The Kendrick gazette. [volume] (Kendrick, Idaho) 1892-1968, 1907-01-18
CHAPTER 1.

Wilton. Great Wilton, some three
miles of, was altogether a different at
fair, for the parish there was more aris-
tocratic than rustic, and the living was
worth nine hundred a 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 Baumgarten. Therefore,
little wonder need be expressed If some
Of the Great Whitton families ignored
their old rector and came to listen to the
eloquent Mr.. Baumgarten.
A small, open carriage, the horses driv-
On b. a 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 low and convenient; therefore, when
two ladies emerged from the church, they
stepped into 1t unassisted. The one look
ed 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 Whitton, now, I
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 child. Valua-
BILE livings are not given away so easily
neither are men without connections in
Quoted to them. l never heard that young
Baumgarten had any connections; he
does not speak of his family. No.; the
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
"Rectcrs don't give up their preferments
to subside into curates, mamma"
UNLESS it is made well worth their
WHILE" returned the elder, in a matter.
of-fact tone; land old Chester nigh,
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
iivings."
The clergy must grow old as we'll as
other people, my dear"
II am not speaking Of age so much as
Of failing faculties"
The young lady received no answer to
this, and they went along in silence.
Mamma !" she exclaimed, when they
were about a mile on the road, I'VE never
called to inquire after Mrs. Dane. I
shall go back again. James, when you
come to the corner, drive down the lane
and go back to the cottage"
"You might have consulted me frst,
Grace" grumbled the Countess of Avon.
And why do you choose the longer way,
round by the lane?"
"The lane is shady, mamma, and the
afternoon sunny; to prolong our drive
will do you good"
Lady Grace laughed as she spoke, and
It would have taken one deeper in pene-
DeeU
to divine that all had been done with a
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 a strong will,
which had been fostered by indulgence,
for she was an only daughter.
Another Of the congregation had left
the church by different door. 1t was a
young lady Of two or Extraordinarily :
Ehe had less beauty than Lady Grace,
but 4 tar sweetsf countenance. She
crossed the churchyard, and opening one
of its gates found herself in a narrow
sheltered walk, running through a corner
of Wilton Wood. It was the nearest
way to her home, Wilton Cottage.
a few PAGES within 1t, she stood
against a tree, turned and waited; her
lips parted, her cheek flushed, and her
hand was laid upon her beating heart
Was she expecting any one to join her
Little doubt of 1t; and that it was one
all too dear to her the signs betrayed
The ear of love is strangely fine, and she
Edith Dane, bent her ears to listen with
the first sound Of approaching footsteps
she walked hurriedly on. Would she be
caught waiting for him? No, no; rather
she would hide herself forever than be-
tray aught of the deep love that lay in
her heart for the Rev. Ryle Baumgarten
1t was Mr.. Baumgarten who was fol
lowing her; he sometimes chose the neal
way home, too; a tall, graceful man, with
pale, classic features, and luminous
brown eyes set deeply; but In his face
might be seen somewhat Of irresolution
He strobe on and overlook Miss Dane.
How fast you are walking, Edith "
She turned her head with the pretties
air Of surprise possible, her cheeks brigh
with love'..rosy flush. "Oh-is it you
Mr.. BauAgartenf II. was walking fas
to get hozae to poor mamma"
Nevertheless, 1t did happen that thei
pace slackened considerably; in fact
they scarcely advanced at all, but saun
tered along side by side, as if to enjo
the beauty of the summer afternoon
They have been taking me to task to
day. suddenly began Mr.. Baumgarten
"Whef The Avons do you meani
saw they were at church."
Not the Avons. What have they t
do with me, Edith. Squire Wells an
his wife. with half dozen more, carpet