Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1899-07-26
CHAPTER XXI.

Oh, Mrs. dephsibahI keep me from Mr..
Ls Mesurier. implors you"
CHAPTER XXI.
On the following day the parson is de-
cidedly the most vexed of the three at De
las absence, although he is too polite to
show 1t except by his anxious and some
what wandering air. The little dinner is
skillfully chosen and served, and his host
and hostess are cordiality Itself; still Mr.
lie Mesurier's eyes keep rowing each time
the door is opened, and his ears are strain.
ed to catch the least sound from without.
At last he ventures to hint at the subject
that u disturbing him.
MAY I ask after the health of your
charming friend, Mrs. Bond? 1 trust she
IL WELL"
''She ID quito well. Mr. lie Mesurier
thai il. she II the same as usual, but her
health does not permit her to take late
dinners"
''Then I trust the pleasure Is only de-
ferred. and that We shall see her in the
evening""
Mrs. Hephzibah does not reply. She be-
lieves that Deliu has no intention of ap-
pearing at all. Her visitor continues:
Il cannot explain to you what delight
1t was to me to meet a country woman in
her. Her features remind me strongly or
the Ferguson family. Was that her maid
en- nameY'
NO! nor do I think there Is any con-
nection between them"
Della Is afraid to meet the stranger
again. She sits at her open window and
listens to the ballads that, after the little
party has come In from the garden, Mr..
LIE Mesurier trolls out In his rich baritone
voice. accompanying himself on the cot.
| tage piano the while.
. Della is very fond of music. She Is not
a great proficient, but she is a great lover
Of the art, and sings her own little songs
with a yerve that has more power to
charm than the finest execution in the
| world. She longs to be down in the draw
| ing room, taking her share In the enter
| tainment now, for an enthusiast has as
| much pleasure in performing herself as in
listening to the performance Of others;
but false shame restrains her, and she
| keeps upstairs until she hears the final
| good nights exchanged and watches Mr..
gravel drive and turn with q parting look
| at the cottage, In the direction Of his own
house.
| But the next day Mr.. lie MesurieF ID
not backward In availing himself Of the
general invitation which Mrs. Hephzibah
\ stops her pony chaise in order to extend
to him.
Della is seated BY her side, and Mr.. Le
Mesurier glances to see II she seconds the
offer Of her friend. But she is looking
away from him over the surrounding
country the while, and does not perceive
the action He accepts the invitation with
| alacrity, and takes advantage of it on the
! very next day, and several days following
that; but though he enjoys many inter
| esting conversations with Mrs. Bond, ht
finds it more difficult to get hold Of hel
| companion, who always manages to sliI
away just before or after he makes hi.
appearance. One day, however. Della i,
fairly caught. The Bonds have gone ou
driving together, and she 10 superintend
ing the stripping Of some fruit trees fol
them, and cannot with honor leave tn,
field Of action; when Mr.. lie Mesurier
with the familiarity which 10 becoming
habitual to him, walks through the oper
French vindows Of the cottage drawing
room and out upon the lawn.
"How glad am that have found yor
At last, and that you cannot run AVA!
from me-" he commences, as he perceive:
her occupation. "You have been 80 peril
nacious in avoiding my society lately tina
I had really begun to think that hat
offended you"
.'Oh, nor replies Della, with the OLE
feeling of discomfort she cannot tell why
at the first glance Of his searching eyes
"how could you possibly have done that
Rut YOU must not forget that l am onl!
Mrs. Bonds housekeeper, and have hun
dred little domestic duties to perform tina
prevent my constant attendance In tn
drawing ROOM"
II suppose, il you tell me SO, Mrs. Man
ners. I am bound to believe it; but pro
tes. against the only A woman Of you
talents and education may accept such
position from choice, but need never d.
so from necessity"
Anyway" says Della, with the tear
in her eyes, Mrs. Bond has been my bes
and dearest friend through life. and
would rather be her housekeeper than tn
intimate companion Of the greatest lady Il
the land"
"Ah! now we approach a different phas
of the subject, and can well believe Il
the sincerity and justice OF your choice
And she repays your affection IN fu
measure"
II know she does.
"Only. with myself, she would be bette
pleased to see you try and live down tn
troubles Of the past, than nurse them i
solitude and silence"
.Has she been speaking to you abou
me. then r demands his companion quici
".
Certainly notr'
"How do you know, then. that nav
had troubleT says Della, with anxiou
Eyes.
"Mv dear Mn. MannersI How do
snov that more than half the world n
trouble9 A physical doctor can tell by IN
, ; look of his patient whether he suffers 9
roi Shall 4 mental doctor b les skil
! rul? Believe me, 1 have not been clo'
,tudent Of human nature for twenty yeal
: without learning something Of the huma
heart. And since ii is my privilege al
: nv proyince to help to heal such as a.
. wounded, I have no hesitation In oiferir
: INV services whenever they may be =
"You cannot help me. Mr.. lie Mes
: .ier."
"Is your hurt beyond all assistanc
b thenT
b "Yes.~
They have sauntered away together u
!. der the lime and acacia trees during
l. latter part Of the conversation.
b "Oh. Mr.. Le Mesurierv' she exciaim
~1ou are . good mani and you, benev
" know what trouble II. Will tell you
b viIl eco Il you can help me-h you q