Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1871-02-15

My one sorrow is in leaving Gervaise all
alone but time heals almost any wound, and
| hope some time she will be loved as she de-
serves by one who can be more than a brother
to her
But to 90 back My guardians family
went away leaving Geryaise in charge Of the
house and to take care Of me. We felt that
that was the time to act, and We resolved
hundred plans by which Gervaiso was to learn
as many different means Of making money.
"Yes, that was the bitterest fact. |, the
man, the natural proyider, must sit with fold
cd hands and wait. You may imagine how |
cursed the malignant fate which made me
impotent to support the darling girl loved
so we'll" he went on vehemcutly. you
don't know how | have learned TO sympaihize
with women since I've been sick all these
years Great Heaven [ wonder they will
consent to live at all, for they must always
be the watchers aud walters, aud rarely the
actors in life.
"Well nothing that we thought Of seemed
feasible and was nearly desperate from dis
appointment, when the doctor who attended
me suggested that Gcrvaisc should 90 20 the
institute and learn wood-cngraving. You
see we were both already proficient in draw
ing, my sister especially for 80 long as our
parents were alive, we had the best Of in
struction, aud had natural talent for it be-
sides. OF course we received the idea with
delight, and after the Doctor who was and is
our only friend besides yourself had made
the necessary arrangements, Gcryaisc began
the lessons,
" Perhaps you know what wonderful aid
to all labor necessity is. If you do not, we
do : and not many months elapsed before
Geryaiso could cut her own designs on the
blocks with great skill When she began to
be paid for her work, | begged her to leave
that house with me but her sense of honor,
which in that case | confess was greater than
mine, would not allow her to consent so we
stayed till our guardian returned from Eu-
rope last spring.
" Gervaise, meanwhile, had become Of age,
and it was not very difficult to persuade my
uncle" this with bitter smile round the
| thin, drawn lips, to let her take me, use
less burden, off his hands The doctor found
this place for US that little inner room, you
know, is mine, where we could live absolute
| ly to each other, and not be annoyed by Gu
rious eyes
At first | could help Geryaise a good
deal in drawing; but am slowly growing
weaker, and less able to do so. And |
can't 20 out to our meals as | used to-
She thinks it is only the winter weather
and that when the robins aud the violets
come again, | shall be as well as | have
been but | know that the next violet will
blossom on my grave, and the robins will
sing my requiem"
After t we sat quiet long time, till
the red, western flames faded into yellow
and then into gray, and at last Geryaise
came in.
Bertie's little history had opened the door
of my heart as with a magic key and looking
in | found there great love for these two
lonely and homeless ones, like myself without
ties. But the love for each was quite different
| felt for Herbert a strong brotherly affection
but for Gervaise-ah, yes, for Gcrvaise the
utterly longing, thrilling tenderness Of 4 tru,
man who feels for the woman into whose han,
be wishes to lay the treasures he holds mos
dear-his happiness, his honor, and his name
The days slipped by. | could see hoy
/, rapidly Herbert Dale lost his hold on life
how rapidly he was sinking into eternity. NJ
visits to them were more frequent than before
; | was filed with fierce desire to keep tn
truth about her brothers health as long a
, possible frcm Gervaise. II she suspected il
, she did not speak | felt that it was no tim
to tell Geryaise my love, to speak Of anothe
| future. These last days Of her life With BertiC
! which | could see so well would be few, yer
few at most should be wholly theirs
determined to control my heart till she needle
] its tenderest ministrations in the days Of dark
ness and sorrow that were certain to come.
, A raw gusty afternoon in February, Bert
4 and | sat again alone. He had been rcadin
I " Dombey and Son !" and, as the fading lgt
+ grew dim, closed the book after the chapt,
about Paul's death. We were filled with Il
f sweet pathos, the tender grief OF the seen
/. and perhaps tracing in our minds a resen
d bauce between the love of Paul and Floronc
Y and BERTHE and Geryaise, when he suddenl
v asked, laying his hand on mine, and searchin
d my face with his eyes as if he would read III
!. soul "Charles you see he and | used oaC
# others Christian names altogether then" {
/. you love Gervaise2 Not as | love her,
b. mean, though Heaven knows how love cou
r, be greater than mine but as a man low
the woman he wants to make his wife2'
o Wondering if with all my care | had b
d trayed my heart-sceret, | laid my hand oy
5, the thin, trembling fingers, and answered
n Who could sec Gervaise as | have know
A. her, aud not love her, BERTHE You knC
9 not how long to make her my wife; to tai
le her in my arms and fold her away from
, sorrow and trouble for evermore But hC
IN did you find me out, dear boy had /
ne solved not to breathe it to her till ehec
y, ing the words upon my lips.
1t, It'll after am gone" said Herbert,
ishing my sentence with a sweet smile. ." Ey
er less jealous than mine might have discover
nd the truth long ago, Charles, had they be
We watching you as have But | will tell '
IT. why | spoke first about it, 1t would be
Id greatest satisfaction to me if you and
lst could be married before say goodbye to y
both. | should die absolutely happy if !
ie, her your wife. A few weeks at most is
of life that remains to me. Go out and m
I'd Geryaisc, tell her your loye--l am sure
ks returns it-and my wish. Go, Charles, no,
nd STOPPING to kiss his palid check, | wi
,y pered " Thank you, Berthe for sending .
Ter would not speak without your consent
now can hardly wait to find her"
The lamps were beginning to be lgh
N when | deserted the little gray figure
Of down the street, aud hurried toward it.
es, heart was full my mind was full Of the
to thing | had come to say; but | began in
most commonplace way by offering my al
nd aud saying You are late tonight, NJ