Part 14 (1/2)

”A story?” cried Miss Smith. ”Thertainly. Let me thit down and hear it too. I'm _pathionately_ fond of stories.”

In taking a seat she was careful to place herself in close proximity to Chester, who was engaged in conversation with Julia.

The clergyman resumed his narrative, in which not only Lizzie, but her father and mother also, had become interested. It was a reminiscence of his own early life. He told of afflictions, trials, all sorts of perplexities and struggles with the world, in experiencing which his heart had been purified, and his character had been formed.

As he proceeded, his audience increased. The company came from the parlor and gathered around him, until the scene of the kissing games was quite deserted. Only one person remained behind. Hepsy, with her face behind the window-curtains, was sobbing.

Chester thought of her, and, stealing out of the sitting-room, to find her, stood for some seconds by her side, before she was aware of his presence.

XI.

THE LOVELY AND THE UNLOVED.

With all his vain and superficial qualities, the young man had a kind heart. He thought of Hepsy most when she was most neglected by others. He knelt down by her where she sat, and took her thin hand in his.

”Come, you mustn't feel bad to-night,” said he gently.

She was startled; her heart beat wildly, and she hastened to wipe her tears.

”Has anything unpleasant happened?” he asked.

Hepsy tried to smother her sobs, but they burst forth afresh.

”I've come for you to go and hear Father Brighthopes tell his stories,”

pursued Chester. ”Will you come?”

She was unable to answer.

”It's the best joke of the season!” he continued, cheerfully. ”Our company made the sourest faces in the world, when they learned that the old clergyman was to be within hearing. 'Oh, we couldn't have any fun,' they said. They wished him a thousand miles away. And now they have left their silly sports to listen to him.”

”I was much happier out there than after you brought me in here,”

murmured Hepsy, in a broken voice.

”I wish, then, I had left you there,” rejoined Chester. ”But I thought you would enjoy the company, and made you come in.”

”I couldn't play with the rest,” said the unhappy girl.

”Why not? You could, if you had only thought so.”

Hepsy smiled, with touching sadness.

”Who would have kissed me? I must have such a hideous face! Who _could_?”

She cried again; and Chester, feeling deeply pained by her sufferings, kissed her cheek.

”I could; and I have kissed you hundreds of times, as you know; and I hope to as many more. There are worse faces than yours to kiss here to-night.”

”Oh, you are always so good--so good!” murmured Hepsy, with gus.h.i.+ng tears.