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' s * .** itf-w*. < *« -ApLL. V ♦ V, ft 33? feARNWELL COURT HOUSE, S. C., APRIL 18tH,l889. ■«.. • 4 B7 MAE! A U FOOL. /- /. CHAPTER I. t »li«l »w<l fw*lNn*v anvlxxlj f?r*1 fhorp. A niine<l ca^tlo had never looked nu»re dawrted than did (hut *quaro old house wh«*n I came In night of it. It* bnro brawn nidm Ktoo«l out ngnln^ the fall nurndtioc witliout a tine clambering near. At a little distance fiom itntKiuthcrn cud there rone a tn-e, a dying nycamore that drew iiMt'lf uher and reftiH^I to droop brer a blackened and nu»s«y wVl curb that at«*«**l at it* r^»ota. Tint was all one •aw in looking from the hill on v\ hose, brow l stopped my hor«k‘ to rest him and niywrlf ii-mi i.»%nrf. v il... .>.»imn v HilLs n*e all round the housi’. and the fcamnw. grxvsy roa*! on which I was , tmreling was tlu* only sign any one had ' aplwtKW’he^ the building since it wa* •recusi. # Ko l thought, till, descending th»> slojte | anti troitfng slowly down th«» r<xul l»y the h<>Ui«f. 1 startleil a hen w ith a Itnvod Httle peeping chickciM from a hwkle- tierry tmsh dose by the Way. l!ii[>< lleil by a Mrango impuls/ which 1* dpi~rmt ~ - understand nor try to resist, 1 n ine.! in my horse ami dismounted. The chick- ana ran •rreaming to tljcir niotlierU* l %alkisl by tlu^n fo the i)oor. “Pabr things!" sanl 1 to myscli!, "how _ nill they ever get through Hi? winti-rr’ 1 felt like naying- that to everything I saw about the 4)lai e. it was ipiitsi u -L>ug - ^ walk from the highway to the iU*»r, and luy feet mere than once got entangled tl»-.faded rcmni'ia-of the t;dl weeds that had fl»mrished there all smo- t»M*r. Clos»« by t!n> door I wn*astouisl.M'd * to aee a |dot of heliotrope wt out in tlje ■>in for »n hour at' mid.Liy, I suj p^d. Die air wan unusually warm for the late fall, *nd tho aunUglit fell rcMvingly on the •weet purple flowers. 1 gave a ri'HoMitding rap* on the do<^r with my riding* whip thet made the house eehi Ukt* a great hollow ehcjl^ Then, U'fore anybody should come, l tncsl to think what l chould say when •i>me oho did appear. A middlo aged, ordinary looking womun rnme from aomewhero far I tni’k, I should think, for ) henrd tier walking u lofig time lK.-fuie ah«o]irned the door. •*C'nn you aceommo»!ato mwlf and" horse till to-morrow^' (;iak)s|. *'I am tlre.|, and would raflier stop her« than ride on to the hotel at the next village.’’ After a njoa»»*nt'a thought and ncru- jny of my face mid drew* she replied: l guejis mi; if you’ll take cure of sour home voursclf." • 4 1 agreed to the cowlitlon, and she called a child to alum* me the stable.- A little, toddling 4-year-oM girl came-and ^rnl Irfrm me. d^iwn l»ehind a kiedl ■ — , . . ^*»**«* « ( of a lx>x-*DaictWttjR iof a plant, I imagined. "Thunk you," was tho answer; “thi* dciBi not enquiry much at length; it Is only my dexterity that b called into Her voice waa avert and hnrmonlous; she spoke with the intonation of polite eocicty. . , , I w*a rude enough to stiUBd i»y boraev- eml seconds, with Watchful eye*, noting the tlcxihle form in its criiqmm morning gown. If 1 hud t*H*n a woman 1 should have said. ‘•Tiiat Is tlie color moat conso nant u ith that face;’’ but as 1 -am a man 1 only bad a dim realiwitlon that the pul- lidity of her countenance was rclieve^l t*y tlie warm tint she wore, and, little nv I knew the girl, l fi ll nn imh'seriliable rts.'ognitaiH of hnr lot, passionful. spirit in'the fciguiltcant Kcrini'K-i of licit beauti ful crimson Some unknown link Im'- tween her trmpvmnent and the outsido world bad blade that vital hue tlie silent interpreter ol her characteristic*. /. * • • Something itr Its royal violet appeahsl to me ua the insignia of Mina Clare's idiosyn crasies, its rich perfume w;w lha fitting iiroma of her impeii;d future, it Uire itself as the princely gonfalon of the host* of her heart and head, uyder anyh nn ensign did 1 nlreaiiy w isli to enlist. I thought with aMiiile, thiiL though Miss Clare wa* not a blonde, yet 1 would like to follow her standard. “Youyliko flowers, I ympposc, Mrs. Jordan,” I said to my host<***s. ;u. I stoo<l oxer the bloasom, inhaling with epi curean breaths its iiux>m{v*inible richness. “Yea, w ell enough. Hutd never should think of fussing alsiut that thing u« M.iss Clare does. She brought it awax from home <x ith her. and has taken the great est rare of it ever Kluee.“ _r " “Thi n this U not her home," I re marked indilferently, “Oh, no; slie only Ixiarda here for a whilo.'t “Mrs. Jerdan is right," simke Miss Clare’s tuneful voice from the doorxx ay. “1 am here Mv an long as I wish to nUiy, home is in Boston.” Was it her particular province to dis compose nnd confuse tue> If it bad Uvn. she could net havo succeeded oloro en tire Iv. “Inltlttte me Into Uie myirtcrlca, will your ^ “Of Ehntsjs?