National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1873-05-23

Il
at things than trying to change them.
She doubted if he were changed for the
better; he was more like herself. He
had "done society, and knew all
about it. lie could pay ms silly compli-
ments to smirking misses Ms the next
fellow, and then langh in his sleeve to
think what fools he and "the next fell
low both were. He could offer a more
subtle flattery 20 women not too wise TO
be flattered land what woman. or man
either, isD hn. wise enough to wish to
DE estecmed for something more lasting
Ian evanescent physical charms.
He seemed to have forgotten his
Quixotic' notions about "reform." an.
less he expected TO make Il reform in
politics. MarHarc, wondered if her re-
fusal had had anything to do with
damping the glowing enthusiasm he
had brought back from college. Some
of it must yet remain with him, for he
WAS "A hard worker in his profession,
and old Squire Horton had once told
her that there was not n better lawyer
of his age in the commonwealth,
Her rejection had not made him her
enemy anyway. She was glad of that !;
for when he would consent to be aeriuus
and not chaff her over her conquests,
and hail her es Queen Margaret, he
was the .iost interesting man she knew.
He was well read, and had impercepti-
bly, led her into the enjoyment of high
er literature than she had once cared
for, and helped to cultivate her taste in
many ways.
He seemed to value her opinions, too.
He told her once that when she grew
tired of ruling puppets, she might,
with her pen instead of her fan for q
scepter, rule men and women.
She wondered if he meant it. She
was half disposed to try it, She was
tired enough of ruling puppets, and
longed for newer and better worlds to
conquer She was twenty-five now,
and the Dead Sea fruits of six "seasons"
had turned to ashes on her lips. 1t was
dry as dust, and she was weary of it,
Suppose she had married Ralph, she
thought, would it have been better
She thought not. She certainly would
not have had such an opportunity to
sound mere conventionality to its shall
low depths, and would not have felt her
present aspirations for something high
er and more enduring.
Sitting thus, musing, she did not
notice that the object of her thoughts
stood before her, until his shadow fell
upon her face.
She looked up startled, and for mo-
ment flushed with confusion.
Hail to the Queenl' was his saluta-
., l,n+g h..
made subjects but to turn them adrift q
His tone and manner grated harshly
ON her present feelings, and she made
no answer.
Have you inscribed your new victory
on your banner 2" he asked?
II do not understand you, ST. she
answered hauEhtily.
"You don't, aye! Well, that is funny.
Do you suppose am not familiar enoug
with your archery to know when the |
animal has been struck? Come now,
Miss Margaret, don't play the innocent |
with me. | met young Carson gong |
down the hill, and one glance showed |
what was the matter with him
The King of France with forty thousand men |
Went up the hill and 40 came down again
"What, still silent, Come, don't take |
it to heart. why let the stricken deer |
go weep, it will do him good and make
a man of him. Don't mar your victory
by mourning over the wounded.
"Mr. Wentworth, You shall not speak
in that manner to me, as though L We're
one of the professional coquettes, who
lead men on aud then trample on their
affections for idle, wicked amusement
| had right to expect better opinion
from you. If you have not enough re-
spect for me to refrain from uttering
such thoughts. have at least enough
self-respect not stay and listen to
them!' saying which Margaret swept
away with the mien of an offended god
dess.
Ralph was struck dumb with aston
He had been chatting her for
years about her conquests, why should
she flare up so now? He watched her
as she went down the hill, and then
lighted cigar and sat down on the
bench she had just Quilted to think the
matter over.
"Angry bee. use | think her fiirt,'
he growled to himself. "Humphi If
she cuts all her friends who entertain
hat opinion she will have a slim reti-
lue. Has she Alright to expect better
If me. The deuce she has! Was | not
ler first victim? But, then, l must say
she did not have to try any to secure
ne, and so far as I've observed, she
hasn't lured any of the other fellows on.
They fell in as naturally as | did, and
most of them seem to have got out in
better condition, for they've got mar
led, while I've felt no further inclina-
ion that way since the first desire was
10 unceremoniously nipped.
Had right to expect better opin
on from me-" he thought. "Well,
hats so, by George, so she had. And
I'll tell her so. l can't afford to have
Ter angry. Who in thunder would l
nave to talk to? couldn't get along
without her. Suppose | must some
lay, however, for she certainly won't
Keep up this refusing business forever.
"Had a right to expect better opin-
on from me. Well, she must care
,nough about my good opinion to make
t a matter of speculation, anyway, may
De after all
"But pshawl I'm done with that.
we played the stricken deer once and
lon't like the character"
And impatiently flinging away his
igar to emphasize the conclusion ]
Ralph went to find diversion for his
mind by occupying his hands in gather
ng up the croquet implements before
t was dark. Shouldering them he
tarted home, but as he approached the {
pple tree he saw Miss Woodford just 8
topping to pick up the book she had l
eft behind in her hasty flight.
He hurried up at once to get his dis
greeable duty of apologizing over, and l
hinged at once into it with