The record-union., 1894-11-17

kindest, dearest teacher In ali the world !!
So Fashion thinks. We had lovely
visit with him few days ago, III his
camp. didn't we, Fashion"
Bess and Melinda again laughed mer-
rily at their sisters discontinue.
In his canp?" l abiectly asked.
Yes, of course; chimed in Bess.
over by the entrance to Horsey Mere
channel. He's got worlds OF reptiles and
insects in his collection this vacation.
Melinda and l don't like them bit.
Ugh! but Fashion doesn'
l could not precisely analyze my feel
lngS at this point, but | remained silent
for l saw that Fashion was being piqued
into retort. Perhaps there was still
another naturalist on his vacation in the
Breads.
well, sisters" she began with little
CLEAN OF triumph in her flashing eyes
which were turned upon Melinda, II
think | remember something about Il cer-
tain artist wishing to paint Komany
house boat"
That's sop responded Bess in the
greatest glee, while Melinda's face was
now blushingly bent closely over her
swiftly flying willow withes. Fashion
and | are TO be at work upon the baskets.
Grandfather is to TO be playing OH his
violin to the dancing children. Father
will be sorting willows and smoking his
pipe. He is going TO put mother at the
kettle-stick beside the fire; and Melinda
think of tits TO be leaning out Of our
boat to a summering artist in his boat
exchanging little creel for big coin!"
"A Heart With a COin,' he will per-
haps call it," added Fashion teazingly.
Won't he paint Melinda beautifully,
though, Mr.. Meacham?" Bess roguishly
appealed to me.
"Oh, of course, of course" 1 returned
with brave pretense OF enthusiasm.
II tell him." she added miSchievously
she just wants us three girls for models"
And what does he say TO that?' Bess.
''Oh, but it makes MIN almost wild.
He's fiery anyhow. Why. he pretends
not to know dear old Professor, and he
lived alongside him for years.
"But doesn't the Professor pretend not
to know him P' at last asked Melinda,
with little show OF spirit.
''Of course. They're neighbors. The
funniest part of it is another pair that acts
just like them moved into one of papa's
houses few months ago. | told Payle
Gray yesterday"
Yesterday 1 blurted in astonish-
ment.
Certainly; yesterday. We all saw
him yesterday at work finishing his
pretty picture Of Still Life in the Fens.'
ODD they should both be here at the same
time. Isn't it now?''
Here the little rogue tainted Fashion
and Melinda with another cunning look
of accusation.
MIR. Gray probably came because the
Professor calne," said Fashion with
slight elevation of her eyebrows.
Or perhaps the Professor found the
Breads by learning where Mr.. Gray
passed his vacation," retorted Melinda
with a pretty pout.
''(lr thnV ware both ~,
their mutual affection and geniality," in
sisted little Bess, at which they all
laughed so'hearlly that | found myself
laughing with them, despite my bitter re-
Election upon how the most lofty human
disinterestedness could be instantly
transformed into an almost groveling
self-interest and rivalry.
l could think OF no TWO more uunleas-
ant people in all the world than this sim
pering Professor and this oily-tongued
artist.
But the awakening from my idyllic
dreams and fancies was tated to be ruder
still.
The very next morning Fashion was
found TO have disappeared.
l had dreamed or really heard during
the previous night the soft humping of n
wherry against our boathouse, a low
whispering as of some light form spring
ing into the wherry, and tinallythe gem
tie dip OF oars pulsing fainter and farther
into the silences OF the night.
But could secure no responsive look
or word OF concern from the family at
breakfast. Melinda and Bess with con-
sclous and averted looks gave me no sign.
The chauvies ate ravenously as usual
The mothers thin lips may have been a
little tighter drawn; but this was all. The
father, calm and stOlId, ate conteutedlv
and i'll silence. Only old grandfather
Wharton, tidgeting and tuning on his
bench, dare at last lind relief TO his sturd V
Romany contempt for the perils OF en-
lightenment i'll the brief outburst:
''H'it's wat cooms from book -larnin,.
Cuss hit ALL Hi say ~
Then Uriah Wharton brought bis huge
fist down crashingly upon the table with:
Then, book-larnin's good enough for
me AM my gals, gran'fayther Wharton.
Wen emmy female creetur gifts ready = 90.
she goes! That's my knowledge. An
wen airy daughter o. mine gifts ready t,
go, go she may, be it night or day; fur
she's gypsy enough, Teddy enough an,
wen she's ready,s Were Ter tent be
pitched, an 'eresumdever she bides ~
Here Melinda and Bess sprane to the
shaggy. big-hearted father; nearly suffo-
Gated him with loving caresses. and left
him for their tasks with glowing. CRATE
full eyes; while L knew only too well that
this was irrevocable law and finality
upon the subject, in the gypsy house boat
on reed-fringed Kicking Broad.
Two days only had interviewed when
Melinda. after rowing away with a parcel
OF baskets and a little brother as corn
panion, had sent boat, baskets and
brother only, back to the house-boat
among the reeds.
| knew that not even old grand father
Wharton dare whimper now. But the
stolidity of the gypsies, and to me the
mystery and heartache OF this swift-fad-
ing out from my life of these radiant
presences, were more than l could bear.
| saw, too, now that Melinda had gone.
there were evident preparations for abau-
doning the house boat. determined to
return at once 10 London. | could not
break away from the good and sweet
home l had known without the fondest
and most atfectionate leaye-takings.
Even then, it was as though l were part
ing forever from my own.
Little Bess-bless her for her tender
thougfulness would walk with me to
Hickling railway station. How proud I
was of her as she appeared, ready for that
parting journey! How fondly fancied
her some great, grand lady, only for her
sweeter, more innocent ways, all that
lovely, lettering afternoon Journey And
when we had come to the edge of the viii
lage and l had taken her two pretty
hands in mine to say good-by, what a
tender, pitiful tremulousness crept into
her lovely face and eyes!
But the parting words had been said.
and she was turning to go; turning to go,
the thought then overwhelmed me, and
leaving me, Inc who had been so deepIy
solicitous for the future of three gypsy
maidens, drifting back into that darkness
of outlook which knows no light noi
horizon.
"Bess !-Bess?" 1 faltered.
Back came the little hands into mine
the uplitted eyes pleadingly filled with