Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1863-04-24

other and higher direction for a low
er. But [ had the truth, and most
sacredly did | guard it. 1t grew to
be a very plain truth before the
summer was gone. AS time wore
away, and l saw plainly into the
depths of my heart, knew that for
a childish, girlish whim, l had put
the happiness of a lifetime away
from me but | could only wear a
brave face, and keep my secret from
the prying curious gaze of those who
were searching for it.
did not often meet John, and
but twice during that summer were
we thrown into each others compa-
ny for a sufficient length of time to
exchange a dozen words. Once we
met at a picnic. From the moment
that | stepped upon the grounds I
knew that he was intending to speak
to me. Perhaps | felt it by the way
he watched me as | went from place
to place. When he came to my side
it seemed that the whole party
hushed voice, and heart and soul to
US. He smiled at this, and commen-
ced talking in a pleasant, gossipy
way about the weather, appearing
not to notice my flushed face and
slightly disturbed manner.
Are you enjoying the best of
health, this summer?' he asked, at
length, with, ! thought, a faint touch
Of mischief in his face.
THE very best of health, Mr..
Blaiklie,' | answered, curling my lip.
: Perhaps you have been informed to
the contrary, however, | continu-
ed, more in answer to his smile than
aught else. Cranston gossips, have,
| believe, given me the credit of
bearing up under a settled heart dis
ease
They are inferior judges, Bessie.
Do not class me among them.
Il never have, | answered, dry ;
y.
mo, suppose not he said, smil-
ing again. This is a beautiful
yroveV
'Veryr / answered, feeling that
t was my turn to smile now.
Have you noticed the arrange
nent made for dancers Z?
l shook my head.
Come this way, then, if you
please
He offered me his arm, which / |
.ook without thinking to thank him. |
For little moment forgot that the ]
light Of claiming his attention was
lot mine. 1t seemed so like old |
lines to be walking by his side, t
his face and listening to
he tones of his voice. Before |
ould help it, l found myself signing i
Ong and deeply. If John noticed f
he was very forbearing, for by S
ook or word he did not reply to it
mt thought the silence was lit t
lie too long for an ordinary one,
nd so | made bold push to break P
t. Again | forgot myself.
What a nice place this isr l c
aid. DO you remember, John, a
ow crazy l used to be about dane Q
lg? My father used to say if my fl
cart would always keep as light as k
ly feet, life would go easily with
le.' S,
Yes, yes, remember, he replied,
thought a little sadly. 'Will you n
ance with me to-day?' n
0, yes, certainly
was glad to have him ask me c,
nat. OF all persons in the world,
best loved to dance with him. I
ad told him so hundreds of times, fl
30, so that he knew well enough
hat my smile meant. We danced @,
)gether so many times that day,
nat the Cranston people--or at h,
,ast all of them that attended the I'll
icnic-grew big eyed with wonder.
oticing how close they watched kl
}, John said, as he led me to my tC
,at for the last time. eC
'We are saving our good towns
Tx from a great deal of sin, Bes- it
e; because while they are specu- eli
ting about such innocent sort Of m
eople as you and |, they cannot be of
liking about worse ones. We are kl
citing famous 7 kl
| was happier that night, after l
,turned home, than | had been for Sc
eeks before. But my happiness |
as of short duration, for after the te
PIPER was cleared away, and while
sat by an open window, recalling m
e events of the day, my mother su
i'd to me- of
Your Aunt Hastings was here mi
day, and she said that John Blaik-
} was finishing his house on the on
Il. Did you hear anything about m
at the picnic p
NO. said, scarcely above a b
hisper. re
And she said if Fannie was go nc
g to marry John, she kept it dread ou
| sly: for besides pieeing up a few pc