The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1898-08-20
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For full minute Mr.. kenrlck did not
answer. Instead he looked down at her as
she stood with one small hand resting upon
his black coat sleeve; the sunlight falling
with loving touch upon her hair, which
was cut short another point which met
with disfavor of the chichester matrons),
and curling naturally all over her head like
child's. Her lover sometimes laughingly
told her she had baby face still, and he
was not far wrong, for her expression was
singularly untroubed and childlike, and
yet there was depth of feeling in the
honest blue eyes which told both Of
strength of character and purpose.
''Irix, it is silly, perhaps, but some
thing have heard today has troubled me
! greatly"
About me?" Trix asked gayly. "Of
what fresh enormity am l accused, JohnP"
and sudden gravity crept into the sweet
voice; 81 thought you said that you
minded none Of these thngs@"
81 DON'T the vicar answered quickly :;
indeed" gently stroking the soft, yet
strong looking hand, 81 love you all the
better for them, butt is better to speak
out. Trix, have you been driving about
with Gerald Morton lately?"
The next moment Mr.. Kenrick would
have given much never to have asked the
question, for Trix turned to him quickly,
whole world of scorn shining in her blue
eyes
And so, John, this means that you can
not trust me, and you choose rather to be-
lieve any idle story people may tell"
Tell me there is no truth in it, Trix,"
Mr.. Kenrick said quietly, though his eyes
had clouded with deep look of pain be-
meath her implied rebuke, "and l promise
you | will believe it,"
But Beatrix had removed her hand and
all the sunshine had died out of her bonny
face as she said YEARLY:
"Mr. Morton has driven me over to
Castletields twice this week. Is there any
thing else you want to ask me?''
No, there was nothing else. Mr. Ken
rick felt it was almost sacrilege with those
pure eyes looking into his to breathe the
doubts which now seemed to him so un-
worthy.
But alas! for the "little rift" Beatrx
tried to talk of other things, tried hard to
be her own bright, merry self, and she was
conscious of an unwonted sense of absolute
grief when at last the vicar told her be
was obliged to 60
1t was month later, and Beatrix Har-
court was walking swiftly along the dusty
road leading to CastleIields, carrying a
small basket containing some delcacy for
the sick woman she was going to see. The
sound of wheels made her turn her head,
and the next moment deep, musical voice
said pleasantly: "NIiss Harcourt, are you
again bound on the same journey? Now,
do let me have the pleasure OF giving you
lift"
BeatriX hestated one moment, then she
answered frankly "thank you so much
You know Jennie, that poor crippled child
| told you about? Well, l have had note
from her this morning to say her mother
is very i'll and there is no one to do any
thing for her"
Gerald Morton looked admiringly down
at the fair face beside him. 1t was the
young men of chichester who had given
Beatrix Harcourt the name of ''the fair
pilanthropist' and it spoke we'll for the
girl that even in the fastest circle her name
was never mentioned but with respect
When Beatrix reached the little cottage
which lay close to wood five miles from
chichester, she found everything in state
of confusion One glance at the poor
woman showed her to be in high state of
fever and slightly delirous, while an
ominous crimson rash was beginning to
make its appearance on her face and neck.
"Why, Jennie, your mother has the
fever" Beatrix exclaimed rapidly.
Haven't you sent for doctor, child, and
is there no neighbor who would come and
help to nurse her?'
81 wrote to the doctor, miss, when
sent your note, but he has not been here
yet, and as to neighbors miss, there are
none for a mile or more.''
All the morning Beatrix waited, doing
all she could for the poor sick woman, and
the afternoon was well on its way when
the welcome rap, which surely told of the
doctors appearance sounded on the door,
Beatrix literally flew to open it, and
found herself face to face not with the
doctor, but the vicar.
For the last month, ever since the gossip
about Gerald Morton, in fact, matters had
been rather strained between the vicar and
his fiancee, but all was forgotten now, as,
in the impulse of the moment, Beatrix ex-
claimed, you must not come in here,
John, or touch me, either. Mrs. Carr has
the fever"
For moment q look of keen anxiety
darkened his grave blue eyes, and the next
MIR. kenrick had folded the slight form
close in his arms, as he murmured
prokenly: ''Trixie my own brave darling,
would you have me a greater coward than