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

Than anyone imaRines who has not tried
H. We are too apt to think ourselves Of
far greater Importance than We are, and II
we nut il TO the test we shall generally
End that, except to a small and strictly
private circle of admiring friends, 1t is not
OF the slightest consequence what we do,
nor where we go.
Della Moray finds out the truth Of this
to her advantage. She had thousand
scrupIes about accepting Mrs. Hephzi-
hah's offer of the temporary use Of her
apartments in London, fearing lest she
should be Immediately recognized, and
the news of her discovery be communi
Gated to her son.
For the sake of Della, Mrs. Hephzibah
makes short work Of settling up accounts
with her London employers. and in an
other week the friends are on their way
to Cloverfeld. True to Ter principles
Of self-help, Mrs. Bond-for the lawyer
had induced the laCy TO marry him-wish.
ed to journey to Hampshire alone, leav-
Ing her husband to follow at his own con-
yenicnce. But the little old man" out
witted her. He packed up all his belong
ings at Hampstead with marvellous ce-
lerity. and was down at Cloverfield max
Ing all things ready for her reception be-
fore she knew he had left town.
Cloverheld. being still a mere village.
has not many resident gentry beside the
clergyman and doctor, and one or two
solitary old maids and widows: brt 1t is
surrounded by gentlemen's seats, the own
ers of which, after awhile, commence to
call upon Mr.. and Mrs. Bond. At Della 8
earnest request she is not asked to be
present in the dra wing room during these
visits OF ceremony. She has several rea-
SONS for not wishing to make any new
acquaintances, foremost among which is
the dread OF recognition; and though Mrs.
Hephzibah will not admit the justice of
the fear, she agrees to indulge II.
Della is therefore rather surprised one
afternoon. when she has retired to her
own room with a novel. to hear the parlor
maid at her door with a request from her
mistress that she will 60 down to the
drawing room to see a gentleman who has
Just arrived.
Who is it, SarahY' cries Della, her tru.
ant thoughts flying at once to the only
gentleman she would have cared to see.
MIR. lie Mesurier, ma'am. i think he's
parson-at least, he wears a long coat. u
Very COED! I will be down directly"
When she enters the room, flushed from
the haste with which she has arranged
her dress, she finds the servants surmise
Is correct.
Let me introduce to you my friend
Mrs. Manners" says Mrs. Hephzibah
and then she continues to Della: Il hope
[ have not disturbed you, my dear, but
thought it only right you should make
the acquaintance of our clergyman. Mr.
lie Mesurier tells me that he has just re
turned from his annual holiday, and thai
the gentleman we have hitherto heard
Oh Sundays has only been taking his duty
during his absence"
Il am very glad" says Della.
Glad of what, Mrs. MannersT' ask.
the newcomer, with an accent that be
trays his Irish nationality. That have
returned. or that Mr.. Saunders only tool
my duty"
'.Of both. perhaps" she replies, smiling
anyway, l hope it is not great treason
to say that Mr.. Saunders has sent me t.
sleep every time tried to listen to him.
Let US be charitable and lay it on the
weather, Mrs. Manners, which has beer
too hot to keep awake in under any cir
cumstances. Do try and think it was th'
weather, Else, il you fall asleep agaiI
next Sunday, I shall have no loophole b!
which to fatter myself that my discourse
has not had similar effect upon You Il
that of Mr.. Saunders"
He is a distinguished looking man, tai
and well made, with an Intellectual coun
tenance, and wearing tight cassock tina
shows off his fine figure to advantage. Hi
blue eyes and dark hair are strongly Irish
SO is his winning tongue. In word, n
lmpresses both his hearers favorably.
Il will defer judgment. then, until afte
next Sunday" replies Della, laughing
"and especially since, il l am not mis-
taken. Mr.. lie Mesurier, you are coun
tryman of mine, and should claim ever.
Indulgence at my hands"
The moment the words have left he
lips she regrets them, but it is too late
The warm partisanship Of the natives
Ireland is well known, and Mr.. LIE Mesu
rier embraces the idea Of the connection
between them.
Il guessed as much from your appear
ance. Pray, Mrs. Manners, allow me t
shake hands with you over again in tokel
Of our good-felowship. 1t is real de
light 10 meet any one from the 'ould coun
thry' down in these wilds. May l ask
II is long since you left it!"
Then Della sees still more plainly tn
trap she has laid for herself, and the com
pllcations TO which it may lead. But ther
Is no help for it at present.
Very long! l have not seen it since
was a little child
Have you been long settled in Glover
6eld, and are you married manF dc
mauds Mrs. Hephzibah. trying to lure hir
away from a dangerous topic.
81 have been settled here ever since m
ordination. ten years ago. and have N
wife to share the vicarage," he answers
with a sudden gravity of manner.
Il hope you are not one Of those pal
sons who consider celibacy a duty"
l.yAw m I'll