Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1905-07-31
Uncle Terry
by.
CHARLES CLARK MUM
Copyright, 1900. by Lee & Shepard

little cove in front and view of ocean
beyond.
1t was charming picture.
There is only one thing lacking
she said shyly as he held 1t at an angle
30 the freight would shine upon IT.
and / didn't dare put that in without
your consent"
I do not notice anything left out as
recall the spot"
But there Is" she replied. "and one
that should be there to make the pic
ture correct Can't you guessT
He looked at Telly's face, upon which
roguish smile had come.
mo, | can't guess. Tell me what is
lackingT
Yourself" she replied.
But do not want the picture to re-
mind me OF myself. / wanted 1t so l
could see you and recall the day we
were there" She made no reply, and
he laid it on the table and asked for
the other one. 1t was all done except
the finishing touches, but it did not
seem to be a reproduction Of his origi-
nal sketch at the cove.
1 took the liberty Of changing it
little" she said as he was looking at
IT, and put in the background where
you said you first saw me-"
III was nice Of you to think of max
Ing the Change" ne replied quickly,
"and am very glad you did. l want
ed It to portray you as first saw
you"
A faint flush came into her face. AS
she was watching the fire be studied
the sweet face turned half away. And
what a charming profile it was, with
rounded chin, delicate patrician nose
and long eyelashes just touching the
cheek that bore a telltale flush! Was
that faint color due to the fire or to
his words? Then they dropped into a
pleasant chat about trifles, and the
oceans voice kept up its rhythm, the
fire sparkled, and the small cottage
clock licked the happy moments away.
How is Mrs. Leach?" he asked at
last Does she pray as fervently at
every meeting?"
'Just the same" replied Telly, "and
always will as long as she has breath.
1t is, as father says, her only consola-
ton"
81 have thought of that evening
many times SINCE" he continued, 'and
the impression that poor old lady made
on me with her piteous supplicatiOn.
wonder how it would affect a Boston
church congregation some evening to
! have such an appearing figure, clad as
she was, rise and utter the prayer she
did. 1t would startle them, / think"
81 do not think Mrs. Leach would
enter one of your city churches" re-
sponded Telly. land certainly not clad
as she has to be. She has little pride
}even if she is poor"
ooh, l meant no reflection, only the
scene was so impressive 1 wondered
how it would affect fashionable
church gathering. I think it would do
them good to listen to a real sincere
prayer that came from some ones
heart and was not manufactured for
the occasion Those who wear fine
silks and broadcloth and s1t III cusn
toned pews seldom hear such a prayer
as she uttered that night"
Then as TeIly made no response h'
sat in silence a few moments mental!
contrasting the girl with those he hat
met in Boston.
And what contrast!
This girl clad in a gray dress sever
in its simplicity and so i'll fitting that
really detracted from the beautiful out
lines Of her form. Her luxuriant tress
es were braided and coiled low on til
back of her head, and at her throat
tiny bow of blue. Not an ornament c
any nature, not even a ring, only til
crown of her sunny hair, two littl
rose leaves I'm her cheeks and I'll
oueenlike majesty of throat and shou
ders and bust, so classic that not or
woman in a hundred but would env
her their possession.
And what a contrast in speech, e
preston and ways-timid to the vert
of bashfulness, utterly unaffected al
vet sincere, tender and thoughtful
each and every utterance, a beauuf
flower grown to perfection among Il
rocks of this seldom visited island, u
trained by conventionality and INST
lied by the world! II wonder how 81
would act If suddenly dropped into Z
Nasons' home, or what would Ali
think of her" Then, as he noted t
sad little droop OF her exquisite Liz
and as she, wondering at his silenC
turned her pleading eyes toward hi
there came into his heart in an insta
n feeling that, despite her timidity a.
her lack of worldly wisdom, he wou
value her love and confidence
above any woman's he had ever met
Miss Terry" he said gently, do =
know 1 fancy that living here, as y
have all your life, within sound of t
sad sea waves. has woven a little
their melancholy into your nature a
a little of their pathos into your ey'
I thought so the first time 1 saw u
and the more ] see of you the more
think ii is So"
The ocean does sound sad to m'
she said, ''and at times it makes
feel blue Then I am so much aIo