Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1899-11-16

went acFUo9v 0uOs Wklu8 on Ms nat,
inquired II the rector could advise him
as to the best sort Of ny to use on the
river. as he was a stranger In Systed.
The Rev. Thomas Ray. himself de-
voice OF the gentle sport, took In with
swift glance the tall upright figure,
the deep blue eyes and the well cut,
powerful face of his interlocutor.
what a handsome felloww he
thought, ''even now"-for the age Of
the stranger could not be less than
fifty. II should be delighted to tell yAu
anything in my power" he said aloud.
And the two men walked amicably
down the road together between the
sweet June hedges.
This walk was the beginning of
quickly ripening friendship. Meriel
showed the way to the best pools. Sir
Spenthorne invented the most wonder
full picnics and al fresco teas for the
children. When he wasn't by the riv-
er he was at the rector's house, and
perpetually I'm the company of Meriel.
Sir Spenthorne had never married, be-
cause years and years ago girl had
Tilted him, and yet his heart was as
full of reverence for women as boys.
Never had he come across one who full
filled his whole ideal Of womanhood
until he met Meriel. He hardly real
lied which way things were drifting
was not Meriel engaged to Rupert,
and was not he, Sir Spenthorne, the
rich. elderly uncle, who had come to
make all things smooth for them?
AS he returned to his inn one evening
after a delightful expedition in the
woods with Meriel and half dozen
young brothers and sisters he found
telegram waiting for him:
Am coming down to-morrow-get-
ting anxious. RUPERT"
Sir Spenthorne felt his heart sud
denly grow cold. Good heaven! What
folly was this? Why should he mind
his nephew coming down? he asked
himself, impatiently-but in his heart
of hearts Sir Spenthorne knew the rea-
son why.
He put the telegram in his pocket
and walked across the road to the rec
tors house The small servant showed
him in. MIR. Spens" was quite
friend Of the family.
Meriel was alone. filling a china bowl
with June roses. Her face was flushed,
and there were traces of tears on her
cheeks.
what is it?" asked "AIr. Spens,"
taking her hand.
Nothing
''Nothing-and you are crying?'
I'm a fool cried Meriel passionate
ly. It's nothing; there is a man who
wants to marry me-father wishes it
and I've said yes, and he's coming
down tomorrow; that's ALL"
But" said "Mr. Spens" gently,
don't you like him?"
Meriel turned n scared face to him.
Il didn't mind him--at first" she
said.
"Well?"
"Well--nothing." The girl turned to
the window and looked out into the
shadOwy evening.
Tell me-" said "NIr. Spens' with
sudden thrill in his voice-''tell me all
about it,
There's nothing to tell. He was
nice little man, and he asked father,
and father said If he died there would
be nothing for us,and it would comfort
him to know one of his daughters was
provided for. And though father
looks well and strong. it seems he has
something wrong with his heart, and
he might die at any time-and so /
said yes
Il see,' said "Mr. Spens" quietly.
But why is it more tragic now than
before?"
But Meriel wouldn't answer him,
and kept her head obstinately turned
away, and ''Mr Spens" rose.
II see it's no use asking you to con-
Meriel turned on him.
"Oh, go, go.' she cried. And Sir
Spenthorne, turning, left the room
without another word.
MY God" he said to himself as he
walked across the road to the inn, II
pNbNNN ShC hdNt ilhtu Oiu
fellow as l am"
what an awful thingw
Eyes, it's n desperate business. l
have telegraphed to the young fellow
she's engaged to-"
Have you told him it's smallpox"
Yes
Look here. Ray, there's something
want to tell you. l am Rupert Car
macs uncle. l wanted to see the girl
he was going to marry to have the OPP
pOrtunity of judging her, and l had
made up my mind to make things right
for them
Heaven knows If there will be any
right" said the poor rector, too dis
tracted to give much heed to Sir Spen-
thorne's words. "Ah. thank goodness,
tbara so D,,nnvt