Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1871-07-19

" Pennie, are you angry, dearest ?" wbis.
pered Walter.
"No, not at ALL" she answered, moving
from him and standing beside the table at
which Scot had sat down again. al cannot
now make myself feel even angry with you,
Walter"
." Thank you. Thank you, dear, he said,
ljoyiully. " Come out with me. | want to
tell you how it was"
Tell me here" she answered very quietly
" That's hardly fair" he complained with
reason | ;hought;) "but Of course, my darling,
| never fancied my mother was really so ill.,.
" | told you" returned Pennie, still more
quietly.
" Yes you did say So" replied Walter,
looking for the first time little nervous and
anxious; but knew she was always fanci-
iul and thought this was one Of her false
alarms. You ought to be sorry for me Pen.
ME. thought you would feel for me in
this grief"
She did not look into his face, where was q
shade Of real grief and he went on passion.
ately in her silence.
Pennie want TO speak 10 you. Come
away Why do you stay here ?"
Because she said, moving little, and
laying her hand on the back Of Scots chair
" because would rather speak here. Scot.
will you listen to me 4; and teach me once
again teach me what TO do"
She paused for few moments Walter,
leaning against the table, looked down upon
her in astonishment.
Scot, if have learned that have made
great great mistake in thinking that low
i tI,r 4k.U Il.
isn't it bet and kindest to tell him so now,
before it is too late p
Scot did not answer her, and she repeated
the question, her beautiful eyes childlike 10
their pleading.
Would it be right to tell him 80, Scot, or
to 90 on in the falsehood 2"
Right to tell him so" answered Scot, in
tones low and quiet.
Then, Walter" she said, raising her face
to him as it flushed and paled rapidly, a. l
, will tell you of my mistake now, before your
I brother and my own. There were once two
gifts Of love within my reach; and the one
a which my eager, ignorant hand grasped, be.
a cause it seemed most bright aud winning 10
I my dazzled eye, was not the one which could
y satisfy my heart. did not understand either
:, then was as powerless to feel the deep self
Is forgetfulness of the one as the shallow selfish
o ness Of the other but now that know my own
:, heart, Walter | cannot hide its disappoint.
ment. Some day | myself shall be old and
G suffering, perhaps-hnciful, too, l dare say
B, those who give much love, to win but little in
+ return, often are--and should not like to
ie feel that when | summoned you to my dying
sr bed you would not heed the summons |
p, should not like all through my life to pour
is out wealth Of love on one who could laugh
C. at me for the exacting intensity Of the gift.
ed And so am very, very grateful that have
Mt read this in my heart before it was too late" !"
This is nonsense, Pennie," interrupted
j, Walter, with forced smile. Come and let
y me explain to you
You have done So" Pennie said, still
OF with her hand on Scots chair, and still with
,e her eyes clear and undrooping. I" You have
~ explained it all to me during the last few
weeks. Now it is my turn, and ! am trying
o. to do so only it seems as if could not say
much even now Of what is in my own heart.
K Your mother had faithful, careful nurse
in Walter, in all her illness and by him nc
duty was neglected, no pleasure sought Char
p lie, did Scot seek his own pleasure; did he
fail in any one Of his duties, through all th'
ck time that Walter was securing his pleasure
ait ceaselessy, and failing in his one chief duty ?
"Not one" she repeated, tbs little hant
ZIP tight on his chair, but her fhce never turned
ost to Scot. I" Not one. Did remembrance o
ON this pain weaken his hand, or chill his heart
le Did it, Charlie2"
Never" said again locking for . INC
at ment into Walters vexed and moody face.
oes " Never she repeated. Did any on
he, thought Of himself make him shrink from hi
I'm duty to you, Charlie, because made it bite
len to him ? or from his duty to his mother, b.
me cause she blamed him always that her ow
md doized son had left her to die alone r.
np- q" Not one."
Walter, the love Of such a heart is
nth prize to be grateful for through all years
les. and through all years l will be grateful thi
be once this prize was mine. Scot, dear 500
len- you have taught me all the little that kno,
we teach me what to do now that my heart
wen hungering YEARLY for such love as that fro
nat which | turned away not long ago."
he Not word did Scot answer, while his "a
the was hidden in his hands.
ngh am waiting for your answer, Scot"
The hand that had been on his chair loose
hch ed its hold the little standing figure slipp
y to down, and kneeled upon the floor beside hir
We and both hands were laid upon the tremulo
mex white fingers pressed so tightly in his hair.
'acS % Look Scot, how | am waiting for 20
sou answer" she breathed. al have never be
"a anu obedent to you before, much as you ha
AZ a., taught me but | am waiting to obey y
. sue now"
iPs' What face il was that her gentle tou
Tue' uncovered | could hardly bear TO 10