Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1873-02-26

cusc all lack oil ceremony when she learns |
ALL"
Mr.. Van Burgh accompanied Paul to
the railway station, and saw him of with |
smilingly uttered proiusion of good
wishes.
"The best friend fellow ever had J"
thought Paul, as tho train moved of.
But he could not see the sardonic grin
which the curves of the farewell smile al |
tered when the little country station was
lef, once more to silence and loneliness.
"Now," said Morton Van Burgb,
shall have the Geld all to myself. Strange
how fascinated | have allowed myself to
become with a mere country gipl But
there certainly is something very winning
in her type of beauty"
Bessie Hay never answered Paul Est
colts farewell letter; nor did the latter
once suspect that it was because Mr.. Van
Burgh never had delivered it.
Paul firing up under the ieyercd impulse
Of his old enemy, jealousIy took refuge IN
silence. Nor did a long epistle from his
Aunt Jemma, which contained more news
possible and impossible--than any gov
eminent bulletin, serve to cool the flames
Folks say" wrote the epistolary spin
ster, that Eliza Hay is going to marry the
widower, Sinclair, because he's rich. There
Was a deal of talk about her and that young
Van Burgh but he went away oil Of a
sudden, folks thought it likely with flea
in his ear Eliza knows pretty well which
side her bread is buttered on, and Sinclair
can't live long with that cough Of his"
1t was no wonder that when pretty
Bessie Hay made an excuse to come to Aunt
Jemima's, and asked wistfully and with
certain quiyer in her voice if Pauls letter
contained 10 message for her, the elderly
gossip-monger answered
" Dear me, no You didn't expect to
hear, did you2'
Bessy went back home, her little heart
as cold as lead in her bosom.
She had refused Morton Van Burgh /;
she said = No" to Mr.. Sinclair, in spite of
Aunt Jemima's knowing representations !;
and people began to wonder if pretty
Bessy Hay was going to be an old maid at-
ter all.
So the world waggcd on, until Mr.. Ectcott
came home from the far-off Aowery land
not indeed with the fortune of which he had
dreamed in such sanguine fashion, but with
sufficient competence to live well and
comfortably 10 place as modest as his
native village.
It was a stormy November evening, with
threatenings Of snow in the chilly air, aud
a low wind stirring the last withered leaves
upon the boughs, when he alighted at the
station, looking almost into the eyes of
Bessy Hay, who had come TO the post-office
to ask once again for the letter that never
came.
How seldom are our visions realized
Bessy had dreamed thousand times of
meeting Paul Estcott, but never in such a
way as this
d" Paul !" she quivered.
"Ah !" said Paul, dofing his stylish fur
travelling cap. " hope you are well -
For he did not exactly like to call her
Mrs. Sinclair as yet.
The red stains of sunset had faded out
Of toe sky when he overlook her about a
hundred yards from the station.
His heart smote him when he saw the
LOOK of meek endurance in her face
Are you alone, Bessyf"
Yes, Paul"
81 suppose he said, with an effort
" that must call you by some new name
> now ?"
d, Call me Bessy Hay" she answered
q4issi,y. Z
No, Paul !"
Aunt Jemima said-but Bessie VIII,
did you not answer my letter ?"
b Why did you not write to me, Paul ?
Before they had reached the old Hay
firm, where the currant bushes had lonl
\ snco lost their leaves, and the garden wa
), already beginning to be whitened by th'
\. filling snow fakes, the mists Of doubt an'
misunderstanding were all cleared up AM
3essy Hay had promised to forgive an'
orget her lovers seeming neglect.
ivan Burgh was a scOundrel," uttere,
i Paul, 4" but without his aid | could scarce
/. ly have been in a position to marry you
;. It has been long time to wait; but it
!. lall right, Bessy, after all"
- It's like story, Paul" said Bessy
/" where people 60 through all sorts of trial
r. and tribulations, but are happy at last
!. Oh, Paul, never thought | should live
d story"