^ inquired I, laughing and wondering xVhin Ahesncant. t>ho replie«l xx ivli randy tongue: “No; 1 have the innu flic lent key of /Raehylua for that. 1 mean l xvaut Mr. Perrom to teach mo to shoot.” ^ * “You can shoot now." '“You require explicitness, T see. t want you to teach me hox* to hit tlu) mark w hen 1 do shoot. Will you?” exultation 1 onlv un- pnusrs Miss Clara looked nt lively ami said: i*. „ •It’s of iui uae*-you < an t imccvt/l; aot toe at ten because you luxt*e not the will, l?ut Ik.- causo your xxil! partakeH of iheweakntsja said; “It Is hardly constatad for you to ad vise like that.” “Bow .do you know?" with a surprise that apixeared t«> havo a little alarm In it. “By your face,” 1 said. ““ f*he tdritfl'd mrrvcd. and turned to go. I calhsl her ixack. x “You nrust Ik? brief," she rrramx- strnt/'d; “1 don't want to havo you faint ing Again “1 only^vnnb'd to ask yd07ln OSsex am unconscious, not to allow Mr*. .lot- ( rtaTf t"i hnvc n physician lu'ro xvho is wry j helivvc'l should not Iirfvc ha?T oeensio^ ignorant. 1 have litth* fajth in country, 1 U'lieve 1 coneealoxl the which tliosu words gave me. Bxx-ered: “With pleasure.";. ^ “When shall xvb commrncetf"' TIi‘i asked. _ “Tti-mrirroxv," f>ahi.— All day I liad a to-morrow to which to look forward. J confess to the childish ness of thinking ns often as once every .quarter hour that the next day I xxasto practice whimtin^ .xx ith Miss* Clhfl'. f xx it t nr 'said: 1 looked down at the girl's-c.yoa ami t’o numse myself of this h.ad I Ihsti otly- xyhrre rise than in thU solitary^tlaee, xvheio •there were but fpw outside in- flueneee to intrude theins*‘tves UfSuTt nu v . I tia<l seen but txxo cxariiagca* upon the roan i inee iuj arrival- there, rntd qfii.r morning gallop over lung and which aha had never control. J "• . . . At length, I roused myaoif and spoke: “1 am very gyatcfuUoyou. Misfl Clara. Wb<’n I reguin a little of my fonndr of your physH-al nature. Yield, throw strength, I will try «otellyni l*ow ftiank- aside y«iuv pride. h;ul hdtnlt’y wait till ful I am: for l diibnot wtsh to die." nature recuperates herself." • I 1 did nnt&itawrr till I reackexl rnyown . door; then, on 1 rested before entering. I Site rnae am) moved toxvard the dock « “ You ana rrry weak now, and exaggerate. * Hava you any message for Mrs. Jordan?” ^ “•xuno. Don't desert tac In my ooa- vulrscvnoe, will youl*” “Ton'll soon finable bi'dcscrt us,*’ aha aryd. with tier habd on th» doof and a sfuiloonher face. “But I shall not hive the will," I cried. “Well, good-by.” bho xvua in the pass- age howr ' - “tiixsl-by," 1 groaned, rather than said, for all tho light seemed leaving t’’0 roonv. tendency has been tlon nf a 6r»nkrt<wis, thinncaaw narrfflva merits of fullm*# and ; . ^ CHAPTER II. 4 - I'lfiw thatl cotnmanoad to live npahi I grexx^ rapidly brlb*. 'flio fmlsu of “.t//■>«- i>< a.i*>nt j/i#u.y As I hxoked at her. shi-raiasllMW li*m mer and strui’k it on n nail shi* was bolil- iag in place; t h«*-nod^Wx;*,—1--f-o*!n it^ position, and she drove it ll:r<>ogU tin* ih*al» [art of one of thx 1 fiii_;t'r~ <4- ln-r laf-t- liand. I uttered an ex<-I '.mation, and • n deavored t i take l!».*. hammer Trum her luind. fc>h*e smiltsl a little strange smile, an 1 clenched iier fingers over the lutWllo tv> prevent my getting it—then she drew tie.' nail from her bleeding lin- gers and fionmhsl it in its place witl» an energy that had something «»f epiti* in ft. —-“What can one do xx-ith ste'-h a x^-oman aaAhat?’' almost bnrst fro.n my li|*s, mi im;ietuoiis|y iiid it cross my mind. S!ie rte,* from her Lncoft mid began binding up Iier hand xx ith her hamlker- ehief very tenderly. ;m>i x\it!i an expres* sion of soft, self pit\ on her face. I to<>k t be hand in mine n 1 sxrnthed it in the goHsann^ liandkeri tiief: as 1 did so 1 ictxv a natuo imrked in its comer. Tliinking that if l wanted to knoxv In r I mu-dtaho advantage of every ein'iiui-t.anee 1 m i ii- stretches of broxx n field, 1 hud nothing t<> do but read, write and think: l.waa often in the mrHnl at that jH-riod of my life, xvhen, if 1 xxas idle for any length of time, my thoughts bwatye as errant as my <nateri:d natiiroTx-«s->iothful; they would p< r».ist in wandering to that xx Inch they liked Ust. N'oxv my emotions or fny roiiM'd interest xx tTe the xVaymarks, all |Htinting to "tho path my thoughts should take—everything made tm almost vx ith a pninCul cxelui-iveWi'.-.s, of Mlss'tTare. I h'lTt rieurly rrnrlieri rrn' thirtieth xear. and 1 eould rot lay to ex- _/ treme y.|itl. aeom entration of th.'ughf She l.H.led iipTuuiy TacolIiufTmkf- r ' H fecx ntly asked: rL 'l» “Wiiy m*? E)ocs tho imputation wr>und your^lignitx*?* 1 noted that, noxx that the pupils xverr -contmetisj, l;er eyes xvere hnzi't gny. 1 replielp to iirr Yankee tlrrectttvss bv’ an indistinct murmur, fur in truth 1 did'rml knoxv xehut to say. Then 1 n marked: “Your heliotrope is getting t«*» large for this pot; you must transplant it. unit*# you xxuut it to blossom itself to death." “Yes, it xvn«rf>>r this pet of mine that I xvas vx\»utui»-<l tins morning: 1 am “Y'ou have discovered that I am inter- c*t«sl*in you." "1 have diseovrml tlmt-yrkt cxpi-ricrcc ft feeling, xv 1 w< h, if you w.