The Monitor-register., 1897-03-19

this word-"for Wednesday week, and as
L intend to have several papers put up in
different parts of my grounds you may
amuse yourself by reading them. Good
morning sir-we meet at dinner but you
will please to remember there need be no
further discussion of this subject" f.Ft
Mr.. Compton then TOOK up the, paper
and was soon engrossed with the subject
he bad been disturbed from, though Cliff
ford heard, or thought he heard, the
words Poor boy poor boy r' as he left
the room.
Several times during the day he went
out to see if any papers were visible, but
carefully avoided the archery ground,
knowing from the noises which proceeded
from the spot that many were there prac-
ticing. When he returned from his room
to dress for dinner he found the following
paper in his unole's handwriting
GREAT FORMATION.
Great Toxophilite Entertainment.-On
Wednesday, May "a, a grand meeting will
take place among the ladies of Great
formation. TIE winner to receive the
prize of "A Pearly She'll" and also a hus-
band, if she wishes it. N. B.-The estate
of Great formation to be presented on the
same occasion.
(Signed) jeremiah Compton,"
We leave Clifford Bradley to ponder
over the extraordinary paper, while we
look at the effect it produced in the vii
lage aud pot alone iu the village in
which the Hall was situated, for the sir
gularity OF the announcement had caused
the publication from village to village,
and parties were formed to attend in all
directions, for every one was to be made
welcome, though only the residents were
to be performers. But no words can ex.
press the excitement of the twelve girls
whose names were entered as competitors.
Nothing else was talked of. From morn
till dusk practiciDg was going on, and
whenever Flora Carter was of the party
she was the victor. Two days before the
all important one, four of the members
begged to have their names taken off the
list, saying the very thought of it made
them nervous ; they were sure they could
not stand the ~reality-theIe therefore
remained but eight. Minnie and Clifford
had met but once since the meeting re
corded in the early part of the tale, and
then Minnie wished to withdraw from the
trial but Clifford begged her SO earnest.
ly not to throw away his only hope, that
she consented to let her name remain.
At length the day arrived. Marques
were erected in different parts of the
beautiful grounds with refreshments. and
the evening was to close with a dance at
the hall. At an early hour guests of all
descriptions were vending their way to
the joyous scene, and the fields and roads
were crowded with pedestrians and vehi-
Giles of all sorts, from the handsome euui.
page CT the %neighboring squire to the
humble tax cart of the adjoining village.
Twelve O'Clock was the time appointed
for the grand event, and as the hour an.
proacte1 the crowd drew near the archery
ground, commenting on the unusual pro-
ceeding.
The Glocx struck twelve and the bells
commenced a merry peal but they were
stopped by order of Mr.. Compton, till. as
he said, "tt ey had something to ring for"
And now appeared the eight fair girls,
dressed alike in white, with green searfs
thrown over the shoulder and fastened at
the waist with a small silver arrow
present from the doctor, a kfsdsand jocose
old man, who said he was determined all
should get something. They had straw
hats with a dropping green feather /; and
truly, if formation bad nothing else to
boast of, it might surely be proud of these
eight fair maidens. All countenances
expressed more OF less excitement, but
who could tell the feeling of their hearts?
Flora and Minnie were the most calm,
the former, 1t may be, from a well assured
hope of success, and the latter from the
peaceful trust she so happily evinced on
every occasion. Lots were drawn for the
order of precedence and the game began.
Flora, Minnie, Clara and Annie Simp-
son were 20 nearly alike that they had to
go through the ordeal aglin, when Annie
was cast out. One more trial and Clara
was rejected, leaving now only Flora and
Minnie for the decisive shot.
Minnie had hitherto kept quite calm,
but now she was so overcome that the
idea of giving up to Flora crossed her
mind but she thought of Clifford and
determined TO remain in to the last. The
excitement was greater th an ever when
the two took their stand. Every voice
was hushed and the whizzing arrows
ALONE told of life and motion. 1t is all
Flora Carter is declared the
.conqneror. Many heads dropped sorrow.
fully, for Minnie Foster was loved by all.
while FIora's proud spirit had gained her
few friends.
But MIR. Compton's commands were
issued, that the eight candidates should
repair to the hall {; his nephew also was
ordered to be present and as many invited
guests as the noble drawing room would
contain,
When all were assembled, Mr.. Comp
ton, taking from his pocket two parcels,
one large and the other small, thus adj
dressed them /:
"My friends, l know you think me a
strange old man, and so l doubt not l am,
though perhaps not SO strange as you
fancy. My conduct on this occasion has
not been without a purpose. and that was
the welfare and happiness of this dear
boy, who has be to me more than a son, |
and for whom / would ~relinquish all l
possess in this world. You all know the
terms on which the archery meeting of
to-day has taken place."
Mr.. Compton then opened the small
parcel, disclosing a box, from which be
took a most exquisite little pearly she'll,
lying, as it were, on a bed of jlcinth j;
was made into a brooch as unique as
it was beautiful. AS he held it up the
sun played on the j~aointh, showing the
little pearly she'll to the greatest advan-
tage.
"Miss Flora Car err said Mr.. Compton,
"ailow me to present you with the prom
ised prize, and while | do SO, to compli
ment you on your great skill"
Then he took the larger parcel and said:
Il have now to present the estate of
Great formation, which | do to Miss Min
ME Foster, feeling assured that in so doing
| give it to the one l love best. These
are the title deeds, dear Minnie accept