The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1873-12-02

Will fdNuT US
Il do not sing answered Bessie sweet.
ly.
Il am sure you could ifyou tried, said
Paul
Bessie has never received any instruct +
ion yet, explained Miss Kizzy. When
she gets little older intenl to teach |
her.
Heaven forbid !! thought Paul. And
lest Miss Kizzy should sing again, he beg.
ged to be excused, saying he felt like en-
joying a moonlight stroll.
oh, yes, q moonlight stroll is most de-
lightful of all things said Miss Kizzy.
Il enjoy them so much
But Paul didn't take the little hint she
dropped, so she went into her chamber,
and went to rest, elated with dreams
which would have struck Paul dumb with
amazement aud helpless with amusement
it he had been wiser of them.
The place was really lovely one, and
Paul enjoyed his sketching as only an en-
thusast can enjoy any work, Miss Kiz-
~ if she did have some little weak ncsses,
was a good housekeepcr and set dainty
table. He found himself very comfor
BILE,
He wished for but one thing more that
was q little larger share Of Bessies socie-
ty. Her sweet and blue eyes haunted
Paul constantly, but he seldom saw her
except at the table, or fitting glance as
she tripped about the house intent on
household duties.
But one lucky afternoon he was wand
ering in the woodland, in search of pic.
turesqe elm tree, when he suddenly came
upon the very tree and something else be.
sides--for at its messy feet sat Bessie
Croiton, reading volume of Gail Ham.
i.ton,"
She rose, blushing, as he came near,
and would have has,ened away at once.
but Paul begged her to stay.
Il have longed SO much to make a
sketch of you he said; please give me
the privilege now
I'm afraid aunt Kizzy won't like it,
said Bessie.
We won't tell aunt Kizzy anything
about it, said Mr.. Paul, arranging his
materials please sit just as you are q
little while
As he sketched they talked, and Paul
found Bessie by no means ignorant or un-
informed. The afternoon passed SO quick
ly the sun began to set before they were
aware how low it was, and Bessie few
swiftly homeward to help aunt Kizzy get
supper.
Paul, held by some secret intuition from
accompanying her, fingered longer, and at
last reached home by another route. But
he bad made Bessie promise to come
again the next day and let him finish the
sketch.
Bessie came nor was that the last
evening they spent in the shades OF the
green woodland-but aunt Kizzy sung
songs to her cracked guitar and'never
guessed at it.
Paul painted copy Of his sketch, bu:
he kept it securely hidden behind cur.
tain in his own room. The few weeks Of
his stay had heightened into more than
two months. when, one afternoon. ain,
Kizzy went out to pay visit, and left
Bessie at home. She had not been gone
half an hour when Panl came in, and
finding Bessie alone, asked her to 60 uI
stairs and look at bis picture.
With some hesitation she complied ,and
Paul withdrew the curtain that she might
see her image
oh, l was never half SO beautiful /!
she cried, smiling and blushiDg.
You are much more beautiful sale
Paul, with an earnest gaze at her.
Hush, you must not talk so to me.
am Dot used to Aattery,' said Bessie.
Tho honest praise of those who love u
is not aattery, dear Bessie, said Mr.
Paul, gravely.
And, as she cast half.startled glance
up into his face, he laid one hand on he
arm. and added
Yes, dear Bessie-why should | no
say it? | have right, darling. for
love you. Can you return it, Bessie? p
Well, | could not hear Besse's answer
but Paul did, for the next moment h
drew the shrinking, yet yielding little fig
ure to bis heart. and
But, there. don't think | need tel
any more. Aunt Kizzy was amazed wheI
she came home that night. But it woul
not do to show her own disappointment
and, as Bessie told her they meant to tax
her to New York to live with them,
; think she felt pretty well reconciled.
; New York was better than the elm.gle
even if one didn't have husband. An
I'm sure Miss Kizzie did not regret tax
ing her summer boarder.