*n: a xxom.in, I sIumiM surely call curiosity,” slm au- sxxi rfd. ;i4*-atieing toxvard mo and stoj> ping tiy her plant, fondling it w xvith dainty lingers. — — “1 d<*n't like to havo you call tho fee I--, ing hy that name," l said, xxith on nir that implied that Fho could awaken a stronger sensation than uiero—euri><«rty. 1 found (hat every such gallant ut- doctors—not mueh in any. You'll knoxv by b is appoarancu-if-hc'a a quack. Pi> x - sx i iln' for me yourself, rather than ulloxv such to attend mo. You promirn'?” I held "but my uu-teady hand. She took it and.ictid, “I promisi';” then ran down stairs for Mrs. Jt-rdan. I et.qg- gered into my nxMn and fi ll upon the lied, utterly in the gra.-pof that unseen, strange ’]«oxyer of discaav. Tho next morfth is not a blank to me. though but for a few hler.syd memories I sbuiild pray that it inighT l>e so. Tberp xvere Mime moinvpjs of calm, moments when I opened my tfpurv cyeo in realirafion _of every thinjj a round uie. Twice 1 mw^. Miss (.hire sitting near; alio gave me an ansxvering look of intelligence to j compenyyig me. ami flatly rxjfused logo that xx Inch *lk'saxv in my f;we'. \ did xvithout her. At lirst 1 wa» sadly afnod --rr»H-Tqxetik. 1 bud nnt tlie slightust xvLh to shw would ruafc.t—I saw signs of it irl do vx—l el isiri ivy vyv* xvitli a feeling hi r eyisi y4 , l 1 was ahvady prewiring (>f dis'p and.entire relief, for, xvbde 1 : -to maintain ipy retjuoU. xvhen sho and- robust mmda which can tie t ward without a break from Oeorga to Fiekling—have baaa growing and rarer, lu heidtli liounded fn»er and stronger every- making a very little mi ^ day. dn' my Inmost heart 1 aeknowl- luui Ix'en caremlly cuftlimtad e<lifp<I tiiat (o my illness I owed u nearer •"•dJy dejrtrrouahanda. ni^Tv.u'li to Miss(1ar« than I c<aiM hpvfc effectisl In tluU time by usual inter- r>?un*«*. And, contradictorily, 1 waadlo- contentcil and unbajxpy in tlihikiog so. Slio bail. Is en kind to tlio Htvalkl; it bad now become my doarcBt hope of ha(i|x(- iii’ks that she might some day l>c kind t^ reached the point of |l uu uts of ilia tire uinn.siiuply fof Ins na n ixiikiv While I was fuipris'ifxsl iu my room I anxv Mi-yx xmly <mc4* or txx icr; but xx hen I got jwlow stairs and could walk jijv and dow n at the Kiinrva snle of thu hoiiM*. I Insisted upon Mlas 4.'inro’a nc- souie develop me nottrtdy a specie* •oil. or rtUKer m Niwr Tb#k riiw ftnd fonifnt bed a, hy uu alaboi^ie triv amount of clevertroaii can tkaf.’vpfMT ‘ tho nnttiratrf fbinf* _ fir _ Hied. Thoa» miraelca of inexhauatlklo noth*n|p>eBa. in xvInch the tiniest rifillet of inc ~ just trleklcs aero-w a continent gne. cannot long be intereatihr; even as inirat ka. In an age to aiiil4h4b»-mD raontoiia. doea TuH make a permanently •uccceuful ainwal^wBoitnightly Cuvlaw. t ineideit t of , e» f f * r —77'- ~7 t^hTnad TMt«s xe i" nut r-nit Initiala «r your wune ov;r twery (ping you imaema-an pe<v »Je xx bo pick up a mrk'or Trwih pil- 4de4»4-iml-pfMw*r twloro cxperienei-d in—-tVaii^d .bpr prr^xig eTT b'jiroil no more donty Tiehlcd and gracefullr-wynt with I’' 0 l ,tl ,'5_ u l > * _ .V* “3^ I”*. gir.ijTxxoman. . tliclneubus of fever. ■ • - ' ; ^ V> ’ ' ' pn.K'ri^^ A b'aden flow of the blood through mr Tho days of convalescence nt last "Tlie ground was frozen stiiT. ^ ^ ^ Mtw n wm..bui nU* reiil^.’Ti heftvy-»lrod«ling of my temples xvU‘n 1 wx’nt to bed that night. g;ive prondse of something Inside an accurate eye and true ntm for the morning. Tin* next day’s sunligiit. xx In n if «:ime In on my fare througb The wiiidoxv, fell with cruel briglitness uis.n ey«*s ^which had not slept thnnigh the night. 1 felt ihul l was e-i:her very ill or xx as getting really to "be so. I xx ajciMrrmined to rise and go down jitr.iis, lioxxuver, and nfter re- p'ati.sj failures I at length auceccdetl in I,,:. lK.» t..u,arrow, h «ii I ««l «!««> 1 h»d rafted wliik* 1 H.«rU. fc-nwlT nnd U'«mo*i»l.«rart^Wf 1 f " r , ,I ""' ^ °' vr r _ .'i i, • , cot ( own those stairs l never knexv, but in return for my love, ft is not y , . , , , , , , l fainted di'.'til away at the ItoUom. 1 rememU r, xvlun tin* tir.st scnsatioii of f.uMtneos came up>n me, that my mind Luuntvl a curse tiiat my nrunT otreuglh should have left me, Ik fort* 1 could vrb»»n* I fouml a dilapidatxsl Uiru, lubi tmtxixi 4ixo•marking uud read aloud which rintnvluced my hors*'. * Tbe.pro***iiru **f theehild surprfsrsl me. T ha<l- n«4. thought -there [tad been A child on the premise* for years. I tried to m.xko her talk, imt she xvould not, or could n*if. so I walked hark to tho house. It wns sornexvliat past their dinner lionr. and I said l xvanted nothing to * at till supp*'r. I saw no one but tlie xvoman nnd child, and U'^an to .think l h.ui c«»urt*sl n fit nf ennui in YKddihg to-my Smpul'tf' and coining tt» this quiet placss. ! thought of tho heliotrope at the door, and wonder*'’! if it !