Washington State journal and Adams County news. [volume] (Ritzville, Wash.) 1906-1907, 1907-01-16
CHAPTER I.

u fuIlc cnurcn, ono SUNDAY dIter-
noon st. Mary's, in the hamlet Of Little
Wilton. Great Whitton, some three
miles of, was altogether a different at
fair. for the parish there was more aris-
tecratic than rustic, and the living was
worth nine hundred year; Little Whit
ton brought Its incumbent In only two
hundred, all told. The livings were both
In the gift of the Earl Of Avon, whose
seat was near, on the other side of Great
Wilton. The incumbent Of Great Whit
ton was an old man, almost past duty ;
the incumbent Of Little Wilton was an
able and attractive man scarcely thirty,
the Rev. Ryle BaumSarten. Therefore,
lttls wonder need be expressed If some
Of the Great Wilton families ignored
their old rector and came to listen to the
eloquent Mr.. Baumgarten.
A small, open carriage, the horses driv-
N By q boy, waited at the church door.
The boy was in a crimson Jacket and a
velvet cap, the position livery Of the
Avon family. The sweeping seat behind
was lew and convenient; therefore, when
tive ladies emerged from the church, they
stepped into it unassisted. The one look
cd about fifty years Of age, and walked
slowly; the other was young lady OF
exceeding fairness with somewhat haugh-
ty features, and naughty eyes, blue as the
summer sky. The boy touched his horses
and drove on.
HE surpassed himself to-day, Grace"
began the elder lady.
II think he did, mamma"
"But 1t is long way to come-for me.
I can't venture out in all weathers. If
We had him at Great Wilton, now,
could hear him every Sunday.
"Well, mamma, nothing is more easy"
observed the younger, bending down to
adjust something in the carriage, that her
sudden frightening of color might pass
unnoticed. 1T is impossible that Mr..
Chester should last long, and you could
get Henry to give him the living"
Grace, you talk like a child. Valua-
bic livings are not given away so easily !;
neither are men without connections in
Quoted to them. never heard that young
Baumgarten had any connections; he
most sensible plan would be for Mr..
Chester to turn off that muff Of curate,
and take on Baumgarten in his stead"
The young lady threw back her head.
"Rectsrs don't give up their preferments
to subside into curates, mamma"
UNLESS it is made we'll worth their
WHILE" returned the elder, in a matter
of-fact tone; land old Chester might
make 1t worth Mr.. Baumgarten's."
"Mr. Chester ought to retire. For my
part, l cannot imagine how these old
clergy can persist in remaining in their
livings."
The clergy must grow old a. well as
other people, my dear"
Of falling faculties"
The young lady received no answer to
this. and they went along in silence.
=. "Msmma" she exclaimed, when they
wef9 hbout mile on the road, I'VE never
called to inquire after Mrs. Dane. I
shall 30 back again. James, when you
come to the corner, drive down the lane
and 90 back to the cottage"
you might have consulted me Arst,
Grace" grumbled the Countess of Avon.
"And why do you choose the longer way,
round BY the lsne?"
1.-THE lane IL shady, mamma, and the
oAtGluVVh ouuhy W PTOAOuk OuE uIlVt
will do you good"
Lady Grace laughed a. she spoke, and
It would have taken one deeper In pene-
tration than the Lady Avon had ever been
to divine that all had been done with q
preconcerted plan; that when her daugh.
ter drove from the church door she had
fully intended to proceed part Of the way
home, and then 60 back again. Lady
Grace Carmel had rather q strong will
which had been fostered by indulgence
for he was an only daughter.
Another Of the congregation had LEFT
the church by different door. 1t was 9
young lady Of two or hree-and-twenty
she had less beauty than Lady Grace
bot q far sweeter countenance. Sh;
crossed the churchyard, and opening on,
Of ito gates found herself in 4 narrow
sheltered walk, running through q cernel
Of Written Wood. It was the nearss
way 70 her home, Wilton Cottage.
A few PAGES within it. she stoot
against q tree, turned and waited; he,
lips parted, her cheek flushed, and he
hand was laid upon her beating heart
Was she expecting any one to Join her
Little doubt Of 1t and that 1t was on
oil tss dear to her the signs betrayed
The ear Of love ID strangely fine, and she
Edith Dane, bent her ears to listen; will
the first sound Of approaching footsteps
she walked hurriedly on. Would she b
caught waiting for him7 No, no; rathe
she weuld hide herself forever than be
tray aught of the deep love that lay Il
her heart for the Rev. Ryle Baumgarten
1t was Mr.. Baumgarten who was fol
lowing her; he sometimes chose the nea
way hsme, too; tall, graceful man, witt
pale, classic features, and luminou
brown eyes set deeply; but In his fac
might b seen somewhat Of irresolutiou
He strsde on and overlook Miss Dane.
"Hsw fast ysu are walking, Edith |!
She turned her head with the pretties
air Of surprise possible, her cheeks brigh
with Loves rosy flush. "Oh-is 1t yor
Mr.. Baumgartenf l was walking fas
to get home to poor mamma"
Nevertheless, 1t did happen that thei
pace slackened considerably; in fac
they scarcely advanced at all, but sauI
tered aleng side by side, As II to snjo
the beauty Of the summer Afternoon
They have been taking me to task t
day." suddenly began Mr.. Baumgarter
"Whof The Avons do you meant
saw they were at church"
"NAt the Avona What hava thev I