Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1859-11-17
MIR. GILFIL'S LOVE STORY.
Complete in Eight Numbers---NO. 9.
CHAPETR VII

Clterina tore herself from Anthony with the
desperit effort of one who had just self-reccoec-
ton enough left to be conscious that the fumes
of charcoal will master his senses unless he
bursts a way for himself to the freash air; !; but
when she reached her own room, she was
sril to intoxicated with that momentary revi-
val of old emotions, to much agitated by the
sudden return of tenderness in her lover, to
know whether pain or pleasure predominated.
it was as if a miracle had happened in her little
world of feeling had made the future all vague
u dim morning haze Of possibilities, instead
of the sombre wintry daylight and clear rigid
outline of painful certainty
She felt the need of rapid movement. She
must walk out in spite of the rain. Happily,
there was thin place in the curtain of clouds
which seem to promise that now, about noon,
the day had mind to clear up. Caterina
thought to herself, 81 will walk to the Moss
lands, and carry Mr.. Bates the comforter l have
made for him and then Lady Chever. i will not
wonder so much at my going out" At the
hall door she found Rupert, the old bloodhound,
stationed on the mat, with the determination
that the first person who was sensible enough
to take walk that morning should have the
honor of his appobation and society. As he
thrust his great black and tawny head under
her hand, and wagged his tail with vigorous elo-
ouence, and reached the climax of his welcome
by jumping up to lick her face, which was at a
convenient licking height for him, Caterina felt
quite grateful to the old dog for his friendlness
Animals are such agreeable friends-they ask
no questions, they pass no criticisms.
The Mosslands was remote part of the
grounds, incircled by the little stream issuing
from the pool and certainly, for wet day, Ca
terina could hardly have chosen less suitable
walk for though the rain was abating, and
presently ceased altogether, there was still
smart shower falling from the trees which arch
ed over the greater part of her way. But she
found just the desired relief from her feverist
excitement in labouring along the wet pathi
with an umbrella that made her arm ache. Thi
amount Of exertion was to her tiny body wha
days hunting often was to Mr.. Gilfl, who a
times had his fits of Jealousy and sadness to &c
rid of, and wisely had recourse to nature's in
necent opium-fatigue.
When Caterina reached the pretty arche'
wooden bridge which formed the only entranc
to the Mosslands for any but webbed feet, tn
sun had mastered the clouds and was shining
through the boughs of the tall Gins that mad
a deep nest for the gardeners cottage-turnin
the raindrops into diamonds, and inviting tn
nasturtum flowers creeping over the porch an
low-thatched roof to lift up their Aame-coloul
cd heads onco more. The rocks were cawlne
with many-voiced monotony, apparently-by
remarkable approximation to human inteli
gonce-fnding great conversational resources i
the change of weather The mossy turf, studde
with broard blades of bulbous plants told tina
Mr.. Bates nest was rather damp in the best {
tie external moisture would hurt no man VIII
was not preversely neglectful of that obvior
and providential antidote, rum-and-water.
Caterina loved this nest. Every object in
every sound that haunted it, had been familit
to her from the days when she had been carrie
thither on Mr. Bate s arm, making little Gavin
noises to initiate the rocks, clapping her ban'
at the green frogs leaping in the moist gras
and fixing grave eyes on the gardeners fow
cluck-clucking under their pens And now I'll
spot looked prettier to her than ever; it was
out of the way of Miss ASHER, with her brl
liant beauty, and personal claims, and sma
civil remarks. She thought Mr.. Bates wou
not be come in from his dinner yet, so she wou
sit down and wait for him.
But she was mistaken. Mr. Bates was sea
ed in his arm chair, with his pocket-handke
chief thrown over his face, as the most elgb
mode of passing away those superhuous hou
between meals when the weather drives mi
indoors. Reused by the furious barking of
chained bulldog, he discried his little favor
approaching, and forthwith presented himsC
at the doorway, looking disproportionately ia
compared with the height of his cottage. T
bulldog. meanwhile, unbcnt from the severi
of his Official demeanour, and commenced
friendly interchange of ideas with Rupert.
Mr.. Bates hair was now grey, but his fral
was none the less stalwart, and his face look
all the rodder, making an artistic contrast wi
the deep blue Of his cotton neckerchief, and