Bell's Match-making

"My dear Flora," wrote Miss Raymond, "It is a long time since we have met. Why can't you pack your trunk, and inake up your rnind to speml ifte summer with me in this greon and qniet corner of the earth? You shall diet upon locusta and wild honey, if such be your pleasure; you shall put in nn appearance at parish picnics, or sit in the arbor and embroider while somebody reads Tennyson aloud- in short, you shall do as you please, if you will piense to come to your rural friend, Bell. " Miss Baymond regardcd it as a wise md far-seeing policy that she had fox)orne to mention the name of the Eev. ülarence Gascoigne - a poor but promisrng young clergyman recently settled over the parish of Haphazard, whose■welfare she had chiefly in view in ing this invitation to " dear Flora," who was uothing less than an heiress and a i beauty. Miss Raymond herself, being neither, naturally set a greater value upon these things than they deserved, and devoutly believed that Flora would carry all before her own sweet will. She remembered, when they had been at Madame Buhl's finishing school together - before adversity had visited the Baymonds' roof - that Flora had been the cynosure of all the neighboring eyes at Dr. Creed'stheologicalsrminary, that she had been deluged with Unes, suríeited with bonbons, and eiá' balmed in sonnet and song in the poet's corner of the local daily. But apparently these things had not nvailed. Miss Flora had already survived several seasons, and was yet Miss Flora, and untramrueled. Whether she had rlirtcil too hard, her heart had remained untouched, or she had never inspired hor lovers with anything stronger than a passing fancy, nobody but Flora knew. Miss Raymond's family consistedTnorely of herself and a widowcd aunt; and, as her incomo was small, she usually fllled the roomy old homestead with suminer boarders. But, since the new rector of the pariah had taken up his abode under her roof -tree, and Aunt Milly was in somewhat failing health, she had decided not to add to her cares, but to her pleasures, in begging Flora to spend the season at Haphazard. And Flora was nothiBg loth. . She steppcd from the lumbering old stiigc late on one summer afternoon, in the janntiest of traveling tppjete, with tlio most killing ol hats perched upon her shapely head - n very bewitching picture of a girl of the period, the soft, fluff'y curls upon her white forehead, the dark eyes shining with misohief, the wild rose blnshing upon cheek and chin, and a ready smile abont the mobile lips. Bell feit suddenly old and faded and dowdy boside her, and upbraided herself smartly for the sensation. She went up to her guest's room with her, threw open the blinds, pointed out the views, and helped her unpack. " Ido hope you won't find it stupid here, Flora," she said; "that time will not hang heavy upon your hands. Society hore is rather chaotic, to be sure bnt " "I suppose there isn't such au article as a gentleman within ten miles. " yawned Flora. "Well, they are not as plenty as I conld wish, for your sake, I confess. We are always living in hopes that the master of Pine Hill will return and endanger orar monotony- you can see the towers of the marision from this wiudow, there, bèhiad that belt of pines ; but he prefers the gay world. And then there's our rector ; he is very good company. " " Oh, spare us ! I had theology enough, thank you, at Madame BuhPs. If there's anything I detest, it's a Say, Bell, who is that spleudid apparition coming in at the gate ?" " That ?" laughed Bell- "that is the aforesaid rector." "Is he coming to give you gliostly counsel ? I shall be getting a cliange óf lieart, depend on't. " " He's coming home to tea. He boards liere." " 'Thereadivinity,'" quoted Flora. "Ithought, to lio suro, it was no less Üian the master of Pino Hill coming to liis estates just in the nick of time. How loug has his Revererice been tere, may Iask?" "Only three montlis." " Well, I wonder jou haven't fallen in love. " " I - where would be the good ?" " Who ever stops to think of that?" " At least one must havo a little encouragement to begin with." "And hasn't he given you a paiticle ? Y ou just hand him over'to 'iny tender mercies." "Youslia'n't flirt with him, Flora; ic's too S'dod wiil iniUH'ciit ; he would hmk you in PRraóst." " ' Slm'ii't ' ík in Üie imperativa nood, I believe. Are you tlie guardián oí liis youug ail'ections ?" & nd then they descended to the tea table, aud flora and Olaifincc Gascoigue fihook hands and cliatted familiarly- no body could resist cliattiug familiarl; with Flora after the first half minute - about his cousins, the Gascoignes o Xowport, and a dozen people, of whoin Miss Raymond had never hcard, and o whom nover to have heard seeined sud donly to prove het a person of the leas consequence. After tea the trio strollet in the garden, Flora leading the conver sation, and waking the echoes with he quick laughter; and they sat a while on the rustra bench beside the syringa bnshes, and Flora sang snatches from the operas and Spiritual hyinns ; and Bel marked 'hut when she dropped out o cutcli or chbriiB nobody seenied to mis her, and presently she stole aw.iy to look after lier housekeeping, congrátulating herself that everything promised wel for hor sehenie. Flora was perhaps a trifle giddy and girlish for a ciergyman's wife, but she would outlive all that and what an excellent thing it would be for Mr. Gascoigne, whose ibiüties would Ije-vdu have fair play if he married any pool' gii'l about Haphazard, and lived from hand to mouth, so to speak, with none of the opportunities which money could offer: and, as for Flora, she might bleps her stars if he preferred her, if he had no incom-enieüt BCruples abotitmarrying a i'ieh woman. ïhe su P1711 er weather was ñne at Haphazard, and, if Mr. öaseoigne begged the ladies to visit some poor or iuvalid purisliionor in his company, it usually on.led lij Flora going with him alone, Bell haviDg found some urgent duty to detain her at home at tb o last mimite ; and Flora developed quite a talent for eheering the sick-room and dispensing iuxuries to the needy ; it was a role of which she relished the novelty amazingly. "You were plainly in tended for a ciergyman's wife," blundered Mr. Gascoigne, in a moment of grateful enthusiasm ; and then he colored, and added, naSMly : "The lame, halt and blind are all sii;ging your praises." "What a discord it must be !" retnrned Flora. " I think 1 should prefer a solo." The claims of the parish, Jiowever, I ivere not so exactmg but lie could devote gome leisure to the poets, sitting in the vine-covered arbor white Bell and Flora worked and listened - except when Bell remembered she had onaitted to leave orders for the grocer, or had negleeted some important housohold affair, and excused lierself for a long half hour, begging tliem to go on with the reading. And, when she returned, she was always pleased to find that the book had been olosed for the nonce. If he had not been reading, then, of course, he had been doing what he likod better. And he wotild say, "We have been waiting fox you, Miss Bell " - he liad fallen into the liabit of calling her "Miss Bell" during these familiar seanoes. "IbIi a'n't dare to run away, if I am goiiig to spoil your pleasure so," she replied. " ïou eertainly do spoil it when you leave us," he would gallantly retort. If they went for an afternoon's pionic to the top. of Chrome oliff, with their supxer packed in a hamper, Bell feil to sketehing a bend of the river, with the willows dipping above it and swallows skimming low, and Flora and Mr. Gascoigne were naturally left to their own devices. If they went out for an evening's entertainment - whioh even Haphazard aflbrded at times when summer guests were plenty - Bell remembered the latch-key as soon aa they were beyond the gate, or she liad left a window open where burglars and showers might enter, or she never failed of sorne valid excuse for falling behind, for refusing Mr. Gascoigne's arm - either both hands were necessary to keep her skirts from the mud, or tke country sidewalk was too narrow for three abreast. And yet tuero, was nothing obvious or awkward in Miss Raymond's seheming. It all oaine abottt as naturally as if fore-ordained; and, if Mr. Gascoigne was soinetimes a little vexed tliat he could not be trustcd to find the latch-key, close the window, or fetch the umbrella, Flora would say, "It's Bell's way; she was just so at Madame Buhl's - always would wait upon herself." It had never been Bell's way, however, to linger in the vestibule after cliurch; but uow she found it convenient to ask old Mrs. Koss about her rheumatisru, ánffl Martha Meeks about her grandson fishing at the Labrador. And by that time the Reverend Olareiice had put off the gown and made his way to the ehurch door, where Flora welcomed him; and Bell nodded and begged they would walk on, and let her overtake them; sho must speak to the sexton about his piek ehild, or see the treasurer ■f thé Mito Society - only she never did overtake them. The treasurer had proved garrulous, and the sexton had let his neart upon showing her the headstone he had got up to hi flrst wife. If she found them sitting alone in the embrasure of the open window, studying the ccmstellations, she moved softly away. Wlio could teil? - it might be the decisivo moment. tt so happen etl that jr.st at this time Mrs. Eaymoiid feil ill. Flora proposed going home, but Bell stoutly vetoed the proposition. "It will be so lonesome for Mr. Gascoigne," she said. "And Aunt Milly will be up again soon. No; da you stay, and pour the tea at table, and play .it housekeeping, and make it a little íike home for the poor fellow." "Seems to me you are very anxibus about his welfare," said Flora, but staid as she was bidden, poured his tea, whiled away his leisure hours, beat him tt chess, visited his eick, listened to his views, fllled the place of the absent soprano in his choir, and borrowed his old sermons ior private reading, while Bell spent her time administering hourly doses, co]icocting grnels and dainties to texapt the