Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1871-05-12
81 WILL WALK WITH YOU.o
From Scribner's Monthly

VeSey w olleS StOOu upon Gue ledftH
rug in the long, low dressing-room,
awaiting the coming of her guests. Or
diuarily she might be trifie pale-quiet,
sibly-though with depths quickly
stirred by the dropping of careless
stone. Tonight she was flushed, tremu-
lous and excited.
"By the way" said her father, paus-
ing at the door, as he passed through
the hall, "I met the young minister
Hayes, you know-this morning, and
asked him up to dinner"
| "But don't know" responded Yes
ey, as he passed on, her eyes growing
wider and wider in dismay; ~ don't
know him at ALL And to. night of all
nights p she half sobbed, pulling at the
flowers in the porcelain vase before her,
at he feet.
1t was to be the last of the pleasant
evenings that had frightened all the
winter. Darrell Winslow and his mother
were coming to dine with them once
more before going holle. They had been
boarding at the hotel just above two or
three months. Vesey had built so many
hopes upon this evening. But now
She was fastening bunch of daphne,
sweet scented, velvet-leafed, into her
belt, when Paul entered the room.
Passing fair - he said to himself, at a
glimpse of the bent head.
"The Rev. Paul Hayesr' announced
the servant. She turned quickly, not
catching the name, hearing only the
sound of feet and the opening of the
door. But the flush upon her face was
not for him.
"I-I am Miss Welles," with rather
unnecessary frankness. "My father
will be down in moment. He was
unusually late from town tonight"
But hearty and cold," Paul added,
mentally, as he turned away to meet
her father.
Then, at last, Mrs. Winslow and Dar-
rel came.
Who is this man?" looked out of
barrels eyes.
"And you really go home tomorrow ?''
Vesey said, sitting down besides Mrs.
| Winslow.
"Yes. There is nothing to wait for
now, and Darrell does not care to stay.
The opera season is over, you know"
So it was for the gayeties of the town
he had fingered week after week, she
thought, with sudden sinking of the
heart Oh, how blind she had been
His careless laugh came across the room
Just then as if to mock her.
season ?' She could not hide the pain
that quivered in her voice.
"No," she replied, simply, ~ suppose
not"
The gentlemen joined them.
Vesey was thinking how pleasant she
had hoped it would be, with only Darrell
and his mother there-they four around
the fire in the twilight, Darrell by her
of the words she thought he would
speak. There was ring hanging upon
his watch chain. 1t fitted her finger.
He tried it once in just.
| She turned away from him to Paul.
And yet what should she say? What
do people say to ministers? she asked
herself helplessly. And to young min
listers above all? Oh, if he had not
come! If he would only go! If they
| would all go, and leave her alone with
her disappointment!
How she passed that long dinner
uOuP SIG lltf6I hllOW. kCI1O tdlhCA VI
trivial things, as we all do, though be-
meath the outward calm our very souls
are seething. When they were back in
the drawingroom, and the others fell
into the quiet desultory" chat that fol-
| lows dinner, she alone could not be
still. Her cold hands refused to lie
quietly lin her lap, as shapely white
hands should. Her feet beat an impa-
tient waltz under her gown. She glanced
| at Darrell. He had thrown himself back
in an easy chair, his hands under his
head. There was no feverish glitter in
| his eye. He yawned furitively. She
pushed her chair back.
How stupid we arel It's the fire, /
think 1t always dulls everybody but
itself Will some one sing, or play ?"
And she sat down herself before the
piano.
She struck a quick, sharp chord. {"
could dance to night!" She had for,
gotten the young minister and his
probable prejudices. He caught a
glimpse, just then, of the flushed, in
| tense face. But in an instant, with the
minor chord that followed, it changed.
Tears rushed into her eyes. Her back
| was to the others. Only Paul saw the
sudden saddening of the face, the fall
| of the wet eyelids.
"Such wonderful spirits !" exclaimed
| Mrs. Winslow. /" So light-hearted Vesey
| always is"
"Ah p responded Paul. But he fell
| into a reverie.
Darrell leaned over her. "What has
come to your
Chow? Why?" She did not pause
in her playing.
You're simply glorious now. You
| hardly need a crown"
Her hands went wrong. A quick
clash-a discord-then she went on She
was growing strong equal to the strife.
There is nothing so deathless as wom-
ans pride. 1t had risen at last. Her
hands flashed over the keys, throwing
off sparks of the widest, gayest music.
"Good night !? and goodbye, it must
be-" he said, OBTAINING her hand when
they separated. I'VE shall take the
early train
| The finch died ont of her face. She