The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1896-04-09

The work for the coming Easter was
progressing bravely. Lesbia and
Josepha Egerton were deep in illumi-
mated letters, sheets of leaf-gold and
antique devices. White Gala buds
and Bermuds lilies were being coaxed
tenderly into bloom, wreaths of ever.
green were being woven by busy
hands, yet from all the Industrious
group Mr.. Highland missed the face
of Sylphide Egerton more keenly than
he himself would have been willing to
confess.
And when Miss Roberta Hail. an
elderly maiden whose matrimonial
hopes were not yet entirely bhghted,
groaned over Sylphide's iniquitios, the
young clergyman found himself taking
up the cudgels in her defense with
some emphasis.
"She is very young, Miss Roberta, "
'p0 sold "NO. yalrh,eiys her q me. "
And Miss Roberta, whose fault was
assuredly not that of extreme youth,
could only flush up and be silent.
~ hun iAuElNI I've NiNl WI. NIX IL
land, after experimenting the decora.
tion of the church with the freshest of
spring flowers and the brightest of
illuminated banners, came to look for
little Willie Egerton, who had prom.
ised to got him some rhododondron
leaves and wild laureis from the woods.
"He's out in the barn, / guess, like.
ly," said Jones, the hired man.
"Shall l look Tor him, parson?"
"No; do not disturb yourself" said
Mr.. Highland, al will go myself" "
He went into the barn, ascended the
narrow, wooden stairway and entered
the little barn chamber, whose doors
stood wide open.
a curious, quaint apartment il was,
its side hung with drawings, engrav-
ings cut from old magazines, ana odds
and ends of chintz-the sunset laying
bars of gold across its rude board
floor, while the field mice, now grown
to very respectable size, skurricd
under the table and eyed the intruder
with startled gaze.
On the table in the middle of the
room were scattered painting ma
terials, while a lovely, haIf-fnished
card displayed a device OF passion
flowers, wreathed around a circle of
thorns. Beside it lay brush and a
saucer of brilliant water colors, while
one OF Sylphide Egerton's gloves
mad fallen on tho floor close to the
chair.
"Mr. Highland, is this the work OF
n gentleman
While he was still standing gazing
at the half-unfnished work, slender
figure had glided in, and Sylphide
stood at his side.
Never had she looked so entranc.
ingly beautiful; never had her eyes
glittered with such sapphire light, or
her lips worn such rich scarlet.
"Sylphide," he said, 81 had no idea
that this studio was yours. came
here to look for Willie. It seems ]
have surprised your secret"
"Yes," Sylphide answered, passion
ately, "you have! 1 have toiled her,
daily in solitude; have painted NJ
Easter card for every child in the
parish; / have embroidered an altar
cover on white billiard cloth, all b,
myself. l have visited the sick, taugh
the little ones and tried to help thos
who were helpless. And yet-ant
yet"
Tears choled her voice; she GOV
cred her eyes with her hands.
Mr.. Highland took the little, trem
bling hands in his with tender IN,
reverent clasp.
"Sylphide-dearest Sylphidep h
cried-"try to forgive me, for neve
can forgive myself, for thus rashl.
and presumptuo"sly daring to judg
you"
Nothing more was spoken just then
but the golden silence was sweete
than balm. Eye appealed to eye, an,
tender tears washed out all traces o
offense.