appetite, and waiting in a darkened room by day, after broken nights. Perhaps it was the effect of overtaxed nerves and depressed spirits, or perhapa Miss Eaymond had mistinderstocd her interest in Mr. Gascoigne, but, ns she left her patiënt dozing one night, and paused a moment, leuning out of the hall window to .commune with the evening star and the last tender effulgenee of sunset, the sight of Flora and Mr. Gascoigne pelting each other with roses in the garden below smote her with a sense of something alien and cruel. Her absence did uot aflect their enjoyment ; they had forgotten her in the delight of being together ; and for the time a selfish sorrow stirred in her heart, and fllled her eyes with sudden tears. "Did she grudgo them their happiness 1" she asked herself. "Was not success enough for her?" When Flora had goue to her room that night, Bell knocked at the door auu went in. "Haven't you anything to teil me?" ahe asked. "Has nothing happnd?" "What should happen, you dear oll sleepy owl, you? Oü, yes; I broke your Indian china bowl. A sin confessec is half redressed. We meet, but w miss you ; we lingor to careas you - a least do. By-the-way, I'm afraid th Keverend Clarence is getting horriblborcd with me !" " What impossible nonsense, Flora !' Was love teaching Flora to prevarícate The following night, as Bell was going soft! y down to the kitchen for mustard the door of Mr. Gascoigne's study opened, and the draught blew out he' candle as he closed it and carne forward "Yon keep late vigila, Mr. Gas coigne," she exclaimed. " It has fas struckl2." "The truth is," he exclaimed, " I hac gotten behindhand with rny sermón. I've been dissipating too much,. I'm afraid with your lively fiiend." "And of what do you suppose Flora is af raid ? That you are getting borec" witli her I" "Bored with Flora?" ho repeated smiling broadly. "Can't you imagine who never bores me ?" " Is it a riddle ?" laughed Bell, with a sob in her throat. " I suppose I miglr guesswitha great effortof imagination !' Why did he torture her with his conñ dences ?" "I sliould think you might," he pursued, still smiling, but not so conftdently. "During your absence at Mrs. Raymond's bedside I have become confirmec in a sentiment whose existence I hac only suspected before. Is there any hope for me, I wonder ?" "Any hope?" slie answered confusedly-' ' any hope ? I - how can I teil ?' "Don't you know?" he asked, rnournfully, his great dark eyes shilling appealingly in the dim light. " Couldn't you find out, dear Miss Bell ? Couldn't you give me a morsel of encouragement ? " "1 could - I will flnd'out - if you wish. I would give it now - this minute - you know I would, don't you ? - if I could - if I dared - if I were certain - " Did he doubt that Flowi loved him ? " Bless you ! " he said fervently. " I am willing to wait ; it is so much better than despair dealt at one blow." Then he lighted her candle from his own, and left her, with blank dismay pictured ttpon her face. There was 110 question but her match-making had suceeeded, and she herself was in love with Clar3nce Gascoigne ! Anotherwoman might lave played false at this unexpected crisis, and deemed that all was fair in love, but Bell Baymond was of finer clay. "ïou denr old go-between," cried Flora, when Bell made her revelations, " the Bishop Valentino himself couldn'c ïold a candle to yon, It's too good to je true. Do I love him? Doy't If Confirmed in a sentiment whose exstence he had only suspeeted bofore tfrs. Kaymond's illness,' is he? Well, [ must confess I hardly expected such good fortune. He's so reserved, I supose, and - and - Why, he lias never so mueh as kissed my hand, or pressed t, though he has had plenty of opporiunity. Well, you can go teil that ;he adage, ' Faint lieart never wou fair ady, ' is disproved. 111 wait here. " Somebody knocked faintly at Mr. Gas.oignes study door. " Come in," he aid, mistaking itforthe maid. " Flora is waiting for yoti in the paror," began Bell. " Waiting for me ? - Flora ? " repeated VIr. Gaseoigne. " Yes. I have told her ; she is waitng to confirm your hope, Mr. Gasoigne. She bids me say that the adage, Faint heart never won fair lady,' is üsproved. When you intimated to me he other night that you loved her, I uspeoted that it was not in vain, but I ould not be certain, you know. Now I cnow she loves you with all her heart. ! am sure of it. Don't let me keep you n instant ; it must seem like an eternity ;o Flora. She is waiting for you - in ;he parlor. Go ! Why do you hesiate? Don't you believe me V' Mr. Gaseoigne had risen, deathly pale, vith a solemn, wotinded look in his hining eyes, and great circles growing jeneath them ; his lips moved without orming words. His wnole attitude was rhat of one overeóme with unexpected ïappiness, it seemed to Bell, as he teadied himself by grasping with .rembling hands the chair beside him. "You told Flora that I loved her?" ie gasped. " You told her that I loved her ? " " Why, yes ; I told her you had been oniirmod in a sentiment whose existnce you had only suspected before