, friendliest
way, without any jealousy, and l spent
many hours talking to her of my lost
darling. In fact, it was somewhat ow-
ing to her that l again saw Miss Ath-
erton.
Miss Wagner, one December even
ing, had some cards to the Nineteenth
Century club, in the city, and asked
me to accompany herself and her
father to hear the debate, which prom
ised to be an interesting one. We
could catch late train out to East
Lemon; and lwas glad for any excuse
that took me into a large, miscella-
neous body of people, as the chances
were that / should some time find
Florence among them.
We were seated and looked around
as usual, disappointed, when Miss
Wagner said; "Lookp
There, right in the seat in front OF
me, sat my missing lady-love. She
was alone with very handsome, cor
rectly dressed man. sat there trans
fxed. They seemed on excellent
terms, and once heard her whisper
George, where is my fan?"
do not know what the speaker said
Twas deaf and dumb. AS soon as the
debate was finished, some friends
ton. l waited for an opportunity to
introduce myself.
"Why, dear Mrs Moulton!" l heard
them say, 80 glad to see you back
We've just bought your new book, but
haven't had time to read it yet. You,
husband has told MS of your summer
What fun you must have had"
"Yes, haven't had such chance tc
study people since before l was mar
ried," Florence-Miss Atherton-Mrs
-, don't know what to call her-re
piled, in her bell-like voice. You see
when l go around with George anC
the babies, word always seems to pre-
cede me that am the author of 'Argen
tine and everyone is SO kind and fiat
tering that never have chance t.
study anyone. ! began to despair o
ever doing SO good again, SO just fec
and left George to care for the babies
had a splendid time! It's all in the
book"
Miss Wagner and l looked at eacl
other; we had heard every void. w,
left.
My wife is such sensible woman
and so very handsome, too, in her ma
tronly dignity, that often wonder a
that summers alteration, and that
could have been SO blind to her charm
as well as merits. 1t is not the leas
of these that she always reads to m,
Mrs. Notions new books, and that sh
has never once thrown at me the fac
that l, a self-respecting clergyman
was once madly in love with mar
ried woman. = Polly King, in Dem
orest's Monthly.
The Heir to China's Throne.
The birth of an heir to the Chimes
throne at this time is an event of NOR