Year: 1879

CHAPTER K.


The sight of this picture has unnerved me.


BULwER-


Had any one else made similar PROPOSE
ton to her, Rachel wsuld have declined
without hesitation but, somewhat to her own
surprise she found herself consenting to Mag
dalens request. They had some farther talk
together, which confirmed the impression
which the appearance and manner Of the 9TH
er had already produced upon her mind !;
and when they separated to resume their sew
eral tasks, she felt already cheered by the
conviction that she had permitted the founda-
ton to be laid of an intercourse which was
likely to prove source of pleasure and in.
teresC.


According to their agreement, the two
walked together, after their days occupation
was ended, to Magdalen's home. 1t was a
plain cottage Of four rooms, beautifully neat,
with tiny flower garden in front. This,
Magdalen told Rachel, as she paused to ad-
mire fragrant rose, was the charge OF her
brother James, who, Notwithstanding his
lameness, was able to devote himself to its
cultivation.


"You must take tea with us" she said, as
she opened the front door. "Mother is always
glad to have visitor y and before Rachel
could either accept or decline, she added to
an old lady in mourning, who sat reading by
a window in the little parlor, "Mother, here's
friend of mine have brought home with
me t~tea"


Mrs. Gray looked up with benevolent
smile, turning to the visitor countenance
very similar to her daughters, only rounder
and healthier in its outlines.


"You are very welcome, my DEAR" she
said kindly, extending her hang. "Magdalen
so seldom has anybody to come and see her
that Pm always glad when one of her friends
happens to come in. But am l not to know
your name?'


"Oh did forget to introduce herT said
her daughter. "Her name is Ray-oddly
enough do not know your Christian name,
though we have been so long together" she
added to Rachel, who supplied the omission.
Magdalen was brighter in her manner at
home than abroad. She spoke in cheerful
tone, and with a smile less pensive than she
usually wore. A delicate glow came into her
face as she moved about, arranging the tea
things on little table in the centre OF the
room, while her mother entertained Rachel.


"Sbe will attend to all that herself" Mrs.
Gray explained, though l know she is tired
when she comes home; but she scolds me so
when she finds that 1 have done it that | am
frightened into letting it alone"


"As if you hadn't enough to do all day
lougw said Magdalen Cooking dinner, and
tidying up the house, and looking after Jem.
By the by, where is he this EVENING""


"He is in his room just now" replied her
mother. 81 will call him as soon as you are
ready"


The little table was laid with exquisite care
On the snow.white damask cloth, service Of
perfectly plain, but fine old china was set. The
repast was of the simplest, consisting only OF
fresh rolls, butter and cream, and a plate of
fruit, but a vase of flowers in the centre diff
fused an air of grace and festivity over the
whole, and the delicate taste of all the ar
rangements offered fresh evidence, to Ra-
chefs mind, of the native refinement of the
inmates of this unpretending abode.


"Jem" was presently called, and came in.
A tall boy of about fifteen, even sighter,
paler, more fragile looking than his sister, but
with frank, sweet smile, and a pleasant
sparkle in his blue eyes, that seemed to tell Of
a contented heart. He walked with crutch,
and one limb was perceptibly shorter than
the other Rachel marveled, as she looked
at the delicate pair, how it was possible that,
through their agency, and with no other help
but that of the mother, so advanced in years,
everything about the establishment should be
kept in such complete and perfect order as it
seemed to be. A cheerful flow of talk was
kept up during the meal, to which Rachel was
beguiled into contributing her share. Nays
once, in response to some playful remark of
Jem's, she even found herself indulging in
laugh, an expression Of mirth to which she
had certainly not given vent since leaving
Drowsieville


As soon as tea was over she arose to 60,
somewhat alarmed to perceive that it was al
ready growing dusk.


"Dont be in haste to leave us" said her
hostess, "Jem will see you safely home"


"Oh!I could not think of taking him out"
exclaimed Rachel, in unfeigned surprise at
the proposal.


"Why not? I go out constantly" said the
boy readily. "Every Saturday evening ! 60
to market, and sometimes mother gets me to
do her shopping for her, when Mag is too
busy"


"It is already too late for you to 60 alone, %
added Magdslen, $50 you may as well wait a
little longer, until the lamps are lit"


Notwithstanding their persuasions, however,
Rachel, who had not really very far to 60.
thought it best to take her leave at once; so as.
surfing them that she did not mind venturing
alone, she bade them adieu, with the promise
to come soon again. She hurried home, feel
ing little nervous, but reached Miss Smith.
sons in safety and her evening passed more
quickly than usual, frightened by the new
train of thought which the days experience
and her unwonted recreation had given rise to.


From that time forth the friendship between
Magdalen and herself steadily grew and
strenothened. and visits were frequently ex-