The Vermont transcript. [volume] (St. Albans, Vt.) 1864-1870, 1868-01-17


parlor again. On the steps we met
the latter; Fred was nowhere to be
seen. Somehow l felt glad of this.
81 am very much to blame" l said,
taking Mr.. Palmers proffered arm,
and then pausing, half afraid to pro
ceed
What is ii p be said, kindly.
" I have not acted honorably with
YOU" | said, in low tone, which
seemed fearfuliy distinct. " ! do not
love you-l have not loved you-but
my fault is not and was not there. |
have little story to tell you / knew
well enough that your heart is tender
enough to take in it's meaning
Go on, he said pausing and lean
ing against ii tree that stood close
against little vine shaded arbor.
4" | was foolish-very foolish, | sup
pose-but long time ago learned to
love some one who cared but little for
me- / did not know it at first, or |
might have shielded my heart more
eiiectually. But it is too late to speak
of that now only | loved him. When
/ found that he did not love me, /
grew stony and hard; not ali on his
his account, but because God had
made me plain Of face-plain O, so
very plain, that he could not look up
on me and be the happier for looking
| met him. | was very proud. A wo-
man is jealous of her secrets--O how
faithfully | watched mine. 1t was
then / wronged you. | wanted him
to think that l preferred another to
him; that ] hadn't a thought for him,
a word for him, or hardly 4 smile
Perhaps he did not notice it; | think
he did though. l spoke pleasantly
and kindly to you; / allowed you to
be my companion IN my walks and
rides; to occupy place that none
but a lover could occuPy--but | was
selish-let me repeat 1t. | did not
think that you would build up any
hope upon this; did not wish you
to I am 10 coquette, please God. al
though may be wicked woman
What more can say to you, Mr..
Palmer =
Nothing. nothing! lie answered,
huskiiy.
4 am sorry, I said, softly.
You were speaking of Frederick
Lane, l suppose ??
I-I-yes sir :?
And your cousin Nellie p
Z" My beautiful cousin | repeated.
-" She is not so beautiful as you, ne
said, in q low tone
Poor blind man | could not help
telling grateful to him in my heart for
bis words, mistaken though they
were.
You look through your own good
heart, said ]. reaching out my hand
to him.
q have had pleasant time-I, al
most an old mana pleasant time
dreaming OF the future. 1t must end
here Let it pass.
But DO you forgive me
With all my heart ~ was the ear
nest answer. Let it pass let it
pass
How rournfuuy he said this l
could not keep the tears from starting
from my eyes.
Goodnight :" l said softly, as he
turned away.
Goodnight, dear good night :"
He had not taken three steps for
ward, when l heard quick step in
the arbor l stood still with my
hands clasped before me, looking
searchingly INTO the darkness.
Susie" some one called.
Ny heart stood still. There was
but one voice in the world that could
speak my name in that way.
"Susie !" it came again; and at the
same time some one came from the ar
Dor and stood closely beside me.
Mr.. Lane T. I said, feigning a sur
prise which ! did not feel.
No. mono more of that We
are both chlled to zero by this cool
reserve. Let rs be children together,
little while, at least
I did not speak, and he went on:
4 did not mean TO, Susie, but |
overheard your conversation with Mr..
Palmer. and that is the reason why
my heart is so full that l cannot
speak
Dear me, what could l say How
to act thought of my honely face
but that did not help me
You are quite excusable, | said.
q know how to sympathize with You.
[ overheard conversation between
YOU ana Nellie, an hour since, which
| could not very well avoid.
1.-THE duce you did We are even
then. But" here his voice fell to a
low, deep note, your cousin deceived
me"
"That was her weakness, not her
fault" 1 said, quickly, trying to turn
away from him.
"Wait a moment, if you please
Allow me as much time as you did
Mr.. Palmer, at least. :"
But you have not earned it as he
did," I suggested.
But thousand times harder
Don't be coquettish Susie. Let the
present be a real and happy one. 1t
has been such miserable, crossed
time for six weeks past
He reached out his hand to me, and
| placed mine III it.
I'VE are little children again, then
oro are not ?"