Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1872-11-01

|
yold holding in its talOns large pearl, dis
appeared from my room, and in accordance
with Mr.. Kage's request, mention the fact
10 her privately. She did not receive my
very quiet intimation Of my knowledge Of
the theft with the perfect composuro which
her manner during our previ-
GUS interview. On the contrary, she seemed
quite aqitated she hesitated, stammered,
and finally reatreated from the room, wiping
furtive tear from her eyes with corner Of
her apron. That same night l was aroused
by stealthy footstep in my room. l have
relinquished the use Of narcotics, and conse-
quently am easily awakened; SO the first
sound Of tread upon my bedroom floor
startled me into sudden consciousness lay |
perfectly still, however, and by the starlight |
could distinguish the dim outlines Of female
form, which paused moment at my dressing
table, and then passed swiftly and softly from
the room. rose at once, struck light,
and found my eagles-claw pin reposing in
its usual place on my pincushion, while on
the foer lay mute evidence Of the identity
Of my midnight visitor, one Of the stiff little
bows Of black ribbon which are the only dec
oratiops in which Mrs. Rage ever indulges.
l thought, Of course, that she was cured Of
her taste for pilferipg, but not at all two Of
my cravats went next, and the same process
Of complaint on my part and restitution on
hers had to be gone through with, greatly
to my annoyance and to her evident discom-
future.
But enough of this rather unpleasant sub
ject l only write of it to gain courage for
another announcement about which feel as
timid as any young maiden, blushing out the
first story Of her love upon her mothers
bosom. Yet why should hesitate Have
not you yourself, my dear sister, in common
with hundreds Of my particular friends, ex-
horted me time after time to marryf Have
you not often said that was Of all men the
one best fitted for domestic life, and that my
large fortune could not be better employed
than in creating charming home-which,
Of course, would need an equally charming
mistress? Well, then, prepare to hear that l
have followed your advice, and make ready
to take fair young sister to your hearts,
nay, to your heart of hearts. have asked
Charlotte Severne to become my wife, aud
she has consented.
There now, my tale is told, and all l re-
gret is, that shall not be present to witness
your astonishment when you first peruse this
portion Of my voluminous epistle.
l write gaYly, it is true, and yet surely
there have seldom been seen botrothals ovel
which brooded deeper cloud of sadness thar
l over mine. But will go back and begir
J regularly at the very beginning Of my story
For some days past 1 had noticed that {
change and that for the worse, had takcr
: place in DIR. Severne's condition He refused
to touch food and seemed to suffer acutely
and though he refused to 60 to bed, or even t
:, remain in his own room, it was evident tina
it was only by the exercise of most deter
mined will that he kept about at all. |, alb
sorbed in my selfconsciousness of my love 70
Charlotte, failed to perceive that anything
: more than passing indisposition was weigh
ing upon him and Charlotte, happy in tn
;. unsuspicious obtuseness Of youth and mex
perience, was equally blind. But old Mar
tina was visibly uneasy, and followed him ik
his shadow
One evening he retired to his little stud
- and shut himself up there, as if to read or
!, write; but that was so frequently his habi
that his quitting US excited no uneasiness i
my mind On the contrary, l was rathe
e glad of his withdrawal than otherwise.
would give me chance of seeing him alon'
for had become anxious to learn my fat
a from Oharlotte's own lips, yet l was to
- much man Of honor to confess my love
her, and win possibly an avowal of her ow
i. in return, without first obtaining her father
- sanction TO my addresses. sought h
-. presence therefore before he had been Ion
:, absent from the sitting-room. My first ia
d, On the library door vas answered by fair
= "Come in" aud entered. DR.. Sever
was hot at his usual post at the writing-tl
- bic. He lay extended on low lounge whiC
formed part of the furniture of his lit
;e sanctum, and his features were drawn an
~ CHASTITY with pain.
- "You are i'll, doctor !" cried, forgcttiu
>. my errand in dismay st his evident suffering
!. g Let me call for assistance"
mo, no !" exclaimed the doctor, half ri
ing and extending one hand toward me
check my movements. " L can aid myse
better than others can aid me, or at least
~ we'll. Sit down and tell me what you wal
- with me. Never heed my saHerings; the
!! will soon be over"
took the seat to which he pointed, al
;, we were silent for some moments. DR.. Sc
- erne lay with one hand shading his face
that I-could not see the expression of h
80 features, and when he again spoke it was
his usual tone.
10 "Well, my young friend, what is it tn
., you wish to say to me | suppose that yC
bo will soon leave US, for your health al
!, strength seem to be perfectly restored"
ay Thereupon the pent-up lava foods of n
nd passionate speech burst FORTH and paintC
in 10 glowing colors my love for Charlotte, n
IS hopes that it was returned, my brilliant pro
sh poets, and the bright future which my afIe
ne tion would shape for her from my wealt
SO And then l eagerly implOred him to let n
IN at once declare my passion to her aud sue e