Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1873-01-22

.
face, as it pressed the pillow, whitoned by
the moonlight that 'glinted the frost on the
window.panes and flooded the room.
She seemed colder to him after this, and
he kept silent.
lie knew that she met Halliburton AZ her
aunt's he knew that when she went TO the
seaside the ensuing summer, for q weeks
visit to Mrs Paul Appleton, there he was
also. He knew that she seemed to be iv-
ing life apart from him ;yand once--that
was when the iron entered his soul, when he
went to her little desk, present he made
her during their engagement-ior a sheet
Of note paper, and found it locked and ask.
ed her carelessly enough for the key, she
flushed and said she would get the paper
for him.
But be kept true to the promise he made
himself. He kept on lighting his way
against it as best he could" hoping with
sick heart, that she might see it right by
and.by."
The months wore away. The second
year Of their marriage was nearly complet-
ed. John had heen very careful--as care
ful as Georgy herself-that there should
be no outward and visible sign of misunder.
standing or coldness between them. No
suspicion had come to any that the second
year Of their married life had been less
happy than the first. Nor had be ever
omitted to give her any little indulgence
within his power. He had prepared sur
prise for her on the coming anniversary Of
their wedding during the year.
The anniversary fell upon Sunday and
so their little commemoration Of the day
must come the preceding evening. No al
lusion had been made to any celebration by
either Of them but John felt sure, some
way, that she could not let the time pass
without some sign. For his own part, he
had half resolved to attempt some explana-
tion Of their estrangement. Any thing,
he thought, would be better than this chill
ing reserve. With his mind divided be-
tween the anticipation of relief and Jealous
dread, he went to the counting house that
Saturday night to receive his money. The
cashier looked up, with a certain embar-
rassment at his approach.
All, Mr. Randall-the accumulation
you have left in my hands To be sure
And, by the way, Mr.. Halliburton spoke to
me to mention to you that there we're to
be some changes made, and-and-bu
there he is himself, sir"
John Randall turned, with feeling akin |
to desperation, to meet his employer. Itl
had gone through him like a thunderbolt, |
as the cashier spoke, that he was to be dis.
placed. Stephen Halliburton simply said,
as John faced him, " I'll not detain you
now, Mr.. Randall | shall call this even
ing to let you know of the changes feel
obliged to make"
And the owner bowed, and left him.
With the money In his nerveess hands,
John Randall walked homeward like a man
dazed. He was to lose his place For
what reason he found it impossible to con-
lecture. But to lose it, was to lose reputa-
tion, courage-eyerything He had never
imagined such possibility as that. The
money that he carried-he should not dare
to make present Of it to Georgy now.
He might have to wait for other employ
ment. 1t might be needed for their bare
everyday needs, before he got work again
A chill like death struck to his soul.
Georgy evidently had not overlooked the
recurrence Of their wedding day. The cosy
rooms Of the cottage all wore little air Of
festivity. Some slender vases held the
gleanings Of the flower beds-chrysanthe-
NUNS blood-red, white, and purple-verbe-
mas, and scarlet geraniums.
She came to the door that night to meet
him-one of her " company" dresses on,
some knots Of velvet fastening her collar,
and seeming to give glow and brightness
to her white skin. He took her hand--she
raised her face, and with wild heart
bound he kissed it, as he had not for years
before. She was coming back to him
again That was the thought that thrilled
him. Her infatuation--if such it had been
was at an end She was his once more
And then, close upon his new happiness,
came the dreary recollection of his lost sit
uatiou. He thrust the money in his pocket
By-and-by he would tell her all
" You won't mind waiting supper for an
hOur-will you, John2" she asked, as she
led him in. 81 am going to give you
something niee-by-and-b -by-and-I think
Mr.. Halliburton will be in"
John Randall's blood froze once more
1t was not for him, then, that all these
preparations were made. Georgy had new
er spoken Mr. Haliburtons name to him
before He could feel that she was embar-
rassed as she did so.
81 want you to dress, john" she added,
coaxingly. II have laid every thing out
for you"
ltseemed to him that he would have
turned upon her but that he felt so broken
by the thought of losing his place, and re-
sented her gayety, her Indifference, her Sc
crecies-all that had made him SO misera-
bic through this long year. But he had
not the spirit.
He went to dress as she had asked him.
When he returned to the paror, Stephen
Halliburton and his wife sat upon the sofa
side by side. 1t was rare indeed to see
Georgy's fair face so illuminated Her
cheeks were glowing, her eyes were spark
ling.
As for Mr.. Halliburton, he was always
the quiet gentleman, with no sense of be-
ing out of his place, no apparent suspicion
Of what was ranking in the heart Of his
employee.
Nuht ulco htto supper booIgJ hhu
ready Yet nobody ate.
Finally the supper was over, and they
went back to the parlor.
Georgy disappeared for moment, and
returning approached her husband, gIanc-
ing shyly at the same time to her guest,
whose face frightened beyond its wont as
he caught her eye.
ave meant to make it all very formal,
John; but | see Mr.. Halliburton thinks |
might at once tell it in my own way"
She paused, and sober pallor over
spread her husbands face.
"What was coming?" his eyes asked,
with no faith that it was anything to light
EN- his secret burden.
Georgy nervously folded and unfolded
slip of paper which she held.
"This is for you, john" and she held it
shyly towards him. My anniversary gift.
have been working for Mr. Halliburton,
too, this year. And | have thirty guineas
here-the price of the designs | have for
: the calicoes
"Georgy !"
~ -.