Middletown transcript., 1905-04-29

{ 3-oAA4 ifC totA ttto aiatt0 Oht ttSt Gill WGtl
then, | have set myself to win Christian
Earle, and win her l will, unless she tells
me that she hates me! I don't ask love
all in hurry from such girl as you-all
calmness and modesty-I only ask toler-
ance; and if you are person of sense
and prudence you'll think twice before
you refuse any one who can make life %
easy for you, and ask nothing in return
but liking. Seven hundred year and
prospects, and a sober man of business
who only does bit of shooting and
hunting now and again for relaxation.
Well, that isn't bad match for village
schoolmistress who comes from no one
knows where"-he fixed his dark eyes
on her steadily-'and hasn't perhaps
much of a name" He pansed, and
took his gaze from her white face; then
he added, Suppose you think again, and
let things be as they were, and don't say
No to-day, but take your time to weigh,
all sides OF the question. 1t would be
easier for both of us because, you see, it
isn't every man that would take lonely
woman in your position on trust, and
teaching is killing work for girl of your
calibre. You've looked i'll enough of late
to make us all think you've taken up
more than you're able to perform.
She was leaning against a wall with
closed eyelids, and the low persuasive
voice number her strained faculties. She
was i'll, she was overworked, for the stress
and suspense of the last year had been
too much for her. Otherwise she would
have shown her old spirit and have
flashed up at his innuendoes and given
him a definite dismissal. To-day how
ever neither her mental nor physical
powers were equal to it. Fred Parsons
noted his advantage.
"Well, WE'LL" he said cheerfully, "I'm
not the man to bother woman against
her will Well let things slide for the
present. But l shall bide my time.
Fred Parsons, in love or business, is
man of his word. There"-he lifted her
passive hand and kissed it-''there A
bargain While you're in the village
I'm your friend through thick and thin
with hopes one day to be something
more"
Before she could answer him, he had |
raised his hat and was walk ing quickly |
AWAY from the village. !
Christian put her hands to her head. I
"What did l say to him ?" she asked
herself, gazing duly before her. "My
brain is ina whirlr'
AT first she dreaded the morrow. Be-
ween school-hours she shook at every
passing footstep lest it should be Fred
Parsons coming to claim her for a walk
But after a week, when no word or sign
rad come from him she breatEed more
RELY.
81 did say No, she decided, "but
ny head ached so terribly that 1 was
fraid l had misled him. l will be quiet
md wait"
But Fred Parsons was very careful not
0 press his suit, and so the days flowed
~ as before. The morning and after
loon were spent with her noisy little
lock, and the evenings in solitude amidst
Ter books. Sometimes, when she sat
roaming over unread pages, her thoughts
awayto the Hall and its lonely
nd its selfish old owner; and she found
erself wondering with passionate tears
ow much or how little impression her
nexpected visit had made on his dnlled
enses. From Mrs Lavendrr hnm
he seldom visited now-she heard that
ir Nathaniel was ailing, and had allied
lddenly and oddly since day in June.
he felt pang at her heart as she
ealized that this grim old sufferer was
er father, but it was only pang and no
lore.
The whole training and aim of her life :
'rbade any desire to claim him as her
lther-the man who had lightly and
sllously rid himself of his solemn re-
possibility towards the beautiful mother
hom she had idolized. |
So Christmas came round, and now g
I'D again the nightmare in her mind ]
as renewed by magnificent presents of ,,
overs and books. To accept them {
emed to be the simplest thing to do, I
I'D SO the overwrought girl arranged the
overs and read the books, and ponder i
sadly on what her next move should i
,. She was absolutely alone. Her |
Others people had cast her off long ago. |
though of course. with the newly !
und treasure in her possession, she i
'uld defy their sneer now.
The only man OF judgement and kindli. +
ess to whom she could apply at this :
ncture was the Vicar. And one day.
hen she found her thoughts more than
e could bear, she went up to the Vicar
e and asked to see him.
81 don't think you can do that" re.
led Tompkins. "We've bad news Of
r. John. They've sent him home, Door
ntleman, on the sick-list, badly wound
F., and the master went up to London \
sterday to meet him. The mistress is :
'ribly upset" :
Christian stood still and sighed over