Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1860-02-10


morning went out alone, for a ride, in di-
rection where thought | could not be dis
turbed. Up hill aud down, over roads, pas
lures and streams, tore, until the fever with
in was allayed, and then stopped to rest,
and look upon the beauties of the bright Oc-
tober day. All overhead and around, the sky
and patches Of water, were of the far-looking
blue which seems all ready TO open upon new
and wonderful worlds. Big, bright drops Of
a 'ight-shower. lay asleep in the curled-up
leaves, as though the trees had stretched out
a million hands to catch them. And such
hands What comparison could match themf
CLOUDS OF butterties such as sleep among the
flowers Of Paradise-forgottsn IN dreams of chill
dren, who sleep and smile-iancies of fairy
laureats, strung shining together for some
high festival-anything most rich or unread,
might furnish type for tho foliage that was
painted upon the golden blue of that October
day. ! could almost have forgotten my troub-
le in the charmed gaze.
You turn up in strange places, Rachel
said voice behind me.
This was what had dreaded but swal-
lowed love and fear in one great gulp, and
shut my teeth with a resolution of iron. l
would not be guilty Of the meanness Of stand
ing in that child's way, if she were but fool
so answered him gayly,
The same to YOURSELF as Neighbor Daw-
kins would say. why didn't you all go to
the lake, as you planned last night"
For some good reasons. Were you be-
witched, that you stood here SO stillr He
looked brightly into my face, as he came up.
'No-but the trees are. Shouldn't you
think that Oberon had held high court here
over-nightY
nj tboy al 1or. tbo;r ,voJJ;or 4 Jxo.,o.
upon the boughs; Yes, they are gay enough.
| But where have you been these four weeks,
that haven't got speech with youP ?
"A pretty question, when you've been at
my house almost every day Where are your
senses, mani
Il know too well where they are he said.
But I've wanted good talk with you, face
to face-not with veil of commonplace peo-
pie between You're not yourself among
them. like you best when your spirits arc
a little ruffled, and your eye kindles, and you.
/ lip curls, as it does now-not when you say i,
/ NO, Sir or Yes, aam, and smile as tho
it we're only skin deep
| started my horse.
Let's be going, JESSIE said. It's our
duty to feel insulted He accuses your mis-
tress Of being deceitful among her friends.
and says he likes her best when she's cross
He laughed lightly, and walked along by
my side.
How are your ladies and when will Miss
! Lucy come to ride out with me : asked,
fearing look into his eyes.
This brought him down. knew it would.
He answered that she was well, and walk
ed along with his head down. quite like an
other man. At length he looked up, very
pale, and put his hand on my bride.
4 want to put case to you, he said.-
Suppose a man TO have made some engage
ment before his mind was mature, and under
strong outside pressure of which he was not
aware. When he grows to better knowl-
edge Of the world and himself, and finds that
he has been half cheated, and that to keep his
word will entail lasting misery and ruin on
himself, without really beneftting any one
else, is he bound to keep it,
stopped an instant to press my heart back,
and then answered him
/ "A promise is promise, Mr.. Ames. have
thought that man of honor valued his word
more than happiness or life.'
! He flushed a moment, and then looked
down again and we walked on slowly, with
! out word, over the stubbly ground, and
through brooklets, towards home. If l could
only reach there before he spoke again How
could hold out to do my duty, if were
tempted any furtheri At last he checked the
horse and, putting his hand hevily on mine,
looked me full in the face, while his was pale
and agitated.
Rachel, he said hlskily, if man came
to you aud said, am bound to another but
my heart, my soul, my life are at your feet,
would you turn him away ~
| gasped one long breath of fresh air.
u, IAnlr ,.,l,s. talra
a mans love at second hand ? said, haugh-
tily. Women like me must respect the man
they marry, Sir
He dropped his hand, and turned away his
head, with deep drawn breath. | saw him
stoop and lift himself again, as though some
weight were laid upon his shoulders. / saw
the muscles round and ridgy upon his clench-
ed hand All this for a silly, shallow thing,
who knows nothing Of the heart she loses =
some tempter whispered, and passionate words
of love rushed up and beat hard against my
shut teeth. Get thee behind me | mutter-
ed, and resolutely started my horse forward.
Not for her-but for myself--my self-respect.
The best love in the world shall not betray
that
He came along beside me, silent, and step
ping heavily, and thus we went to the leafy
lane that came out near my house. There /
stopped for felt that this must end now.
Mr.. Ames, you must leave this place, di-
rectly, said, with as much sternness as
could assume. If you please, will bid you
goodbye, now
Not see you again, Rachel ? he exclaimed,
sharply. No, not that Forgive me, if /
have said too much. But, don't send me a.
way !"
He took my hand in both his, and gazed as
one might for a sentence of life or death.
'Will you let a woman's strength shame
you cried, desperately. Il thought you
were man Of honor, Mr.. Ames. l trusted
you entirely, but will never trust any one
again
lie dropped my hand, and drew himself up.
'You are right, Rachel you are right, he
said, after moments thought No one
must trust me, and be disappointed. have
never forgotten that before; please God,
never will again. But must say farewell
here =
1T is better | said.
.Good-bye then, dear friend dear friend =
he whispered. If you ever love any better
than yourself, you viii know how to forgive
ne
| felt his kiss on my hand, and felt, rather
han saw, his last look, for dare not raise