Year: 1874

Salu no morei DuJ CLOSELY ODSerVeu Jne
lovers, and soon came to the conclusion
that Fred was by no means disagreeable to
her. Things went on in this way without
any definite result until Fred received a
sudden summons home on account of his
mothers illness. When he came back to
renew his visit he insisted upon staying at
the Oakville Hotel rather than wear out his
welcome at our house, and finding remon-
strances unavailing, there he went. The
landlord (honest old DownsburyAI won
der if he yet lives) gave Fred, at my sug-
gestion, his bedroom. "No. 20'-I am
particular in mentioning the number. He
shall have No. co." said Downsbury. Any
friend of yours, Master Augustus, shall
have the best have to give as longs Pm
landlord" 1t was pleasant room, look
ing out on the distant hills and the beauti-
full winding branch Of the Blackwater but
what cared Fred for scenerSP he was in the
hands of the blind god, and could not see
even as far as his nose, except in the direc-
tion of Bellies cottage. used to 60 over to
Fred's room and smoke my cigar while he,
poor wretch expatiated on his sufferings,
doubts, and solicitudes. Did she love
him? that was the question which disturb
ed every moment of his existence, and to
which, with the closest reasoning, he could
not bring himself satisfactory reply.
Sometimes he thought word or sign
settled the point beyond doubt in his IA
oA "a, H. cov o,ol l.,
and indifference in her eyes.


In this condition of uncertainty he dared
not press the question lest hasty step
might bring him to grief.


At Fred's earnest solicitation promised
to sound Belle as to her sentiment, if
favorable opportunity presented itself, or at
any rate to let her know, in an indirect
way, that Fred was languishing in distress
on her account, and thus give her no excuse
for unnecessarily prolonging his misery. 1t
so happened, however, that my services
were not called into requisition. Belle
Bronson, because of the sudden arrival at
her house of some country cousins, was
obliged to give up her room-her mothers
cottage being a small one-and to occupy
for single night room at the hotel. We
would cheerfully have offered her guests
accommodation at our house, but we were
in the same predcament. An agricultural
fair in the village had brought many stran-
gers into the place, and our own guests were
so numerous that had given up my room
to two of them, and had intended asking
Fred Evans to let me pass the night with
him.


For this purpose went to the hotel at a
late hour, and proceeded at once to Fred's
room, but to my surprise found no one
there. did not even notice that his trunk
was gone or suspect the fact which after
ward became apparent, that "to oblige
some lady guests for this night only" as
the landlord expressed it, Fred had con-
sented to give up "No. 20'' and occupy a
small room in the rear of the building. The
gas being turned up l took a book to await
his return, and hearing at last what appear
ed to be steps approaching the room, and
supposiug it to be Fred, in momentary
impulse to play joke upon him slipped
under the bed, a large and high one, in
tending to initiate cat (of which animal l
knew he had a detestation) SO soon as he
entered the room. The door opened, and
was on the point of indnlging in my ven
tiiloquial faculty by giving long drawn
0aieoU, when from my hiding place beheld
Belle Bronson take quiet possession of the
apartment.


My astonishment was great, and the
sense Of modification SO intense, that did
not, as should have done, make myself
Immediately known to her. Thus the op-
portunity for discovery and explanation was
lost. / dared not move hair but hoped
sincerely that some excuse might take her
out of the room for moment, and so facil-
itate my escape. She, however, locked the
door, removed the key and, as / knew by
the sound, prepared to retire. Finally she
kneeled down beside the bed, and ciasped
her hands and bowing her head sofearfully
near to mine that l could hear the soft
words in my very earl, she offered up her
evening prayer in manner 80 full of feel
ing, and such sweet accents Of womanly
tenderness and devotion, that / felt as if
she was an angel bending over the vilest of
mortals. That prayer went to my heart;
but one portion Of it went through it and
held it captive. Never shall forget my
feelings of surprise and my deep emotion
when heard her utter these words "bless
my dear mother, sisters, and friends bless