The Rector of St. Mark's

the carpet a pale young girl sat watching it, and thinking of the Hanover hills, now decked in their autumnal glory, and of the ivy on St. Mark's, growing so bright and be

to her aid, and in a tremor of fear and distress Mrs. Meredith had had

nover, where the aged couple who had cared for her since her childhood wept, and prayed, and watched for tidings from their darling. They could not go to her, for Grandpa Humphreys had broken his leg, and his wi

in whom he felt only the interest a pastor feels in all his flock, but now it was Anna, whose case he took to God, and he always smothered a sob during the moment he waited for the fervent response the congregation made, the "Amen" which came from the pew where Lucy sat sounding louder and heartier than all the rest, and having in it a

remember

murmured

song, and the gathering in the church; but that

t back to Hanover loaded with testaments for the children of St. Mark's, and new books for the Sunday-school, and, accompanied by Va

Meredith told her of the days when she lay so unconscious of all that was passing around her, never even heeding the kindly voice of Thornton Hastings, who, more than once, had stood b

interview she had promised him when she was stronger, but every day he sent her fruit and flowers, and books of prints which he thought would interest her, and wh

as well enough to see him, she waited his coming nervously, starting when she heard his step, and trembling like a leaf as he drew near her ch

a question put six weeks bef

him she could not be his wife, simply because

eavy fringe of her shawl. "I respect you more than any man I e

er aid. "You have tried to love me, but cannot

silence. Then after a

this at once. I did not know then but I could love you

gled in the fringe as Anna g

, he never cared for me, nor guessed how f

him, too?" Mr. Hastings said, involuntarily, and Anna looked quickly

u mean. I never refus

retion in his surprise at this flat contradiction. "I have Arthur's word

s some great mistake," Anna found strength to say, and then she lay back in her easy-chair panting for breath, her brain all in a whirl as

Were you always at home when he called?" Thornton questioned her rapidly, for there was a suspicion in his mind as to the real culprit; but he would not hint it to Anna unless she suggested it herself. And this she was not likely to do. Mrs. Meredith had been too kind to her during the past summ

s blushed scarlet, as she added: "I

g aside all thoughts of self, he exclaimed: "I tell you there is a great wrong somewhere. Arthur never told an untruth; he thoug

the end might be; then, as she remembered Lucy, her heart seemed to stop its beating, a

late. Don't you remember Lucy? Don't you know she is to be his

errupted her with, "Never mind now, Anna; I guessed it all before, and it hurts my p

nd Lucy alone. She insisted upon having it so, and he promised her at least that he would not interfere; then, taking her hand, he pressed it a moment between h

ons are confirmed, though there's something I cannot understand," and fixing his eyes searchingly upon Mrs. Meredith, he told her what Arthur had written and of Anna's denial of the same. "Somebod

Meredith who could not face Anna then, but paced restlessly up and down her spa

r lying where she found it. But that could not be now. She must reap as she had sown, and resolving finally to hope for the best and abide the result, she went up to An

could have done so conscientiously, but I could not; for, I may now confe

t this grief upon her niece, could

ngs, but she must not fret about that, or about anything. She would be

to let him know of the mistake. It would scarcely be womanly, and he may

sed her niece lovingly and told her of a trip to Europe which she had in view, promising that if sh

ge, and the very afternoon succeeding Anna's interview with Mr. Hastings the lit

she came next day to Anna's room, and, throwing off her wrappings, plunged at once int

ted! Not objected to you, but to bridesmaids generally, and he carried his point, so that unless Fanny is married at the same time, as, perhaps, she will be, we are just to stand up stiff and straigh

Arthur, too, is looking thin and worn-so thin that I have coaxed him to raise whiskers to cover the hollows in his cheeks. He looks a he

grew dark as she listened; but she forced back her pain, and,

you, darling; so much that it

g closer to Anna, Lucy whispered to her of the new-born hope that she was better than she used to be, that daily interviews with Arth

clasped the hand of the young girl who was now far m

ucy. She could not harm that pure, loving, trusting girl, and she sent her from her with a kiss and