The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1865-12-27

1t was q great change from the dull
droning routine OF my schOolteaching
days had begun 10 discover that
was not only young but han1sume-that,
like the milkmaid in the old song, my
face was my fortune.
A good many Of Clinton Bradshaws
young gentlemen friends were in the hab-
it OF dropping in now and then to dinner
or tea, and upon some Of them the habit
seemed to grow wonderfully. There WIS
one very decided impression which my
familiar acquaintance with these Young
gentlemen made upon my mind, and that
WAS a profound conviction of their infrli-
ority to Judge Hibbard. Not that the,
were not nice young men. every one Of
them-well-bo born, well bred, Of sound
morals for all that / knew. anil quite
worthy of respect. Only they all lacked
something which he possessed. There
was an itn,aaturi'y Of Judgment about
them--a lack of experimental knowledge
IA want of fixed purpose about thtm--a
failure TO understand what their work
was. If had never seen him, doubtless
my eyes would have been less clear sight
ed to their defect but, uncnnsciou-ly, !
had made of him 4 STANDARD, Judged by
winch these younger men were al tounI
wanting. | took some pains TO di-lributi
my cUurtesies among them equally, and
TO keep them at distance.
But in one case these efforts failed sig-
nnlly--that Of Mr.. Clinton bradshaw
himself 1t WAS in vain to try to keep
Inn at a distance. Nothing short of
direct answer, | could see, would ever
satisfy him. When he told me hi, love
there was no lack Of all that warmth and
intensity in which I had Thought the
Judge deficient. His earnestn,ss forced
upon ma the conviction that was. at
last, loved dearly loved IN very truth
for myself. : nj yet, strangely enough,
it failed to move me, even 50 much Il,
Judge llbLard's fewer and CO olrr words
( had done.
DlndtuI of the promise with which |
was bound asked Il few days to decide,
and then went to MY own room to think
! the m'rter over The more | thought
the more favorably locked upon the pro-
/ posal. Ofthis mans love fur me enter
tanned no doubt. In his eyes | should be
perfect and priceless. | thought such
love on his part could not fail 10 awaken
a corresponding regard on my own f,r,
! finding my heart SO unmuved Ivy all
these things, / began to doubt my capacity
for any thing but responsive affection,
and therefore to consider CHI Ay The feel
ing Inspired rather than ihat | myself
experienced
The next day went into town and
made my way to Judge lIib,mrd's Office.
1t WIS a very awkward thing 10 do, AZ |
began TO realize fully during the few mo-
ments sat wailing in the ante room; but
| would not retreat from the promise |
had given. Once admitted to my Coun-
sclor> presence, | laid the matter before
in words as few and plain us possible.
81 know nothing against Mr.. Clinton
Bratlshaw," he said in fact my imprc,-
~ipnS are all in hi. favor. The on. quc4-
lion is" and he turned and looked at me
senrchingly, 'do yo love him.
"Ihat will come OF course" SAID ii |
marry him"
''Hut you dill not dare TO trust to that
in another case" he persisted.
"l'ut Mr. bradshaw loves me-" an
swered, driven 10 my last line Of defense,
cloves me dearly. Oh. Judge lIibbard,
am very lonely, and love is So sweet ~
do YOU think he loves you better
than [ did
AT least he has told me 80, AMI you
did not; if Won had" and there | stop
ped, feeling nv face growing scarlet.
"If | had" he exclaimed, eagerly.
''would the result have becnany different
Madeleine, child, do not trito with me.
II had, would it have done any good
God knows do love you, and dit then
with all the strength of my being. | did
not talk about il, for wonld not persuade
YOU against your own heart, or make my
tJrty-two years ridiculous in your eye, 10y
too much fervor"
knew when he said that, and met
his eyes which said re much more, what
| it WAS had been wanting-lhat in this
one man only, Of all the world, my heart
could find absolute reet.
/ DO ! need 10 tell You what answer
made Ia Clinton Bradshaw After all,
he consoed himself easily, and married
.Ieannctte lIibbard when had been ior
/ year ncr step mother.
\ lady having had the misfortune to
/ upset Jug of cream over a satin dresS at