Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1872-07-29
A Mute Messenger.


an aunt or other near relative of the
other, fair, frail girl with curling
brown hair, and dark sad gray eyes.
One evening just before nightfall, they
were sitting together on the wide veran-
dah conversing in low tones, on a SUBJ
ject of great interest to the younger one
at least, who was leaning her cheek
against the iron railing. with her hand
kerchief folded between
''How long has it been since you and
Melville Graham had your little quar-
rel q asked the elder lady.
ut was no little quarrel, aunty, but
one big enough to continue all our lives
judging from his actions" g
''How long since you saw him - in
terrogated the other.
1.-Two years. was the brief response.
1.-TWO years ! Why, the man is cold
blooded flirt, and you an idiot to care
anything for him now. Take care my
dear you will drop your handkerchief
into the street. What did you quarrel
about in the first place %
The young girl picked up her hand
kerchief from the floor, and folded it in
to a tiny soft pillow, placed it again
under her cheek and answered:
1T began about just nothing at all,
or something equally foolish-a mistake.
He called one day when was out, and
when l came in shortly afterward, |
found him lying on the sofa, and when
| ran up to kiss him, his breath was
strong with the smell of brandy. [
thought of course, he had been drinking
liquor, and was already too drunk to sit
up, ard with such conviction said
some very ugly words, which he seemed
not to comprehend. At last began to
cry, and jerked myself out of the room,
slamming the door in his face, for he got
up and followed me-
eff he was drinking man, | think
you did well to rid yourself of the en-
gagement," said aunty complaisantly
whirling a string of watch charms around
her finger.
''Susie, my love, there goes that hand
kerchief again. 1t surely will go into
the street next time. Do put it into
your pocket.
mo danger, auntie. l will be very
CAREFUL said SUSIE this time crumpling
it up and placing it under her cheek,
as she continued to speak of her sor-
row.
"But was mistaken and acted like
an idiot, as l really was. He was not
feeling well that day, and when he came
in looking so pale and wan, mother in
sisted on his drinking some brandy, and
made him lie down on the sofa in wait
for me"
''Goodness gracious what girl
Why didn't you send for him and ex-
plain everything?' said aunty, jumping
up from her chair and pacing up and
down. aa
"Mother did, but he had gone away.
and we have never heard from or of him
since, said Susie, also rising, forget
ting all about the handkerchief, which
. futtered downward and fell plump into
the suddenly up-turned face of gentle
man who was passing along on the ban
quette. Susie peeped over just in time
to see him turn toward the door of the
; hotel and mount the stairs leading tt
the parlor, evidently with the intention
of restoring the handkerchief to its own
Dreading lecture from prudish aun
Hannah, Susie darted quickly through
the parlor and ran up to her room, leav
ing her aunt to receive the Handkerchief
and thank the stranger for restoring it
e Oh! little girl with the mournful eyes
could you have known into whose fac,
your mute little messenger fell, wonde
if you would have run away so swiftly
Moulding the dainty fabric in hi
4 hand, the gentleman passed through tn,
parlor, out on the verandah, and ap
preached portly Aunt Hannah who was
: the only lady there.
S Permit me to restore to you you
9 handkerchief, madam he said proffer
ing it to her.
Aunt Hannah drew her hands an,
!. herself back.
d "You are mistaken, sir; [ have m
4 handkerchief, and as he still hesitated
d her maidenly reserve took the alarm
:. ''Oh, | understand the tricks of yo
II city fellows! You know very we'll tina
a is not my handkerchief Catch m
lie dropping handkerchiefs over the railing
le to gentlemen in the street Thank good
y ness my niece has gone to her room, {
~ you would have been impudent enoug
at to have brought it to her, and she like
" little goose would have been ready I
make eyes at you for your gallantry.-
rs Go your way young man; you have fai
ell ed this time.'
+ r Slowly returning the way he cam
is still holding the handkerchief in h
,h hand and with Aunt Hannah's wore
he ringing in his ears, our friend Melvil
en- Graham was like one who walked in I