Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1870-08-03
and Hattie's reply, simple as it was, did not
tend to encourage him in the least.
% Whv Wilt


Why, WIFI
There was a world of emotion in those two
words, and when VIII interpreted them to
mean wounded confidence, unayaiing re.
gret, and honest sorrow he was not wrong
Hattie slipped her chocolate in a dreamy,
troubled way while VIII leaned back in his
chair, wishing Hattie would not look quite so
grave
Directly she cleaned up a smile on her
lips
"Well, viii, we won't let it make cloud
in our house. Wen pay it as fast as we
can"
How those three months did fly by so
rapidly that before viii llathornc fairly re-
allied it, he found there remained but fort
night Of the time in which he had fully in
tended to lay away the remaing four hundred
on his furniture, on which the upholsterer had
taken, as security, a chattel mortgage for the
whole. viii knew that, while Rosewood Il
Walnut were an obliging firm, they were
equally stringent when necessity demanded
it. Consequently he knew that he would
have to endure the shame and disgrace, so it
looked to him, certainly the modification Of
a foreclosure, His very checks tingled as he
thought of it, not so much for himself as for
Hattie who had been so opposed to it, yet,
had accepted the mistake-he saw now what
a mistake it had bcen-so noby, without any
murmuriug any reproaching.
Several times Hattie had asked him how
he was getting along as regarded the four
hundred dollars and always, in his light,
merry way, he had told her
" Thatll be all right darling"
And so he had honestly intended it should;
but somehow or other, when he had an extra
five or ten dollars, aud they were not very
usual occurrences there was way for it to
20 he had never thought Of
Then, again, he had almost made up his
mind that there would come windlall.-
Perhaps he should make some money outside,
some way he hardly knew how, he confess
ed. But now, after dreaming away the
working time, he awoke to find himself in
volyed beyond the most sanguine hope'of re-
lief
Poor VIII he buttoned up his overcoat
that chilly spring evening and went down to
Rosewood & Walnut's but all his persua-
sions were Of no avail. They must have their
money, or the foreclosure would inevitably
]
take place.
Visions of his pretty home, with sofa
here, chair there, gone from the place so
gracefully filled by them now pictures Of
Hattie's distress and her just grief, probably
indignation, thronged through his brain as he
walked home to tea.
\ cozy room and dainty repast were
awaiting him. and Hattie, in pretty dres,
Of black, with bright blue ribbons at her faii
throat and in her hair, was standing by the
window watching for him.
Why, you are not i'll or hurt, Will
You walk so slowly, and look so pale and
haggard ! What is the matter, viii ?"
She was beside him in the hall. He trieC
to smile, but he couldn't and he resolved
to have the worst over with, and tell Hat
tie all
"rye bad news for you can you heal
it ?"
Not about the folks ?"
She looked pale and alarmed.
"Oh, no, pet, about no one it is concern
ing ourselves"
He pointed to the parlor, where the doc
stood open, revealing the bright lamp glow o
the green plush suite.
"What, viii, what? Tell me, please p
She seemed little bewldered.
My own true, prudent little treasure,
have a confession to make"
Then he told her, keeping nothing back
Her head was hidden on his shoulder, bu
= Will felt the quivering of her figure
y. You won't hate me, Hattie Please fol
give me, and I'll promise soemnly to b
A guided in the future by your direction"
Could she refuse that persistent, loving AZ
, peal
= She kissed him fondly.
:, a We can let it 90, Will. Perhaps,
~ future years, We can learn to regard this as
lesson that moulded our lives for the better
= Messrs Rosewood 4 Walnut, with the
lawyer, who had drawn up the mortgage wei
J. in Mr.. llathorues parlor. Will stoo
. gloomily by the window. wishing the da
= . were not so fine, or that so many people woul
= not pass the house.
= Mrs. Hathorne came down the stairs, an,
= bowing to the gentleman, placed a parcel
J his hands.
"If you please sir, see if that is a
! correct"
- Mr.. Rosewood opened it; it was pl
>, thoric roll of greenbacks. Will stepped 10
:, ward in supreme ama2ement, but Hattie la
, detaning hand on his arm.
"Quite correct Madam. Just bring II
- pen and ink, while give you a receipt
- full on this instrument"
y Will produced his pocket pen. The r
:, ccipt was given, and the gentlemen left Il
: house.
Hattie"
"Will 20
~ What does it meant"
- "Only this 1 sold my watch aud chain
- your sister for two hundred dollars. Pa pa
me the one hundred and fifty did not ia
- for spending money on my wedding tour.
y " have saved fifty dollars out of the bountii
" supply of money you have given me- Al
now, Will, our home is our own"
~ He strained her to his heart.
You are my good angel, Hattie. liel
a after | shall gladly abide By your judgmen
~ ~ and never again do you see me spend &C
4 | have not in my pocket"