>clonged t»i this xv«>- man. I stu-lie-l her face, and deeiihsl that If she wished to cultivate tloxvers she xyould chboso a bright, doublo mari- gvdcU 1 anontere* 1 out of d >ors, nn l round Into tho front yard; the floxver i>ot xvas -yrtmAr'"Wyhostra* tcidamt i» , iwiWed it. 1 knew. I had already xvoro.n aJittln plot, th® hcroinn of which should bo a axvect, lituo eyo»l bf.mda, tbebw ner of the helio- trrxp®. Blondes were my faxorrtes, aud this ia*ly must be a Saxon beauty. At aupper, a alight, dark girl carne and sat down at table opfmaito me. Site be stowed a deliberate, inquiring look upon me. ftnd thru uto her supis*r, never even glancing fuy way again. It xvaa very provoking; that prolonged lo*>k Bt'emed to aitUfy H«'r that 1 xvas so very ordinary 'Appearing that there was no noed of ltd-* •towing on mo another glance. 1 think S looked at |ier during the whole meal: I could not help it. Uor dark f:iee drew , my eyes, and unconsciously challenged them to jtcruso it. Her eyes were largo end dark, the Uarknesa seeming to lio principally In the great power of expan sion In the pupil, which was luminous and soft; Malt was then, though I after ward le,amod tlwt it did not ultvays pos sess that quality. 1 launched several topic* of conversa tion. watching her meanwhile, hoping she would favor mv frail l»ark» with fair “Viviane t’fanv" * “Excu.-- me. Miss Qlarc,” I c.;id; "l knoxv ! am x*ory rude, but I wqh (oIk'- -rmn M [Kvcs"ssed of t!vo light ta’ spenk to you, and ’you - 1*.-a 1 am l>«>ld enough to rci.lo the li:>t *>;qK*itunity of loaramg your name.’’ She *xx ithdrew her hand xvith a sml- detHiess that wxs almest a jvrk. and i i- stantly bdeamo ul'sorbtnl in tvndmg it ^•“V- , y , * * “1 wiH!i I had persisted In my irtcution of dtxng ytmr .ettrpcntcnng for y*mi. 1 Raid. “I supjxos*' you think if you bad |>rr s;.>ti'd yob would haxo sHeceedtsl, «!m't vou?” niie nsked. xvi.h a laugh tlial wa.» vor)* muaical, xvlniu it xv;u siigluly sa tirical. “I realir.e noxy that I should Ijayo Ucn “defeated Yh uiV. h'aman^ J> sin'.” J re plied. “Y'ou liavx* not yet pardoned m.* for discovering your name by stnctagoni.’ I cunf.nucd. “In uioneiurnt l* t me t* D you that the name by which men know’ mo Is Jarl I’crrom.” 1 bowed as 1 cex-e*!'speaking; she *lid m<t look up to jh'ivcivo it, sho only wiid 4 “Yliank you, Mr. Perroui,” with an in deacrituble ac*-ent of |>dilo *lei ision. thu' pierrti*! me like ►luirp steel. I “l hope you will *exjK'rie]r"e no evil effects from the wound.” ITaid. lower ing my eyelids to hide iny vexed ey* s f “With your porraiasion, I xvill I, ad my horse from tho Mali, os hu wants groom , ihg." - ! I thought sho would go out at that, but site said: { “I don't mind It;*’ and turned to her boards and nails again. ' There sho crouched, graceful as a couehant leopard, fumbling, uith Iter bandaged left hand, and making quick, tolling stroke* with Iier right. I never groomed a horse pith so distracted n ituiti before. Under mv bonds he grew , pettisli and fractious, and 1 'narrowly es caped living kicked aexeral times. At ness human at all. Mr. l\‘rr«4n.” “You are tov) young t<i lx* said, Ms-relly-ghMiof-tbi*. voluubsTed, and astonished tluit 1 was so glad. . , “It is not years that 4nke a cynic," was the reply; “it i 3 life, nnd there »'o t-o much of f?fe Horn* times in a day.” . 1 did not Icduicd a respons*.' to that re- ninrk, thoiigh 1 x\ t.i*p*'ak in n'nus 1 lean*! she would resent as t>»o per sonal. A silence'of Rex oral minutes fol- h>we«l,.*l he harsh linet* Hround iirr nnmt h, the retrosjieeuvo npjH'arance'ot Imt face, made me imagine Iut to Is' thinking of something ilisagreealile in her past. At last 1 said:*. •. . “fan 1 be of any assistance in trans- plantin®, to-moi row.'” lb r face did mil change ns sho said: “Thank . x uu, iKmu whatever,” and xvalIced awav. What vagary had taken possession of me, proniplmg. me to like thi* gin* Something that I felt would soon develop itM'lf inlolhal xxliieh would prove iu*»re vital than n meivlirak. Tluftigh 1 could not. xvith any n-ason. ihx'ido xx hy I 'bad liceomo so conscious of tin's attraction, ! yH f frtl IT'to IT; if eft-mre UK 'ligtitning, as po\xi-rlul irfullus suieToTTs niaikT lT did not love tke girl. I do not think 1 believe in the idea of the growth of any tiling ko com pic be, so |KTf*st as love, in one nr txvo dayK. 1 do not deny its |k*s- siinlity for home natures, xvhyrc "the whole prexTous life'Hcopis to Ii5xe bei'O attune*! by* In visible hands for this me* t- ing ami lid.-- I<»ve. But for me. xvho h i' 4 - grojKHl in earth** dryne*.* and dusllncs* 1 did not c.'