Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1870-02-02

tfencess enc came 10 me from inc lldItotelbsf
Mr.. Britton--one Of the first families in the
city. Her father was minister she's an
orphan Her only fault is, that she's inclined
to be little above her business but shan't
be troubled with that As | tell Mr.. Gibson.
when hire anybody and pay them with my
money, just give them to understand that
they and their time belong to me-"
There was a harshness underlying the
smile on Mrs. Gibsons horid face as she
spoke, that made Guy shudder at its possible
connection with the delicate, refined face at
the window.
" Just walk into the music-room Mr.. Brit
ton; | would admire to have you hear her" +"
Z" hope II shall not intrude upon Miss
Dcane answered Guy, rising with some
hesitation.
" "Intrude " Mrs. Gibson raised her eye
brows in surprise of course she will be
pleased to do whatever | wish
Laura Deane stood at the piano, patiently
following the slow movements Of little Flora
Gibson's weary fingers over the keys.
" Miss Deane," said Mrs. Gibson, imperi-
ously, and without designing any other intro
duction, " want you to play and sing one of
your very best pieces for my friend, Mr. Brit
tom
Miss Deane's check flushed family as she
returned Guys bow, and sat down at the in
strument She struck few chords and sang
" The Captive Knight" At first, like Tenny-
sons Leila, she "struok such warbling fury
through the words" that Guy saw the CLEAN
Of spear and banner, heard the peal of the
trumpet, aud the rush and cIamor Of the hosts !;
then came the Wild impassioned longing Of the
captive, and at last the wall of despair over
his dead hope Of liberty.
Guy had never before been more profoundly
stirred This girl sang her very soul into her
words. Such expression, it could not be mere
art, he thought--it must be an outgrowih of
her own experience.
Nou have given me a wonderful pleasure
Miss Deane," he said, in a low tone. as she
finished, and Mr.. Gibson, in the full tide Of
yoluble discourse, led the way from the
room.
Sitting alone that evening in his pleasant
library, Guy was conscious Of vague sense
Of loneliness quite at variance with the soft
light and warm coloring of the room Miss
Deane's face seemed to minglo itself ndefna-
ably with his unrest and the words and
melody he had heard sang themselves over and
over in his memory. He rose and went out of
doors, and looking over the hedge, saw her
slender figure pacing slowly to and fro in the
moonlight. She moved YEARLY, he faneied,
and he thrilled with a longing to speak to her
and comfort her Some great sorrow had set
its seal upon her face, he thought. Had not
Mrs. Gibson called her an orphan What a
sad fate to be thrust out homeless into the
great word-a nature so fine as hers must be
subject to the coarseness and caprice of an
employer like Mrs. Gibson The very idea
was revolving. Then there foated in vision
of face like hers opposite him at his solitary
meals, or beside his study fire in the long,
winter evenings face from which all traces
Of sadness should be gone, and in their place
the brightness of new hope and trusting love-
But while he dreamed, an unconscious smile
soft ening his features, the figure disappeared
IN the shadow Of the tall mansion; and the
voice Of his ,housekeeper at his elbow broke
the unwonted spell.
The next day he saw Miss Deane walking
in the garden with the young Gibsons. He
hoped she might come near enough for him to
speak to her but she did not seem to see
him, busy with his pruning scissors at the
hedge. He could only look on from dis
tance, noting her graceful, quiet mien, and
her gentle patience with the wayward chill
dren. Yet he found as time passed, even such
transient gimpses had wonderful power to
brighten his days. Occasionally there was a
bow of recognition, word or two of courte-
GUS commonplace-once longer conversa-
ton which charmed Guy by its revelation of
a mind richly stored-no more than that un-
til one morning, stroling down to the waters
edge, he came suddenly upon Miss Deane.
sitting with her portfolio on her lap, making
a little sketch Of the river and the opposite
bank
Pray don't rise, Miss Deane. You sketch,
see"
Only little, am quite untaught.
She held out the unfinished penciing as she
spoke.
Guy looked at it in the light You have
a native aptitude in that direction, then" he
said but if you will permit me a sugges-
tion | think | can show you better position
than this. Here, that group of trees hides
from you one of the very finest points of the
landscape, but just inside my gate is a rustic
seat, from which the whole view opens up
most charmiugly. win you come p"
Miss Deane accepted the invitation with
unaffected pleasure, but scarcely was her pa
per adjusted again, under Guys superntend.
ence, before Mrs. Gibson appeared upon the
river path in front of them. Guy saw a
look of surprised displeasure darken over the
ladys face, and walked quietly to the gate
hoping to avert the rising storm.
Walk in, Mrs. Gibson" he said, with his
most winning smile, you have not seen the
view which l have had opened through these
pines l have just persuaded Miss Deane to
bring in her paper and pencil and make
sketch"
Thank you, Mr.. Britton, have not time
just now." She looked at her watch. shut.
ting the case with spiteful snap. Miss
Deane, do you know that it is very near
school time p
Z" will 60 in directly" was the quiet an.
swer. must have mistaken the hour"
As the two walked away together, Mrs.
Gibson said, IN tone which, though not in-
tended for his ears, Guy could not avoid over
hearing, Miss Deane, | never was so as
tonished in my life Such boldness as this
from person in my employ Making
sketch indeed :"
The reply was inaudibe Guy flushed to
his finger tips with anger, but rejecting that
Miss Deane's modification would doubtless
be increased by the knowledge that he had
heard the cruel words, he pressed back the
Indignant sentences that rose to his lips.
From that moment his resolution was taken.
= She shall not long be subject to that wo,
mans petty tyranny-not il | can win her
or myself" he said, closing his lips tightly
rs he walked up the garden path.
Early on the following day he saw the Glib
IONS drive away with party of guests, fol.
owed by a light wagon packed with all the
of rustic picnic. Miss Deane
vas not Of the number indeed he had no.
iced that she very rarely shared any of their