you vere thrown together so mucli by Aunt Vlilly's illness," repeated Bell. "And you say that Flora loves me? You are sure of it ? " " I am sure. Go and ask her ; " and 3ell went slowly out ; but it was some ime before Mr. Gaseoigne obeyed her. " He is the oddest lover in the world," onfessed Flora, later. "Nothing pooney or gushing about him. I supjose it wouldn't be dignified for a clergyman. Why, he only kissed me twice, if 'ou'll believe it, Bell, and looked as olemn as an owl, and said he hoped he should make me happy. Goodness ! I'm happy already, and I told him so. Do you know, Bell, I never had an outand-out offer before, though T'm 27." Miss Baymond offered thanks when Mr. Gaseoigne took his vacation to the White hills, and Flora went home to aoquaint her i'riends with her new prospects, and to join her lover, with her mother, at the Mountain House later. BelFs summer's work was ended ; there was nothing more for her to do but to sit down and comit the oost of matohmaking. In the mean time Flora wroté her friend long eonftdential letters from the mountains. " Suoh larks ! We do nothing but enjoy ourselves. Who do you think we found here but his high-and-mightiness the heir of Pine Hill, Mr. Ohester Callender, of Haphazard. And such a swell ! He danced with me five times at the hop last night - and didn't the other women look daggers ! One dared to say it was because I'm engaged, and it's so safe flirting with engaged girls - all the fun and none of the danger ! Let tliem rave! If I weren't engaged - who knows? - I might fancy liviug at Pine Hill, with a retinue of servants, driving in my carriage, and craekling in my silks. I didn't teil you, did 1, that the stocks in which my money was invested have declined most shiimefully? So Mr. Discount, my business man, writs me. But there's dear old Olarence- do you know, he isn't a partiële jealous ! " Whilc a later date ran, " Mr. Callender and I are just in from ,i climl) up the mountain with a small party. Chirence went with some gentlemen last weejk camping out, and didn't care to repeat history. We got separated from tlu; otheis, Mr. Callender aud I, and lost our wny ; and we should have been there now, tor all I know, if Clarence and i man liadn't come to our rescue wit li'iitern and torolies. Mr. Oallendfr is tak.-. ing my pioture, in crayou! sometimiH refilly believe he is sweet on me, in Bpita 0Í Clareaoo. Mr, CiUlcu.;,. rc blue and small, aud his mustaclie is - wel], lemon-colored, inaybe; but his figure and rnamiers are perfectly stun ning. He always makes you feel as i you were the one person of all the worli wliom he delighted to honor." And after that, Bell heard uo more and afortnight later Mr. Gascoigne was at liome again, and sottlins: to his parisl dutte. He fouud Bell at twilight the day ai'ter his return, with her Sleepy Hollow eliair wheeled bef ore the windów watehing the stars eome out in the even ing sky, and listening to the crickets sing-song. " Star-gazing ?" he asked, resting an elbow on the cushioned back of her seat " A penny for your thoughts." "I didn't hear you come in, Mr. Gas coigne," she said. "I am thinking about- about Flora ! How did yov leave her ?" ' ' Flora ! Haven't you heard ?" " My kst letter is a month old." "And nobody has told you abou: her?" " Who could teil me about hef sowell as yourself ?" Mr. Gascoigne laughed. "Well, Mr. Callender, perhaps." "Mr. Callender! Wh at are you talking about, Mr. Gascoigne?" "Flora and Mr. Callender." " Whatof them?" " They are married - that is all." "Married ! Flora married to Mr. Callendor ! Is it true ? Oh, Mr. Gascoigae ! How could sho be so wicked ! Oh ! oh I oh I" and she staggered to her feet and held out both arms, not knowiug what she did. ' ' Wicked ?" echoed tho young rector, taking the proffered hands, and holding them firmly - " I don't know about that. It isn't wicked to marry the man you love best, even at the risk of breaking another's heart, is it ? And then my heart is in excellent condition; I assure you, Flora lmsn't been able to effect a flaw, It was all a mistnke, you know, f rom first to lust - Flora knows it now herself. My dear Miss Bell, you ratlier overdid the match-making business, did yon noé? And I - twas wenk and Quixotic, I grant you; it was unpardonable, I admit, now that I look back upon it. But if the girl really ioved me; if I had mwittincly won her heart; if you had .ed her to believe, thanks to my own stupidity, that I had been such a blockhead as to eonless my love for her to you - why, it wasonly right thatl shonld abide )y my own awkward mistake. I must have been miraculously obscure hat night, Bell, and you must ba the east-conceited woman in the world, or you would have understood that I Ioved 'ou, and not Flora. " " O - h," said Bell, with a little sigh, ' I wish I had understood I" " It isn't too late,, is it ? If you ha 1 mderstood, what should you have siid, 3cll?" "I should have said ' Yes.' " " Bly dear Bell," wrote Mrs. Callender o Mrs. Gascoigne on her wedding mornng, " allow me to congratúlate you on