The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1858-06-23

| as spoke tnere come pelOre me, one
by Que. the incidents Of our brief acquain.
tance; the lonely walk in the woodland,
where the autumn leaves were dropping;
the evening conversation, so absorbing that
midnight came unwelcome, and found us
more wakeful than morning Every spot
we were wont to visit was alive with some
bright thought Of her; all my recollections
were musical with her sweet voice all
radiant With the beauty of her presence
The golden scene thus gathering became
bleak and desolate, at the thought of re-
signing her friendship. l was alarmed at
the strength Of my feelings, and arousing
my pride, with great effort, strove to
hide them from her and even from myself
submit to the sentence Of banish-
ment without complaint" I continued af-
ter pause, " L am grateful for the past
You have taught me to unlearn much evil
which had previously got by heart, in-
tending it for the use OF society and the
world. You remember how the stars of
which we arc told in Revolutions, fell to
the earth and became wormwood. You
reversed the text and restored to its high
place some part of my nature which had
fallen and turned to bitterness. You have
sometimes put to flight the twin demons of
distrust and unbelief which torment me-
A few frank words from you have fallen
on my soul like the drops of holy water on
the brow of the possessed. have caught
from you a little enthusiasm and Little
faith."
Il gave you my friendship, sincerely,
believe me-" she said with earnestnes..
You have treated me with more than the
care and delicacy of brother There is
not thought Of blame or unkindness to-
wards you in my heart"
81 see how it is l have wearied you
by intruding my society continually.
knew once that the best friends cannot,
with safety be brought into contact, and 1
once practiced the maxim"
" You mistake me, altogether" she re-
piled, coloriDg deeply.
If l must confess it, my last remark was
not made in good faith, for I never detec-
ted sign which betrayed that my pres
ence was irksome, and my vanity is quick
sighted, and never slumbers.
1 1repented the pitiful impulses to try
the gentle girl, which had prompted me ;
and ! hastened to atone by leading the
way to an explanation.
." I am about to speak frankly with you,
said l, perhaps | misunderstood the
cause of your embarrassment but if not
my course will save you pain. You tell
ME that we can be friends no longer. |
can imagine reason for this change in
your views. 1t is that our intimacy has
given rise TO remarks that have troubled
you, and your womanly feeling has taken
the alarm"
Il am grateful to you" she said, look
ing up, very grateful. l was struggling
to make this explanation, but could nevel
have done so without your help; and wha
opinion would you have formed ofmy tickle
ness 2"
They say, she added in lower tone
"that we are engaged"
Why DO you not retort courageousl,
that we are, and have been from the begin
ming, merely friends; that such is ou
agreement, our treaty with each other ?"
Indeed, l am to young to brave tn
whole world You know that have no
mother to advise me. l would trus
your advice implicitly; but you are not
woman. 1t is my instinct that tells m
we must part"
Then" said I, becoming quite hopsles
"believe your instinct"
But after this magnanimous speech
fell into miserable reverie, and gradual
recalled the pains had taken with tn
girl. lost my temper and became rathe
incohorent.
"Perhsps," 1 said bitterly rising fror
my seat, " it wou uld have been kinder, mol
/ friendly, to have given me warning or
hint Of this. 1t is judicious, however, {
iuAict on me this modification The irl
some recollect ON will distract me from Il
keener suffering of our sudden partin
Our lives have taken different paths, sr
will meet again no more forever
h The sense of pique, the pleasure of gi
= ing pain, raised me to heroic attitud
y and then crumbled away before the Loo
3 of intense distress which settl ed upon b
r. face and swan in her fearful eyes.
n slunk back meekly to my place by her sid
my heart full to overAowing with contriti'