The record-union., 1895-03-02

my spiritual welfare-he as good as told
me so. What's the matter, Jack What's
that you're saying? He explained be-
cause-because | made a fool Of myself I
| let hlm know-it doesn't matter. Jack,
never you throw yourself at a mans
mead Oh, you can't; | forgot. Well,
then, never at girls head; for once lose
your self-respect, and it's all over with
you! pve lost mime"
she had spoken very quietly, but now
she touched the pony with her whip, and
we drove on faster
You haven't" l said. "And he is
making mistake"
"Why?" said Meg. 'She will be a
splendid minister's wife, Celia Doone
Will. She'll go in and out visiting al
ways as fresh as flower. She has been
as good as gold ever since I remember. I
always tumb bled down stairs and tore my
frocks. She never tore her frock but
once, and then it was at black berry pic
nlc, and pushed her in among the bram-
b!es-eyer so far-becauss she called me
Miss CroSspatch.'
Then Meg began to talk of other things
till we reached home. 1 saw the sofa
cover, which was nearly finished [
could not wholly admire IL, but | did my
| best, and Meg was satisfied. Her taste
IN colors was rich, if not barbaric: but it
seemed very probable to me that Mr.
Weston would like it, and | reiterated
this opinion.
The new curate had arrived, and though
Mr.. Weston was continually coming and
going between Marten and Nunthorpe.
we saw very little of him. The weeks
passed. Three days before the appointed
wedding day Meg took the sofa-coyer to
Celia. who received it graciously, and
told her that Mr.. Weston was at Marter.
but would be back that afternoon,
Celia displayed the sofa-cover to him
When ne came. She was not jealous of
Meg in the least, being girl without
many lntuItIons; and never having heard
OF the hymn tunes i'll the twilight. she
talked OF her not unkindly, but as it was
natural to talk of one for whom she had
KIND of liking, but who had often
shocked and scandaliZed her.
thlnk there is too much color" she
SAID, put 1t was very dear of her, and
now much time 1t must have takeni |
never thought she was SO fond of me-
Marcus; L really never did. The tears
quite came into her eyes once. If only
she wasn't so very odd at times. | have
really almost wondered ii there wasn't
something in the family. Not on nice
old Mr.. Thirlwal's side. of course. but
her mother was curious, eccentric
woman, from all L ever heard. We must
ask her over to Marten some day, Mark.
Poor child! l am sure | should be glad
to be kind to her, but you never know
what she will do next. She has always
been like that"
man OF Weston's type can stand a
good deal, but Celia's words Jared. He
had never loved Meg-at least he often
said to himself that he had never loved
her-yet there was a strong charm about
her that apparently Celia had not re-
marked. He felt stirred, almost indig-
nant, but he did not let his indignation
appear. Only he very soon took up his
| hat.
.sT ,pust ro op6 zoo o13 U;ol-o., L.. :,
he said. II fear he is dying"
But 1t is such long way" said Celia,
with mingled reprOach and admiration
She really loved Marcus; all that he
did was right in her eyes; and though
she wanted him to stay, she felt that his
| going to see Nlckers WAS lust like
him"-as. indeed, it was. The man had
a high idea Of his vocation. and dis
| charged his duties conscientiously, as a
rule.
| 1t was hardly part of his pastoral duty,
however. to come back by the shore,
which was half a mile further round
| But then the evening was lovely and so
was the shore, and Marcus thought very
! highly Of the sea, which had provided
! him with illustrations for some of his
/ best sermons. All the same, he had bet
! ter not have gone that way. He did not
expect 10 meet Meg-no. But when he
! saw spot OF blue color on the rocks at
]
! old blue dress that was not afraid of the
/ spray. de might have turned back then,
! but he did not turn back, but hurried on.
! a better man would have turned back
! so would worse man. There must have
| been good in him for him to act so like a
madman. L fancy he felt more like a
/ madman just then than one would have
conceived 1t possible for him to feel.
margaret" be called. for she was turn
! ing homeward. Miss ThirlwalI-Mar-
garet."
The first time his voice was lost in the
wind and sea; he had nearly reached her
| when she heard him. AS she turned her
face grew naughty. but the lovely car
mine flushed it all the same. Then, as
| she looked at his eager, harassed face she
reIented. Had be suffered, too, after all
| II he had she could forgive MIN every
! thing. Her saint looked much like a
! mortal man and spoke like one. To-
! night there were to be no platitudes.
| Il have not seen you for two months,"
! he SAID, half angrlly. why will you
avoid me? you knOw-you must know
how dear your friendship is to me-"
! Meg did not speak, but she looked up
quietly with her great eyes. He sank be-
/ tore them. There was pause.
No" she said at last. 81 did not know.
How should ? You'll think you are
| speaking to the wrong person."
You mean that you despise me-" said
! Marcus bitterly. God knows [ despise
myself, too"
He was turning away without another
word. but Meg could not let him go like
! that.
stop" she said. 81 can never despise
you. You know that. l shall always
think of you as l did. | can't alter so
| easily. But we can have no more to do
with each other-never, never. You will
| be happy soon; far happier than if-oh,
! gOOd-b bym
He had caught her hand and kissed it.
! but she tore 1t away.
NO" she said. "Oh, 1 would let you
! if it were only l. But you are a minister:
| it matters what you do. And she-OnIy
/ this morning she was kind TO me- Oh,
/ don't break her heart"
She turned and left him. He did not
| try to follow her, only stood looking
! dumbly after her sweet figure. 1t was
an hour later that met him. on the way
/ TO NunthOrpe, walking slowly, and like
a man who is tired out. l did not speak,
and though be looked at me it was with
I eyes that saw nothing.
/ Meg was out when [ reached the house
I had been into Nunthorpe on busi-
| ness-and l Went down to the shoue to
seek her. 1t was still early in the evening
"a lovely August evening-and l found
! her very soon. But | was frightened
when l saw her closely, though she did
not look sorrowtuI-ah, no. 1t was the
glow and the light on her face that
! frightened me, and her lips were curved
| with faint smile.
| Meg" said |, what is it now?n
She turned TO me. smiling still.
Nothing now," she answered dream
! lily. Only Pm happy. Jack. I'm very,
very happy. Why shouldn't be?''
! Because l drove on desperately
! there is only one thing could make Won