.jH'ct a sudden purification for the reccptioii of the gloriou* guest. . . 1 had Iks'ii nt the isohiU'd farm hrnise a fortnight, ami had sis'ir very little <*f v “Miss flare. In the meantime.Avhrn 1 sat at, my reading or xvntlng I ota-asiou- ally heard the report «'f a pistol from . somewhere b»**'k ot the houstv Tor a , , g tiuie - ! xxTiTrdrrcd xx hat txn ot young rni 1 f dnxvrtcd iip*ui me. Sleep, the merciful and alMicaling. Kiniled uj>r»n my tired Mnd. There were day* xvhetiil sct'in«*d tp.uie tiiat 1 slept neat ly nil the time— slept with ft sense of quiet bliss that mad** me wish f^r nothing beyond th*' present. When I fell into tho Iiabit of lying p*'aeefully nxvake for several-hour*. 1 noli its l tiiat the xloctor came every day. 1 thought him • quiet, reliable man. wh>^ iipi>earcd to UndcrMaud his biisimso. * wh retlv xvondensl if his xxas tb*‘ obscure fate (if practicing in the luth' xillago near jay. A* soon as 1 hud suflleient ♦•nergy and sty'iigth to talk. 1 asked him xvliern I.e lived. “In M..” un ntioning acity about thirty Toiles ftxvav'. wind, hut shs did no *ueh thing; she sat IfvUffcrentlr, and saxv every little con* length in a jKt. I tied him up to his cs^i, vsrssrional venture sink down disabled anil xvas turning to come out, when Miss without saying a word lo save it. 1 m**n- tioned a nural»er of places I hod visited, in Uto forlnni hope that l might hit upon one she had seen, and that she might manifest It. ^ At last 1 spoke of hearing a celebrated lecturer ot a certain toxvn. Clare spoke.* Apparently rIic had not looked at me before mneu 1 took the horse out. ' ' * bhs saitl, with mirthful volfo: “Y’ou. have given that horse rope enough to get tangled about his fore legs At thy mention of the man's name her if ho U jo iucliugi, and cause a cutastro- whole countenance darkened like a cloud phe." where one expects to sec lightning play- hut sho did not look up. and I saw »o lightning. — '*•) won’t go Awriy from hero till I have found you out and made you talk," I said U> myself, when she rose from the With a burning face I saw my blun der, and rectified it, feeling very much liks chopping otT my hands for having been so awkward. “1 conf06* I am not used to being tny own groom.” I said; “your knowledge !* table and lefLths room yithout having as iiseful as It U uncommon ~ Articulated a single word. So on tho impolse of the moment, be cause this woman had wounded my van ity, ! made that resolve whoso execution 'changed my life as completely os lives can bo clianged. ' I devoted myself vlo my hostess, and finally retired to' ray room, with the Agree' * conviction that 1 had tnado f I goo*I uupresshm upon tlfat lady, and that do would board me as long aa 1 wanted to stay. I- was to pay her a good price; perhaps that had some thing to do with her Heady consent. “Allow the. Jo assist you; J am sup posed to be stronger tl^qn rou," i said 4h* next monuK wbsn ^ found the fo: who 1 young lady tn mo barn coAstructlniL* wiAiw, 9 nails, eoms i fW a S!ie did noi nqxly; ana as i ffibl no hammer, boards and pretense to stay longer, l stalked out of the bam, with a frivolous, secret wonder in my mind a* to whether she was going to transplant her heliotrope, for sho b'.'CTjed noxv preparing to till her box with, earth. I settled ths question, how ever. with a grunt of sarcasm, by mut tering to myself that “sho was going to have another xx*omanish plant to duxvdlo over." : I had to admit, though, that shs did no; look like a woman to dawdle about anything. With this admfs4o«l In my mind I ADd looked sound found iahymsuiiny * » * — *fL.' soutik. nqpM tUU tlant in.'tii xx*;ui pi art icing hhooting, or'xx hat pigeons nnd quailt* xv*-r^ suflering from his cxpei'tiicsb. At last, otio itioruiiig, as nn inccsKiiit “crack, crack!" cunie uj> against ihy wlndoxx', 1 took mv little r*'- volver from its caps nnd xvent out ,Tn search of tlie marksman .. The air xvas cool and frosty and came against my ,fnco xvith the v*tv (ftscnce ol xvintcr m it. Hurrying on to keep xx ann, I canin' upon Mu* Clare, who xxas standing ft!tont a dozen juices from a target bxiard nailed ujX'ii a tree. When I came uji bho was ktanding with iier face turned fn»iu me, loading her pistol. She won* a short, loose, double breast*'*! fur" jacket and a fur cap. Tho cap did not Iworue her; Iier face was too jiroudlv, coldly cut for such a half jaunty thing. I took out my own j>u,ioJ and examined it, while bho asked me If 1 xvas a good shot “Ordinary.” I answered. “Well, let me Hee,” site said, and stood .aside for me to take liee-place«ud shoot. I did so. nn(I was suftTcrrntlywuortificd at set'ing that my shot xveiit At xvide of ■ the mark rw wr nPT’hJri/q-my ivmarir that I was ordinarily skilled. However, 1 knoxv I could do better and I tire«l- txvo nioro charges, both of which xx-ent fidl upon the eye ot tlu.' target. “Thai js a grc*at deal better than I can do.” remarked Miss Clare, ttcpjting up and firaig xxiih so little' appear- nnecof biking aim that 1 xvondered lirr bullet came so near—witLin a quarter of an Inch Of tho mark. We practiced fur half an hour, and I provxl myself mord clever at the art than Mi'** Clara I xvished to oiler myself as instructor nnd companion, but th* four of •being re- pVlM'd prevente*! ms. I might lutre div- shapo my lip® to utter the imprecation they were jioWii'rlcss to do ko. A sprmk- ! ling’nf. w:a*'r on mv f;u'o an*l a wit hand on my forehead xver*' tho fir. t sensation* of returning conm ituisness. Bt'fore I had poxx-er U) open my eyes I.hoped the hand xxa.i Mi.