Year: 1875

CONTINUED FROM YESTERDAY


''Do I?-do I?' l stammered.


II know that you are always kind to
me but when have you ever brought me
u luncheon. screen, your finest chair
and your finest rug, without being re.
quested to do SOP Tell me, sir"


"Bdt really you must have looked fol
some change in my character, Aunt Cath
crime. 1t is impossible for one to be care
less in SO glorious place.


succeeded in diverting her attention
for the moment from any popularity in
my manner, yet at the same time | could
not prevent myself from regarding her in
the new light with which | thought her
surrounded.


The delicacy of her face, the large look
of her eyes, the slow movement of her
head, the softness and distinctness of her
voice-yes, even the shape and repose of
her hand, seemed to me to be invested
with new charms, and must confess that
they absorbed me.


The special object of her visit was to
bring me silver vase of exquisite model,
which she had volunteered to lone me in
order that | might study it-I having at
that time a transient passion for shape
and design. After some time had elapsed,
and as the gathering twilight reminded
her that her drive home was to be q long
one, she took the vase from its leathern
case, and placed it upon table near by.
While performing this simple act, she as
sumed look Of deep gravity, and
thought she rclinquished her hold upon
the pretty tritle with some reluctance.
She gazed at it some seconds in silence.
Then she said, in lower and more
thoughtful tone than she was wont to use


Chris, | have brought this out of long
retirement for you. 1t has been absent
from my sight for over twenty years, and
there have grown up about it a great ma
ny things to think of-yes, great many.
But as it is treasure of mine, | know it
will be a treasure of yours.


She placed it in my hands with an ex-
pressye motion. Nothing could have
been more eloquent of her trust and the
value of her trust than that one quick act


"Have you lost the other, aunt ?" asked
|, noticing that the case was meant to con-
tain two vases.


"No." said she, after a bare instant
mo: the giyer kept that-he kept it as a
memento."


Somewhat startled by the tone of the
latter sentence, looked up. My aunt's
face was perfectly white She slowly
turned her head, and looked out at the
dim figures of the trees, and cool, steady
from the pale western sky set the old uni
versity walls in a hollow roar and made
her seem little ghasty.


Before | could speak (and my tongue
seemed tied) the sound of the wind died
n Il ,t, I'll
the deep voice of some one reading. My
aunts ear caught it Immediately She
calmly turned her head to listen, and so
soft was the echo and so in keeping was
its timbre with the solemnty of the mo-
ment. that it pleased her. and she placed
her finger on her lips to check me. |
looked down at the vase that held in my
hand. My heart began to beat rapidly.
alone was aware of the communion that
was going on. He was reading the after
noon service from the prayer-book, and
she-she of all human beings in the wide
world, was closely following him with
suspended BREATH and with Il heart sur
charged with the same emotions that
filled his own. 1t was only when he he
gan paragraph that we could hear what
he said "Almghty and most merciful
Father" "God be merciful unto US"
and almighty God who has given us
grace


All the rest ran on in monotone. He
seemed to 20 nearer and nearer his win
dows, as the quickly failing light grew
less and less, and then, after some brief
sentences, repeated probably from men,
ory, his voice ceased altogether, and he
stood looking out, no doubt, upon the
gloom gathering over the wide spread
city.


My aunt said but little more. led her
down to her carriage, passing on the way
the door ofmy neighbor room. | noticed
that she looked toward it as she went by.
wondering, very likely what manner of
lonely man it could be that thus fed his
spirit with such strange devotion.


The question now forced itself upon
me: "What shall do with the power thus
thrust into my hands ?'


An instant's reflection aroused me to
high sense Of my dangerous and critical
position. l was bewidered by the re-
sponsibility that was heaped upon my
shoulders, and the more | thought of the
matter the greater seemed theAecessity of
action, and at the same time the greater
seemed my inability to act.


The day succeeding that on which my
aunt brought me the vase passed in quiet.
Nothing disturbed me, and had ample
time to determine what my course should
be.


But did not determine. On the con-
trary, felt more irresolute and oppressed
than ever; and | likened myself to one
who, walking through a narrow valley,
suddenly beholds poised above him i'm
mense masses of earth which tremble at
every step he makes in advance or re-
treat.


The issue was forced, however, in spite
of my weakness-I am tempted to say cow
ardice


On the next afternoon house-maid EN-
ployed in the university came in with an
invitation from my neighbor to visit him
| accepted it, and presented myself at his
door. | was in Il strange state of mind,
and it is with difficulty that recall what
took place within his walls. | remember
that the old feeling of utter subordnation
returning to me ut the moment that l be.
held his grave face and towering form
and that the consciousness, that 1 was in
one sense his master, instead of causing
me to feel an independence, only added