CHAPTER XXII. HORATIO LEIGHTON TAKES A STEP FORWARD.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume IV, Issue 187, 27 October 1876, Page 7

CHAPTER XXII. HORATIO LEIGHTON TAKES A STEP FORWARD.

Our western friends have been neglected ; we shall forget that they have been, unless we bring them before us anew. Inglewood had put on the charms of home; the forest was being cleared, and cultured field were growing rich with beauty, and cultivated people -were slowly finding out the county-seat. The growth of the town was like that of many western cities, quite marvellous. Horatio Leighton, in this rising town, was a rising man ; he had already been chosen, to the State Legislature from the district where he lived, and Ms name spoken of for the office of State Attorney, and finally he was selected and duly placed in that office. This was the signal for which he had waited ; with this postion came bravery. Pangs of jealousy had sometimes made him desperate, and the long absences from Athlacca which must necessarily follow his advancement, could not be borne till matters were settled with his well-"beloved. Still in his inmost soul he knew Marion so well, that he was assured he had nothing to fear from Doctor Nelson. He knew that the unknown lif e of a country doctor could have no attractions for one whose ambition was continually nerving him on, and who had often extolled his venturesome forthputting nature, as the ground- work of success. He had reached a great height already for a man of his years, and what would he not aim at, if only he could in the end lay all his honors at her feet ! The day after the news had spread of his election to the pose of honor, the young man, flushed with success, came to Inglewood for a drive with Marion, determined to make a venture of his long contemplated proposition. He was somewhat irritated by what seemed to him of late, the constant presence of Doctor Nelson ; it vexed him to think his rival was of the same faith as Marion, and then he asked after his own faith, and there came back from his soul only an unsatisfying negative. Church decorations, altar trimmings, Sunday-schools, Avere constantly bringing the two together, and though he occasionally bore a part, it was only as an outsider ; this annoyed him, he -would end the matter to-day. Ah ! my dear young man it will take more than your solitary will to complete that bargain. He found Doctor kelson with Marion, arranging "banners and pictures for the Feasb of the Sacred Heart. She looked up languidly from her work, as he spoke of a drive, and expressed a reluctance to go at all, but if she went her preference was for a ride. Forthwith horses were saddled and at the door, although it was with difficulty Leighton could hide his disappointment at the change. Marion was still exacting, wondering that he could have ordered that ugly pony for her.