Washington State journal and Adams County news. [volume] (Ritzville, Wash.) 1906-1907, 1907-01-23
CHAPTER II.-(Continued.)

Mr.. Baumgarten sometimes spent at
Avon House feeding the fame 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,
as 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.
Yes. that's very right, very true" he
returned in the same testing tone. But
suppose they have nothing to marry
upon?"
But you have something, Mr.. Baum
garten."
"Yes. have two hundred a year; and
no residence"
The rectory is rather bad, 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. Rour> rkov - I.1l ~..A IL
to Lady Grace in courtesy as they be-
gan to pace the paths, and she took 1t.
They came to 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 a 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
If his business lay with him. But Grace
withdrawing her arm from her compan-
ion, was first at the gate.
Il beg pardon, my lady, 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
where?'
"fle is dead, my lady-he is dead, sir,
Departed to that bourne whence no tray-
eler returns" continued the clerk, wish
ing to be religiously impressive and be-
iieving he was quoting from Scripture.
Surely it cannot be !" said Mr.. Baum
garten.
"Ay, but it Is, sir, more's the pity.
And frightfully sudden. After getting
nome 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. lie went up to his
room and sat down in the easy chair there
and dropped asleep. A sweet, TRANQUIL
sleep it was, to all appearance, and Mrs.
Chester shut the door and left him. But
after an hour or two, when she sent up
to say he had better wake up for his
tea. they found him dead. The poor old
lady Is quite beside herself with the sud-
denness, and the maids be running about
all skies and sevens."
Il will go down with you at once.
Moore" said Mr.. Baumgarten.
but you will come back and tell us
and tell us how Mrs. Chester ISL" said
Lady Grace, as he was passing through
the gate.
Eyes, certainly, If you wish it," he
answered, walking away with SO fleet
step that the clerk with difficulty kept up
with him.
Il fancy it must have been on his mind
SIR" said he; mot direct, perhaps. but
some inkling like of what was about to
happen. This afternoon, when I'd took
of his surplice in the vestry went and
put things to rights bit in the church.
and when I got back into the yestrv to
lock up, was surprised to see the rector
still there, sitting opposite the outer door.
which stood open to the churchyard
Don't you feel well,sir? said I. oh. yes
I'm WE'LL he answered, but I'm tired
We must all all get to feel tired when
the end of our life is at hand, Moore, and
mine has been long one.' Yes, it has
sir, and happy one, too l said, thank
Cod With that he rose up from his chair.
and lifted his hands towards Heaven.
looking up at the blue sky. Thanks be
to my merciful Cod he repeated. SOL
EMMY, in a hushed sort of tone. For
that, and all the other blessings of nv
past life on earth, thanks be unto Him j.
With that, he took his hat and stick and
walked out to the churchyard," concluded
the clerk, leaving me a bit dazed as
'twere, for l had never heard him talk
like that before; he was not the sort %
man to do it."
Within an hour Mr.. Baumgarten was
back at Avon House. Lady Grace was
still lingering in the garden, in the sum-
mer twilight. He told her in a hushed
voice all he had to tell; of the general
state of things at the rectory, of poor Mrs
Chester's sad distress.
Mamma is expecting you" said Grace.
II broke the news to her but she wants
to hear more particulars"
They went into the drawing room by
the open doors of the window. Mr.. Baum
garten gave the best account he could to
Lady Avon; and then drank cup of tea
standing. Still asking questions, Grace
passed out again with him to the open
air, and strolled by his side along the
smooth, broad path which led to the en-
trance gate. When they reached it he
held out his hand to bid her good evening.