-vs Clar*''*. 1 had a dun id« a that it wo* soft, and, consequently, must be bets. _ . 1 opened mv eyes, nnd in thodlusky ; U;:ht of tho passageway.J mrw that Mlxs Clare xx as heaxide me. “Wo Khali nut elioot tins morning, shall xve. Mr. Perrom. since* you are so provokingYjs to l>o HIT* xvas tlio firr.t ie- mark nlie made, softly ixitliing my toro- • lie;iil in ill*' meantime. “Perhaps xxe bhalk" l said, writhing 1 from her luvnd.. “'ibis necureed faint- : ness may paa.> axvay in a iitlle while.” | 1 ground my teeth in a regent |iir in- , cajKibility. * ' “The Mt'kness xvill hardly go awav to- i day, I tliiak. Can you riser” bho a*ki'd. : “l tluuk mu," —I lAftds -ft ciwU*ef«i>«»rTX*»-«vo»eo»*-m-»o Kt.and up, but should havo failed n. the e{T«irt h**l not Miss ( lire taken my hand * ami assisted me. HI and half cun- 1 fuseil 4s l xx;us, 1 vividly felt tlie firm, warm cla«p of her slender linger*. It xvas tlie first time our hands had met. i Conscious *.f the j»resent wish that they might never more b£ stranger*, 1 said. * faintly and earnestly: “I really httjHj, Miss Clare, that you are as sorry a* 1 that I cannot a« com- jvvny you this morning—un*l that is hrq>- ing a great deaf.” ; 1 leaned agninst the lower part of the balusters, and l»**k**d through tho dim light nt my couijxanion. It seemed to mo that her haughty mouth \V;m aoft- ht r eyes xvero less distant In tIielAAj>!cn«lorl Slu* was going to bo kind to the sick map, hoxvevcr she luigbt Ini to him when he xvas writ “I am very sorry. Mr. I’erroni: more sorry that you nro ill. I am afraid yt>u have over exerted j oursi'lf In borne xvar. Perl;aj» you have written too much; 1 hate guessed that you write a gnat deal.” There was so enchanting, subtle ,a sxxeetiiesa In her voice, that 1 ocknowl- o*lged to myself, :ux 1 xveakly st<XKl, sujv •juried by the stair c:isd, tlffit 1 would xvillingly endure an illtK^s® Xor the sake of hearing it. Those tones murfnyred in all cadences through my wipl dreg ms for 1 the next few weeks. Musical nnd kind ns xxi-re hx'r words,.! couUl not but oxvn that it xx .or not a music for meuloue; ft .xx as not the exclusive hnrmonv for one “Do you come from (hero every dayT' I o.skcxt “Yes; why not?" I did, not reply, hut Inquired eagerly, “Who sent for you?” “I don't know. I only know for whom I xv.vr Rent,” He smiled tantalizingly and wont out. , 1 had not seen Miss Clare since the fever left me. The next time Mrs. Jor dan came iti 1 asked if Miks Clare xvuuid come uji a moment. Sho had gouo to xv;Uk, ^Irs. Jerddn reiilied; she would give her my meshuge xvhen bho returned. 1 lay dreamily waiting for her cooling, my xvastod fingers uiml*--a<|jr playing with the counter|*ane, folding and ufifolding. doubling nnd undoubling«> with-tlie r*bt- h*** xv^ndering of a sick person. At l.!st —my heart boat heavier ns I heard it—a faint rustle of gnnueats' In tho jassago. and Slues Clare opemri the door. She a ivanccd wuh cjuict tread to m3’ Ri le, and took a haiul «.f mine in lairs. < My weakened frame ft It the ri*- vix ifyia^t |f(H't of the xttal life aiul cloc- tricitv in her, aw my liand dlo« d r»mrid her fing«'rs. 1 haq pot Kufricit'iit control over myself to j*revent uty eyes from eagerly .devouring hef Coco. Her eyelidn *lr<K>iM*d U'lieath my gaze. Sho bpiileJ and Kj*olce: " , “So. Mr. Perroin, you think yonrsrlf sufliciently recovered to receive a visitor:” “l tliink myself well enough lo receivu you." 1 said, feebly uetaining the band bhe attempted to withdraw. “As 1 g»'t Ix'tbT. I groxv ryLriouK.” I continued-,—felinquislung xvith h Rinoth- er«HJ sigh the flngers that lay j>uv>ively in mine. “Y’es. I think your nature T5 .easen- ti.ifly in*|ui*iiixc.’‘.Klio Raid, sitting <lown in a loxv chair near tun. “Do you de- sircany information that lean give you?" “How camo you to know of Uiis phy sician from M.?" I a^e*l. lialf fearing •“Bc^rMra hung <*n tlxx «»ld well Rxvcep. and tho dying ^ventMMfM bwiked xx iidcr ami im*re nn fancholy tlum ever. I bhuddon*! xvith an undefluable «lrc,nl <*f bomerUing evil to rome. 1 lo t’.od at Mis* ( laic. She xvas gazing Hl»s«'ntly at th^ ch ar, far off sky —that steely, Is'aufiful sky which ®otni‘luu»w Ms'tns «o far nxvny from us. Her fare w.