The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1894-02-24

half crown. Now do go away, like good
boysl' said the iudicious mother.
Right aud clear was the day ofthe best
bonored saint in the calendar
"The boys last day at home,' thought
Juliet with sigh OF relief as she descended
to make the breakfast Other interest in
the day she had none, being perhaps the
sole young lady in England who never got a
valentine. Lovers and love affairs were
matters as much beyond her ken as the topo:
graphy OF Central Airica-''I never hal any
time for them" she said once to an inqnisi-
tive friend. Consequently it was very de-
liberate glance she gave, whan she had made
the coffee, at the little pile OF letters beside
her plate. One from Aunt Maria, one from
Harry at college; but the third-what was it?
square, thick, satiny envelope, with di-
riction in a bold masculine hand, and a seal
with armorial bearings. 1t vast must be
"a valentinel Juliet tore it open with a
look of astonishment 1t was valentine
more il was a regular love letter-more still.
it was a proposal OF marriagel And thi
very morning, OF all days in the year, those
Objectionable brothers Of hers took it into
their heads to appear in time for breakfast
trooping all at once into the room, clamor-
ing for their valentines, plauging Juliet with
inquiries az to where hers were, and making
themselves generally Objectionable
Breakfast was over at last, dinner ordered.
the boys dispatched on a marauding expe-
dition, with instructions to be home in time
for three o'clock dinner, as their coach left
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 of the writer's
sentiments. Now, emboldened by the priv
ileg. of the day, he ventured to do in earn
est what so many were doing in jest-to offer
the devotion of a lifetime to one who he had
secretly adored from the happy moment he
first beheld her Still he hated to declare
himself optnly. He was sure that Juliet had
never suspected his attachment, and even
now he felt THAI he could not survive the
discovery that her affections were already
engaged; yet if she was still free and at
liberty to try state would she grant him
meeting that day at two O'Clock in the
Church path?-a private walk from Mr.
Hayes ground to the churchyard. The let
terconcuded. Yours very devotedly." SIG
nature there was none.
70 be loved-admmedi What a glimpse
OF marvellous happiness! No wonder Juliet's
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 makeor mar? Should she go?
Whom should sheconsult? Herifate, speak
ing by the voice OF the under housemaid.
answered both her questions at,once.
please, ma am, Mr., Nasmythes in the
drawing-room, and missis says please will
You see him: she's busy"
The Reverend Bertram Nnsmythe was.
without exception, the most popular man in
the parish where he had spent the greater
part OF his forty years of existence. The
son of county magnate he had
been destined for the family living from his
cradle, and had stepped into it at the ear
est possible opportunity. He was High
church and Tory, asoholar and gentleman.
hunted, shot and Harmed and did everything
we Il; preached sermons that were none the
less admired that they were,sometimes a lit |
tie over the heads of his rural congregation.
was contirmedo old bachelor and deeeryedly |
the object OF Mrs. Hayes intense dislike as |
the only one of her acquaintences who never |
entered into her feelings He was, however |
nm old and valued friend of Mr. Hayes. and |
Juliet had singled hin 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 sincefor kindly advice and inter
ference: but he was by fan too awful a DER
'onaSe in her eyes to be confded in ON an
occasion like the present Still the rector
lad known her too we'll and too long not to
perceive that there was something amiss be-
ond the ordinary perpexities
has anything happened, my dear? Have
come at an awkward moment?" he asked
n his kind, slow, fatherly manner, with "a
glance at the letter which Juliet still held in
Ter hand
She hesitated, looked up, looked down.
hen, by sudden inspiration placed her
'alentine i'm the rector's hand and sat down.
'reathless at her own audacity Mr. Mas
myth carried it of to a distant window.
md read it with a comieal look Then turn
ng to address Juliet he caught glimpse OF
Ter face, checked himself aud read the letter
gain-attentively this time, and with rather
stern expression on his handsome features.
hen he spoke quietly and gravey.
Have you any idea as to whom this