Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1858-02-25

was taciturn, easily irritated, and apt to con-
strue dissent on non-concurrence on the part of
others, into open hostility and opposition. In
most particulars he seemed to be as much
changed in the qualities Of his mind from what
he was when he left his Green Mountain home,
as he was in the particles which made up his
physical man.
Both Herbert and Alice, as well as Mrs.
McDermot, had been unable to divine the cause
of what each regarded as Rolph's sudden assault
upon the former; but ~ insight which Mrs.
McDermot had just gs.dn s.>-ilice, of the char
acter of Rolph; and ber sscaection of the ap-
pearance of her brother when Rolph first saw
him on that occasion, afforded her clue to it,
She therefore explained to Herbert her impress
ion that Rolph probably regarded the look and
action Of her brother as defiance, and in his
unfortunate state of mind, felt constrained to
resent it, She besought him, therefore for
leave to apologize to Rolph on his behalf; to ex-
press his regret for the affair and likewise to
say, that Herbert would avail himself Of the
earliest opportunity, after he should be able to
do so, to make his excuse in person; and she
determined, if she should obtain such license, to
exercise it without regard to form, to the full
extent of her authority, if need should re-
quire.
Herbert judged that Alices opinion of the
reason of Rolph's action might be correct, and
he cared more for correct sense of Justice and
honor, than he did for the forms, and codes,
of honor. Yet he was imbued with spirit of
haughtincss which disinclined him to yield,
when yielding might be imputed to "a craven
fear. He based an objection to Alices request
therefore. on the ground that although she
might be right in her opinion, yet Rolph had
no authority thus to interpret his look, Or de-
meanor, at any rate he had no reason to do SO,
and he insisted that an apology was first due
from Rolph.
" IF he thinks he had such authority, or rea-
son. said Alice, " shall tell him he Judged
erroneously?' ?''
eyes, certainly" answered Herbert.
Why not tell him 50 at once then, Herbert,
and then if we wish to know, and he does not
tell us, ask him what he thought?'
"Well, Alice, after all, what is the use of
silly punctilios that bar an act of justice, or
close the door to reconciliation, between man
and man Manage it as you will, my sister
and | am sure you will manage it right. Yet
almost want to say to You, remember, in what
ever YOU may say that eSu asa speaking in the
name of Herbert MarkhaAl.''
81 will take care f'your honor, Herbert
and if | do aught that touches it, it shall be to
make it seem, in the just opinion of mankind,
more spotless than before"
81 know it," said Herbert, vexed with him
self for the shade of doubt his language i'm
piled | know the caution was superhuous, and
that there is no safer earthly repository for a
woman's honor, or my own, than in the keep
ing of Alice Markham - and his countcnanec
betrayed consciousness of truth, and an in.
ward pride as he spoke.
For his own part Herbert would not have
been disposed to abate one little from the cold
and stern dignity of his position but the wei
fare of his sister, and the alienation of he,
fears, inclined him to take second thought
and enabled him to see through a purer med
um than he had before viewed them, the ell
ments of true dignity and honor.
Alice was determined that on her next visi
to Rolph, she would not let him go till she hat
dispelled his animosity, if she did not secur,
his good will. Accordingly she strove, on thu
day preceding her contemplated visit, by rig
id investigation of his character, in converse
ticns with Mrs. McDermot and by review Of
events which transpired prior to, and were con
nected with, the aifray between her brother ant
Rolph, to divine the true cause of the conduc
of the latter, SO that, knowing tho cause, sh,
, might more surely summon to her aid the prop
er modifying agency.
She did not contemplate o resort to an,
falsehood, as Mrs. McDermot suggested, bu
she resolved on tho broth, to be made from tn
flesh of the wild partridge, as atfording favor
able pretext for the renewal of her visit. An,
to evade the necessity for prevarication, as wei
as to make sure that the " broo " should be a
palatable as Mrs. McDermot would have he
recommend it, she determined on trying tn
culinary art herself.
Accordingly on the following day, availin
herself of so much of Mrs. McDermot's theor
as she chose not to discard, she prepared th
I" broo," and provided as she thought, wit
i food best suited for Rolphs mental, as well a
bodily digestion, she sat out but not withou
the oft-repeated admonition from Judith to say
q Gin the broo was ma sa guide as it whiles ma
: haze been, he maun owerleuk it the yince
syne it was an auld threep, and true anC
that twa mony cooks wad spoil the broo."
[CONTINUED NEXT WEEK.