-us rrsrrve l and *wd', not Kari'ORtic. a* l had feared it might be. I bad thought of iiuinl^Tless things to any to her. while 1 but sione «u uty room, now they all left me, aud 1 bpoko in an iii'l:fTer**nt tone. “Noxv thnt «>nr New England winter has really set In. 1 Riipitt-v* youvnl; be returiung to tin* gr.veties **f your houK'.’’ She turrKd toward me ami spoks uiel “Of my houu?” • • “Y>»—of B-wton," I replied, a little surprised ®t the peculiar expression of her face and tho tren**.*al ring In her tone. “Y’ou will prove f; ‘ «o fo fyndnine nature by staying away fn>m a citf liouie during the xx inn r R.-oson." 1 havv that I bad ch<*<cn un unfoitu- nnte Vubjvet, but home evil xxhmpuiiug tempt id me to continue. “An' you going -soon?” I ahkexl. The voiio in xvlurh nhn repin'd pro- eluded tho itoftsibility *»f ppeaking upon tiiat topic again. ‘ • •'•Rinilly, ilr. i’errotn. I Imt® not yet decided.” 1 had c ulled tlu? rymcal expression to her face, and them wan no mere g* uud und If you- matt so io lettci rinfis Ids raouumuit ie leskro mg/fn?ao^ un smir wilti ills tilings of beauty,- mark them ruftke the fetters put riirm on Ha* hack 6f fbe the trout. Tib' xx’mniui iintrajji is drihioinla ooa gap Thv mun who pri on hi* china does n usel K«dy i* going to run assy dishes. I>>n t be too showy a«<1 OSes-' pie*. [>iu t uiftke your napkin rings too 1 emphatic nnd chtnisiro. But flowers on the table, hut j*laee tfiem loosely or 0f glaRR. f«*r if you put them fn < Mn* ot any other opaifup snbetoncs ym> conoank half their (reuty—nftmsJf^tlwirjrtuaA. Don't cn.ircfy cover tout wall with nict- wres. and when you flare a nttfisWoon*! let tlx** shop keeper kllHt friw hHjc poltv onss or •omethiAA that framo. Try bron will relate to Uio picturt ifnl hoV make .ft stand* dW shiny spot of colot and cflf —Decorator and FundoMr. A Tanle 8tHrk«s An Atlanta man hi exj>erience lho other dar. He- roKiuti to go a *hort Aitiilss' liopr^ia I‘H( ilte fhW, sod was of the bio at'cfdcnt of Nitkoiaik nn 1k* loukod out of tha wlmlr>w troos nnd Imshes tHtting piriL tJa>.>....jv just olieod and.rotting xtpMiy Sssfam theiraifi on xx luc/i he wos^ t!4 w anuilier jiasscii^er train corns around n Curve th fhe-Mad. uej from his nest and started lot ik# RcaietulK'fing Ids everoost, be back and (aiu^ht tho coAtfnmi t* of the sent, out for a col he yelled, a-* he started toward Uir kindne- 'i that morning. I wondervd at t r< -D'bo»ly juropo*! framfllilf i. > . ... it. made a wild rush f tny.stupHIty—I had forced her to xvalk xvith nu* and then studlouFly made my- ssif dinngreeiiblo. I xvmit out alone the next <Iny mid every time lifter, rvK.o 1 reMunfctd uiy uiprning hore^ bu/ k excursions, aud after one or two ol those rid**s 1 felt tho glui inu* cUxir of ul.-'ing in my frame; 1 mis xx a® onc e nmre a ninh for tbs door. J excited man hod las band on thf door knob there was a rudilnrf sound outMde, and tlie upproachinc train dashed harm* lofc^ly by on ths \\ raterm and Ailsabo' V ^ track, ninuing jiaxaUcl to U«s other. .Tho t cunf man riiuk |>aly nnfl gasping upon box near X dpo r.—Bavanhab News. •X/auCiIaUaJ.' Ill this great mctropoUs Omt ir orlsfnrVnhc head, and eyes foil •rtd'fllii Ilia gray blonde hair and mustache***- 11 ’ lilies to Ids forty years. MentsUy* |iw rutuimln oue of llobert Louis T thnt it migTirTiave' ns. Jerdan w ho She replied directly? hail procured him. “A friend of mine In Boston lias great faith in him; ro. after one intrrviexv xvith health in no long«*r wc? among men. On*' cold, rtill morning Tu January t ^ who Is took my pwiols from th* ir niso find iti- | raU* life as Mr. A. IX NV tcred Mrs. Jerdan rKitting room in seHrch idendci:, well ino<la dura of T'isst lure. The xxas remling iiy Ihs _ agefuight. He has or fire, arfd received me xvith the easy c or diality winch Koinclinus distinguislicd her. and xx fju h upjtcared entirely at vuri- nnct* xvitli the misris iu which shy occa sionally Indulged.. “Y’ou romembei' I promised-to teach vou to shoot,” 1 laid; “1 have come to flaiin try pupil." Her eye* hhono with pleasure. “Y’ou tiro very kind not to forget," k1k> said. • “I must acknowledge it is not a disin* tfreste*] kindircss,’’I fchjionck'd. allow ing the impulso of my heart to lictray itself in my faexa f held three eye's to mine for an inutant tiiat was forever aft*£ rl'iucmberod by.me. .Men do not forgot tl**.' first lituo the wumss bek>ve<) ' comes r. -ar lo tlieiii in one. full fcinmio. ^ ji.