Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1868-10-21


about many things. | had been fearful that
the partnership would not come, but here it
was at last. | had been waiting 70. this
nine years. could marry now | could at
last be happy. | put my head down upon
my hands and cried with joy. | allowed my
self to give way to impulse for the time; il
did no harm just then aud no one saw me.
Then ! dressed myself and went in the dusk
Of the evening to see Jessie.
| was such an old friend that the servant
opened the door as to one Of the family
Jessie was singing-not to herself A tall
young fellow whom | had never seen before
stood near the piano. Grandfather Ashburne
slept in his armchair, evidently believing
himself wide awake all the while. Jessie said;
Captain Ilawthom-Mr. patterson--Mr
/ Patter.on-Captain Hawthorn and bowed
! | could have smiled more naturally had
| the naval officer been less handsome aud many
years older We talked as people talk when
thrown together, of thousand different
things, | waited for Captain Hawthorn to
60; he fingered. 1t grew late. | would
have given worlds for an interview with Jes-
sic that night but it seemed impossible We
took leave together at last, the clock strk-
/ ing eleven as we departed. When we had
turned the corner | found that our ways were
not the same. ! bowed adieu to the Captain,
skirtcd the block, aud stood before the house
We had just left again. / suppose the SER
wants had all retired for the night for Jessie
was fastening the shutters | ran up the
steps. Jessie, said I, forgive me I'll
is late, | know, but | must have one word
only one Then | leaped the colorado of
the balcony, and went into the parlor
Grandfather Ashburton was not there. We
were alonc-my beautiful Jessie and J. | /
sat down on the sofa she looked at me smil-
ing. had never seen her look so happy.
Jessie | said, -" wanted to speak to
you as | could not before that captain-con-
found him. | am taken into partnership"
." congratulate you, '"said Jessie
81 have loved you since we met You |
remember the time? For nearly ten years 1 |
have waited to be able to marry Now .
have achieved the step at last am part
ner in rich aud respectable firm can
live wel--elegantly. | have struggled with .
my heart 50 long-l have forborne 50 long
oh, Jessie, turn to me and give me your hand /
and tell me that you will be my wife other
wise all this prosperity is worthless to me-" .
But Jessie did not give me her hand She .
drew back from me- turning very pale
" hope You are mistaken in your feelings"
she said, " Tor cannot return them
"Jessie," | cried, " don't say that-any- /
thing but that | have love you so long
so deeply; | have striyen against my own
heart ! have worked for this so long Oh |
jessie"
And then told her how often words Of
love had been at my lips aud had forced
them back Each time | remembered so well,
so wildly.
She was as pale as death when | ceased,
but she put me back when | would have Ia
ken her hand, with motion Of her own.
&" As you say, you have been prudent" she
said abe so still, and say no more You are
too late. II you had spoken on that Christ
mas night which forget no more than you,
would have answered differently | loved
you Hea'
Then love me again" | moaned, " love
me again.
"lf life and eternal happiness depended
on it, | could not" she said. That night
when you were gone, | wrestled with myself.
tore my love from my bosom and trampled
oh it. trampled it to death No woman
who is worthy Of the name will love IL man
long who does not love her"
She smiled at me a little scornfully,
thought.
" Your great prudence prevented me from
knowing it," she said. " That Christmas
evening ended all the folly. You have been
nothing to me since that moment but what
you are nova friend you can never be any
thing more"
Jessie cried, " 1 shall 90 mad if you
could say you never cared for me, it would
be bad enough but to own that you had loved
me, aud to show that ofmy own act ! lost
that love, is too much to hear. will have
it again, Jessie. | will. L"
Hush !" said Jessie. " must not hear
this am engaged to Captain Hawthorn"
You say this to torment me-" | cried.
" \ stranger mere acquaintance !"
ave have known each other fortnight, |
and been engaged week. said Jessie, blush
ing deeply. We are not prudent people, |
you know From the moment our eyes met, |
wondered that | ever cared for any one else.
Oh, MIR. Patterson, | am sorry you feel this
so deeply cannot think myself to blame.
For tears had rushed into my eyes, aud |
hdh hiulNh tntHl rum utT III my trembling
hands. She was not TO blamc--prudence
had done it all--the prudence which was my
pride. had thoughts enough in nay heart,
heaven knows, but my grief and self-reproach
We're too great. | could say no uore. [
opened the door and went out have never
spoken to her since
People call me Prudence Patterson now
| merit the name. Yet, sometimes, when
look back upon uiy lonely life, and remember
how Jessie Ashhurton once loved me--whcn
| think what home would have been with
her love to light it, even less splendid home
than mine-and how lonely and desolate |
often am; when pass her leaning on her
husbands arm aud hear how they climbed
lile's hill together, hand in hand, wonder
whether prudence may not be carried too far
1T :. il mistaken world of ours, or whether
one should weigh il in the balance with love.