Middletown transcript., 1903-07-18

shine, for the heat was not o
that horribly oppressive kind
that lovely morning.
Once, when he helped her ovel
q style, he held her hands in his
Ian instant longer, and mucl
more closely than was absolutely
necessary, and when she looked
up at him as she drew them
away, he gave her a look which
brought the warm color in a
flood over her sweet face, and
set her heart to beating tumul-
tuously. His face too, had a
dash of color in it, and there was
a tender light in his beautiful
eyes as he glanced down at tie
graceful, blue-robed figure at his
side.
They were a little late, and, as
the service had commenced, they
quietly took seats near the door.
The others, they soon. saw,
were sitting near the front, and
st. John was amused to see Maud
and her adorer directly behind
her mother, thus eluding those
vigilent eyes most effectually.
There was a long, dry sermon
and wretched music, and two
members of the congregation, at
least, were not sorry to return to
the bright world without.
Margaret and her escort es-
capped from the close little church
and had disappeared before the
others were fairly out,
I wonder ST. John didn't come
along to day, observed Mr.. Davis,
as they started homeward, for
he had been invited to luncheon.
They had crossed the meadow
at the foot of the hill, had passed
the orchard, and were beneath
the maple near the well, when
Mrs. Ross exclaimed, quite trag-
ically.
Ah!!!
They all started at the sound
of her voice, and looked in the
direction to which her face was
turned.
Looking into the well were two
persons, and-yes, it was the
delinquent Of the morning, with
Miss Percy, in whom he was APP
parently SO deeply interested as
to be unconscious Of their near
approach, until her aunt spoke
very significantly:
Been walking, Margaret?
Yes, coolly, to church.
We're you to church? I didn't
see you, glancing narrowly from
her niece's face to st. Johns.
Possibly not, he replied. We
were rather late, and sat near the
door, and therefore We had the
start of you on our return walk.
Margaret's eyes we're black as
she turned toward the house,
deeply incensed at the arrogant
espionage with which her aunt
continually annoyed her.
st. John glanced tenderly at
the spirited head held SO erectly,
and at the delicate quivering lips
and burning cheeks, as he walked
on with her, leaving the party at
the well to follow at their pleas
ure.
He put out his hand as she was
about to enter the house, and
said gently:
You must permit me to thank
you for one of the pleasantest
mornings 7 have ever spent, Miss
Margaret-may I call you SO?
Yes, if you like. l am SO glad
you enjoyed the sermon IT and
the music, with a mischievous
smile. Rev. Ogden is a very
conscientious preacher and he
would be highly gratitied to know
that his efforts were appreciated.
Youwell know, Miss Margaret,
tnat l was not thinking of the
estimable Rev. Ogden, he re-
torted, with a glance which caused
her cheeks to take on a still love-
lier rose tint.
She passed on up the stairs,
and st. John returned to the
piazza as the others came up the
steps from the hill.
Mrs. Percy looked up as de-
mnrely as possible when her sis
ter seated herself by her side,
and said, in low, angry voice:
want to know if you intend to
put a stop to Margaret's perform
ances?
Margaret 'sperformances?wit
an air OF innocent inquiry.
Yes. It's all owing to her un-
principled conduct. Think Of
her inveigling him to church with
her, alone, this morning.
Well, my dear Lizzie, sweetly,