Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1870-02-02
Vol. 65.-33O3. No. Is.

embarrassment. Guy was at her side in an
instant
"I beg a thousand pardons," he said, hur-
riedly; 4" indeed, did not mean to come up.
on you so SUDDENLY"
"The family are absent for the day, Mr.
Britton."
81 know It'll don't wish TO see them
Miss Deane, they are miserably unkind to you
here" said Guy impulsively.
4" No. no, it is not that they do not mean
it," she answered, striving to regain compo-
sure {" it is because am not often so weak
as this"
"Oh, Miss Deane if you would only take
q place in my heart and home. Tell me that
you will give me the right to guard and COM
fort you. BE my wife l'
Her face lii up for moment with strange
radiance then the light passed and left her
calm and pale.
"Mr. Britton," said she, " need not tell
you how totally unprepared | am for this
You do me a great honor--l thank you, but
this caunot be. You are not the man TO be
content in marriage that had its origin in a
mere sympathy, however noble and forgive
me that ! say it, lonely and poor as | am,
should want more than that in my hus-
band"
Guy would have interrupted her with pas.
sionate protestations but she silenced him
with quiet firmness.
q" | am almost a stranger TO you" were her
parting words some time you will thank
me for what may seem now like rank ingrati-
tude' She held out her hand with a SORROW
ful smile. Guy pressed it to his lips.
" Miss Deane,n he said, l don't wonder
that my wretched abruptness has ruined my
cause. Forgive it--and me. | am going
away tomorrow, on urgent business. shall
be at home in fortnight, then ] shall ask
you to answer me again.
The end Of fortnight brought Guy Brit
ton back but Laura Deane had been gone
week.
" | don't know where she went, said Mrs.
Gibson, with something like a sneer, in an-
swer to hisanxious inquiry 4" / didn't trouble
myself to ask, and no reference did she get
from me, either. The ungrateful piece =
Wasn't her quarter finished, did you say p
What if il was2 She knew | depended on
her. After all my kindness too It's al
ways the way with such people; as / tell
Mr.. Gibson, might have expected it! +"
One Sabbath evening, two years later, Guy
Britton walked up the broad aisle of fash
ionabe city church, and taking the seat the
usher gave him, leaned back against the cush-
ions with half-closed eyes, listening to the soft
prelude of the orgabist. Suddenly single
voice rose up strong and clear. Her voice
II must be hers The wide world could not
hold such another Still soared the strain,
above the fretted arches and the vaulted roof,
aspiring like the lark alone with the morning
or the eagle bathing his fearless head in the
very sunlight of heaven.
Laura Deane, coming down the stairway of
the gallery, at the close of service, saw Guy
Britton waiting at its foot. There was no
demonstrative greeting to the by ISLANDERS
they might have parted the day before.
" Do you walk home ?" be whispered.
Thank you, Mr.. and Mrs. Dinsmore,"
said Miss Deane, aloud, you need not mind
to go my way might have found a friend
here"
She took his proffered arm, and they passed
out in the lighted street.
My weeks have been years." said Guy.
have come for my answer"
She flashed one eager, questioning glance
upon him, and as the lamplight shone full
upon her face, he saw it transfgured by look
that nothing but death would ever take away
"a look Of perfect love and trust and rest,
the homecoming Of an cxiled soul.