Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1871-01-04

vOuiu MAKE up my mlnu ON tnls pOlnt soinc
other point Of interest arose and was brought
under discussion, and | was appealed to, and
compelled TO throw myself into matters Of the
moment.
Before breakfast was over Miss Bray had
seen enough Of the Times, apparently, for she
threw it down with laugh at its dullness,
and joined eagerly and amusingly in the gen.
eral conversation.
Mrs. Leicester mentioned some article Of
decorative furniture that she was anxious to |
have, in the course Of conversation and Lily
Bray said at once
must, be in town in tho course Of few
days, and | will get it for you, aunt"
Must be in town in the course of few
days p they all exclaimed. Why, you've
only just come"
such triiles as novels 90 astray in the press if
they are not well looked after, and am very
anxious that my new one should come out
Tree from all other impcrfections than those |
have endowed it with"
But you'll come back soon 2" they Choir
used, for they were all very fond as well as
very proud Of Lily. Indeed, the reader
may have observed that the two sentiments
generally go together.
You'll come back soon 2"
Yes, at least with sudden confusion)
" can't say when"
You will find London very dull and emp
ty now | said, with my grandest society
manner.
I'm only going on business" she said,
quietly; so the emptiness and dullness
won't make any material difference. Dick,
she continued, addressing my lover, " why
don't you express some of the interest I'm
sure you must be feeling about my new
novel ~ and she laughed as she spoke in a
very free and unembarrassed manner.
You know that always wish your books
success, Lily" he said and then breakfast
came to an end, and sauntered out into the
grounds with Richard.
His pet horse was had out, and | patted
it. His pointers and greyhounds leapcd and
bounded about me, and | vowed that de-
lighted in their rough gambols. Then he
spoke Of his sisters, and told him | thought
they were delightful. And then | spoke Of
Lily.
You never mentioned your cousin, Lily
Bray to me, Richard | said, half reproach-
fully. " | wish you had done so she must
have thought it so forgetful and negligent Of
you"
She never makes mistakes, or takes huff
at nothing" be replied. And then there was
silence between US for a minute.
She's rather pretty" then | resumed
O." Do you think so ?" lie spoke indiifcr-
emily.
Yes rather; don't as a rule admire
hazel eyes and dark hair and complexion
but certainly | think her pretty. Don't
you2"
YES"
a. She certainly is as little like blue
stocking as any one | have ever seem |
went on, magnauimously. She is quito
fashionable young lady"
She's as little like fashionable young
lady, thank the Lord, as she is like blue.
stocking" he answered, quickly. She's
charming good clever, pretty girl"
" As you think her all these things, won.
der you did not fall in love with her" said,
in rather a piqued tone and then the first
blow was dealt at my unhappiness by his say.
ing in a very low voice;
80 did, Helen"
The hand had placed on his arm trembed
1t was such hard thing TO hear
4" Oh, Richard - | gasped wish you
had never told me. | did not venture to
hope that | was your FIRST love, as you are
mine, but did hope | should never know the
one you had loved before me-
my darling" he said very gravely Il
shall always tell you the truth let US begin
life by having perfect confidence in one an
. iNfh.~ 1 G.. lao, L, a
Lily Bray"
you would have been good enough for
me without having gone through that expert
euce," | said, discontentedy. And then,
though knew that it would be better for mo
not 70 persist in going into particulars, my
womanly curiosity induced me to ask:
"If you loved her, why didn't you marry
her 3"
" For this simple reason-that she wouldn't
marry me" he said, with his face flushing.
o Oh, Richard then you asked her 2"
lie nodded assent, and burst out crying.
IL is so humiliating TO hear that a man only
q chose you after his choice Of somebody else
had proved fruitloss.
/ Now, Helen, please don't be nonsensical,
my darling" he said, imploringly; she
q Npuluu I hdNc Hlts dnu AntTc - hu Gnu Vi IL.
No, not an end of it; you haven't told
me why you wanted to marry her." | said
. knew that was guilty of absurdity in asking
this question bat the desire to know all about
n it had got possession of me.
/. He made an impatient exclamation, and
then said
t For the same reason men generally want
to marry-l loved her,"
- "And why wouldn't she marry you ~
I Because she did not love me in return,
suppose" he said, dryly. "Now, Helen
r don't cook up romance about it; the thing
n is past and over and forgotten. Lily hcrsel
probably classes it among the annals of ou
childhood"
i A." Not, she" | said, bitterly; " she was re
,r mcmbering wildly this morning, when | wa
v introduced to her as your betrothod, that yol
= had loved her first and best"
" He did not say fddestick, but he locke,
n iddlestick" at me.
:. Disabuse your mind of that notion a
10 soon as you can, Helen" he said for yo
et do injustice to Lily. And now let US talk 0
something else"
u L obeyed him, and talked about somethin
u Nists oue VI WV oubJpNt otiiii
| turned it over in my mind until it became
ID weight 1t seemed to me to show bad feein
and bad breeding on Miss Bray's part tina
to she should have elected to stay in the hous
-d when was expected. could not credit he
i with the Indifference that Richard did.
n. could not free her from the charge of bein
an too much interested in him still.
n. After a time we went back TO the hous,
k. and betook myself to my own room and I
ly solitary reflection until luncheon. At lunch
u con Miss Bray was even more gorgeously be
dight that she had been at breakfast.
at should have thought nothing Of the change
he toilet in one of my own order, but for youn
or woman who was dependent on her exertion
he whose means were so precarious as those of
OF mere writer must be, ! thought this attento
70. to dress misplaced and ridiculous.
ed 1t turned out that she was going out dri'
ho ing with her aunt, Mrs. Leicester-going o,
ly for drive and to make calls But even