The Kendrick gazette. [volume] (Kendrick, Idaho) 1892-1968, 1907-01-25
CHAPTER u-fContinued. J

Mr.. Baumgarten sometimes spent at |
Avon House feeding the flame of her Ill
starred passion. His manner to women |
was naturally tender, and to Grace, with |
her destinations unconsciously brought to |
bear upon him, dangerously warm. That |
he never for one moment had outstepped |
the bounds Of friendly intercourse Grace |
attributed entirely to the self-restraint |
imposed by his inferior position but she |
did not doubt he loved her in secret.
While at dinner he told them, jokingly, |
a. he had told Edith, that the parish
wanted him to marry. Lady Avon re-
marked, in answer, that he could not do
better; parsons and doctors should al
ways be married men.
Eyes, that's very right, very true" he
returned in the SAME testing tone. "But
suppose they have nothing to marry
uponT
But you have something, Mr.. Baum
garten."
Eyes. l have two hundred year; and
no residence"
1.-THE rectory is rather bad, l believe"
bad! Well, Lady Avon, you should
see it."
"Mr. Dane ought not to have allowed
1t to get into that state" she remarked,
and the subject dropped.
After dinner Mr.. Baumgarten stood on
the lawn with Grace, watching the glories
Of the setting sun. Lady Avon, indoors,
was beginning to doze; they knew better
than to disturb her; this after-dinner
sleep, which sometimes did not last more
than ten minutes, was Of great moment to
her, the doctor said.
Mr.. Baumgarten had held out his arm
to Lady Grace In courtesy as they be-
gan to pace the paths, and she took it.
They came to a halt near the entrance
gate, both gazing at the beautiful sky,
their hands partially shading their eyes
from the blaze of sunset, when a little
man dressed in black with white neck
tie was seen approaching.
"Why, here comes Moore*" exclaimed
Grace. -
He was the clerk at the Great Wilton
church. Limping up to the gate, for he
was lame with rheumatism, he stood
there and looked at Mr.. Baumgarten, as
II his business lay with him. But Grace
withdrawing her arm from her compan-
lon, was first at the gate.
beg pardon, my lady, l thought it
right to come up and inform the countess
OF the sad news-and I'm glad did, see
ing you here, sir. Mr.. Chester Is gone,
my lady"
''Gone!" exclaimed Grace. "Gone
whereT
"He Is dead, my lady-he Is dead, sir.
Departed to that bourne whence no trav-
eler returns" continued the clerk, wish
Ing to be religiously impressive and be-
lieving he was quoting from Scripture.
Surely 1t cannot be r. said Mr.. Baum
garten.
LAY, but 1t is, sir, more's the pity
And frightfully sudden. After getting
home from afternoon service, he said he
felt uncommonly tired, he couldn't think
why, and that he'd not have his tea till
later In the evening. He went up to his
room and sat down in the easy chair there
and dropped asleep. A sweet, Tranquil
sleep 1t was, to all appearance, and Mrs
Chester shut the door and left him. Blu,
after an hour or two, when she sent ur
to say he had better wake up for hi.
tea, they found him dead. The poor ole
lady Is quite beside herself with the sud
denness, and the maids be running abou
all SKIES and sevens."
Il will 60 down with you at once
Moore" said Mr.. Baumgarten.
"But you will come back and tell us
and tell us how Mrs. Chester ISL" sal,
Lady Grace, as he was passing through
the gate.
Eyes, certainly, If you wish it." b
answered, walking away with so feet
step that the clerk with difficulty kept vi
with him.
II fancy it must have been on his mind
sir" said he; mot direct. perhaps, bu
some inkling like of what was about t
happen. This afternoon, when I'd too
off his surplice In the vestry l went an
put things to rights a bit In the church
and when l got back into the vestry
lock up, was surprised to see the recto
still there, sitting opposite the outer doc
which stood open to the churchyar,
Don't you feel wei, sirY said l. oh, We
I'm WE'LL he answered, but I'm tire
We must all all get to feel tired whs
the end of our life is at hand, Moore, an
mine has been a long one.' Yes, it ha
sir, and happy one, too l said, than
God With that he rose up from his chat
and lifted Ibis hands towards Heaye,
looking up at the blue sky. Thanks
to my merciful God he repeated. so
EMMY, in hushed sort of tone. .Ft
that, and all the other blessings of m
With that, he took his hat and stick an
walked out to the churchyard," conclude
the clerk, "leaving me a bit dazed ,
'twere, for I had never heard him tai
like that before; he was not the sort
man to do it."
Within an hour Mr.. Baumgarten W,
back at Avon House. Lady Grace W,
still lingering in the garden, in the sur
mer twilight. He told her in a hush
voice all he had to tell; of the gener
state of things at the rectory, of poor MI
Chester's sad distress.
Mamma is expecting you," said Graz
81 broke the news to her but she wan
to hear more particulars"
They went into the drawing-room
the open doors of the window. Mr.. Baul
garten gave the best account he could
Lady Avon; and then drank a cup of te
standing. Still asking questions, Ora
passed out again with him to the op
air, and strolled by his side along t
smooth, broad path which led to the 9
trance gate. When they reached 1t
held out his hand to bid her good evenir