National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1871-09-01


ment and above all, Col. Peyton and hi
daughter had taken house, situated nea
the shore and abont n mile from W
This was ecstmy for me and a the Col
oncl and Miss Peyton often came over 4
Mr. Soames, the latter frequently stage,
with Lady Geraldine while the Colonc
and old Mr.. Soame walked OH somewhere
together, and then Charley and | woul,
attend to Gertrude, sing duets with her
and SO on. assure you. on my honor,
never saw that my friend cared for Ger
trude Peyton there was nothing in hi
outward demeanor to indicate 1t and II,
for her, | really believe to this day that
she loved him then, and loves me now
for she Is still living, as you will hear
again presently. Vain though it may
seem in me to say SO, do say il emphati
cally, and say also that Charles Soame',
blood was on his own head
Well, ! had frequent opportunities OF
meeting Miss Peyton alone, and as | knew
my month would quickly pass over, en-
deavored to see her as much a possible.
became more desperately in love than ever
and one day when was walking with her
alone toward her own house-Lady Geral-
dine having requested me 10 escort her
home, as Charley and his father were out
somewhere together as was told de
clared my love for her in straightforward
manly way
Il have been expecting this, Mr. Molly
neuX," said Miss Peyton, land sincerely
thank you for the good opinion YOU have
OF me, and the honor you confer upon me
Allow me to say to you what ! should say
to very few OF your sex very few indeed ;
That any woman might be proud of win
nlng your regard, much more your love ;
but my heart is already anothe"'s and that
being the case, we can never be anything
more than friends. Good friends. | hope.
we shall ever be, Mr.. Molyneux - and She
held out her hand to me.
Miss Pcyton,n said |, thunder-struck.
"you surprise me Thank you for your
kind speech but why have you led me to
suppose that you cared for me when, as You
say, your affections were engaged Do
you suppose me to be stick or stone.
that you should thus play with me and
make me wretched for lite You have
made me love you, and now you tell me
you are engaged"
saw that | was on dangerous ground.
but felt desperate at the idea of being re-
jected by so charming creature; SO said
/, VIII you promise to pardon me, if |
make one more observation If it seems
an improper one, you will forgive me- and
attribute II TO the perturbed state of my
mind at present. Is it really fact that
you are engaged to another, or did you say
so merely from kind wish to soften the |
effect of what your generous heart told .
YOU would be fearful blow p
- assure you Mr.. Molvneux. that have /
told you nothing but the truth, and, under
any circumstances but the present, should |
resent any doubt cast upon my veracitv p .
q do not presume to doubt your word,
Miss Peyton. but | have never seen or
heard OF any other gentleman paying you
attention, nor has my friend Charley Soame;
50 presume the matter must be of clan
iestine character. | may say also that
Lady Geraldine has remarked that you
seemed to favor my advances"
" Really said she, "you are going too
FAR, Mr.. MolyneuX, am not bound to tell
Mr. Charles Soame everything | do, nor is
Lady Geraldine necessarily right in her
'urniSe> concerning my department to-
ward you or any one else
Certainly not said | +; but it seems
chat lady could evnce so much
pleasure in being with a person as you
ave IN being in my company, without
lther caring tor that person, or else being ;
cry -very-ah-posseSsing great indecis :
on Of character"
Circumstances often happen in this a
world which appear singular but which e
ne word OF explanation would make per- -,
,ctly clear" said Miss Peyton, her eyes |
ling with tears. ave all bend to neces- d
ity" V
Necessity p said |, almost grasping her "
and. "What doyoum Miss Peyton ?"
Il only mean what say" she replied. n
But" said |, ''what is your necessity p Ii
nd ! looked straight into her eyes II
She paused for some time, and then said,
Can trust YOU Mr.. Molyneux ~ Il
" Trust men' replied | Il would die a
n you with the greatest pleasure"
" But can you keep secret p g
" You might As well whisper it to that c
'ck," said |, pointing to a mighty mass Of fo
'anite. d
Well said she, "you ask me what my b
acessity is it is to marry the man | only W
ke, and not the man | really love. was nj
real earnest when showed my pleasure gi
being in your company. You are good. 1t
'nerous and talented; but | cannot give %
III my hand, though love you, and that I'll
the necessity To which | bend, If you
ally love me, you will 90 from here and hs
,ver see me again; we may perhaps meet eff
the future under happier circumstances" eli
Her tears fell thick and fast, and | had
4, IN, M
vn emotion at this astonishing decara-
III te
" Miss Peyton," said |, lyon surprise sa
2. = an
. No more, Mr.. Molyneux," she replied tn
you have my secret. kecpit. Farewell" tn
Before | could seize her hand she was tw
ne, and | was left alone, and what my We
'lings We're you may imagine. tn
1t was past the dinner hour when | on
,ched home. and when | entered the too
ling room, Nh. Soame and Lady Geral- th'
he were seated at the table, but Charley
S not there. am
" What have YOU two fellows been
out % inquired Mr.. Soame in his usual pl"
ID tempered way-"why, we are through
: soup" he
i Charley hasn't been with me- said rus
prised; Il haven't seen him since min
lcheon. thought he was out with He
Il, Mr.. Soame.' pea
. O, dare say he'll turn up presently" pic
d the latter; but he's generally pretty hea
nctual at meals" the
rba evening went ON. and Lady Geral- CAV
Ie began to get very fidgety, and even |
Soame. usually calm and imperturba- nOu
showed signs of une.siness. Poc
II was now 10 o'clock and no Charley | get
= .1 ,ro;,c, ON, 10 look for him hea