Bad Hugh

Just before turning from the main road into the park which led to

Terrace Hill, they met a stylish little covered sleigh. The colored

driver politely touched big hat to the ladies, who leaned out a moment

to look after him.

"That's Mrs. Johnson's turnout," said Eudora. "In the winter Martin

always takes Alice to church and then returns for her."

"And folks say," interposed Asenath, "that if the walking is bad or the

weather cold, both Alice and her mother go two miles out of their way to

carry home some old woman or little child, who lives at a distance. I've

seen Alice myself with half a dozen or more of these children, and she

looked as proud and happy as a queen. Queer taste, isn't it?"

John thought it was, though he himself said: "It is like what Lily would

have done, had she possessed the power and means."

"Well, brother, what of Miss Alice? Was she at church?" Anna asked

softly. "I need not ask though, for of course she was. I should almost

as soon think of hearing that Mr. Howard himself was absent as Alice."

"That reminds me," said John, "of what you said concerning Mr. Howard

and Alice. There can't be any truth in it. She surely does not fancy

him."

"Not as a lover," Anna replied. "She respects him greatly, however,

because he is a clergyman."

"Is she then a very strong church woman?" John asked.

"Yes, but not a bit of a blue," Anna replied. "If all Christians were

like Alice, religion would be divested of much of its supposed gloom.

She shows it everywhere, and so does not have to wear it on set

occasions to prove that she possesses it. How were you pleased with Miss

Johnson?"

"How was I pleased with her? I felt like kissing the hem of her blue

silk, of course! But I tell you, Anna, those ragged, dirty urchins who

came trooping into that damask-cushioned pew, marred the picture

terribly. What possible pleasure can she take in teaching them?"

Anna had an idea of the pleasure it might be to feel that one was doing

good, but she could not explain lucidly, so she did not attempt it. She

only said Miss Alice was very benevolent and received her reward in the

love bestowed upon her so freely by those whom she befriended.

"And to win her good graces, must one pretend to be interested in those

ragamuffins?" John asked, a little spitefully.

"Why, no, not unless they were. Alice could not wish you to be

deceitful," was Anna's reply, after which a long silence ensued, and

Anna dropped away to sleep, while her brother sat watching the fire

blazing in the grate, and trying to decide as to his future course.