The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1904-04-15
The Lady Speaks.
Miss Sybil Tells a Secret to
the Pars0n.
BY j. s, FLETCHER,

CARSON JOYCE had been i'll
l throughout the greater part of a
hard winter, and when he went abroad
again for the first time, there were
many signs in the garden of his vicar
age that winter was already changing
to spring. These signs were apparent
to the most Indifferent that early Feb
ruary morning; o~the man lately
risen from a sick-bed they came with
an overwhelming sense Of joy and
gratitude.
Moving slowly about the graveled
walks in his thickest cassock and
warmest cloak-both grown to a
somewhat rusty black by reason of
much wearing, and one at least tat
tered at the hem by constant fret
ting against its wearer's heels-Par-
son Joyce felt the last frosts of the
winter bring a warmer glow to his
cheeks, and livelier motion to the
blood, which of late had run but slug
gishly through his veins. And being
a devout man, though yet but 30 years
Of age, he lifted his shovel hat as he
looked about him anG thanked God
that he was still alive, and in likeli-
hood to be so for many a year
Folk of the wording class would
have said that Parson Joyce must be
easily content with his lot-there
seemed to be so little in it to their
eyes for which one could be thankful.
He had his vicarage and little glebe;
ESQ a year in money, and little more
from his dues; twas enough to exist
on, but only that, and in such an out
of-the-way parish what chance had he
of promotion? 1t had never occurred
to him, however, that he was aught
but a fortunate man--his tastes were
few and very simple, and easily sup
piled by the old woman who served
him.
He was one of those men who never
look twice at whatever meat is set
before them, and cannot tell you the
difference 'twixt beef and mutton. He
had the bad habit OF reading while he
ate. And very often, instead of eating
his dinner when it was set before him,
ne would wait until the old woman
had left the room, and would then
bolt through the window with a
heaped-up dish to some old man or
woman whose wants-in his opinion
were greater than his own.
AS he wandered around his garden,
potterins about him with his stick,
Parson Joyce heard the click of the
gate and looked in its direction
There, framed by the evergreen arch
which showed dark against the faint
ly frosted silver of the meadows be-
You'd, slood as dainty a piece of wom-
anhood as man might wish to see
Mistress Sybil Luttrell, lady of the
manor, rich, beautiful, scarce out Of
her teens, an imperious young woman
who ruled the countryside, and was
ardently desired by every young gen.
tleman, and good many old ones, of
the neighborhood. Since the death of
her father, old Squire Anthony, her
will had been law, and the law had
been pleasant, so long as it was obeyed.
For Mistress Luttrell, girl though she
was, had a will of her own and a tenn
per OF her own, and had yet to learn
that no oae in this world can have
all his own way.
But there vas no trace Of imperious
bearing in her manner as she moved
with the grace of a pretty woman to
where Parson Joyce stood watching
her, and held out little hand to him.
.'Mr. JOYCE" she said, 81 am glad
that you are able to be about your
garden again. Your strength"
The parson took off, his shovel hat
as he bent over her hand.
L thank you, madam" he an
swered. 81 thank Heaven, my strength
is rapidly returning: hope to 20
about tho parish in a few days. It
has been much neglected" =:
He kept his hat in his hand. like a
schoolboy, until the lady imp;,tiently
motioned him to resume it.
''The parish!" she exclaimed. "Oh.
the parish has taken care Of itself
Mr.. Joyce! But they will, IN be, glad
to sec you asain-yoc are 80 good to
them"
Parson Joyce poked about the walk
with his, stick. He was one Of those
men who cannot understand why their
work should be praised.
"Thsre were many sick AMI poo,
rilen l was stricken" he said, pres,
souY. 1T was a sore theught----"ss