National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1870-03-04

allgnt plump III the middle OF
duckpond. Finally | succeeded in
reaching the next street, from which
L made my way home through alleys
and back lots as fast as my wet,
muddy garments would permit.
4 determined to leave Westville
at once. None of the family were
III when | reached the house, and SO,
after changing my wet clothes for
dry ones, | wrote hasty note to
Ned-giying my reasons for leaving
and arrived at the landing just in
time to make the four o'clock boat
for Alton.
Il had no special object in view
i'll selecting Alton as my destination.
My principal motive was to get
away from Westvil!e True, soc
ond thought would have shown me
that | could easily have proved my
identity; but after my ingloriouS
flight. and tie circumstances attend.
ing, / could never have met the rid
icule Of my friends, least Of all that
OF Miss Parsons.
lit was about nine o'clock the
next morning when the boat drew
up to the landing at Alton. | was
almost the first one to spring from
the gang plank, and was slowly
making my way up the landing,
when ! observed a young lady earn
est regarding me. AS She caught
my eye She threw back her vail.
revealing the handsomcst face ! had
ever beheId. ! stopped and gazed
IN involuntary admiration, at which
she sprang towards me, threw her
self INTO my arms, ciaSpcd me
around the neck. and planted a
perfect shower of kisses full upon
my lips. Jupiter pluyius. | was
perfectly intoxicated with delight,
although, | confess, | was rather
tustelcd and somewhat frightened.
After the delicious angel had
nearly smothered Iue with careSscs,
she drew back, held me at arms
length, and exclaimed:
Dear, darling William! am so
glad You have come at last =
And wasn't very sorry myself;
though for tie lite of me, could
not say single word. My lips were
perfectly sealed to the honey Of her
kisses.
The charming creature claSpcd
my hand and drew ne uurcSiStiug.
to a carriage in waiting.
You don't know how anxious
they all are to see you once more,
dear William. We expected you ON
last lights boat, and have been in
the greatest suspense ever since.
There. make Yourself comioltah,e-
I'm gong TO drive. And her dark
eyes sought mine Us she stretched
the lines over the magnificent black
horses, and We sped rapids along;
and her tongue ratified on as fast aS
the wheels.
Thomas has gone on an elrand
for the bride. and fathers lumbaso
Is worse; So | had to drive down
for YOU. But I'm not sorry. for
wanted to be the first one to greet
YOU. Millie is So beautiful, and &,
SO happy! William. you ought TO
be the happieSt man in the world.
ii believe | ann Stammrred
and the bcWitching creature reached
up her smiling lips and gave me
another kiss, which / returned this
time with interest, and then flushed
scarlet to the roots Of my Lalr at
the thought Of my audacitN.
Just then TIE carriage drew up
in front Of Il stately, palatial.looking
residence. \ servant came ont to
take charge of tie horses, and me.
chanically | assisted my companion
20 the pavement.
'The rosewood door was flung
open. and was drawn by the clasp
ing hand Of de little beauty within
the Vcstihulc.
Mildred! William has come .
called the soft musical voice of the
young lady, as she raped lightly
at one of the doors that lined either
side of the spacious hail.
Instantly a golden haired bcauti.
ful woman came ont. \ moment
she gazcd ut me with the utmost
tcnderucSs, and then, with shy
ness and tcrvor, her arms fell around
my neck, her velvet check touched
mine, and | could not resist the
impulse of planting kiss upon the
upturned rosebud mouth.
An old gentleman, with cane,
came forwa |, and taking my hand
he shook it warmly, calling me his
dear son, a | when attempted TO
explain, he cut me short by placing
the hand Of the fair Mildred in mine,
saying:
Take her, my boy, and Heaven
bless you both! Come, now, the
guests are all waiting.
'Thc ioldingdoors were thrown
apart. lheard the rusting of silks;
Subducd murmur of many voices,
and saw quite number of aristo-
cratic looking people; and in an
allowed arch, behind u small rose.
wood alter, stood a clergyman with
an open book before him.
Il glanced for the first time at
Mildrcd's dress. II was of snowy
whitencSs, and her golden hair was
crowned with u wreath of orange
flowers.
Il began to trembIc, and grow
faint, and ! suppose ! turned very