Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1867-07-10

that the inclination to make it was gone.
Some healing ministry, call it of nature or
OF grace, God knows, had been at work in
his soul ; and, unconsciously to himself,
through the long summer days and swift,
short summer nj ghts, he had been learning
the sweetness of duty pure and simple
duty done for its own sake. He had begun
to ask himself, not what he wished, but
what he ought to do and he felt that in
the very fact of his being to those two
who loved him their all on earth. God had
called him to certain duties on which he
would never again feel tempted to turn his
back. Reconciled at last to the appoint
ment Of Heaven, he was at peace also with
his own soul and new light came into
his eyes, a new vieor and manliness into
his life.
He could think of Angeline Wilmarth
in these days without pain There would
always be in his heart for her the tender
ness good man feels for woman once
beloved; but whether she was his or
another's, he could reckon her loss or gain
among the - all things " he was content to
leave with heaven.
He had heard in the summer that she
was to be married at Christmas, but he
heard no more about it afterwards. Her
preparations We're going on, he supposed,
but he seldom saw her. He had never
spoken with her for a more than passing
good-day since her engagement,
One afternoon in November he brought
home from the village post-oflice bundle
of papers, his Boston daily among them
Sitting by the fire and turning them over,
his eye was caught by the heading, in large
letters
ANOTHER CASE OF DEFALCATIoN.
He began to read the article, with the
kind of careless half interest people in the
country feel in the excitements of the city
which cannot touch them, personally; but
suddenly he started up, clutching the paper
tight, and straining his eyes over it as if he
doubted his own vision. The name of the
defaulting and runaway bank-teller was
that Of Angie Wilmarth's cousin and
betrothed lover. Thank Heaven that no
mean selfshness stained his soul in that
touched at the thought of Angles sorrow
Poor girl IF there were only any thing
he could do to aid or comfort her. He
took his hat and went out, with some vague
purpose Of offering his help, which the fall
wind shattered, as il blew across his brow.
OF course there was nothing he could do
he could not even speak to her on such
subject Her grief would be sacred-and
he, had he not been used this many n
month to the idea that he was nothing to
her any more?
Still he went on III u purposele>s sort Of
way, toward her house; went on, until he
saw a slender figure coming as if to meet
him. under the leafiess elm boughs, over
the dead and rustling leaves which lay
thick upon the foot-path. Like one in "A
dream he moved forward He had meant
to pass her with Just good-evenine, but
when she put out her hand to him, and he
looked into her fair still face, the words
ca me before he knew it to his lips
.' | have seen II all III the paper, Angie,
and L am so sorry.
Yes" she said gently, " it will ruin
him, am afraid"
And YOU? l thought most Of you.
You were to have been married 50 soon
Not to him." she said hurriedly, never
to HIM That was done with, two months
ago had never loved him 1t was
vanity which made me consent to marry
him. He was handsome and gallant, and
he promised ME all the good things of this
life But l found, after awhile, that none
Of them would pay me for myself; and |
told him the truth"
Something in her hurried, earnest tones,
or the swift color that stained her cheek,
or her Shy, halt-veiiel eye, orall together,
gave John Osgood courage, and he said,
holding her hand STILL
:. 1t was because had none of the good
things Of this life to promise YOU. Angie,
that [ dared not tell you how dearly |
loved you and always should. You seemed
too bril- ght and fair to settle down here,
just as the wife Of a RyefeId farmer
. But if ! liked that best " she said
softly, and her hand staid in his
And SO John Osgood won his hearts
desire.
There are some souls. L like 10 think,
dear children of the Heavenly Father, who
learn easily the lessons He sets them who
do not need over much chastening Ready
to take the lowest seat at feast or syna-
goeue, there is a Divine and approving
tenderness in the voice which says. Friend,
come up higher"