Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1872-07-31
Vol. 67.-3433. No. IL.

Il
Harry opened his merry hazel eyes a. the
idea.
What made you think Of such thing,
sir7" he asked
Oh, don't know. She has good place
here; but one couldn't expect her to be con.
tented with a housekeepers situation always,
Harry"
mo, to be sure not"
" She has become very essential to cur de-
nestle happiness, Harry" went on Mr..
Avenel
Yes-I grant you that, Uncle Joe."
And | really dou't know how we could
manage to exist without her."
Raise her salary, uncle" suggested
Harry.
mo, hardly think it would answer my
purpose; but, Harry"
"Well, unce2"
Mr.. Avenel looked slightly sheepish.
Cant you imagine any other way Of keep.
ing her here2" he asked
Harry stared at his uncle. Mr. Avenel
felt disposed to give him hearty shake for
his stupidity.
OH cried the young man, with a sud-
den dawnng Of lucidity over the darkness of
his brain. Nou don't mean--matrimony,
uncle2"
Yes do" quoth Mr.. Avesel, stouty.
"Would you object, Harry ?"
81, unce2"
"Because you are the only person inter-
ested besides myself-and her."
my greatest interest, uncle, is to see you
happy" the young man answered, wringing
the elders hand. "Aud If |, too should
conclude to marry at no very distant day"
why, then" cried Mr.. Avenel gaily,
we can all live together just as we do now,
and be the happiest family in the world"
And he went into the house, wbistling as
he went, John Anderson, my 10 john" as
blithely as boy Of. sixteen.
Juliet Hawkhurst was standing by the lit
tie side garden gate that evening, thought
fully watching over her right shoulder, Of
course, the slender silver crescent Of the new
moon. Juliet had certainly bossomed into
perfect little rose of a maiden, during the
years she had been an inmate of Avencl
place. She was fair haired and rosy, With
long eyelashes deep blue eyes full Of shadowy
purple CLEANS, and a complexion like rose
colored SATIN and, moreover, there was in
her very movement sef-possesscd grace and
dignity Of mien, that was inexpressibly
charming. Juliet Ilawkhurst had been born
IA lady, but untoward fate had made house,
keepers daughter of her.
As she stood there, leaning over the iron
rail of the gate, footstep sounded behind
her.
Juliet !"
She turned with a little rose blush and
smile she fain would have concealed, and
Harry Avene came up and stood close be-
side her
Little elf, you thought you had hidden
away from me, but you see have contrived
to find you out even here What makes you
blush and look so confused?"
DO | ?" and Juliet fixed her gaze very
steadfastly on the green turf at her feet,
where a single yellow dandelon was closing
its eye of dawny gold for the night.
"Listen" cried Harry, trumphantly.
" I've got piece Of news for you."
What is it ?"
What should you think of stepfather,
eh, little one2 2"
Juliet looked up, this time, in real and
4 genuine astonishment.
"A stepfather, Harry2"
| "My uncle has conided to me this even
ing that he thinks of marrying, Juliet, and
from all that | can gather, the bride is no1e =
other than your mother. So when We are
married there will be nice little family cir
Gle of us, eh ?"
And the audacious young man belted her
slender waist with his arm, and ventured to
draw her a little closer to him.
"Oh, but Harry, you are all wrong" cried
Juliet, crimsoning and smiling like June
flower. IL meant to tell you of it, but
somehow the words would not come to my
lips. Your uncle told me also that he had
concluded to marry again. and he asked me
to be his wife"
"The-mischief he did," cried Harry,
starting back as if some one had struck him
a blow. You Why Juliet, you are young
enough to be his daughter" !"
Perhaps am" said Juliet, meekly.
Aud what did you tell him? You ac-
cepted him of course2 He is rich and am
poor, and all the girls like gold"
Harry"
Tell me quickly, Juliet" he cried, almost
pnssonately Don't keep me longer in
suspense"
| told him." Juliet answered, innocently,
that had already promised to marry you"
my little dove !" aud Harry Avenels
dark face frightened into sunshine once
again. And you were right, Tor May aud
November never yet were happily mated. My
uncle is an old fool (; and yet | can't blame
him, Juliet. when | look at your sweet face"
The countenance of Mr.. Avenel was slight
ly confused when he met his nep ew at the
breakfast table the next morning, but iurthur
than that, there was no sign Of the dscom-
6ture be had undergone. lie gave Juliet an
exquisite set of wedding pearls when she was
married and congratulated Harry after
very cordial fashion. Bat he never PROPOSED
to Mrs. Hawkhurst. aud as she had never ex-
pected anything Of the sort, no harm was
done.
Aud everything goes on at Avenel place
just precisely as it ought to. Mr.. Avenel
keeps his housekeeper, and Harry has gained
u wife.