-™ - 8t*v Theye'is the raroe fasctnxting foci plcturescjoc .phrasing, ths dainty argument, Nnd tine •atta OAnlyaU in quaint line* of thought. .HoqUkUjr.' Nym t’rinklo is gentle; ItU cruelty UaII in hi* pen. WlCiwtaml cynical pm* l«jw>i>tft'r. he 1* e.uytlijyig In spjwarunctS but a jourtuiluit. Insicad of thinner, his writim; get lietter as he gets older,— turo, »■ ■ ■- x 1 »' i t , * ntmrk fttorklsCA As it is so fasltfoaablo for ftnd’gro^Yt* i stocking, it is well to know Howie A4*tt iu they will no( frido. &k oou»n should always b _ ... ----- flhv rro-xtT'fh. xay read wax that-of mirjrrtirri ftiqOiry, nT>t »iiali| |p «ri4 tn^idyateti- w of scpclkttt scowi thnt derpfsed u* dis- * nt'xt tuTy by-ilicuMclves 1* two cox-ery warm, but'nOt hut, the soap befog We xvent out toward tho Cold xvhere ^owlf rublied Into tho water ao the doctor over there in tlu* vlllugo; | .S1m> dhf i*i*4-c»tu ^rno Uick tlie jaKsion * shoujd^alwavt s* nt to M.; I hope you are favoratily im- that Uimefl In-iny eyes, tbo-lan-mage t l>ressod.by him, for I Uiiuk he ha* done * *x—* very well by you.” “And youYlidn’t like tho village doc- torT” “Like himT with ft slight laugh, “he would have bled and blistere*! 1 you to death; aud. ns you placed your life in ray hnudK, 1 felt Homo emujhinotion* Though not go tender hearted as 1 should be, 1 would be xs illing to leave only my enemy in tlie hands of an ignorant quack. heart only—B was the kindness, of her womanly nature toward all sulTcring. and hhe was go gifted u* to Iw able to dixpUy it more bountifully lima some women. musical, after my long banish merit that I would willingly havo had her talk hours, even had slie Rjxoken nothing but the veriest insipidities, bho >*ul by a ,,, , ....... small light stand, on which Ktood a few •• rhoURh I 1 S ,T*WTttt«Jmuch, I mMJ ^ j a aus „ fT .rc^mywH tiirirsittr STShrrt'gimr—- If 1 hav * •*»«* the hcrpowtioD <Hwuf ««,: fault* 1 lear grace; her fJirm. in* iu soft, dun- she had left her tntffotretill naili'U to tha tree. Ni> Ineaciful |>rpnionltlon of that which was to come gsve. tne warning to turn back xx ith tlu* girl who walked with me. Happily wu went on. Over Miss Clare’s,face was the soft pride That so •entliralled pic. (Jentler. more kind than 1 had ever licfore seen them, hek eyes tier, voire sounded so. refreshing, so seemed n* talked; in their gray deeps ' * * --* * -• * * luminous hbadow'fAenml to dwell that bafll.d wliilo-i; *lrcxv nie on. I loved her entirely, devotedly, with heart and *ot»l and strength, and now I Only xvMted-tlu? opportuipty to tell her what al:o adglrt form a lather U foro the StOdklnfa put la, and mixing with the Am a tables]loonfol of gait TJ*cs» lirat iu lukewarm wntcr, pn censes to cctno ont and tho tail color leas. Stretch them andlu oat ini mediately in the oU t« <ky m as possible.—Katiouol kitockuiAB. To Cur® Frsst ftNes/ A sploodid cure for. free! solution of oJtun at caff be made. Hold the tho solution till the frost D This you wih knew,* oanily. am will look wrinklyd m onas b 1- wash duys. You will - ■ ■ cf health.'it lias born •ancrewHouriT.” She c:idv» a step nearer and aaid, some what hastily: * ‘ • “1 do not know why I hav* allowed you to Eland so long in this cold hall. Y’ou should l.'QveFknown better. Alloxv roe to assist you to your room; then I will Rcml ilra. Jordan to attend to you. Now try to get up these stairs, take my *, usually about the Vobm. arm—lean heavily; do not fear—I am ctrong.” lobeyed Iyer ImiJioitly; l^ad I wished tTdo othenx tse. rfcfll not the power. At every other Rtepl stopjxed and sternly, peused xvith tbaf diffidence, for, wttrM * Ioten*ily tried to steady my quivering we wiw*.,..truing to th* house, »l* hnjhs and swimming head. It was uso- ••tcep Dc AckRv T.UaU. *iUJbyd>^. hued dress, wa» elegant and Vxvitching in .every curve; tho faint fragrunco that hung 'around her Ftole sxvftelfy upon Vpy senses; and lier^,* face— ; xv hat ^trance Iiaj’pinbKs it gave me only • : to look at her face aguihl Those large eyes h>oke«J quietly at me, -or glanced illy about the Zoom. In tliyui ku. tho xvoruTorful power of her tare; iR Birm lay quiescent the flrs 'and sweetness df Iier soul—the terrible anger and u..Mth om*Uc kindness of her nafurc. ! t^axe. tod, tiiat Imt mouth xvaa another tmlex to her temjieratncnt; that its proud lijis betokened the furious volcanic dispusi- OAKUebxjk her place tor*fioot. arM fired ^ with tlxe-sHme carx lre* nir wlifch 1 had .j ce noticed bi*fore. Th© result allowed hsr door hv a exx improvemunt ' - 'J,! Jhl.: M l Iwfe “Y*hi havo been practicing.** I ex* tiob, a’corrtm to claimed. “It is unfair if you hare our foUoxviug uforaauid.p, paistd your teacher. As I bandcxl lut L Ikt.pistol q.fter load- ^ .* x , ing It Khc said In a sutjdued voko; r ' r '” : ‘ M ' — wfT(j y 4 Uto*Ali. Itfte# t o»- K. ► *IM>t4 , uiiwpmauly jxitetii ir*»—Tcould uot do it. ^ At Jue of tln*o tlon, xviilrh xvas probably on inheritance, ss 1 think it TV> yoirknoxnr;fc 'if 1 ’Veff In/atusixd with thin shooting? M*j»e^ ^ came here day nftoe day — 1 «*IH Aot-a«- H< Uy. fiks ik hot somehow l could -not help it. ’t'heirev© 1 um sujK>Nriti«ius. fV . gj r y tnr j w-xuih. Mr. IVtrom, tlu»i B*»me denwH i has ImpellM nn» to perfect uiyw If in thh j Y t \ + v, ' • ■fiiAO, I •t'l*' »!.• ^Jisrgre. ’wpore for sale, v . - im:Ir3