Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1859-02-04
IRASBURGH, VERMONT, FRIDAY FEBRUARY l. l85a


that he would not do it--he woald threw
up the engagement at once.
No doubt she thinks me FerEbsute,'
he said to himself, as the gay equipase
went dashing down the street. Perhaps
after all, she had not meditated that ruth
less attack upon his dignity and patience.
Indeed, now he thought of it again, the
whisper was more like suddenexclam-
alton than anything else. Yetishe had
not given her the slightest chance; for an
explanation, but, like the executioner who
loved MS occupation, hurried herforward
to punshment-the doit, tha6he called
himself. He had very poor qs;piou of
Arthur Stone just at that moment. He
was sure he would like to horsewhip
him.
A fair counterpart of the pupils
thoughts and feelings were those of the
teacher. 1t was dull, dreary drive that
Anna Hawkes. took with DR.. Barker.-
She hadn't heart to enjoy it after the
folly of the afternoon.
He thinks that I do not care for, nor
respect him. was the thought uppernost
in her mind, whichever way she tuned.
And this is the return am making him
for all his kindness to me-all the inter
est he has taken in my studies, both in
and out of school. O, if he could but
know the truthP
The truth The young girl Stalled
herself by the words. And what was the
truth? +? She buried her burning face in
hands as she asked the question. L was
this. She Loved Arthur .Stonel owed
him better than life itself! A ely OF
Eain went from her lips as the knowledge
slowly settled down upon her heart
But what proof had she given him ofthis
What proof that she was any other than
vain, selfish, unwomanly thing! None
alas, none! Like any woman who j,
conscious of her power, she glored il
hers over Arthur Stone. But how was
he to know that it was any but tbeglory
Of tickle, heartless coquette, rather thar
that Of strong, loving, true hearted wo
man, who makes her power a golden chair
about the heart of the man she loves, b,
which she draws him tenderly and gentl,
towards her? How, O, how was he t,
know this? The thought was agonizin,
to her.
She resolved at last to go to him in tn
j morning and confess her fault, humblin.
: as it was. He should know, at least, tina
: she held his feelings too sacred to woun
them wantonly. But in the morning sh
was sick and feverish, scarcely able t
n lift her head from the pillow. She coul
= not see Arthur that day, and so she mus
e contentedly wait for the next. Agains
y her wishes DR.. Barker was summoned
r, who croaked obviously of fever whic
II was hanging about her. She must b
u careful, be very quiet, and follow his d
# rections, he said, and he would com
d again in the afternoon to learn how sh
4 was getting along. He came in the a
1t ternoon, but at an unlucky hour. Ann
r sat leaned back in the rocking chair /
IS the window, looking eagerly up the stree
ID But while he prated learnedly at h
- side, he saw rapid red stain throug
lg the whithness of her cheek, and an e
he ger light break out from the clear blue
le her eyes. Arthur Stone was passing |
er the house, and viewing with a scornf
Id curl of the lip the handsome equipage
he DR.. Barker He did not look beyond
al to the pale face bent so earnestly towar
e' him, but turned his coldly away al
C walked haughtiIy down the street, VIII
he Anna sank back with sigh into the SO
he ly cushioned chair.
RS The next morning she refused to I
main away from school another day
ne Arthur Stone would say she was cowal
ly, that she feared feruling, that S
- absented herself purposely, because
the misunderstanding of Tuesday aft
"s noon, which she was too guilty to f.
again. She would go to school thou
" she dropped fainting on her way. S
'er could not rest until her weary mind Y
{" unburdened of this heavy load. So s
ho went, pale and trembling, at an ea
~ hour to the school house.
ng .How he SCANS me-bow he hates r.
she thought, as Mr.. Stone quetly raj
III, his eyes to her face, and bowed sill
Sc good morning as she entered the roc
ew How could she ever face that stern, C
ON gaze and make her excuses for not Ike
lie ing her appointment of the preyi
ssk morning?