The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1907-10-30
a Daughter ST the Covenant.

the Manor House, in the midst of group of
noble old hemlocks with here and there few
lofty frs standing out sharply against the blue
Sky, like sentinas duty.
1t was old, old structure built by one of the
Argyles. Many gabled, with high roofs and numer-
Gus pointed towers formed of gray stone it shone
like silver in it's setting of everlasting green
pine forests.
For many years it was untenanted, but of late
having passed into the hands of one of the
wealthy denizens of the city-whose vast fortune
had been dug out of the coal beds of this noun
famous reglon-lt was often the scene of great
festivities which proved a never ending source of
interest to the worthy villagers and of the ami
madverslon of the irate old Covenanter, of the
parsonage and church across the lake. For were
not the Manor House, and the fashionable folk
who in less pretentious houses were gathered
about it, the raison detre of the little church of
the Episcopacy, with it's golden spire; of the
rector with his priestly robes of his specialized
curate who helped him read the litany and nro-
selyte the villagers?
Picture to yourself large square ROOM devoid
OF furniture except for the wooden desk in one
corner which showed much hard usage if the
generous splashes of ink spread the top and
sundry marks and cuts on the sides and legs
from mischievous pen knife might be accented
as testimony Add to this round table in the
center OF the room which served its natural pur-
pose, or for a seat rostrum as occasion might
require; half dozen straight backed chairs
around 1t, and low rocker in feeble dilapidated
condition at one side, and you have the school
rooll play room, cup room, or Observation-Disclosures
you have mind to call it-of The Parsonage
OF Alrly On that side of the which over
looked the church yard near by was large win
dow which gave beautiful view of the lofty
range OF mountains. which shut in the little
village from the great world beyond and of the
little lake shimmering and sparkling in the sum
light.
The window was open to admit the delicious
air of the late spring day which came to the
inmates OF the school ROOM laden with the fra
a hurst.
ing into bloom the hillsdes and in the valley
below
At this window stood a young girl eighteen
years of age, perhaps; slender and graceful of
outline despite the ill fitting garment which she
had thrown over her best Sunday gown to pro-
tect it from accident, during the wait between
the morning and afternoon service. This was
Joan.
One could only guess at the fairness of the face
which was turned away in contemplation of the
hand before her. She was evidently deep in
thought since she paid attention to what was
passing in the room
Perhaps she was thinking of the stranger-not
handsome of face, but good to look at wthal-
who had made his appearance that day in the
Manor House pew, rather, what had been the
manor House Pew" when the Argyes owned it
and lived there She would have been justified
in so doing. for she had discovered him in the
act of casting sundry glances at the Parsonage
pew; and we'll he might for the Parsonage
girls We're we'll worth looking at second time.
In the low chair at one side sat Agge, moth
ery little creature not more than fourteen years
of age, holding in her lap Margie the youngest
of the quarette of girls twelve years old perhaps,
yet, small for her age despite the wonderful
length of limb displayed as she leaned back in
her sisters arms and rocked to and fro.
At the table sat Josephine, the second daughter
of the household, three years younger than the
handsome young fellow who stood alone in the