The Robesonian. [volume] (Lumberton, N.C.) 1870-current, 1897-10-13

stammered the curate, and ner
Tously tore the envelope which th,
lady gave him.
The check he drew out was fo
: fully a years stipend. He got up
walked to window, and looked a.
the slip of paper again. Ever
that bore the impress of sym
pathy, worth more than any
money.
] Pay'-not the Rev. G. Fer.
rers, the impecunious, cast-ofl
parson, but "Pay bearer :" signed
"Margaret-St. Quentin"
margaret ST. Quentin p
The only person through that
troubled month who felt for him
with him. How in his heart.
as he stood there with a mist be-
fore his eyes, he thanked and
| blessed this generous gentle
woman. But, alas, from her less
than from anyone could he take
such a dole. By SO doing he real
lied in one bitter moment he
would sink into depths-ah! lower
even than the parish testimonial
plunged him into. Quietly the
curate turned, moved back, and
laid the check upon a table bv his
hostess.
"Dear lady, I cannot have it.
Give me-" looking away over her
head, something smaller, some
thlng-you have used, perhaps;
that will be a pleasure to me to
the end of my days. That and
knowing you think-kindly of me.
Gave me-any trif1e you choose,
and [ will say goodbye"
You are not treating me very
well, MIR. Ferrers," said Mrs. St
Quentin, her face panied and
pleased at the same moment
" You grieve ME by refusing this
little acknowledgements
"Grieye you'll" he said, eagerly, |
Il wouldn't do it for the world |
Pray believe I shall for ever cher
lsh remembrance of kindness
greater than I have ever met.
kindness that I pray may be rel
warded by life as fortunate ind
the future ass-aeeking round the
lovely room-"as it has been in
the past"
She shook her head.
"By refusing my poor check.
you deprive me of what would
have been a very keen joy. "Then,
half a minute, she added,
slowly, "And of such I have not
lad too many in my life" An
other pause. "You may not have
it's all done with
low-l married, literally out of
he schoolroom, wealthy man
touble my age. It was a help, l
y
rust, to my family, but" sadly,
not to be called fortunate to my
elf. 1t is only lately l have felt
hat any good could come of it /;
ince [ have been able to try and
make my money useful. And now
'ou will not crafty me by letting
ne do that-for YOU"
Mr.. Ferrers looked wildly about
or his hat. Oh, that this far, rich
7oman would speak less kindly! a
queer throbbing was going on in 6
is chest, much worse than that !,
# quarter of a century back,
Then Arabella cut him adrift.
IL can't take it," he said,
is voice faltering; ''you are SO I
enerous. Do let me go!" 1t
He held her hand-surely it was I
S nervous as his wnI-then lift /
d it to his lips; and in that in I
tant of farewell most curious
hing occurred.
Another hand came gently on a
is shoulder, and a clear voice e
aid, softly II
"Mr. Ferrers, if you and 1 are
ot such very old people, think
re are too old to miss chance Of
appiness when it seems plain be- '
ore us. Do you know what l /
lean?'' If
''N-ol I-daren t-say!" he an t
wered, keeping her hand, and
azing at her as if not quite sure t
e was awake; "I-daren't pre- r
ume-to imagine"
"Well, please do" said Mrs. st. :
Quentin, with something between
gasp and laugh. I'm not
shamed-I'm very proud-to say
think we care for each other.
x II 4
So instead of going home and
up his few goods and (
hattels, the guest, who had como
l half-reluctant ,moed, stayed on
areugh all that 'February after
Don by the way,eit-Xas. st. VAL