Camas Prairie chronicle. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1901-1917, 1907-01-18


the second year Of his residence with
them during which Mrs. Dane had been
seized with a slow and lingering illness,
which must in time terminate fatally.
Thrown together in daily intercourse,
an attachment had sprung up between
the young rector and Edith Dane a con-
cealed attachment; for he considered his
circumstances barred his marriage, and
she hid her feelings as a matter of course.
lie was an ambitious man, a proud man,
though perhaps not quite conscious of it.
and to encounter the expenses of fam
lily household upon small means appeared
10 him more to be Stunned than any ad,
verse fate on earth. Mr.. Baumgarten
was of gentle birth, but he had not any
private fortune or near relatives he had
in fact no connections whatever to push
him forward in the church. For all he
could see now, he might live and die at
this poor living, and he did not like the
prospect.
They soon reached Wilton Cottage
Mr.. Baumgarten went on at once to the
little room he used as his study, but
Edith, at the sound of wheels, fingered
in the garden. The Countess of Avon's
carriage drew up, and stopped at the
gate. Miss Dane went out to it. GracI
spoke first, her eyes running in all d..
rections while she did so, as if they wera
in search of some object not in view.
Edith, we could not go home without
driving round to ask after your mamma. :"
THANK you, Lady Grace. Mamma is
In little pain to-day, and her cough is
not troublesome. l think her breathing
is generally better in hot weather. Will
you not come in?"
Couldn't think of it, my dear" spoke
up the countess. Our dinner will be
ready; you know 1 have to take it early.
Grace forgot to order James round till
we were half way home"
Has Mr.. Baumgarten got back from
church yetr carelessly spoke Lady Grace,
adjusting the lace of her summer mantle.
He Is in his study, l fancy" replied
Edith, and she turned round to hide the
blush called up by the question, Just as
Mr.. Baumgarten approached them. At
his appearance the blush in Grace Gar.
mePs face rivaled that in Edith's.
You surpassed yourself to-day" cried
Lady Avon, as she shook hands with
him. II must hear that sermon again,
Would you mind lending it to me?"
Not at ALL" he replied, "if you can
only make out my hieroglyphics."
When shall / have it? Will YOU
bring it up this evening, and take tea
with us? But you will find the walk
long, perhaps, after your services to-day
and the weather is hot" she added.
Very long; too far. Could you NOT
return with us now, Mr.. Baumgar.en? :"
interposed her daughter. Mamma will
be glad of you to say grace at table"
Whether it pleased the countess or not,
she had no resource, in good manners,
but to second the invitation so uncere.
moniously given. Mr.. Baumgarten may
have thought he had no resource but to
acquiesce-out of good manners also, Der,
haps. He stood leaning over the car
riage, and spoke, half laughing:
Am to bring my sermon with meY
II so l must go in for it. l have Just
taken 1t from my pocket"
He came back with his sermon in its
black cover. The seat of the carriage
was exceedingly large, sweeping round in
half circle. Lady Grace drew nearer
to her mother, sitting quite back in the
middle of the seat, and Mr.. Baumgarten
took his seat beside her. Edith Dane
cast look after them as the carriage
rolled away, a panied envious look; for
her the sunshine of the afternoon had
goe out.
Miss Dane did not like these visits of
his to Avon House, and he seemed to be
often going there on one plea or another.
There, he was surrounded by all the glory
and pomp of stately life, and that is ant
to tell upon mans heart; Grace Car
mel, too, was more beautiful than she.
and singularly attractive. Not that Edith
did, or could, suppose there was any
real danger; the difference in their so
cial positions barred that
Some cloud, unexplained, and nearly
forgotten now, had overshadowed Lady
Avon's later life. 1t had occurred. what
ever it was, during the lifetime of her
lord. She had chosen ever since to live
at Avon House in retirement.
An inward complaint, real or fancied.
had set in, and the countess thought
herself unable to move to London. Lady
Grace had been presented by her aunt
and passed one season in town; then she
had returned to her mother, to share per-
force in her retirement, at whic,, she
inwardly rebelled. Over and over again
did Grace wish her brother would marry
and come home; for the place was his.
and it would oblige her mother to quit il
But Lord Avon preferred his town house
to his country one, and told his mother
she was heartily welcome to stay in it.
He liked gay life better than a dull
one; as all the world had known when
he was young Viscount Standish.
1t is just possible that the ennui of
Grace's monotonous life at Avon had led
to her falling in love with Mr.. Baum
garten. That she had done so, that she
loved him, with a strong and irrepressi-
BILE passion, was certain and she did not
try to overcome it, but rather fostered
it. seeking his society, dwelling upon his