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


earnestly, fancying, perhaps, that her own
loving feelings must be shared by Walter too:
We always shall Am not your own and
only sister, Charlie, and is not Walter going
to be your only brothcrP"
Even in the dying light, | could see Scot
raise sharp questioning face and reading
its agony, | involuntarily laid my hand on
Pennies lips. Then laughed nervously at
her astonsbmont.
" Scot is waiting to hear your secret from
your own lips" said, wishing with all my
heart | had told him myself while we sat
alone there in the twilight
"Oh, Scot, she began, with sly hesitation,
d" did not see you, else | would have told
you. At least | think 50, if-if Walter
hasn't"
"You have kept Walter so entirely to your
self, little lady" put in hurriedly, that he
cannot have told any one"
" He-and l, " said Pennie in slow, happy
tones, but with timid, shrinking eyes, as she
looked at him. are--engaged Scot
Yes" said Scot, quietly.
She paused a minute, waiting for him to
say more, then tossed back her bright little |
head, and looked down comically at me.
Ought not Scot TO say he is glad, or
something of that kind, CHARLIE Isn't it
considered right2'
| saw that she was speaking at random,
and that her cheeks had flushed and her
eyes filed with tears as she read what was so
sadly familiar to me in the grave, kind face.
think you need no congratulations,
dear" | said vaguely you have enough in
| your own heart"
Her little fingers closed tightly on mine
yet she had recourse to her old petulaut de-
tiance Immediately.
Scot is hard, and stern, and cold TO me,
as usual, she stammered hotly. /" Just be-
cause l made few mistakes in a paltry
translation"
Scot was standing against the table close to
us then; his slight figure leaning little;
his face white and proud.
"If can be hard and stern and cold to
you, then let me be so, child, in pity for
under it all my heart burns with a wild,
strong love which cannot always govern.
Let me burn it out if can, whatever comes
to take its place"
There was long, motionless pause among
US then with startled movement, as If
something were suddenly made clear to her,
Pennie left my side and stood close to Scot.
, She laid her two little hands on his, and
spoke with glistening eyes
Some day, Scot when you have taught
Charlie and me all we shall be able TO learn,
, (it isn't much, you know you will go out
into the great world aud find a happiness
like mine only deeper and when you tell me
: of it-as you will do, because we shall b'
! always friends-I shall say, what you are
saying to me now with your kind eyes Goo
It bless you in your happiness p"
, Scot took the little earnest hands and held
Q them closely for minute but if he spoke at
: ALL did not hear what he said. Then he
D went away, and Pennie sat down beside me
: very still and slent while the pitying dark
ness crept in and hid her face.
II.
: Isn't that true verse Charlie" Their
is the sorrow who are left behind ?"
Pennie was driving me home from th'
+ station. We had been to see Walter off Il
) London on his way to the continent, wher
IS he was to spend six months with party o
y old college friends. The reins were unneces
c sarily tight in Pennies hand, the little round
ed cheeks we're very pale in the tickle Marcl
sunshine; and the young voice was brigh
a only by great effort.
Il (which | suppose is very soothing re
IT Hection for you" said, smiling. "As 20
love Walter so much better than yourself.
N Yes but was thinking Of some one else
lt too May we drive on to see Mrs. Cowen
She said this parting would break her heart.
% Never mind to day, Pennie. Scot is ther'
ie He is best to be with her now-beSt to b
with her always if she did but know it,
IT " Not better than Walter, Charlie" she r,
~ piled, her eyes all sfame in their sorrow enc
better than such dear, dear, pleasant fellow
u Scot is not the very idol Of his mothers hea
like Walter"
; No; in consequence of his mothers hea
Ill being set against him" But stopped with
laugh, for | would not vex Pennie to-day vii
Is' this old argument Of ours.
l Now, Charlie" she said, her face so hal
ot py in its love, so wistful and tender in
first pain of parting "in spite Of all you choo
IT, to say Of Scots goodness and of Walter
ID thoughtlessness you know very well TIL
everybody likes Walter best. They can't he
u' it. No more can l."
on She seemed to miss Walter very much, al
10 she was Just her own willful self all the tin
as always waiting on me, teasing Scot, al
acting the pleasant, demure little mistress
:, the house when our father came home at nigl
ne Often felt very angry with her and at last o
'ly day when Scot had had one of his old, hai
be struggling mornings, followed her out and to
her | could not stand by and see his bray
ST. patient pain.
us You ought never TO come in TO study vi
i've US, said botly. you should learn nothi
all your life rather than learn from him nov
eel hBut there is no one else to learn from
ing she pouted. 80 must"
TO- Then | wish to Heaven he would care !
we for my good, aud go away for his own SAX
'ins That would be very unkind though di
es say that he will do 50 soon" said Pennie.
cry "You Of all the world should judge $
nds most tenderly and kindly, Pennie." crie'
I'D, And so do, dear Charlie" she answer
ien with quick esrnestness.
'ori Then leave him TO himself, | shall IN
his you woefully, as you know ; but would
ther you never came until our work is oy
om- and we all meet on equal ground"
rms "Chsrlie," she said, in voice OF ut
ne solitarinesss, " am always lonely and re
ter less and mischievous away from you bu
are will not come in again"
ana Aud then Of course | was miserable, thor
| had gained what wished
ld After that, Pennies behavior to S
'he changed. Day after day she forgot to j
ie our studies; forgot it in the most easy a
ing natural manner imaginable, offering no ior'
put reasons, showing no conscious embarrassing
tne aud day after day she grew quieter and a
al eter to Scot not kinder exactly, or M