Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1871-04-05

Trying to avert grim fate. Your mothc
ls determined TO discuss church affairs wit
Mr. Hayes What will she say to find he
not in the succession at all ? That he simpl
cares for the souls Of our butcher and baker
and"
Candlestick-maker," suggested Darrel.
Yes, for aught know | have tried +
keep them apart, but"
Extremes will meet believe there /
an attraction between the poles. But wha
does it portend this invasion? Are yor
about to assume stuff gown and plain bon
net Or do you propose to bring him int,
the true church Not a bad addition,
should say, fixing his eyes upon Paul, VIII,
had won the respectful attention. at least. o
his rather lght-minded audience in the arm
chair
What were you saying" Vesey asked
absenty. Her eyes had followed his. a." How
he CHANGED to be here} Oh father has met
him occasionally, and so asked him to dinner.
| was sorry he came tonight
All ?" Darrcl looked down upon her
with a conscious air She had spoken truer
words than she intended She went on, as
though she had no, heard him as though the
color was not flaming her face.
" Because | knew you would have little in
common aud thought it might be awkward for
us all. Ii does not natter Nothing did or
ever would any more. A gray wall seemed
TO shut out all beyond this night
But | am not to be defrauded of my
rights. am to take you out to dinner, am /
mott You surely won't throw me over at the
last, Voscy2' lie bent his head closer to
her face
don't know; you can sit upon one side
and Mr. Hayes upon the other. if he will -
She moved away towards the others leaning
over his mothers chair she pretended to lis
ten, smiling assent to what she never knew.
She was thinking how pleasant she had hoped
il would be, with only Darrell and his mother
here-they four around the fire in the twi-
light, Darrell by her--of the words she had
thought he would speak There was a ring
hanging from his watch.cbain 1t fitted her
finger. lie had tried it once in Jest.
Ncsey!" called her father And then
she knew the others were rising--that dinner
was announced.
i hope you and Mrs. Winslow have be-.
come friends, she said to Paul, as they were
going out.
One hardly gets so far as that in a half.
hours chat, he answered pleasantly.
"And just before dinner" added Darrell
from the other side, That's the time to make
enemies, Miss Vcsey."
"And the cause queried Darrel in her
ear.
She turned away from him to Paul. And
yet what should she say2 What do people
say to ministers she asked herself helplessy.
And to young ministers above all Oh if he
had not come If he would only go If
they would all 60, and leave her alone with
her disappointment and shame
How she passed the long dinner hour she
never knew. She talked of trivial things, as
we all do, though beneath the outward calm
our very souls are seething. She dared not
speak Of others, lest she break this crust.
Paul judged her. She has found her lowest
depth, he said, when she chanced to name a
ribbon Her spirits rose bouyed by her
light words and laugh perhaps. When they
were back in the drawing-room, and the 9TH
ers fell into the quiet, desultory chat that
Her cold hands refused to lie quietly in her
lap as shapely white hands should. Her feet
beat an impatient waltz under her gown.
She glanced at Darrell. He had thrown him
sell back in an easy-chair, his hands under his
head. There was no ieverish glitter in his
eye. He looked simply bored lie yawned
iurtively. She pushes her chair back "How
stupid we are It's the fire, | think. 1t
always dulls everybody but itself. Will not
some one sing or play27 And she sat down
herself before the piano
She struck quick, sharp chord. " l could
dance tonight !" She had forgotten the young
minister and his probable prejudices He
caught glimpse just then, of the flushed,
intense face. But in an instant, with the
minor chord that followed it changed. Tears
rushed into her eyes ." If hadn't lost my
slippers" she breathed to herself. Her back
was to the others. Only Paul saw the sud.
den saddening of tine face the fall of the wet
eyelids.
Such wonderful spirits - exclaimed
Mrs. Winslow. So light.hearted Vesey al.
ways is !"
Ah" responded Paul. But he fell into
a revery
Darrell leaned over her. What has come
to you ~
How2 Why ?" She did not pause in
her playing
" You're simply glorious now. You hard
ly need 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 a woman's pride.
1t had risen at last Her hands flashed over
the keys, throwing off sparks Of the widest,
gayest music.
Not that - Darrell whispered Play
something soft and low, Do you forget it is
our last evening You're not sorry after
all, then ~ for her face never changed. She
laughed low quiet ripple in her throat
Sorry Oh yes :" lingering over the
last word And still her hands toyed with
the keys. But one can't cry at bidding,
you know dare say | may tomorrow :"
And again the low laugh welled up in her
throat. She looked up fearlessly. 1t had
been all husks she knew now. But at least
he should not triumph in her shame. She had
worn her heart upon her sleeve; but though it
bled he should not know it. She might in
deed cry tomorrow, but not now
As for the man, he experienced new sem
saton--of doubt, mingled with amazement.
He had read her, as he thought, like an open
book. He even fhncied he had cut the leaves.
" Poor little mouse !" he had said to him
self, really must go away. She is Ger.
tainly growing fond of me" He almost
wished now he had decided to stay. 1t SEEM
ed there was a sequel to the book. He was
tempted to fall in love with her upon the
spot. If she is acting, she's by far more
clever than | thought and if she is really
indifferent, I've been conceited fool"
Goodnight and goodbye, it must be-"
he said, OBTAINING her hand when they separ.
ated We shall take the early train"
The flush had died out of her face. She
looked worn and tired. Upon the whole he
was not sorry he had decided to 60.
Goodbye" she said quietly.
"You'll come and make US visit in the
summer Vesey2 Oh, my gloves and my
veil thank you" began Mrs. Winslow, fus.
silly.
" don't know Perhaps so"
OF course you will"
"To be sure" added Darrell shall come